Nahum 3:13
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
Nineveh's defenders, descendants of the warriors who conquered the ancient Near East, would have considered any suggestion of cowardice deeply insulting. Yet Nahum prophesied their courage would fail when judgment came. In 612 BC, after months of siege, when walls were breached, resistance collapsed. Historical accounts suggest panic and confusion rather than organized defense. The city's gates, meant to keep enemies out, either were opened by terrified inhabitants or burned by attackers. The prophecy proved accurate—Nineveh's military prowess vanished when faced with divinely-ordained judgment. Archaeological evidence of burning confirms fire devoured the city, including its gates and bars.
Questions for Reflection
- What does the failure of Nineveh's military courage teach about the source of true strength and security?
- How does this verse illustrate that without God's protection, even the most formidable military forces become powerless?
- In what ways do modern societies similarly trust in military might or security systems that could fail instantly if God withdraws His restraining hand?
Analysis & Commentary
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women (hinneh ammekh nashim beqirbek, הִנֵּה עַמֵּךְ נָשִׁים בְּקִרְבֵּךְ)—Nahum declares Nineveh's warriors have become like women. In ancient warfare culture, this wasn't denigrating women generally but using gendered language to describe military weakness and fear. Warriors expected to fight courageously instead cower like non-combatants. The verb suggests complete loss of martial spirit—those trained for war unable or unwilling to fight.
The gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies (la'oyevaikh pathoach niphtechu sha'arei artzekh)—gates (sha'ar, שַׁעַר) stand wide open (pathoach niphtechu, intensive opening) to enemies. This depicts either surrender, panic-driven flight leaving gates open, or successful breach. The fire shall devour thy bars (akhelah esh bericheykh)—fire consumes gate bars (beriach, בְּרִיחַ), the heavy wooden or metal bars securing gates. Without defenders, with open gates and burned bars, the city is utterly vulnerable.