Nahum 3:10
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Nahum 3:10
10 Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
Chapter Context
Nahum 3 is a prophetic oracle chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of righteousness, judgment, creation. Written during shortly before Nineveh's fall (c. 630-610 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Nineveh's anticipated fall would end a century of Assyrian oppression.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-19: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it provides guidance for worship and spiritual devotion. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Nahum and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Nahum 3:10
10 Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
Analysis
Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity (gam-hi lagolah halekah bashevi)—despite all advantages and allies, Thebes went into exile (golah, גֹּלָה) and captivity (shevi, שֶׁבִי). Her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets (gam olaleyha yeruttechu berosh kol-chutzot)—even infants were dashed (ratash, רָטַשׁ) at street corners. This horrific detail describes Assyria's own brutal warfare tactics, now recalled to demonstrate what awaits Nineveh.
And they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her great men were bound in chains (ve'al-nikhbadeyha yaddû goral vekhol-gedoleyha rattqu baziqim)—nobles (nikbad, נִכְבָּד) were divided by lot (goral, גּוֹרָל) like property, and great men (gadol, גָּדוֹל) were bound in chains (ziqqim, זִקִּים). This was Thebes' fate at Assyria's hands. The implied warning: Nineveh will suffer identically. The nation that showed no mercy in conquest will receive none. Divine justice operates on the principle: as you did, so shall be done to you.
Historical Context
Assyrian warfare included systematic atrocities. Their own annals describe dashing children against stones, enslaving populations, dividing nobles as spoils, and binding leaders in chains for public humiliation. When Ashurbanipal conquered Thebes in 663 BC, these horrors were inflicted on Egypt's ancient capital. The city never fully recovered. Nahum's prophecy announces Nineveh will experience identical treatment—and history confirms it. In 612 BC, Babylon showed Nineveh the same mercy Assyria had shown others: none. The principle Jesus later taught was demonstrated: 'With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again' (Matthew 7:2). Assyria measured out cruelty; cruelty was measured back.
Reflection
- How does the graphic detail about children being killed demonstrate the full horror of warfare and sin's consequences?
- What does the principle of measure-for-measure judgment teach about God's justice and moral governance of history?
- How should Christians balance the justice of God's retribution with grief over human suffering and the call to show mercy?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Isaiah 13:16, 20:4, Lamentations 2:19, Hosea 13:16, Joel 3:3, Obadiah 1:11