Title: Song of War / Nahum Chapter 3
The Song of War (Nahum 3)
Chapter 3 is composed of six verses. Verse 1 says, “Woe to you, the city of blood…” (verses 1-4), verse 2 “the word of the LORD Almighty…” (verses 5-7), 3 Verse 8 says, “How can you be better than Noamon?” (verses 8-9), verse 4 “you are also drunk…” (verses 11-13), and verse 5 “you are Draw water…” (verses 14-17), verse 6 is “King of Assyria…” (verses 18-19).
1. Nineveh has done evil
(1) There is a reason for Nineveh's suffering (verses 1-4). “Woe to you, city of blood, which is full of deceit and violence (v. This state of blood is evident in ① the sound of running horses ② the sound of fighting ③ the appearance of a dead body ④ the atmosphere of the people (verses 2-3).
The nature of this ruin is as if “a beautiful prostitute” (v. 4) made others commit fornication a lot, so it shows that Assyria brought ruins to many nations (v. 4).
(2) Jehovah's judgment against Nineveh (vv. 5-7)
“I am your adversary, saith the LORD of hosts” (verse 5). “Take off your skirt and have it on your face” (verse 5), which is a kind of punishment for an adulterous woman (Jeremiah 13:22; Ezekiel 16:36; Hosea 2:3, 9). This is also the scene when Assyria leads the female captives. According to the wall murals of the gates of KarKar, now in the British Museum, the women in captivity rolled up their skirts above their knees and the male prisoners were taken naked (I.C.C). But no one mourned or mourned over their plight.
2. There is a comparison with Egypt
(1) There is no escape from the destruction of Nineveh (verses 8-9). - “How can you be better than Noamon?” (verse 8). Noamon was thought of as several regions. Derbe, Delta, Alexandria, but it is difficult to determine. This city was ① surrounded by water ② the sea became a wall ③ the sea became a wall ④ ④ Cush and Egypt were its strength, and there was no limit ⑤ brush and rubim were his helpers (verses 8-9). The brush is translated into Libya in the Septuagint and Vulgate, but the location of Rubim (verse 9) is unknown. But there is no escape from the destruction of such a city (v. 10).
(2) The state of ruin appears (verses 11-13).
“Your men are like women, and the gates of your land are wide open before your enemies, and the bars are burned with fire” (verse 13).
The ruined state of the city is ① because of the enemy, they seek refuge ② the fortress is shaken, ③ the strong men become weak like women ④ the gates of the city are opened before the enemy, ⑤ the bars are burned (verse 13). The men guarding the gates of Nineveh are no longer guarding it. The defense of the city of Nineveh was unprecedented in history. But it is no longer useful. Nahum foretells the fate of the city before its fall.
(3) There is Nineveh's desperate efforts (verse 14).
“You draw water and prepare a siege” (verse 14).
Measures to build a stronger city are implied. This is the image of preparing water for the rebuilding of the collapsed wall and repairing the bricks with clay (verse 14). But “there shall fire devour you” (v. 15), and you will no longer be able to sustain it.
3. There is an irreversible fate
“You have made your thoughts more than the stars in the sky, but like a locust that spreads its wings and flies away” (verse 16).
The prophet Nahum describes the enemy as a “locust”. The merchants of Nineveh have become more numerous than the stars in the sky, but they are scattered like locusts spreading their wings and flying. The destruction of Assyria is such that ① shepherds sleep ② nobles lie down and rest ③ white papers are scattered across the mountains, and there is no one to gather them. This condition is best shown in “Your wounds are grave” (v. 19). Their suffering is so severe, but those who hear the news clap their hands and say, “Rejoice.” This is because there is no one who has not always received the evil deeds of Assyria (verse 19).