Nahum 3:8Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, they did not act on this, poor souls, believing instead that through their numbers they could triumph over the Babylonians, even while God had turned His face from them. Consequently, they allied with various neighboring nations, sending messengers to the Egyptians and what was known as Amon or Og, now referred to as Alexandria; they made pledges of partnership, misleading the Israelites into thinking they could easily drive out the Babylonians, convinced that their strength alone would suffice without divine assistance. Yet when Nebuchadnezzar captured Judah— empowered by God who subdued his foes—he then advanced against Egypt (for God had directed him), conquering all of it, including Amon or Og, a city of great renown, compared to other Egyptian cities, offering a safe haven due to its surrounding waters: a sea to the north and a vast lake to the south, known as Mareotid, accompanied by other rivers and marshlands. The local inhabitants of Libya, stretching towards Ethiopia on both west and south, supported him, as did some of the Ethiopians from the east and south, who had established the city of Meroe in a wild and dreary land. This is what history recounts. Now let us delve into the interpretation of the words we have read. ‘Prepare,’ He instructs, ‘a portion’; suggesting this: O forlorn Nineveh, choose a fate akin to that of the cities devastated around you, despite your false sense of security from your imposing walls and numerous alliances; even though you possess a wealth of resources leading you to believe you are unconquerable and invulnerable. ‘Set your string, and you yourself shall become a subject of song and melody for cities and nations, as you have suffered at the hands of the Persians and Medes, similar to what you have inflicted upon others. ‘Prepare a portion for Amon,’ He proclaims, indicating that the same fate that befell Amon will now come upon you; what you have done to him will also be your lot. And who was Amon, associated with ‘the dwelling by the rivers’? A city well-defended by water, supported by the Egyptians, fortified by the Ethiopian archers, and bolstered by the brave Libyans. Yet despite its formidable position, power, and external aid, it was captured and taken to a foreign land, its children slain; the noblemen cast lots for their fate, while the most distinguished were taken as spoils by the victors and shackled. Thus, as you have overtaken Amon—thought to be secure due to its allies and location—know that you too will certainly fall into the hands of adversaries, despite your confidence in your multitude of soldiers and your fortified walls.

Consequently, those chronicling Alexander's deeds regard it as the chief city of Egypt. Moreover, the prophet Jeremiah referred to Alexandria in a vision concerning Egypt, stating that "adorned Egypt" pertains to "Amon" or "Noh," declaring that "from midnight shall come upon it" (Jeremiah 46:20). He further elaborates: "There is an Egyptian woman, given into the hands of the people of midnight, saith the Lord of Hosts, the God of Israel. ‘Behold I will visit upon Ammon’ Menno," representing the rebellious populace of Alexandria, for we recognize "Amon" as "the nations," indicating its origins from the prepositional root "men," while "But" signifies Alexandria. The prophet continues, saying, "And I will visit upon Pharaoh, and upon Egypt, and upon its gods, and upon its kings, and upon Pharaoh, and those who trust in him. And I will give them into the hand of those who seek their souls, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants" (Jeremiah 46:24-26). Thus, the question posed to Nineveh is whether it is more populous or powerful than Alexandria. This establishes the geographical and strategic significance of Alexandria, located by the Nile and the sea, encircled by its waters. "The waters are round about her; the sea is her wealth; the waters are her walls," given that one side is bordered by the Nile, another by the Mareoth lake, and a third by the sea. Concerning Ethiopia, Egypt, Africa—referred to in Hebrew as Phut—and the Libyans who serve as reinforcements, this also illustrates the geographical realities of these lands and the city. Furthermore, what is described in my discussion indicates that the king of Babylon will seize this territory, and he will be the same one to destroy you. Josephus, a chronicler of Jewish history, verifies this. "Her infants shall be broken at the crossroads," implying that her nobles will be divided among the victors, and her once-powerful princes shall be led away as captives. Alexandria will endure a similar fate; you, Nineveh, will likewise be forced to drink from the same bitter cup, fall into a stupor, and become subject to ridicule, even reaching out for assistance from Babylon or from your enemies against Babylon. All your fortifications, towering heights, and impassable towers will be as early figs which, lightly shaken, fall into the mouth of the eater. The LXX remarks on "adjust" or "tune the string," which resonates from the times of Nineveh. This signifies that you must rectify what is disorderly and discordant, Nineveh, as your splendor and might, cherished as they are, will be of no use if you do not harmonize your song. Consider how little all that the children of Ammon held dear protected them from captivity or spared their young from destruction upon the pathways. Did the rivers that surrounded the city of Ammon offer them any assistance, along with the numerous wells and springs originating from the Dead Sea? What support did Ethiopia and Egypt, once their allies, provide them? Hence, just as they failed to benefit from their allies, so too shall your escape, Nineveh, result in inevitable ruin from every side. What then can be said about the Ephionites and Egyptians, who dominated the children of Ammon, supported by the Libyans? Thus, this city too shall be taken captive, and its infants, unable to walk, will be thrown and perish on the roads before their parents as all its wealth is distributed among the conquerors, and none of its princes will