Shall be like ( are ) fig trees with the first ripe figs . The Assyrians' fortresses are as ready for destruction and as easy to destroy as ripe figs are ready to fall from the tree at the least shake of the eater ( Isaiah 28:1-29 . S). read more
The reason why the fortresses are so readily taken is now given. Are women. The Assyrians were essentially a brave nation, but they should be now no more able to resist the enemy than if they were women (comp. Isaiah 19:16 ; Jeremiah 1:1-19 :37; Jeremiah 51:30 ). The gates of thy land. The various approaches and passes which lead into Assyria (comp. Jeremiah 15:7 ; Micah 5:6 ). So Strabo (11.12. 13) speaks of certain mountain passes as "the Caspian gates" and Xenophon ('Anab.'... read more
All thy strong-holds shall be like fig trees, with the first ripe figs - Hanging from them; eagerly sought after , to be consumed. Being ripe, they are ready to fall at once; “if they be shaken;” it needs but the tremulous motion, as when trees wave in the wind, “they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater,” not costing even the slight pains of picking them from the ground . So easy is their destruction on the part of God, though it cost more pains to the Babylonians. At the end of the... read more
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women - Fierce, fearless, hard, iron men, such as their warriors still are portrayed by themselves on their monuments, they whom no toll wearied, no peril daunted, shall be, one and all, their whole “people, women.” So Jeremiah to Babylon, “they shall become, became, women” Jeremiah 50:37; Jeremiah 51:30. He sets it before the eyes. “Behold, thy people are women;” against nature they are such, not in tenderness but in weakness and fear. Among the... read more
Nahum 3:11-13. Thou also shalt be drunken Thou shalt drink deep of the bitter cup of God’s displeasure. Thou shalt be hid, &c. Thou shalt not dare to appear in the open field. Thou shalt seek strength because of the enemy Thou shalt retire into thy strong holds, or fortified places, for fear of the enemy. All thy strong holds shall be like fig-trees As figs when quite ripe drop off from the trees by the least shaking, so shall thy strong holds fall into the enemies’ hands upon the... read more
Destroyed because of greed (3:1-19)Not only was Assyria cruel, but it was also greedy. Often it conquered nations solely to plunder them. Nahum likens it to a prostitute, for it thought only of money and pleasure and gave no thought for morality. The prophet gives another vivid picture of the battle scene in Nineveh as God acts in judgment against the guilty people (3:1-4).Like a prostitute Nineveh dressed herself with lavish adornments and lived in luxury by tempting and deceiving others. Her... read more
"All thy fortresses,shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.""Thy fortresses ..." "These were the strongholds on the borders of Assyria, protecting the approaches to Nineveh."[31]"Like ... first-ripe figs ...""First-ripe figs, when at full maturity, fall from the tree with the least shake; so at the first shake or consternation, all the fortresses of Nineveh were abandoned; and the king, in despair, burnt himself and household... read more
""Behold thy people in the midst of thee are women; the gates of thy land are set wide open unto thine enemies; the fire hath devoured thy bars. Draw thee water for the siege; strengthen thy fortresses; go into the clay, and tread the mortar; make strong the brickkiln."These verses are a taunting announcement of doom."Thy people ... are women ..." What was meant is that the strongest and most valiant of their soldiers would be as ineffective against the foe coming upon them, as a company of... read more
12. thy strongholds—on the borders of Assyria, protecting the approaches to Nineveh: "the gates of thy land" (Nahum 3:13). fig trees with the first ripe figs—expressing the rapidity and ease of the capture of Nineveh (compare Isaiah 28:4; Revelation 6:13). read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 3:8-13
No-Amon, a sign. There are certain great principles regulating the Divine government, and these are abiding. The seer spoke in harmony with these when he declared beforehand the ruin of Nineveh. Men, through unbelief, are slow to accept these principles and to acknowledge the inevitable results of their working. They are deceived by present appearances. They reason from things as they are, and conclude that, where there is material prosperity, this will of necessity continue Such was the... read more