Old Testament
Nahum 1:10
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
For while they are tangled together like thorns, and while they are drunk like drunkards, they will be consumed like fully dry stubble.
Compare translations
For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
What Nahum 1:10 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Nahum 1:10, the imagery of thorns and drunkenness illustrates the chaotic and destructive nature of the enemies of God. Just as thorns can entangle and prick, these enemies are caught up in their own wickedness. Their drunkenness symbolizes a lack of control and awareness, leading to their downfall. The verse warns that they will be consumed like dry stubble, which burns quickly and completely. This serves as a reminder of the inevitable judgment that awaits those who oppose God. The vivid language emphasizes the futility of their strength and the certainty of their destruction, highlighting that no matter how powerful they seem, they will ultimately face consequences for their actions. This passage reassures the faithful that God will bring justice and that evil will not prevail in the end.
How to apply Nahum 1:10 to your life
This verse encourages us to remain vigilant against the entanglements of sin and the distractions of the world. Just as thorns can ensnare, we must be aware of what leads us away from God. Trusting in God's justice helps us to stay focused on righteousness and avoid the pitfalls of moral compromise.
Curated for this public verse page. Nahum Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.

Illustrated scene from Daniel's story: Faithful at the King's Table (Daniel 1:1–21)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Daniel

Photo: Bukvoed, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY 4.0. Source. Location: Burj Beitin, Beitin, Ramallah and al-Bireh Governorate, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Bethel
Where Jacob dreamed of a stairway to heaven and met God.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Nahum 1:10
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Nahum 1:10
Related Bible verses
Key themes
At a Glance — the Book of Nahum
- Author
- Nahum the prophet
- Written
- Around 650 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah concerning Nineveh
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Nahum 1:10 mean by being tangled like thorns?
In Nahum 1:10, the phrase 'tangled together like thorns' symbolizes the chaotic and destructive nature of God's enemies. Thorns are sharp and can ensnare, representing how these adversaries are caught in their own wickedness and sin. This imagery highlights their vulnerability and the danger they pose to themselves and others, ultimately leading to their downfall.
How does drunkenness relate to the message of Nahum 1:10?
The mention of being 'drunken as drunkards' in Nahum 1:10 illustrates a state of lack of control and awareness among God's enemies. Just as drunkenness impairs judgment and leads to reckless behavior, the enemies of God are depicted as being lost in their own folly. This metaphor emphasizes their impending destruction, as their inability to see the truth will contribute to their downfall.
How can Nahum 1:10 apply to my life today?
Nahum 1:10 encourages us to be vigilant against the entanglements of sin and distractions that can lead us away from God. It reminds us to stay focused on righteousness and trust in God's justice. By recognizing the dangers of moral compromise and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures, we can strengthen our commitment to living a life that honors God and avoids the pitfalls of wickedness.
What themes are present in Nahum 1:10?
Nahum 1:10 encompasses several key themes, including divine judgment, the destruction of the wicked, and the imagery of thorns and drunkenness as metaphors for chaos and lack of control. It also highlights the inevitability of consequences for one's actions and reassures the faithful of God's justice. These themes collectively emphasize that evil will not prevail and that God will ultimately bring about justice.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.