Nahum 3:5 - “Behold, I am against you,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Nahum 3:5" mean?
Nahum 3:5 is a powerful and disturbing verse expressing divine judgment against the city of Nineveh. Let's break down its meaning:
“Behold, I am against you,” says Yahweh of Armies: This establishes Yahweh as the speaker and emphasizes his total opposition to Nineveh. "Yahweh of Armies" underscores his absolute power and authority. This is not a personal vendetta; it's a declaration of judgment from the Lord of all.
“and I will lift your skirts over your face: This is a metaphor for public humiliation and complete disgrace. In ancient cultures, particularly in the Near East, exposing someone's nakedness was considered one of the most shameful things that could happen. Lifting a woman's skirts was an act of aggression, stripping her of dignity and privacy. In this context, Nineveh is personified as a woman, and this image conveys the city's impending utter humiliation.
I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame." This emphasizes that Nineveh's disgrace will not be private. It will be a public spectacle for all the surrounding nations to witness. It is not just defeat but complete and utter exposure of all hidden sins and weakness. Nineveh's power and glory will be replaced by shame and vulnerability in the eyes of the world.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a graphic depiction of Yahweh's judgment against Nineveh for its wickedness, violence, and oppression. The metaphor of lifting skirts and exposing nakedness symbolizes the city's complete humiliation, disgrace, and vulnerability before the world. It signifies the stripping away of Nineveh's power, pride, and reputation, leaving it exposed to shame and ridicule. The verse serves as a warning against arrogance and injustice, highlighting the consequences of defying God's moral standards.
Key takeaways:
Judgment: The verse is a stark expression of divine judgment against wickedness.
Humiliation: The lifting of skirts is a metaphor for complete humiliation and disgrace.
Public Exposure: Nineveh's shame will be a public spectacle for all nations to see.
Consequences: The verse serves as a warning against arrogance and injustice, demonstrating the consequences of defying God's moral standards.
Nahum 3:5 - “Behold, I am against you,” says Yahweh of Armies, “and I will lift your skirts over your face. I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame.
What does "Nahum 3:5" mean?
Nahum 3:5 is a powerful and disturbing verse expressing divine judgment against the city of Nineveh. Let's break down its meaning:
“Behold, I am against you,” says Yahweh of Armies: This establishes Yahweh as the speaker and emphasizes his total opposition to Nineveh. "Yahweh of Armies" underscores his absolute power and authority. This is not a personal vendetta; it's a declaration of judgment from the Lord of all.
“and I will lift your skirts over your face: This is a metaphor for public humiliation and complete disgrace. In ancient cultures, particularly in the Near East, exposing someone's nakedness was considered one of the most shameful things that could happen. Lifting a woman's skirts was an act of aggression, stripping her of dignity and privacy. In this context, Nineveh is personified as a woman, and this image conveys the city's impending utter humiliation.
I will show the nations your nakedness, and the kingdoms your shame." This emphasizes that Nineveh's disgrace will not be private. It will be a public spectacle for all the surrounding nations to witness. It is not just defeat but complete and utter exposure of all hidden sins and weakness. Nineveh's power and glory will be replaced by shame and vulnerability in the eyes of the world.
Overall Meaning:
The verse is a graphic depiction of Yahweh's judgment against Nineveh for its wickedness, violence, and oppression. The metaphor of lifting skirts and exposing nakedness symbolizes the city's complete humiliation, disgrace, and vulnerability before the world. It signifies the stripping away of Nineveh's power, pride, and reputation, leaving it exposed to shame and ridicule. The verse serves as a warning against arrogance and injustice, highlighting the consequences of defying God's moral standards.
Key takeaways:
Judgment: The verse is a stark expression of divine judgment against wickedness.
Humiliation: The lifting of skirts is a metaphor for complete humiliation and disgrace.
Public Exposure: Nineveh's shame will be a public spectacle for all nations to see.
Consequences: The verse serves as a warning against arrogance and injustice, demonstrating the consequences of defying God's moral standards.