Nahum 3:16
Nahum 3:16 in Multiple Translations
You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away.
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away.
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the canker-worm ravageth, and fleeth away.
Let your traders be increased more than the stars of heaven:
You increased your merchants so that there are more of them than the stars of heaven. But like locusts they strip everything and then fly away.
Thou hast multiplied thy marchantes aboue the starres of heauen: the locust spoileth and flyeth away.
Multiply thy merchants above the stars of the heavens, The cankerworm hath stripped off, and doth flee away.
You have increased your merchants more than the stars of the skies. The grasshopper strips and flees away.
Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the canker-worm spoileth, and flieth away.
Thou hast multiplied thy merchandises above the stars of heaven: the bruchus hath spread himself and flown away.
In your city there are now very many merchants; it seems that there are more of them than there are stars. But when your city is being destroyed, those merchants will take the valuable things and disappear like [SIM] locusts that strip the leaves from plants and then fly away.
Berean Amplified Bible — Nahum 3:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Nahum 3:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
הִרְבֵּית֙
רֹֽכְלַ֔יִ/ךְ
מִ/כּוֹכְבֵ֖י
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
יֶ֥לֶק
פָּשַׁ֖ט
וַ/יָּעֹֽף
הִרְבֵּית֙
râbâh
H7235
to multiply
V-Hiphil-Perf-2fs
רֹֽכְלַ֔יִ/ךְ
râkal
H7402
to trade
V-Qal | Suff
מִ/כּוֹכְבֵ֖י
kôwkâb
H3556
star
Prep | N-mp
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
shâmayim
H8064
heaven
Art | N-mp
יֶ֥לֶק
yeleq
H3218
locust
N-ms
פָּשַׁ֖ט
pâshaṭ
H6584
to strip
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
וַ/יָּעֹֽף
ʻûwph
H5774
to fly
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Nahum 3:16
הִרְבֵּית֙
râbâh
H7235
"to multiply"
V-Hiphil-Perf-2fs
This word means to increase or grow, like a plant shooting up. It is used in the Bible to describe something getting bigger or more abundant. The KJV translates it as abundance or bring up.
Definition: 1) be or become great, be or become many, be or become much, be or become numerous 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to become many, become numerous, multiply (of people, animals, things) 1a2) to be or grow great 1b) (Piel) to make large, enlarge, increase, become many 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to make much, make many, have many 1c1a) to multiply, increase 1c1b) to make much to do, do much in respect of, transgress greatly 1c1c) to increase greatly or exceedingly 1c2) to make great, enlarge, do much Aramaic equivalent: re.vah (רְבָה "to grow great" H7236)
Usage: Occurs in 215 OT verses. KJV: (bring in) abundance ([idiom] -antly), [phrase] archer (by mistake for H7232 (רָבַב)), be in authority, bring up, [idiom] continue, enlarge, excel, exceeding(-ly), be full of, (be, make) great(-er, -ly, [idiom] -ness), grow up, heap, increase, be long, (be, give, have, make, use) many (a time), (any, be, give, give the, have) more (in number), (ask, be, be so, gather, over, take, yield) much (greater, more), (make to) multiply, nourish, plenty(-eous), [idiom] process (of time), sore, store, thoroughly, very. See also: Genesis 1:22; 2 Chronicles 33:6; Psalms 16:4.
רֹֽכְלַ֔יִ/ךְ
râkal
H7402
"to trade"
V-Qal | Suff
To trade means to travel for business, exchanging goods or services. In the Bible, it describes a merchant or trader who goes about selling spices or other commodities. The KJV translates it as merchant.
Definition: 1) to go about (meaning uncertain) 1a) (Qal) trafficker, trader (participle) (subst)
Usage: Occurs in 15 OT verses. KJV: (spice) merchant. See also: 1 Kings 10:15; Ezekiel 27:13; Nahum 3:16.
מִ/כּוֹכְבֵ֖י
kôwkâb
H3556
"star"
Prep | N-mp
A star is a round or shining celestial body, and can also symbolize a prince or leader. It is used figuratively in the Bible to describe the Messiah or God's omniscience.
Definition: 1) star 1a) of Messiah, brothers, youth, numerous progeny, personification, God's omniscience (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 37 OT verses. KJV: star(-gazer). See also: Genesis 1:16; Job 25:5; Psalms 8:4.
הַ/שָּׁמָ֑יִם
shâmayim
H8064
"heaven"
Art | N-mp
The Hebrew word for heaven or sky, it refers to the visible universe and the abode of God. It is often used in the Bible to describe the dwelling place of celestial bodies.
