Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.

NAHUM 3:14KJV
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Nahum 3:14 (KJV)

What does Nahum 3:14 mean?

Nahum 3:14 tells the people of Nineveh to prepare for a coming siege by gathering water, strengthening their defenses, and making more bricks for repairs. The verse uses practical instructions to show that even the best preparations will not save them from what is coming.

The prophet Nahum is speaking to the city of Nineveh, warning them about the destruction that is about to come because of their violence and wrongdoing. The verse paints a vivid picture of a city under threat, urging its people to do everything they can to defend themselves—yet the wider context makes it clear that these efforts will ultimately be in vain.

The Hebrew behind Nahum 3:14

  • "Draw" (מָשַׁךְ, mashakh) is often used for pulling or drawing out, here referring to drawing water—an urgent action when a city faces siege and water supplies are threatened.
  • "Siege" (מָצוֹר, matzor) specifically means a military blockade, highlighting the real and present danger facing Nineveh.
  • "Morter" (חֹמֶר, chomer) and "brickkiln" (מַלְבֵּן, malben) refer to the materials and place for making bricks, underlining the desperate need to repair or reinforce city walls quickly.

Why Nahum 3:14 matters

  • Nahum 3:14 shows that the warning is not just about spiritual or moral failure, but about real, physical consequences for Nineveh’s actions.
  • The verse’s practical details emphasize the seriousness of the threat and the futility of human efforts against divine judgment.
  • This verse connects to the wider passage by illustrating the certainty and completeness of Nineveh’s downfall, despite any last-minute attempts to resist.

Where else these words appear

“brickkiln” Hebrew H4404 · used in 3 verses

  • 2 Samuel 12:31 And he brought forth the people that were therein, and put them under saws, and under harrows of iron, and under axes of iron, and made them pass through the brickkiln: and thus did he unto all the cities of the children of Ammon. So David and all the people returned unto Jerusalem.
  • Jeremiah 43:9 Take great stones in thine hand, and hide them in the clay in the brickkiln, which is at the entry of Pharaoh's house in Tahpanhes, in the sight of the men of Judah;

“clay” Hebrew H2916 · used in 12 verses

  • 2 Samuel 22:43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
  • Psalms 40:2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
  • Jeremiah 38:6 Then took they Jeremiah, and cast him into the dungeon of Malchiah the son of Hammelech, that was in the court of the prison: and they let down Jeremiah with cords. And in the dungeon there was no water, but mire: so Jeremiah sunk in the mire.

“Draw” Hebrew H7579 · used in 18 verses

  • Genesis 24:11 And he made his camels to kneel down without the city by a well of water at the time of the evening, even the time that women go out to draw water.
  • Genesis 24:44 And she say to me, Both drink thou, and I will also draw for thy camels: let the same be the woman whom the LORD hath appointed out for my master's son.
  • Ruth 2:9 Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

“tread” Hebrew H7429 · used in 19 verses

  • 2 Kings 7:17 And the king appointed the lord on whose hand he leaned to have the charge of the gate: and the people trode upon him in the gate, and he died, as the man of God had said, who spake when the king came down to him.
  • Psalms 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
  • Isaiah 63:3 I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.