Old Testament
Nahum 3:17
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Your officials are like locusts, and your commanders like swarms of grasshoppers that settle on the walls when it's cold. But the moment the sun comes out, they vanish — and no one knows where they've gone.
Compare translations
Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
What Nahum 3:17 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In Nahum 3:17, the prophet compares the leaders of Nineveh to locusts and grasshoppers. These insects are known for their swarming behavior and sudden disappearance. The imagery suggests that the officials and commanders of Nineveh are unreliable and transient, appearing strong and present but quickly vanishing when challenges arise. Just as locusts leave when the sun shines, these leaders abandon their posts when the situation becomes difficult. This verse highlights the instability and lack of true leadership in Nineveh, emphasizing that their power is fleeting and ultimately ineffective. The comparison serves as a warning about the consequences of poor leadership and the inevitable downfall of a city that relies on such transient figures.
How to apply Nahum 3:17 to your life
This verse reminds us to seek stable and trustworthy leadership in our lives, whether in our communities, workplaces, or personal relationships. It encourages us to be aware of those who may appear strong but lack true commitment and reliability, urging us to build our foundations on solid ground.
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 Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, 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.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
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 3:17
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 3:17
Related Bible verses
Key themes
Related topics
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 3:17 mean?
Nahum 3:17 compares the leaders of Nineveh to locusts and grasshoppers, highlighting their unreliability and tendency to disappear when challenges arise. This imagery suggests that their power is fleeting and ineffective, warning about the consequences of poor leadership.
What is the meaning of 'your officials are like locusts' in Nahum 3:17?
The phrase 'your officials are like locusts' indicates that the leaders of Nineveh are transient and unreliable, appearing strong but quickly vanishing when faced with difficulties, similar to how locusts swarm and then disappear.
How does Nahum 3:17 relate to leadership?
This verse serves as a critique of leadership, emphasizing the importance of stability and reliability. It warns against relying on leaders who may seem powerful but are ultimately transient and ineffective.
What themes are present in Nahum 3:17?
The themes in Nahum 3:17 include leadership, instability, transience, judgment, and powerlessness, highlighting the consequences of poor leadership and the fleeting nature of authority.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.