Nahum 1:12

Authorized King James Version

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Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.

Original Language Analysis

כֹּ֣ה׀ H3541
כֹּ֣ה׀
Strong's: H3541
Word #: 1 of 14
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith H559
אָמַ֣ר Thus saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 2 of 14
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָ֗ה the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֗ה the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אִם H518
אִם
Strong's: H518
Word #: 4 of 14
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
שְׁלֵמִים֙ Though they be quiet H8003
שְׁלֵמִים֙ Though they be quiet
Strong's: H8003
Word #: 5 of 14
complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly
וְכֵ֣ן H3651
וְכֵ֣ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 6 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
רַבִּ֔ים and likewise many H7227
רַבִּ֔ים and likewise many
Strong's: H7227
Word #: 7 of 14
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְכֵ֥ן H3651
וְכֵ֥ן
Strong's: H3651
Word #: 8 of 14
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
נָג֖וֹזּוּ yet thus shall they be cut down H1494
נָג֖וֹזּוּ yet thus shall they be cut down
Strong's: H1494
Word #: 9 of 14
to cut off; specifically to shear a flock or shave the hair; figuratively to destroy an enemy
וְעָבָ֑ר when he shall pass through H5674
וְעָבָ֑ר when he shall pass through
Strong's: H5674
Word #: 10 of 14
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֲעַנֵּ֖ךְ Though I have afflicted H6031
אֲעַנֵּ֖ךְ Though I have afflicted
Strong's: H6031
Word #: 11 of 14
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
לֹ֥א H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 12 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אֲעַנֵּ֖ךְ Though I have afflicted H6031
אֲעַנֵּ֖ךְ Though I have afflicted
Strong's: H6031
Word #: 13 of 14
to depress literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive (in various applications, as follows)
עֽוֹד׃ H5750
עֽוֹד׃
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 14 of 14
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

Cross References

Joel 2:19Yea, the LORD will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:Revelation 7:16They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat.Isaiah 51:22Thus saith thy Lord the LORD, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thine hand the cup of trembling, even the dregs of the cup of my fury; thou shalt no more drink it again:Isaiah 8:8And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.Isaiah 31:8Then shall the Assyrian fall with the sword, not of a mighty man; and the sword, not of a mean man, shall devour him: but he shall flee from the sword, and his young men shall be discomfited.Isaiah 17:14And behold at eveningtide trouble; and before the morning he is not. This is the portion of them that spoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.Isaiah 7:20In the same day shall the Lord shave with a razor that is hired, namely, by them beyond the river, by the king of Assyria, the head, and the hair of the feet: and it shall also consume the beard.Isaiah 37:36Then the angel of the LORD went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred and fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.Isaiah 30:19For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.Nahum 1:15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Analysis & Commentary

Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many (koh amar YHWH im-shelemim vekhen rabbim, כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אִם־שְׁלֵמִים וְכֵן רַבִּים). The prophetic formula "thus saith the LORD" introduces divine speech. Shalem (שָׁלֵם, "complete/at peace") can mean intact, at ease, or feeling secure. Rabbim (רַבִּים, "many/numerous") emphasizes multitude—Assyria's vast armies and population. Despite appearing secure and numerous—seemingly invincible—they will fall.

Yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through (vekhen ngozu ve'avar, וְכֵן נָגוֹזּוּ וְעָבָר). Gazaz (גָּזַז, "cut down/shear") describes cutting like shearing sheep or mowing grass—wholesale removal. "When he shall pass through" (ve'avar) could refer to God passing through in judgment (Exodus 12:12, 23) or the destroying army passing through Nineveh. Either way, the result is complete devastation. What seemed permanent will be swept away.

Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more (ve'initikha lo a'annekh od, וְעִנִּתִךְ לֹא אֲעַנֵּךְ עוֹד). This sudden shift addresses Judah, contrasting Assyria's doom with Judah's deliverance. Anah (עָנָה, "afflict/humble") acknowledges God used Assyria to discipline Judah. But now judgment shifts from Judah to Assyria. This demonstrates God's righteous governance: He disciplines His people through pagan empires, then judges those empires for their cruelty. The promise "no more" anticipates ultimate deliverance in Christ who bore our affliction (Isaiah 53:4) so we'd never face God's wrath (Romans 8:1).

Historical Context

Assyria seemed invincible in the late 8th/early 7th centuries BC—vast empire, powerful armies, sophisticated administration. They had conquered nations from Egypt to Persia, from Anatolia to the Persian Gulf. Nineveh appeared secure and impregnable. Yet within Nahum's lifetime (or shortly after), the empire collapsed. The prophecy proved accurate: Assyria was 'cut down' in 612 BC, ceasing to exist as a distinct empire. Conversely, Judah—afflicted under Assyrian domination—was delivered. Though later conquered by Babylon (divine discipline continued), the promise of ultimate deliverance found fulfillment in Christ. The remnant survived; Assyria didn't. God's word proved true on both counts.

Questions for Reflection