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Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust!</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/nahum/3-15.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/13/34_Nam_03_15.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Nahum 3:15 - Judgment Against Nineveh" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. 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Multiply like grasshoppers, multiply like locusts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/nahum/3.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />But the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down. The enemy will consume you like locusts, devouring everything they see. There will be no escape, even if you multiply like swarming locusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/nahum/3.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />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!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/nahum/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/nahum/3.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/nahum/3.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />There the fire will devour you, The sword will cut you off; It will eat you up like a locust. Make yourself many—like the locust! Make yourself many—like the <i>swarming</i> locusts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/nahum/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />There fire will consume you, The sword will cut you down; It will consume you as the creeping locust <i>consumes a crop.</i> Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the migratory locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/nahum/3.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />There fire will consume you, The sword will cut you down; It will consume you as the locust does. Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the swarming locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/nahum/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />There fire will consume you, The sword will cut you down; It will consume you as the locust <i>does.</i> Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the swarming locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/nahum/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />There, fire will consume you; The sword will cut you down; It will consume you as the locust <i>does</i>. Multiply yourself like the creeping locust, Multiply yourself like the swarming locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/nahum/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />But there [in the very midst of these preparations] the fire will devour you; The sword will cut you down; It will devour you as the locust does. Multiply yourself like the creeping locusts; Multiply yourself like the swarming locusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/nahum/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fire will devour you there; the sword will cut you down. It will devour you like the young locust. Multiply yourselves like the young locust; multiply like the swarming locust!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/nahum/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The fire will devour you there; the sword will cut you down. It will devour you like the young locust. Multiply yourselves like the young locust, multiply like the swarming locust! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/nahum/3.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off; it shall devour thee like the canker-worm: make thyself many as the canker-worm; make thyself many as the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/nahum/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You will still go up in flames and be cut down by swords that will wipe you out like a field attacked by grasshoppers. So, go ahead and increase like a swarm of locusts! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/nahum/3.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall devour thee like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/nahum/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Fire will consume you there. A sword will cut you down. It will consume you like locusts. Multiply like locusts! Multiply like hungry locusts!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/nahum/3.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />No matter what you do, you will still be burned to death or killed in battle. You will be wiped out like crops eaten up by locusts. You multiplied like locusts! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/nahum/3.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />In that place fire will consume you, the sword will cut you down, consuming you as locusts do. Multiply yourself like locusts, increase like swarming grasshoppers.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/nahum/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/nahum/3.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />There the fire will consume you; the sword will cut you down; it will devour you like the young locust would. The Assyrian Defenders Will Flee Multiply yourself like the young locust; multiply yourself like the flying locust! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/nahum/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />There the fire will devour you. The sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the grasshopper. Multiply like grasshoppers. Multiply like the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/nahum/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall eat thee up like the canker-worm: make thyself many as the canker-worm, make thyself many as the locusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/nahum/3.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />There the fire will devour you. The sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the grasshopper. Multiply like grasshoppers. Multiply like the locust. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/nahum/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />There a fire consumes you, "" A sword cuts you off, "" It consumes you as a cankerworm! Make yourself heavy as the cankerworm, "" Make yourself heavy as the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/nahum/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> There consume thee doth a fire, Cut thee off doth a sword, It doth consume thee as a cankerworm! Make thyself heavy as the cankerworm, Make thyself heavy as the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/nahum/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off, it shall devour thee as the feeder: make thee numerous as the feeder, make thee numerous as the locust.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/nahum/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour thee: thou shalt perish by the sword, it shall devour thee like the bruchus: assemble together like the bruchus, make thyself many like the locust. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/nahum/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />There, fire will devour you. You will perish by the sword; it will devour you like the beetle. Gather together like the beetle. Multiply like the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/nahum/3.