Nahum 3:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nahum 3:1-7

Here is, I. Nineveh arraigned and indicted. It is a high charge that is here drawn up against that great city, and neither her numbers nor her grandeur shall secure her from prosecution. 1. It is a city of blood, in which a great deal of innocent blood is shed by unrighteous war, or under colour and pretence of public justice, or by suffering barbarous murders to go unpunished; for this the righteous God will make inquisition. 2. It is all full of lies; truth is banished from among them; there... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 3:5

Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts ,.... Because her doings were against him; See Gill on Nahum 2:13 , and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face ; turn up the skirts of her garments over her head, and thereby discover what should be concealed, than which nothing is more disagreeable and abominable to modest persons; it is here threatened she should be used in character as a harlot, or as women oftentimes are by rude soldiers, when a city is taken by them: and I... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 3:5

I will discover thy skirts upon thy face - It was an ancient, though not a laudable custom, to strip prostitutes naked, or throw their clothes over their heads, and expose them to public view, and public execration. This verse alludes to such a custom. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 3:5

Verse 5 The Prophet confirms here what he has said of the fall of Nineveh; but, as it was stated yesterday, he introduces God as the speaker, that his address might be more powerful. God then testifies here to the Assyrians, that they should have no strife or contention with any mortal being, but with their own judgment; as though he said, “There is no reason for thee to compare thy forces with those of the Chaldeans; but think of this — that I am the punisher of thy crimes. The Chaldeans... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 3:1-7

§ 1. The prophet specifies the crimes which have brought this ruin upon Nineveh. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 3:1-7

Woe to Nineveh. I. THREATENED . ( Nahum 3:1 .) 1. By the prophet. Jonah ( Jonah 3:4 ) had once before announced the destruction of the Assyrian capital, which threatening, however, was averted by the repentance of its inhabitants; Nahum's prediction was literally fulfilled, because Nineveh in due time filled up the measure of its iniquities. 2 . In the name of God. Had Nineveh's doom been pronounced only by Nahum's lips, it had been harmless; but Nahum was the mouthpiece... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 3:1-7

The guilt and ruin of Nineveh. We have here— I. A MOURNFUL REVELATION OF NATIONAL GUILT AND DEPRAVITY . ( Nahum 3:1 , Nahum 3:4 .) The Assyrians are here charged with: 1 . Unrighteous war. ( Nahum 3:1 .) There may be times in a nation's history when war becomes a dire necessity; but all war prompted, not by the desire to defend against unworthy aggression, but by unholy ambition, aggrandizement, lust of conquest and glory, deserves the severest reprobation.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 3:1-19

Part III . THE CAUSE OF THE JUDGMENT — SINS OF THE CITY , WHICH BRING INEVITABLE PUNISHMENT . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 3:5

I am against thee (see note on Nahum 2:13 ). The Lord will punish Nineveh with the utmost ignominy, treating her ("the whore," Nahum 3:4 ) like a harlot or adulteress. Thy skirts. The borders of the long flowing dress which added to her pomp (comp. Isaiah 47:2 , etc.; Jeremiah 13:26 ; Lamentations 1:8 ). Upon ( before ) thy face. So that thou mayst know thine own shame. I will show the nations. All men shall see what thou really art, like an adulteress haled before... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Nahum 3:5

Behold I am against thee, saith the Lord of Hosts - Jerome: “I will not send an Angel, nor give thy destruction to others; I Myself will come to destroy thee.” Cyril: “She has not to do with man, or war with man: He who is angered with her is the Lord of hosts. But who would meet God Almighty, who hath power over all, if He would war against him?” In the Medes and Persians it was God who was against them. “Behold I am against thee,” literally, “toward thee.” It is a new thing which God was... read more

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