Nahum 1:8
What does Nahum 1:8 mean?
A plain-English look at Nahum 1:8 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nahum 1:8 means
Against His enemies, Jehovah will unleash an overrunning flood, sweeping them away and making “a full end of her place.” The image speaks of irresistible, devastating judgment that leaves no safe ground. To be pursued “into darkness” suggests the chase continues beyond the city’s fall—into death, exile, and oblivion. Historically, Nineveh’s defenses were compromised by flooding; the prophecy captures both the literal and symbolic undoing of the proud. God’s justice is not partial or hesitant. Where verse 7 promised refuge, this verse promises that no refuge remains for those who oppose Him. His judgment is thorough, leaving the oppressor without future or fame.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
KJV
King James Version · 1611But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But like water overflowing he will take them away; he will put an end to those who come up against him, driving his haters into the dark.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And with a flood passing over, An end He maketh of its place, And His enemies doth darkness pursue.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752But with a flood that passeth by, he will make an utter end of the place thereof: and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But with an overrunning flood he will make a full end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Context
Having asserted God’s protective goodness, Nahum applies His power to the enemies’ fate. The flood image connects with the earlier storm theophany and prepares for the assertion in verse 9 that God will make a complete end. The focus now begins to settle explicitly on Nineveh, the city named in verse 1. This transition grounds the lofty portrayal of God in the concrete announcement that the proud imperial center will be dismantled beyond recovery.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Zephaniah 2:13
And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria, and will make Nineveh a desolation, and dry like the wilderness.
- Daniel 11:40
And at the time of the end shall the king of the south contend with him; and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass through.
- Isaiah 28:17
And I will make justice the line, and righteousness the plummet; and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding-place.
- Jeremiah 13:16
Give glory to Jehovah your God, before he cause darkness, and before your feet stumble upon the dark mountains, and, while ye look for light, he turn it into the shadow of death, and make it gross darkness.
- Proverbs 4:19
The way of the wicked is as darkness: They know not at what they stumble.
- Ezekiel 13:13
Therefore thus saith the Lord Jehovah: I will even rend it with a stormy wind in my wrath; and there shall be an overflowing shower in mine anger, and great hailstones in wrath to consume it.
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