Nahum 3:5

Authorized King James Version

Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
הִנְנִ֣י
H2005
lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if
#2
אֵלַ֗יִךְ
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#3
נְאֻם֙
H5002
Behold I am against thee saith
an oracle
#4
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
צְבָא֔וֹת
H6635
of hosts
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
#6
וְגִלֵּיתִ֥י
H1540
and I will discover
to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal
#7
שׁוּלַ֖יִךְ
H7757
thy skirts
a skirt; by implication, a bottom edge
#8
עַל
H5921
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#9
פָּנָ֑יִךְ
H6440
upon thy face
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#10
וְהַרְאֵיתִ֤י
H7200
and I will shew
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
#11
גוֹיִם֙
H1471
the nations
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
#12
מַעְרֵ֔ךְ
H4626
thy nakedness
a nude place, i.e., (literally) the pudenda, or (figuratively) a vacant space
#13
וּמַמְלָכ֖וֹת
H4467
and the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#14
קְלוֹנֵֽךְ׃
H7036
thy shame
disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

Analysis

This verse develops the kingdom of God theme central to Nahum. The concept of kingdom reflects the development of kingdom of God within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of kingdom of God within the theological tradition of Nahum Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes kingdom in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection