There will the fire devour you; the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust. Multiply yourselves like the locust; multiply like the grasshopper!
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse contains a striking, almost ironic command: "multiply yourselves like the locust." After describing how the fire and sword will devour Nineveh just like a locust swarm, the prophet then tells Nineveh to become more like that destructive swarm. This isn't a genuine encouragement, but a harsh, sarcastic statement highlighting the futility of Nineveh's own supposed strengths and numbers against God's judgment.
There will the fire devour you; the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust. Multiply yourselves like the locust; multiply like the grasshopper!
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nahum has just described the impending destruction of Nineveh by fire and sword, a judgment for its wickedness. The prophet continues to taunt the city, urging it to desperately gather its forces and citizens like swarming locusts, implying that even these vast numbers will be utterly consumed by God's vengeance. This vivid imagery highlights the futility of Nineveh's defenses against the divine judgment that is about to fall.
Imagine building the strongest walls, stocking the deepest wells, and preparing for a siege... only for the enemy to bypass it all. Nahum paints a picture of utter futility for Nineveh's defenses.
The prophecy in Nahum 3:15 doesn't just describe destruction; it highlights where it will happen—'There.' This 'there' refers to the very places Nineveh thought were secure.
Futile Fortifications
Locusts are a terrifying force of nature, capable of stripping landscapes bare in a single day. Nahum uses this vivid imagery to describe the totality of Nineveh's destruction.
The verse employs the simile of the locust and cankerworm to illustrate the consuming nature of God's judgment against Nineveh.
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Assimilated by Annihilation
Understand the original words
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A hand-to-hand combat weapon; in biblical prophecy, it is the primary instrument of divine judgment against rebellious nations.
arbeh · Hebrew Noun
A migratory insect known for rapid reproduction and total destruction of vegetation; biblically, it is used as a metaphor for an unstoppable, vast, and devouring invading army sent by God.
Nahum's prophecy of Nineveh's destruction is set against the backdrop of Assyria's brutal expansion and subsequent weakening. The vivid imagery of fire, sword, and locusts underscores the totality of judgment, while the ironic command to multiply like locusts highlights the futility of Nineveh's defenses against the overwhelming forces of God's judgment, symbolized by the Babylonian and Median coalition.
c. 722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Assyrian Deportation
The Northern Kingdom of Israel falls to the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Many Israelites are deported, and Assyria resettles the land with foreigners, demonstrating Assyria's vast imperial power and reach.
c. 705-681 BC
Reign of Sennacherib
Sennacherib, an Assyrian king, expands the empire and wages campaigns against various kingdoms, including Judah. His reign is marked by military might and the brutal suppression of rebellions.
c. 671 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Egypt
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, under Esarhaddon, conquers Lower Egypt, extending its dominion to its greatest territorial extent. This highlights Assyria's apex of power and its oppressive influence over neighboring regions.
c. 660s BC
Assyrian Internal Strife and Scythian Incursions
Following Assyria's peak, the empire experiences internal power struggles and faces invasions by Scythian tribes from the north, weakening its once-unshakeable hold.
c. 612 BC— this verse
Fall of Nineveh
A coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians attacks and destroys the Assyrian capital, Nineveh. The city is plundered and burned, marking the decisive end of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.
This passage vividly describes the utter destruction caused by locusts, mirroring the devastating power that will consume Nineveh as depicted in Nahum 3:15. The sheer voracity and completeness of the locusts' destruction serve as a powerful metaphor for the enemy's actions.
Jeremiah 51:14Jeremiah also uses the imagery of locusts to describe the vastness and destructive capability of an invading army, directly paralleling Nahum's message to Nineveh. The idea of multiplying like locusts speaks to an overwhelming, unstoppable force.
Revelation 9:3This New Testament passage describes locusts that have a destructive power over humanity, linking the ancient imagery to a spiritual battle. It shows how this symbol of overwhelming destruction has continued to be used throughout Scripture to represent devastating forces.
Psalm 49:11This psalm speaks to the futility of trusting in earthly wealth and possessions, which eventually perish. It connects to Nahum's message by highlighting the ultimate emptiness of relying on fortifications and worldly strength, which, like locusts, will be devoured.
clarkeNahum 3:15: "There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts."
Make thyself many as the cankerworm - On the locusts, and their operations in their various states, see the notes on Joel 2 (note). The multitudes, successive swarms, and devastation occasioned by locusts, is one of the most expressive similes that could be used to point out the successive armies and all-de…
calvinNahum 3:14-15: "Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln."
- Illic vorabit te ignis, exterminabit te gladius, comedet te quasi bruchus (alii vertunt, quasi bruchum;) multiplicari (ad verbum, vel, multiplicando; est kyrq quasi bruchus,) multiplicare quasi locusta.
The Prophet goes on with the same subject, -- that the Ninevites would labor in vain, while striving anxiously and with every effort to defend themselves…
This verse contains a striking, almost ironic command: "multiply yourselves like the locust." After describing how the fire and sword will devour Nineveh just like a locust swarm, the prophet then tells Nineveh to become more like that destructive swarm. This isn't a genuine encouragement, but a harsh, sarcastic statement highlighting the futility of Nineveh's own supposed strengths and numbers against God's judgment.
Nahum has just described the impending destruction of Nineveh by fire and sword, a judgment for its wickedness. The prophet continues to taunt the city, urging it to desperately gather its forces and citizens like swarming locusts, implying that even these vast numbers will be utterly consumed by God's vengeance. This vivid imagery highlights the futility of Nineveh's defenses against the divine judgment that is about to fall.
Nahum has just described the impending destruction of Nineveh by fire and sword, a judgment for its wickedness. The prophet continues to taunt the city, urging it to desperately gather its forces and citizens like swarming locusts, implying that even these vast numbers will be utterly consumed by God's vengeance. This vivid imagery highlights the futility of Nineveh's defenses against the divine judgment that is about to fall.
"There will the fire devour you; the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust. Multiply yourselves like the locust; multiply like the grasshopper!" — This verse contains a striking, almost ironic command: "multiply yourselves like the locust." After describing how the fire and sword will devour Nineveh just like a locust swarm, the prophet then te…
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Last reviewed October 2026