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />There the fire will consume you, the sword will cut you down; it will consume you like the grasshoppers. Multiply like the grasshoppers, multiply like the locusts! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/nahum/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />There the fire will devour you, the sword will cut you off. It will devour you like the locust. Multiply yourselves like the locust, multiply like the grasshopper!<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/nahum/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour you, the sword shall cut you off; it shall devour you like the crawling locust because you have become many like the crawling locust and multiplied like the locust.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/nahum/3.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Fire shall consume you there and the sword shall destroy you and shall consume you like the crawling locust, because you increased like the crawling locust and you multiplied like locusts<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/nahum/3.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />There shall the fire devour thee; The sword shall cut thee off, It shall devour thee like the canker-worm; Make thyself many as the canker-worm, Make thyself many as the locusts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/nahum/3.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />There the fire shall devour thee; the sword shall utterly destroy thee, it shall devour thee as the locust, and thou shalt be pressed down as a palmerworm.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/nahum/3-15.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1vC_xxtlDxA?start=454" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/nahum/3.htm">Judgment Against Nineveh</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">14</span>Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Work the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln! <span class="reftext">15</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8033.htm" title="8033: m (Adv) -- There, thither. A primitive particle; there then; often thither, or thence.">There</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">the fire</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵə·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs:: 2fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">will devour you;</a> <a href="/hebrew/2719.htm" title="2719: ḥe·reḇ (N-fs) -- A sword. From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument, as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement.">the sword</a> <a href="/hebrew/3772.htm" title="3772: taḵ·rî·ṯêḵ (V-Hifil-Imperf-3fs:: 2fs) -- To cut off, cut down. A primitive root; to cut; by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant.">will cut you down</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: tō·ḵə·lêḵ (V-Qal-Imperf-3fs:: 2fs) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">and consume you</a> <a href="/hebrew/3218.htm" title="3218: kay·yā·leq (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- (a kind of) locust. From an unused root meaning to lick up; a devourer; specifically, the young locust.">like a young locust.</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: hiṯ·kab·bêḏ (V-Hitpael-Imp-ms) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">Make yourself many</a> <a href="/hebrew/3218.htm" title="3218: kay·ye·leq (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- (a kind of) locust. From an unused root meaning to lick up; a devourer; specifically, the young locust.">like the young locust;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3513.htm" title="3513: hiṯ·kab·bə·ḏî (V-Hitpael-Imp-fs) -- Or kabed; a primitive root; to be heavy, i.e. In a bad sense or in a good sense (in the same two senses).">make yourself many</a> <a href="/hebrew/697.htm" title="697: kā·’ar·beh (Prep-k, Art:: N-ms) -- (a kind of) locust. From rabah; a locust.">like the swarming locust!</a> </span><span class="reftext">16</span>You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/47-14.htm">Isaiah 47:14</a></span><br />Surely they are like stubble; the fire will burn them up. They cannot deliver themselves from the power of the flame. There will be no coals to warm them or fire to sit beside.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-30.htm">Jeremiah 51:30</a></span><br />The warriors of Babylon have stopped fighting; they sit in their strongholds. Their strength is exhausted; they have become like women. Babylon’s homes have been set ablaze, the bars of her gates are broken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/30-8.htm">Ezekiel 30:8</a></span><br />Then they will know that I am the LORD when I set fire to Egypt and all her helpers are shattered.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-3.htm">Joel 2:3</a></span><br />Before them a fire devours, and behind them a flame scorches. The land before them is like the Garden of Eden, but behind them, it is like a desert wasteland—surely nothing will escape them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-18.htm">Zephaniah 1:18</a></span><br />Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them on the Day of the LORD’s wrath. The whole earth will be consumed by the fire of His jealousy.” For indeed, He will make a sudden end of all who dwell on the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/4-1.htm">Malachi 4:1</a></span><br />“For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace, when all the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble; the day is coming when I will set them ablaze,” says the LORD of Hosts. “Not a root or branch will be left to them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-31.htm">Isaiah 1:31</a></span><br />The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/4-4.htm">Jeremiah 4:4</a></span><br />Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, and remove the foreskins of your hearts, O men of Judah and people of Jerusalem. Otherwise, My wrath will break out like fire and burn with no one to extinguish it, because of your evil deeds.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-6.htm">Amos 5:6</a></span><br />Seek the LORD and live, or He will sweep like fire through the house of Joseph; it will devour everything, with no one at Bethel to extinguish it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/obadiah/1-18.htm">Obadiah 1:18</a></span><br />Then the house of Jacob will be a blazing fire, and the house of Joseph a burning flame; but the house of Esau will be stubble—Jacob will set it ablaze and consume it. Therefore no survivor will remain from the house of Esau.” For the LORD has spoken.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/33-11.htm">Isaiah 33:11-12</a></span><br />You conceive chaff; you give birth to stubble. Your breath is a fire that will consume you. / The peoples will be burned to ashes, like thorns cut down and set ablaze.