Nahum 3:5 (KJV)

What does Nahum 3:5 mean?

Nahum 3:5 describes God declaring Himself as an enemy to Nineveh, saying He will expose the city’s shame before all nations. The verse uses the image of uncovering skirts and revealing nakedness to show that Nineveh’s hidden sins and disgrace will be made public as a form of judgment.

In this verse, the LORD of hosts (God as commander of heavenly armies) speaks directly to Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, warning that her humiliation will be visible to all. The language is vivid and shaming, meant to show that Nineveh’s pride and cruelty will not stay hidden but will be exposed for everyone to see, as part of God’s judgment against her.

The Hebrew behind Nahum 3:5

• LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing His authority and direct involvement in this judgment.
• hosts (צְבָאוֹת, tseva’ot): This word means “armies” or “forces,” highlighting God’s power and command over all spiritual and earthly armies.
• discover (גָּלָה, galah): This word means “to uncover” or “expose.” Here, it stresses that God Himself will bring Nineveh’s hidden sins into the open.
• skirts (שׁוּל, shul): Literally “skirts” or “edges of a garment,” this word is used as a symbol for exposing someone’s nakedness and shame.
• nakedness (מַעֲרוֹם, ma’arom): This refers to literal or figurative nakedness, representing deep humiliation and disgrace.

Why Nahum 3:5 matters

• Nahum 3:5 clears up any idea that Nineveh’s power or reputation could protect her from consequences; even the mightiest city can be humbled by God.
• The verse emphasizes that God’s judgment is not just private or spiritual but will be seen and recognized by all nations, making the shame public.
• This verse connects to the wider passage by showing how God’s justice is thorough and inescapable, matching the earlier descriptions of Nineveh’s violence and arrogance with a fitting response.