Nahum 3:4
Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Assyrian diplomatic and military strategy often involved making treaties with smaller nations, extracting tribute, then breaking agreements and conquering the ally. This pattern of seduction and betrayal characterized Assyrian imperial policy. Nations that trusted Assyrian promises found themselves conquered and destroyed. The prostitution metaphor would resonate with ancient audiences familiar with this pattern. Nineveh's 'witchcrafts' also had literal dimension—Mesopotamian religion heavily featured divination, sorcery, and occult practices. The Assyrian state religion involved extensive magical rituals and occult consultation. Nahum condemns both the literal sorcery and the metaphorical 'enchantment' by which Assyria deceived and enslaved nations.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the prostitution metaphor illustrate the way sin corrupts relationships, turning mutual benefit into exploitation?
- What modern equivalents exist to Nineveh's 'witchcrafts'—deceptive practices that enslave and destroy?
- How should Christians discern between legitimate cooperation and being 'sold' through deceptive alliances?
Analysis & Commentary
Nahum depicts Nineveh as a prostitute: 'Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts' (merov zenunei zonah tovath chen ba'alath keshaphim). Sexual imagery describes political-military seduction—Nineveh made alliances, then betrayed them. 'Wellfavoured' (tovath chen) means attractive, charming—Assyria presented itself as desirable ally. 'Mistress of witchcrafts' (ba'alath keshaphim) suggests both literal sorcery (common in Mesopotamian religion) and metaphorical deception. The verse continues: 'that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts' (hamokheret goyim bizenuteyha umishpachoth bikheshapheyha). Nineveh 'sold' nations—enslaving peoples, making them commodities. This extended metaphor exposes Nineveh's fundamental corruption: using attraction and deception to dominate and destroy. Like a prostitute who seduces then destroys, Assyria made alliances then betrayed them, used nations then discarded them. This demonstrates how sin corrupts at the deepest level, turning what should be relationships of trust and mutual benefit into exploitation and destruction.