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/3-12.htm">Matthew 3:12</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/3-17.htm">Luke 3:17</a></span><br />His winnowing fork is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and to gather the wheat into His barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_thessalonians/1-8.htm">2 Thessalonians 1:8</a></span><br />in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/10-27.htm">Hebrews 10:27</a></span><br />but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">There shall the fire devour you; the sword shall cut you off, it shall eat you up like the cankerworm: make yourself many as the cankerworm, make yourself many as the locusts.</p><p class="hdg">shall the.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nahum/3-13.htm">Nahum 3:13</a></b></br> Behold, thy people in the midst of thee <i>are</i> women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/nahum/2-13.htm">Nahum 2:13</a></b></br> Behold, I <i>am</i> against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zephaniah/2-13.htm">Zephaniah 2:13</a></b></br> And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, <i>and</i> dry like a wilderness.</p><p class="hdg">it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a></b></br> That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/joel/2-25.htm">Joel 2:25</a></b></br> And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.</p><p class="hdg">make thyself many as the locusts.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/10-13.htm">Exodus 10:13-15</a></b></br> And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all <i>that</i> night; <i>and</i> when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/joel/2-25.htm">Cankerworm</a> <a href="/joel/2-25.htm">Canker-Worm</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-18.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/joel/2-25.htm">Creeping</a> <a href="/nahum/2-13.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/nahum/3-13.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/micah/7-1.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/nahum/3-13.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/joel/2-25.htm">Grasshopper</a> <a href="/amos/7-1.htm">Grasshoppers</a> <a href="/nahum/3-10.htm">Great</a> <a href="/amos/5-11.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Locust</a> <a href="/amos/4-4.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Swarming</a> <a href="/nahum/3-3.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/micah/5-13.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/nahum/3-7.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/nahum/2-9.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Cankerworm</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Canker-Worm</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-2.htm">Consume</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Creeping</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-10.htm">Cut</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Devour</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Grasshopper</a> <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Grasshoppers</a> <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Great</a> <a href="/zechariah/7-11.htm">Heavy</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Locust</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Multiply</a> <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Swarming</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-12.htm">Sword</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-7.htm">Thyself</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Waste</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-1.htm">Yourselves</a><div class="vheading2">Nahum 3</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/nahum/3-1.htm">The destruction of Nineveh.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nahum/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/nahum/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/nahum/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>There the fire will devour you;</b><br>This phrase signifies the impending judgment and destruction that Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, will face. Fire is often used in the Bible as a symbol of divine judgment and purification (e.g., <a href="/malachi/3-2.htm">Malachi 3:2-3</a>). Historically, Nineveh was known for its grandeur and strength, yet the prophecy foretells its downfall through fire, which aligns with the eventual destruction of the city by the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and justice over nations.<p><b>the sword will cut you down</b><br>The sword represents warfare and the physical means by which Nineveh will be conquered. The Assyrians were known for their military prowess and brutality, yet here they are warned that they will fall by the same means they used to subdue others. This echoes the biblical principle of reaping what one sows (<a href="/galatians/6-7.htm">Galatians 6:7</a>). The imagery of the sword cutting down also connects to the broader biblical theme of divine retribution against those who oppose God's will.<p><b>and consume you like a young locust.</b><br>Locusts in the Bible often symbolize destruction and overwhelming numbers (<a href="/exodus/10-12.htm">Exodus 10:12-15</a>, <a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a>). The comparison to a young locust suggests vulnerability and the inevitability of being consumed. This imagery highlights the totality of Nineveh's destruction, as locusts leave nothing behind. It also serves as a metaphor for the futility of human strength against divine judgment.<p><b>Make yourself many like the young locust;</b><br>This phrase is a taunt, suggesting that no matter how numerous or strong Nineveh makes itself, it will not escape its fate. The irony is that multiplying like locusts, which are typically seen as a force of destruction, will not save them from their own destruction. This reflects the biblical theme that human efforts are futile without God's favor (<a href="/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127:1</a>).<p><b>make yourself many like the swarming locust!</b><br>The repetition emphasizes the futility of Nineveh's attempts to fortify itself. Swarming locusts are known for their overwhelming numbers, yet even such numbers will not prevent the city's downfall. This serves as a warning to all nations and individuals that reliance on human strength and numbers is ultimately vain without God's protection. The imagery also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's control over creation and history, as seen in His ability to use even locusts as instruments of His will (<a href="/amos/4-9.htm">Amos 4:9</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/n/nineveh.htm">Nineveh</a></b><br>The capital of the Assyrian Empire, known for its great power and cruelty. Nahum prophesies its downfall.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/n/nahum.htm">Nahum</a></b><br>A prophet who delivers God's message of judgment against Nineveh.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/a/assyrians.htm">Assyrians</a></b><br>The people of Nineveh, known for their military might and oppressive rule over other nations.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/l/locusts.htm">Locusts</a></b><br>Used metaphorically to describe the overwhelming and consuming nature of the coming judgment.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/f/fire_and_sword.htm">Fire and Sword</a></b><br>Symbols of destruction and divine judgment that will befall Nineveh.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment_is_inevitable.htm">Divine Judgment is Inevitable</a></b><br>Just as Nineveh faced inevitable destruction, so too will all who oppose God's righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pride_leads_to_downfall.htm">Pride Leads to Downfall</a></b><br>The Assyrians' pride and reliance on their strength led to their destruction, reminding us to remain humble before God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty.htm">God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>The prophecy against Nineveh demonstrates God's control over nations and history.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_is_key.htm">Repentance is Key</a></b><br>While Nahum's message is one of judgment, it serves as a warning for repentance and turning back to God.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_god's_word.htm">The Power of God's Word</a></b><br>The fulfillment of Nahum's prophecy underscores the reliability and power of God's Word.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_nahum_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Nahum 3</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_jesus_ride_a_white_horse_in_revelation.htm">Is Jesus depicted riding a white horse in Revelation?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_speech.htm">What does the Bible teach about controlling speech?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_destroyed_nineveh.htm">What caused the destruction of Nineveh?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_nahum_3_15-17_with_archaeology.htm">How do we reconcile Nahum's prophecy of Nineveh's swift destruction (Nahum 3:15-17) with archaeological evidence of its prolonged ruins and partial habitation?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/nahum/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(15, 16) The diversion of metaphor here is somewhat repugnant to modern taste. The sword, like the locust, shall devour Nineveh. Yet Nineveh is immediately afterwards compared in its numbers, destructive influence, and sudden disappearance to the locust. It is a transition like St. Paul's "going off at a word." The comparison of the locust suggests the thought that Nineveh herself has been a locust-pest to the world, and the direction of the metaphor is thereupon suddenly changed. A paraphrase will best bring out the meaning. (15) "Hostile swords devour thee, as a locust swarm devours. Vainly clusters together thy dense population, itself another locust-swarm. (16) Yea, as the stars of heaven for number have been thy merchants, as a pest of locusts which plunders one day and is gone the next."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/nahum/3.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 15.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">There</span>. In the very place where thou hast taken all these precautions. <span class="cmt_word">Shall the fire devour thee.</span> That fire played a great part in the destruction of Nineveh is asserted by historians and proved by the remains of the city discovered in modern times (see note on ver. 13: also Herod., 1:106; Diod. Sic., 2:25-28; Athen., 12:529). The fate of the last king, who burnt himself and his palace, is a well known story (see Justin, 'Hist.,' 1:3; Eusebius, 'Chronicles,' 1:9; 14:3; 15:7; Syncell., 'Chronicles,' 1:396, edit. Dind.) (Kuabenbauer). <span class="cmt_word">The sword shall cut thee off.</span> While fire destroys the buildings, the sword shall devour the inhabitants of the city. <span class="cmt_word">The cankerworm;</span> literally, <span class="accented">the licker</span> (<a href="/joel/1-4.htm">Joel 1:4</a>). The locust in its earlier stage is thus described (see ver. 16). The figure implies that the destruction of Nineveh should be sudden and complete, as that wrought on vegetation by an inroad of locusts. <span class="cmt_word">Make thyself many.</span> Collect thine armies, gather hosts as innumerable as the locusts, it will be all in vain. The "cankerworm" represented the enemy; the "locusts" represent the Assyrians themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/nahum/3-15.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">There</span><br /><span class="heb">שָׁ֚ם</span> <span class="translit">(m)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8033.htm">Strong's 8033: </a> </span><span class="str2">There, then, thither</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fire</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’êš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will devour you;</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאכְלֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(tō·ḵə·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the sword</span><br /><span class="heb">חֶ֔רֶב</span> <span class="translit">(ḥe·reḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2719.htm">Strong's 2719: </a> </span><span class="str2">Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword</span><br /><br /><span class="word">will cut you down</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּכְרִיתֵ֣ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(taḵ·rî·ṯêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3772.htm">Strong's 3772: </a> </span><span class="str2">To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and consume you</span><br /><span class="heb">תֹּאכְלֵ֖ךְ</span> <span class="translit">(tō·ḵə·lêḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular | second person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like a young locust.</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּיָּ֑לֶק</span> <span class="translit">(kay·yā·leq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3218.htm">Strong's 3218: </a> </span><span class="str2">A devourer, the young locust</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Make yourself many</span><br /><span class="heb">הִתְכַּבֵּ֣ד</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·kab·bêḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the young locust;</span><br /><span class="heb">כַּיֶּ֔לֶק</span> <span class="translit">(kay·ye·leq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3218.htm">Strong's 3218: </a> </span><span class="str2">A devourer, the young locust</span><br /><br /><span class="word">make yourself many</span><br /><span class="heb">הִֽתְכַּבְּדִ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(hiṯ·kab·bə·ḏî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperative - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3513.htm">Strong's 3513: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be heavy, weighty, or burdensome</span><br /><br /><span class="word">like the swarming locust!</span><br /><span class="heb">כָּאַרְבֶּֽה׃</span> <span class="translit">(kā·’ar·beh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k, Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_697.htm">Strong's 697: </a> </span><span class="str2">(a kind of) locust</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/nahum/3-15.htm">Nahum 3:15 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/nahum/3-15.htm">OT Prophets: Nahum 3:15 There the fire will devour you (Nah. 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