Definition: 1) heaven, heavens, sky 1a) visible heavens, sky 1a1) as abode of the stars 1a2) as the visible universe, the sky, atmosphere, etc 1b) Heaven (as the abode of God) Aramaic equivalent: sha.ma.yin (שָׁמַ֫יִן "heaven" H8065)
Usage: Occurs in 395 OT verses. KJV: air, [idiom] astrologer, heaven(-s). See also: Genesis 1:1; 1 Samuel 2:10; Job 28:21.
יֶ֥לֶק
yeleq
H3218
"locust"
N-ms
The locust, a devouring insect, is described by this Hebrew word, which refers specifically to the young locust or caterpillar stage, known for eating and destroying crops.
Definition: 1) young locust (early stage of development) 1a) caterpillar (as devouring)
Usage: Occurs in 7 OT verses. KJV: cankerworm, caterpillar. See also: Psalms 105:34; Joel 1:4; Jeremiah 51:14.
פָּשַׁ֖ט
pâshaṭ
H6584
"to strip"
V-Qal-Perf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to strip or remove something, like taking off clothes or plundering a place. It is used in Exodus 22:26 to describe taking a pledge from someone. The word implies a sense of removal or deprivation.
Definition: 1) to strip, invade, strip off, make a dash, raid, spread out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to strip off, put off 1a2) to put off (one's shelter), make a dash 1b) (Piel) to strip 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to strip of 1c2) to strip off 1c3) to flay 1d) (Hithpael) to strip oneself of
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: fall upon, flay, invade, make an invasion, pull off, put off, make a road, run upon, rush, set, spoil, spread selves (abroad), strip (off, self). See also: Genesis 37:23; 1 Chronicles 14:9; Isaiah 32:11.
וַ/יָּעֹֽף
ʻûwph
H5774
"to fly"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
This word can mean flying or fainting, often due to darkness or gloom. It appears in books like Isaiah and Jeremiah, describing dramatic scenes.
Definition: v 1) to fly, fly about, fly away 1a)(Qal) 1a1) to fly, hover 1a2) to fly away 1b) (Hiphil) to cause to fly, light upon 1c) (Polel) 1c1) to fly about or to and fro 1c2) to cause to fly to and fro, brandish 1d) (Hithpolel) to fly away 2) (Qal) to cover, be dark
Usage: Occurs in 29 OT verses. KJV: brandish, be (wax) faint, flee away, fly (away), [idiom] set, shine forth, weary. See also: Genesis 1:20; Proverbs 23:5; Psalms 18:11.
Study Notes — Nahum 3:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Judgment on Nineveh
14Draw your water for the siege; strengthen your fortresses. Work the clay and tread the mortar; repair the brick kiln!
15There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and consume you like a young locust. Make yourself many like the young locust; make yourself many like the swarming locust!
16You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of the sky. The young locust strips the land and flies away.
17Your guards are like the swarming locust, and your scribes like clouds of locusts that settle on the walls on a cold day. When the sun rises, they fly away, and no one knows where. 18O king of Assyria, your shepherds slumber; your officers sleep. Your people are scattered on the mountains with no one to gather them.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Genesis 22:17 | I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. |
| 2 | Nehemiah 9:23 | You multiplied their descendants like the stars of heaven and brought them to the land You had told their fathers to enter and possess. |
| 3 | Jeremiah 33:22 | As the hosts of heaven cannot be counted and as the sand on the seashore cannot be measured, so too will I multiply the descendants of My servant David and the Levites who minister before Me.” |
| 4 | Genesis 15:5 | And the LORD took him outside and said, “Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.” Then He told him, “So shall your offspring be.” |
Sermons on Nahum 3:16
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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That He Might Fill All Things - Part 2 by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of emptying oneself and allowing God to work in their lives. He uses the example of Joseph, who started off as a conceited you |
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The Melchizedek Priesthood (2 of 2) by Art Katz | In this sermon, the speaker discusses how the preaching of the word of God defies analysis and critique. He mentions how scholars believe that Paul missed an opportunity in Athens |
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Vision #1 by Stephen Kaung | Stephen Kaung emphasizes the significance of having a divine vision, drawing from Proverbs 29:18, which states that without vision, people become unrestrained. He illustrates this |
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On Eagles' Wings Pt 355 by Don Courville | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the importance of fathers in raising their children in a way that allows them to receive the blessings of God. He shares the story of Esau, |
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Genesis Finds Its Complement in the Apocalypse by E.W. Bullinger | E.W. Bullinger delves into the parallelism between Genesis and Revelation, showcasing the contrast between the beginning and the end of God's redemptive plan. From the creation of |
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Emptying Unto Fulness by T. Austin-Sparks | T. Austin-Sparks emphasizes the profound truth that Christ, who descended and ascended, is destined to fill all things with His presence and character. He explores the necessity of |
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Blessing Others by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God's blessings are meant to be shared, as illustrated by His promise to Abraham that through him all nations would be blessed. He challenges listen |