Nahum 3:12

12 All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.

Nahum 3:12 in Other Translations

12 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.

12 All your fortresses are like fig trees with first-ripe figs-- if shaken they fall into the mouth of the eater.

12 All your fortresses will fall. They will be devoured like the ripe figs that fall into the mouths of those who shake the trees.

12 All your forts are like peach trees, the lush peaches ripe, ready for the picking. One shake of the tree and they fall straight into hungry mouths.

12 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.

12 All your defenses will be like fig trees with the earliest figs. When shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.

12 All your fortresses are fig trees with figs that ripened first; when shaken, they fall- right into the mouth of the eater!

12 All of your forts are like fig trees that have their first ripe fruit on them. When the trees are shaken, the figs fall into the mouths of those who eat them.

Nahum 3:12 Meaning and Commentary

Nahum 3:12

All thy strong holds [shall be like] fig trees with the
first ripe figs
Upon them, or like them: "and the first ripe figs"; which are easily shook and gathered; and so easily should the fortresses and towers of Nineveh, in which they trusted for safety, be taken by the enemy, not only one, but all of them: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the
eater;
as such ripe fruit is very desirable, and the mouth of a man is open and ready for them; so if he gives the tree but the least shake, they will fall into his mouth, or about him in great plenty: in like manner, as the fortresses of Nineveh, being of importance, were desirable by the Chaldeans and Medes, and for which they were gaping; so upon the least assault they would fall into their hands; see ( Revelation 6:13 ) .

Nahum 3:12 In-Context

10 Yet she was taken captive and went into exile. Her infants were dashed to pieces at every street corner. Lots were cast for her nobles, and all her great men were put in chains.

11 You too will become drunk; you will go into hiding and seek refuge from the enemy.

12 All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.

13 Look at your troops— they are all weaklings. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has consumed the bars of your gates.

14 Draw water for the siege, strengthen your defenses! Work the clay, tread the mortar, repair the brickwork!

Cross References

• 1. S Song of Songs 2:13
• 2. S Isaiah 28:4