The verse uses a jarring shift in imagery, calling Nineveh to "multiply like the locust" immediately after describing how the sword will devour them like a locust. This isn't an encouragement to grow stronger, but a sarcastic taunt: even if they swarm and multiply like their own past destructive plagues, their end will be just as swift and complete.
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. Your princes are like grasshoppers, your scribes like clouds of locusts settling on the fences in a day of cold— when the sun rises, they fly away; no one knows where they are.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nahum has just described the impending doom of Nineveh, even as the city frantically tries to prepare for siege by drawing water and strengthening its defenses. The prophet then shockingly declares that all these efforts will be useless because the city will be consumed by fire and sword, devouring them like a swarm of locusts. In a seemingly ironic twist, he commands Nineveh to multiply like these devastating insects, highlighting the futility of their resistance against God's judgment.
Nineveh meticulously prepared for siege, building defenses and stocking supplies. Yet, Nahum declares all their efforts will be in vain.
Despite Nineveh's extensive preparations—fortifying walls, preparing water, and ensuring supplies—God's judgment would render it all useless.
Futile Efforts
The prophet compares Nineveh's enemies to locusts, but then turns the comparison back on Nineveh itself. What does this startling shift reveal?
Nahum uses the image of locusts to describe the destructive power of Nineveh's enemies, but then pointedly commands Nineveh to 'multiply yourselves like the locust.' This is a complex, ironic, and deeply cutting metaphor.
The Dual Image of the Locust
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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.
nezer · Hebrew Noun
Leaders, commanders, or officials of a nation; those invested with authority who are held responsible for the conduct and eventual judgment of their people.
ṭapsar · Hebrew Noun
Individuals tasked with administrative duties, record-keeping, or the interpretation of law; here, representing the bureaucratic weight of the Assyrian state.
Nahum's prophecy paints a vivid picture of Nineveh's destruction, using the image of locusts to describe the consuming enemy and the futility of the city's defenses. The context of Nineveh's actual fall to a powerful coalition in 612 BC makes this a stark warning about divine judgment against oppressive powers.
c. 7th century BC
Assyrian Empire at its height
Under rulers like Ashurbanipal, the Neo-Assyrian Empire controlled vast territories, boasting immense wealth, a powerful military, and impressive cities like Nineveh.
c. 612 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Nineveh
A coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians besieged and ultimately destroyed Nineveh, ending the Neo-Assyrian Empire. This event is the primary historical backdrop for the prophecy of Nahum.
Post-612 BC
Babylonian Hegemony
With Nineveh in ruins, Babylon rose to power, establishing a new empire that would dominate the Near East for decades.
c. 6th century BC
Exile of Judah
Following the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, many Judeans were exiled to Babylon, experiencing firsthand the might of the empire that had destroyed Nineveh.
This passage describes the devastating and multiplying power of locusts, a metaphor directly echoed in Nahum's description of Nineveh's destruction. It highlights how unchecked forces, like locusts or an enemy army, can consume everything in their path.
Jeremiah 51:14Similar to Nahum, Jeremiah likens the invading Babylonian army to locusts that multiply and consume. This connection emphasizes the overwhelming and inevitable nature of the judgment that befell these ancient cities.
Ezekiel 29:18-19God uses Nebuchadnezzar as His tool to plunder Egypt, describing his army as devouring the land. This shows a pattern in Scripture where God employs powerful, consuming forces to judge nations, much like the locusts devouring crops.
Revelation 9:3-7This passage in Revelation describes destructive locust-like creatures ascending from the abyss, emphasizing their tormenting power and immense numbers. It draws a parallel to the terrifying, overwhelming forces unleashed in Nahum and Joel.
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 uses a jarring shift in imagery, calling Nineveh to "multiply like the locust" immediately after describing how the sword will devour them like a locust. This isn't an encouragement to grow stronger, but a sarcastic taunt: even if they swarm and multiply like their own past destructive plagues, their end will be just as swift and complete.
Nahum has just described the impending doom of Nineveh, even as the city frantically tries to prepare for siege by drawing water and strengthening its defenses. The prophet then shockingly declares that all these efforts will be useless because the city will be consumed by fire and sword, devouring them like a swarm of locusts. In a seemingly ironic twist, he commands Nineveh to multiply like these devastating insects, highlighting the futility of their resistance against God's judgment.
Nahum has just described the impending doom of Nineveh, even as the city frantically tries to prepare for siege by drawing water and strengthening its defenses. The prophet then shockingly declares that all these efforts will be useless because the city will be consumed by fire and sword, devouring them like a swarm of locusts. In a seemingly ironic twist, he commands Nineveh to multiply like these devastating insects, highlighting the futility of their resistance 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! You increased your merchants more than…" — The verse uses a jarring shift in imagery, calling Nineveh to "multiply like the locust" immediately after describing how the sword will devour them like a locust. This isn't an encouragement to gr…
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Last reviewed October 2026
