Nahum 3:12

Translations

King James Version (KJV)

All your strong holds shall be like fig trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

American King James Version (AKJV)

All your strong holds shall be like fig trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

American Standard Version (ASV)

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.

Basic English Translation (BBE)

All your walled places will be like fig-trees and your people like the first figs, falling at a shake into the mouth which is open for them.

Webster's Revision

All thy strong holds shall be like fig-trees with the first ripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

World English Bible

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

English Revised Version (ERV)

All thy fortresses shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.

Clarke's Nahum 3:12 Bible Commentary

Thy strong holds - The effects of the consternation into which the Ninevites were cast by the assault on their city are here pointed out by a very expressive metaphor; the first-ripe figs, when at full maturity, fell from the tree with the least shake; and so, at the first shake or consternation, all the fortresses of Nineveh were abandoned; and the king, in despair, burnt himself and household in his own palace.

Barnes's Nahum 3:12 Bible Commentary

All thy strong-holds shall be like fig trees, with the first ripe figs - Hanging from them; eagerly sought after , to be consumed. Being ripe, they are ready to fall at once; "if they be shaken;" it needs but the tremulous motion, as when trees wave in the wind, "they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater," not costing even the slight pains of picking them from the ground . So easy is their destruction on the part of God, though it cost more pains to the Babylonians. At the end of the world it shall be yet more fulfilled Revelation 6:13, for then God will use no human instrument, but put forth only His own Almightiness; and all strong-holds of man's pride, moral or spiritual, shall, of themselves, melt away.

Wesley's Nahum 3:12 Bible Commentary

3:12 Ripe figs - Whose weight and ripeness will bring them quickly to the ground. Shaken - If but lightly touched.