Nahum 1:14

Authorized King James Version

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And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

Original Language Analysis

וְצִוָּ֤ה hath given a commandment H6680
וְצִוָּ֤ה hath given a commandment
Strong's: H6680
Word #: 1 of 16
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ H5921
עָלֶ֙יךָ֙
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 2 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֔ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֔ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 4 of 16
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִזָּרַ֥ע be sown H2232
יִזָּרַ֥ע be sown
Strong's: H2232
Word #: 5 of 16
to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify
מִשִּׁמְךָ֖ concerning thee that no more of thy name H8034
מִשִּׁמְךָ֖ concerning thee that no more of thy name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 6 of 16
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
ע֑וֹד H5750
ע֑וֹד
Strong's: H5750
Word #: 7 of 16
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
מִבֵּ֨ית out of the house H1004
מִבֵּ֨ית out of the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 8 of 16
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ of thy gods H430
אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ of thy gods
Strong's: H430
Word #: 9 of 16
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אַכְרִ֨ית will I cut off H3772
אַכְרִ֨ית will I cut off
Strong's: H3772
Word #: 10 of 16
to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt
פֶּ֧סֶל the graven image H6459
פֶּ֧סֶל the graven image
Strong's: H6459
Word #: 11 of 16
an idol
וּמַסֵּכָ֛ה and the molten image H4541
וּמַסֵּכָ֛ה and the molten image
Strong's: H4541
Word #: 12 of 16
properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour
אָשִׂ֥ים I will make H7760
אָשִׂ֥ים I will make
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 13 of 16
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
קִבְרֶ֖ךָ thy grave H6913
קִבְרֶ֖ךָ thy grave
Strong's: H6913
Word #: 14 of 16
a sepulcher
כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 15 of 16
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
קַלּֽוֹתָ׃ for thou art vile H7043
קַלּֽוֹתָ׃ for thou art vile
Strong's: H7043
Word #: 16 of 16
to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively (easy, trifling, vile, etc.)

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee (vetsivah aleyka YHWH, וְצִוָּה עָלֶיךָ יְהוָה). The verb tsavah (צָוָה, "command/decree") indicates sovereign, irrevocable decision. God pronounces judicial sentence against Nineveh. This isn't negotiable—it's divine decree that will certainly be fulfilled. The direct address "concerning thee" personalizes judgment—this targets Nineveh specifically.

That no more of thy name be sown (lo-yizzare mishimkha od, לֹא־יִזָּרַע מִשִּׁמְךָ עוֹד). Zara (זָרַע, "sow/plant") typically refers to planting seed, here used metaphorically for propagating one's name through descendants. God decrees Nineveh's name will be cut off—no dynasty, no descendants, no legacy. This was literally fulfilled: the Assyrian royal line ended when the last king perished in Nineveh's flames (612 BC). Unlike other conquered peoples who maintained ethnic identity, Assyrians were absorbed into other populations. Their distinctive language (Akkadian) died out. Even the city's location was forgotten for millennia.

Out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image (mibbeit eloheyka akhrit pesel umassekah, מִבֵּית אֱלֹהֶיךָ אַכְרִית פֶּסֶל וּמַסֵּכָה). Pesel (פֶּסֶל, "graven image") refers to carved idols; massekah (מַסֵּכָה, "molten image") to cast metal idols. God promises to destroy Nineveh's temples and idols. Archaeological evidence confirms this: Assyrian temples were burned and destroyed in 612 BC. The false gods couldn't protect their worshippers. I will make thy grave; for thou art vile (asim qivrekha ki qallota, אָשִׂים קִבְרֶךָ כִּי קַלּוֹתָ). Qever (קֶבֶר, "grave") indicates death and burial. Qalal (קָלַל, "be light/vile/insignificant") pronounces moral worthlessness. Despite Nineveh's former greatness, God declares them vile and worthy only of the grave.

Historical Context

Nineveh's temples were famous—dedicated to Ishtar, Nabu, and other Mesopotamian deities. Assyrian kings boasted of building magnificent shrines. Yet in 612 BC, all were destroyed. The Babylonian Chronicle and archaeological excavations confirm wholesale destruction of religious sites. The royal dynasty ended—no Assyrian king ever ruled again. The empire that terrorized nations for over two centuries vanished almost overnight. Within a few generations, even the location of Nineveh was forgotten. God's decree was fulfilled with startling precision and totality.

Questions for Reflection