Nahum 3:11

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Nahum 3:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Thou also shalt be drunken; thou shalt be hid; thou also shalt seek a stronghold because of the enemy.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Thou also shalt be drunken; thou shalt be hid; thou also shalt seek a stronghold because of the enemy.
Nahum 3:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Nahum 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Thou also shalt be drunken; thou shalt be hid; thou also shalt seek a stronghold because of the enemy.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou also shalt be drunken, etc.] This is said to Nineveh, whose turn would be next to drink of the cup of the wrath of God, and be inebriated with it, so that they should not know where they were, or what they did; and be as unable to guide and help themselves as a drunken man. So the Targum, “thou also shalt be like to a drunken man;” this was literally true of Nineveh when taken; (see Na 1:10): thou shalt be hid; or, “thou shall be”, as if thou wast not; as Nineveh is at this day, “hid” from the sight of men, not to be seen any more. So the Targum, “thou shall be swallowed up or destroyed.” The Septuagint, Vulgate Latin, and Arabic versions, render it “despised”; or the meaning is, she…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Thou also - As thou hast done, so shall it be done unto thee. The cruelties on No, in the cycle of God’s judgments, draw on the like upon Nineveh who inflicted them. “Thou also shalt be drunken” with the same cup of God’s anger, entering within thee as wine doth, bereaving thee of reason and of counsel through the greatness of thy anguish, and bringing shame on thee , and a stupefaction like death. “Thou shalt be hid, a thing hidden” from the eyes of men, “as though thou hadst never been.” Nahum had foretold her complete desolation: he had asked, where is she? Here he describes an abiding condition; strangely fulfilled, as perhaps never to that extent besides; her palaces, her monuments, her…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Thou also - Thou shalt drink deep of the bitter cup of God's displeasure. Hid - Thou shalt hide thyself. O Nineveh, as well as Alexandria. Shalt seek - Shalt sue for, and intreat assistance. Nahum 3:12”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Thou also: Diodorus relates, that while the Assyrian army were feasting for their former victories, those about Arbaces being informed of their negligence and drunkenness, fell upon them unexpectedly, slew many, and drove the rest into the city. shalt be drunken: Nah 1:10; Psa 75:8; Isa 29:9, Isa 49:26, Isa 63:6; Jer 25:15-27, Jer 51:57 thou shalt be hid: Sa1 13:6, Sa1 14:11; Isa 2:10, Isa 2:19; Hos 10:8; Amo 9:3; Mic 7:17; Luk 23:30; Rev 6:15-17 thou also: Nah 2:1; Jer 4:5, Jer 8:14 Nahum 3:12”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“The same, or rather a worse fate than No-amon suffered, is now awaiting Nineveh. Nah 3:11. "Thou also wilt be drunken, shalt be hidden; thou also wilt seek for a refuge from the enemy. Nah 3:12. All thy citadels are fig-trees with early figs; if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater. Nah 3:13. Behold thy people, women in the midst of thee; the gates of thy land are thrown quite open to thine enemies; fire consumes thy bolts." גּם־אתּ corresponds to גּם־היא in Nah 3:10 : as she, so also thou. "The fate of No-amon is a prophecy of thine own" (Hitzig). תּשׁכּרי, thou wilt be drunken, viz., from the goblet of divine wrath, as at Oba 1:16. תּהי נעלמה might mean, "thou wilt be…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification