Nahum 3:12

Verse

All your fortresses are fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater!

American Standard Version (1901)

All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Bible in Basic English

All your walled places will be like fig-trees and your people like the first figs, falling at a shake into the mouth which is open for them.

Douay-Rheims 1899

All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with their green figs: if they be shaken, they shall fall into the mouth of the eater.

Free Bible Version

All your fortresses are like fig trees ripe with fruit—they fall when they are shaken into the mouth of the one eating.

Geneva Bible 1599

All thy strong cities shall be like figtrees with the first ripe figs: for if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

King James (Authorized) Version

All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

Translation for Translators

Your enemies will cause the walls around your city to fall down like [SIM] the first figs that fall from fig trees each year. Your city will be captured easily, like [MET] figs that fall into the mouths [HYP] of those who shake the fig trees.

Unlocked Literal Bible

All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the earliest ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Noah Webster Bible

All thy strong holds shall be like fig-trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

World English Bible

All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the first-ripe figs. If they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Young's Literal Translation

All thy fortresses [are] fig-trees with first-fruits, If they are shaken, They have fallen into the mouth of the eater.

Context

Judgment on Nineveh

¹¹You too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy. ¹²All your fortresses are fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater!

Summary

This verse in the book of Nahum describes the city of Nineveh as a place with weak defenses, predicting its downfall and destruction. It portrays the city as vulnerable and lacking protection, highlighting the impending judgment and devastation that will come upon it. The imagery used conveys the idea of a city that will be easily conquered and brought to ruin due to its sinful ways and rebellion against God. Ultimately, this verse serves as a warning of the consequences of wickedness and the inevitable justice that will be executed by God.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill
Tyndale

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Thy strong holds - The effects of the consternation into which the Ninevites were cast by the assault on their city are here pointed out by a very expressive metaphor; the first-ripe figs, when at full maturity, fell from the tree with the least shake; and so, at the first shake or consternation, all the fortresses of Nineveh were abandoned; and the king, in despair, burnt himself and household in his own palace.

Nahum 3:12

Judgment on Nineveh

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

All your fortresses are fig trees with the first ripe figs; when shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater!

American Standard Version (1901)

All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Bible in Basic English

All your walled places will be like fig-trees and your people like the first figs, falling at a shake into the mouth which is open for them.

Douay-Rheims 1899

All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with their green figs: if they be shaken, they shall fall into the mouth of the eater.

Free Bible Version

All your fortresses are like fig trees ripe with fruit—they fall when they are shaken into the mouth of the one eating.

Geneva Bible 1599

All thy strong cities shall be like figtrees with the first ripe figs: for if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

King James (Authorized) Version

All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

Translation for Translators

Unlocked Literal Bible

All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the earliest ripe figs: if they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Noah Webster Bible

All thy strong holds shall be like fig-trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

World English Bible

All your fortresses will be like fig trees with the first-ripe figs. If they are shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Young's Literal Translation

All thy fortresses [are] fig-trees with first-fruits, If they are shaken, They have fallen into the mouth of the eater.

Nahum 3:12

Verse

Context

Judgment on Nineveh

Summary

Commentary

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Nahum 3:12

Judgment on Nineveh

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

John Gill Bible Commentary

Tyndale Open Study Notes