Nahum 3:15-16
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! You increased your merchants more than the stars of the heavens. The locust spreads its wings and flies away.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse turns a vivid description of destruction into an ironic command. God declares Nineveh will be devoured "like the locust," but then mockingly tells them to "multiply like the locust," highlighting the futility of their efforts against His judgment, as even their vast numbers would be insignificant.
Nahum has just detailed Nineveh's intense efforts to prepare for siege, trying to bolster their defenses and secure water supplies. Now, the prophet sarcastically tells them to keep trying to strengthen their city and gather more people, but points out that fire and sword will consume them. He uses the image of locusts to describe how completely they'll be destroyed, ironically urging them to multiply like the very plague that will devour them.
Nineveh is desperately trying to fortify itself, but God's judgment is coming. What does this verse reveal about the futility of trusting in human effort against divine wrath?
The prophet Nahum paints a stark picture of Nineveh's impending doom. Despite all their efforts to "draw waters for the siege" and "fortify thy strong holds," as mentioned in the preceding verse, their defenses will be utterly useless.
The Unstoppable Fire and Sword
The verse declares, "There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off." This isn't just a description of military defeat; it signifies a total annihilation. The "fire" could be literal, referring to the destruction of the city, or figurative, representing the intense wrath of God and the enemy. The "sword" signifies the relentless military conquest.
Trusting in Walls, Not the Word
Nineveh believed its fortifications and resources would save them. They were diligently working to build and strengthen, much like people today who pour their energy into wealth, status, or even personal strength, believing these things provide ultimate security. However, God declares that all these efforts will be consumed by His judgment. His wrath is not deterred by bricks and mortar, but by repentance and humility.
The imagery of locusts is used in two striking ways in this verse. What does it reveal about Nineveh's own nature and its impending fate?
Nahum uses the terrifying image of locusts to describe both how Nineveh will be destroyed and, ironically, how Nineveh itself has behaved.
Devoured Like the Locust
The verse states the enemy "shall eat thee up like the cankerworm" and "like the locust." This comparison emphasizes the thoroughness and ease with which Nineveh will be consumed. Just as a swarm of locusts can strip an area bare in a short time, so too will the enemy leave nothing behind. The original language suggests a relentless, 'licking' consumption, leaving nothing untouched.
Multiply Like the Locust
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.
rokēl · Hebrew Noun
Individuals engaged in trade or commerce; in biblical prophecy, often associated with the worldly wealth and influence of nations that stand in opposition to God’s kingdom.
arbeh · Hebrew Noun
A migratory insect often used in Scripture as a metaphor for divine judgment, overwhelming armies, or the destructive forces that consume the prosperity of a nation.
Nahum's prophecy vividly describes the destruction of Nineveh, using the imagery of locusts to emphasize the overwhelming and all-consuming nature of God's judgment against Assyria's power and pride.
7th century BC
Assyrian Empire at its Zenith
Under rulers like Ashurbanipal, the Neo-Assyrian Empire was a vast power, known for its military might and cultural achievements, but also its brutality.
c. 650-640 BC
Internal Strife and Weakening of Assyria
Following Ashurbanipal's reign, the empire experienced internal revolts and civil wars, weakening its ability to defend its borders.
c. 626 BC
Neo-Babylonian Empire Rises
Nabopolassar established a new Babylonian dynasty, beginning a period of resurgence for Babylon and setting the stage for an alliance against Assyria.
615 BC
Assyrian Cities Attacked
The Medes, under King Cyaxares, began attacking Assyrian cities, indicating a coordinated effort to dismantle the empire.
612 BC
This passage uses the same imagery of locusts devouring crops to describe God's judgment, highlighting the destructive power and overwhelming nature of divine wrath that is also seen in Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh.
Jeremiah 51:14Jeremiah echoes Nahum by comparing the enemy forces to locusts, emphasizing their vast numbers and the utter destruction they will bring, reinforcing the terrifying simile used against Nineveh.
Ezekiel 38:22This prophecy describes God bringing a flood of destruction, including fire, brimstone, and hail, against an invading army, mirroring the 'fire' and 'sword' judgments threatened against Nineveh and demonstrating God's ultimate power over earthly armies.
Revelation 9:3-11This passage describes demonic locusts released from the abyss that torment humanity, presenting a powerful, divinely-ordained destructive force that resonates with the overwhelming and terrifying nature of the locust imagery used in Nahum.
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…
The verse turns a vivid description of destruction into an ironic command. God declares Nineveh will be devoured "like the locust," but then mockingly tells them to "multiply like the locust," highlighting the futility of their efforts against His judgment, as even their vast numbers would be insignificant.
Nahum has just detailed Nineveh's intense efforts to prepare for siege, trying to bolster their defenses and secure water supplies. Now, the prophet sarcastically tells them to keep trying to strengthen their city and gather more people, but points out that fire and sword will consume them. He uses the image of locusts to describe how completely they'll be destroyed, ironically urging them to multiply like the very plague that will devour them.
Nahum has just detailed Nineveh's intense efforts to prepare for siege, trying to bolster their defenses and secure water supplies. Now, the prophet sarcastically tells them to keep trying to strengthen their city and gather more people, but points out that fire and sword will consume them. He uses the image of locusts to describe how completely they'll be destroyed, ironically urging them to multiply like the very plague that will devour them.
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Then comes a jarring command: 'Make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts!' This isn't an encouragement to reproduce; it's a bitter irony. It's as if God is saying, 'Go ahead, multiply your armies, gather your strength, become as numerous as the locusts!' But the point is that even if Nineveh were to become as countless and as destructive as a locust swarm, it would still be utterly defeated. This also powerfully suggests that Nineveh, like a plague of locusts, has itself been a destructive force upon the nations it conquered, consuming and devastating others.
Fall of Nineveh
A coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians besieged and utterly destroyed Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, marking the end of the empire.
c. 609 BC
Battle of Carchemish
The Egyptian army attempted to aid the remnants of Assyria but was decisively defeated by the Babylonians, cementing Babylonian dominance in the region.
"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! You increased your merchants more than…" — The verse turns a vivid description of destruction into an ironic command. God declares Nineveh will be devoured "like the locust," but then mockingly tells them to "multiply like the locust," highli…
