Nahum 1:12
What does Nahum 1:12 mean?
A plain-English look at Nahum 1:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nahum 1:12 means
Jehovah now speaks: Though the Assyrians are at full strength and many, they will be cut down, and “he shall pass away”—their power and its leader will fade like grass. Turning to Judah, God adds, “Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.” Assyria’s rise was not outside God’s control; He used it to discipline, but the time of chastening is fulfilled. This word lifts the weight from Judah’s shoulders. It teaches that mighty numbers mean nothing against God’s decree, and that His fatherly discipline always has an end. The oppressor’s season is closing; relief is promised.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thus saith Jehovah: Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thus saith the Lord; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thus saith Jehovah: Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949This is what the Lord has said: The days of my cause against you are ended; they are cut off and past. Though I have sent trouble on you, you will no longer be troubled.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thus said Jehovah: Though complete, and thus many, Yet thus they have been cut off, And he hath passed away. And I afflicted thee, I afflict thee no more.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Thus saith the Lord: Though they were perfect: and many of them so, yet thus shall they be cut off, and he shall pass: I have afflicted thee, and I will afflict thee no more.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thus saith Jehovah: Though they be complete in number, and many as they be, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away; and though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
Context
This verse begins a triad of direct divine declarations (verses 12–14). It shifts between “they” (the enemies) and “thee” (Judah), demanding careful attention. The contrast between Assyria’s present strength and its impending fall underscores God’s sovereignty. Verse 13 will develop the liberation image by speaking of broken yokes, while verse 14 will swing back to a sentence against Nineveh’s name and idols, sealing the doom announced here.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- 2 Kings 19:35
And it came to pass that night, that the angel of Jehovah went forth, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians a hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when men arose early in the morning, behold, these were all dead bodies.
- Joel 2:19
And Jehovah answered and said unto his people, Behold, I will send you grain, and new wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith; and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations;
- Isaiah 8:8
and it shall sweep onward into Judah; it shall overflow and pass through; it shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of its wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
- Isaiah 17:14
At eventide, behold, terror; and before the morning they are not. This is the portion of them that despoil us, and the lot of them that rob us.
- Isaiah 51:22
Thus saith thy Lord Jehovah, and thy God that pleadeth the cause of his people, Behold, I have taken out of thy hand the cup of staggering, even the bowl of the cup of my wrath; thou shalt no more drink it again:
- Revelation 7:16
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun strike upon them, nor any heat:
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