evade capture, chained in heavy fetters. Consequently, you, Nineveh, will succumb to inebriation; though you were once affluent and admired, disdain shall fall upon you as you seek solace from your adversaries but find none. All your waves and auxiliary forces shall be the prey of the enemy, taken effortlessly like ripe figs that, when shaken lightly, will drop effortlessly into the mouth of a willing consumer. This is paraphrased in reference to the LXX translation as we have committed to following also the common version to prevent giving any reason for misunderstanding. However, I contend that the destruction of Nineveh does not align sufficiently with that of Lot's sons, otherwise referred to as Ammon. Initially, it uses "Ammon," not "Amman"; moreover, Amman, now known as Philadelphia, does not lie beside rivers nor derive its wealth from the sea; situated in a barren land, its boundaries are not demarcated by waters, nor does it count Ethiopia, Egypt, Africa, and the Libyans among its allies. All these attributes—mightiness, the geographical description, and alliances—are more fittingly associated with Alexandria. The prophet does not imply that the mighty city of Nineveh could be ascribed the question, "are you better?" Rather, the one being compared is made aware that it is inferior to that which it is likened, and it should not harbor resentment towards its captivity, knowing that the more fortified and powerful city, in its geographical strength and numerical courage, fell to the same adversary. Given that Nineveh also symbolizes the realm of earthly existence, it has been instructed to tune and prepare its strings for a mournful melody; for a portion of the children of Ammon, which was far superior to Nineveh, and who dwelled by the rivers, suffered punishment for their transgressions, having been found lacking in wisdom. From a literal perspective referring to Alexandria, we note that ‘Ammon’ translates to ‘nations,’ while allegorically, it invites contemplation upon the nations of the church that abides by the rivers of prophetic waters and is surrounded by teachers—living vessels from whose depths flow rivers—having the sea as its origin. Through the study of the Law, which, apart from the tree of Christ, is as bitter as Marah (Exodus 15:23), they reach the enigmatic city, fortified by Ethiopia, as "Ethiopia shall prepare her hand unto God" (Psalm 67:32), with Egypt receiving the Lord in a light cloud (Isaiah 19:1), and the Libyans, once dwelling in the sands, later serving as allies. Thus, if the Church fails to take heed of herself and guard her heart with diligence, she too will face captivity, mourning for her children. Moreover, her young, who are just beginning their journey and have not advanced far, will find destruction at the outset of their paths, and the most severe foes will hasten to divide all that is best among themselves, capturing the nobility—whom we interpret as princes and rulers—who shall bear heavy chains. Likewise, you, Nineveh—that is, the unbelieving and worldly—that shall incur punishment and lapse into a stupor from my cup, for my chosen who fell due to their own folly have also tasted it. I shall regard you with disdain: amidst the vices and passions that compromise you, you will seek rest but will find no respite from your misfortunes. All that you hold dear, the pleasures, worldly powers, and doctrines deemed unshakeable, shall be consumed by the poisonous, as symbolized by Samson's riddle: "from him that eateth the venomous shall go out, and from the strong shall go out the sweet" (Judges 14:14). For when your possessions promise sweetness, they will all fall into the devil's insatiable mouth at the first disturbance of the tree, a mouth that has always coveted Nineveh. Further, the phrases we've set aside about a ceaseless flight attributed to Nineveh seem out of place amidst discussions of Ammon, yet we shall link them to Nineveh, establishing the train of thought: you shall become inebriated, there will be no end to your flight, you shall be scorned, and other statements regarding Nineveh. This should signify that Nineveh's evasion from God knows no bounds, for she persists in fleeing and refuses to halt, aligning with the proclamation, “And these that flee shall not stand, neither shall they flee that look on” (Nahum 2:8). Furthermore, we must acknowledge that the Scriptures, especially the prophecies replete with mysteries, shroud deep thoughts in complex expressions to ensure they are not easily discerned by the unworthy—granite swine in search of pearls and the uninitiated barred from the holy. Yet, were we to interpret Ammon in light of Lot's sons, we must recount that Lot sired two sons through his daughters: Moab and Ammon, where the older son, Moab, denotes either "of the father" or "father's water," while the younger, "Ammon," means "the son of my kin" or "our people" (Genesis 19). It stands to reason that in connection with one descended from Judah, the Scriptures assert concerning his sin of disinheritance, “the tribe of Canaan, and not of Judah” (Dan. 13:56). Likewise, in the case of sinful (or loveless) Jerusalem, Ezekiel records, "thy root and thy being are of the land of Canaan; thy father is Amorrean (or Canaanite) and thy mother Hittite" (Ezekiel 16:3). Therefore, those born from the ancient nation, the Jews, and the younger, namely ours, metaphorically align with Moabites and Ammonites, having strayed from their father, as "Lot" signifies "evasion," and they will encounter punishment and all that has been detailed previously. Indeed, if God’s strictness reveals itself beginning with those once holy, and if what resided by rivers is refined by the fires of Gehenna, how much more shall Nineveh, which was devoid of law and in its arrogance ignored the yoke of God’s commandments, ultimately find itself ensnared within the jaws of the devourer?

Given the allure of such practices, Egypt was heavily influenced by this idol, prompting the Prophet to refer to it as part of Ammon and to urge it to rejoice because of Nineveh's destruction. The surrounding rivers are metaphorically described as trenches.