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Then the Prophet together depicts the wickedness of Nineveh, saying that this city is “all deceitful, full of untruth” (Nahum.3:1) and describes the disasters that befell it, likening the sound of chariots, the neighing of horses, the confusion of horsemen to an earthquake, and terrifies by listing weapons, saying that armor and swords shine like lightning. He also predicts a multitude of fallen people and the destruction of peoples who have gathered to help; He says that there will be few survivors here. For he expressed this by saying: Nahum.3:3. And they shall faint among their nations because of the multitude of wickedness. Out of the many, a few will remain for their idolatrous charm and great lewdness. For the Prophet here calls both “fornication,” and this can be seen more clearly from what is added. Nahum.3:4. The harlot is kind and pleasant, the mistress of magic, Living in wickedness and lawlessness, you seemed glorious and famous to those who do not know how to rightly judge the essence of things, and leaving the Creator and Savior, Who vouchsafed great love for you when you repented, you indulged in sorcery and did everything with magic. selling tongues in her lust, and nations in her sorceries. Not content with her own wickedness, she forced her subjects to be of the same opinion as you. For this reason Nahum.3:5. I, Lord of all, will open your back to your face, and show your shame with your tongue, and your dishonor to the kingdoms, Nahum.3:6. and I will bring destruction upon you because of your uncleanness, This: “I will open your back to your face” is said in a figurative sense and was taken from slaves subjected to great reproach and scourging. God says: with punishment I will expose your iniquity to everyone, both kings and nations, and you will serve as an example for the benefit of others. For this is also added: Nahum.3:7. And everyone who sees you will come down from you and say: accursed Nineveh, who will groan for her? Where will I find consolation for her? I will betray you to such desolation that those who were previously indignant at your dominion will bow to mercy (this is expressed in the words: “it will come from you”) and will think about how to mourn this desolation with dignity. Nahum.3:8. Arrange a string, prepare a part for Ammon who lives in the rivers: the water is around her, the sea began for her, and the water took her away: God commands this to Egypt, which suffered disaster and sorrow from the Assyrians. And we learned this from other Prophets, who foretold to the Israelites that, having given themselves up to flight into Egypt, they would not find salvation, but those captured there by enemies would be put to death. And as in what was said before, Judah was commanded to celebrate, because the kingdom of the Ninevites was broken; so here too Egypt is commanded to rejoice. “Part” of “Ammon” he calls it, as I think, because he was dedicated to the demon Ammon. For Ammon was famous in ancient times, and therefore many from Hellas went there for the sake of divination. And about Alexander, the first king of Macedon, those who described his deeds say that he went to Ammon and heard prophecies there. Therefore, since this deception was in force, Egypt mainly depended on this demon, and the Prophet calls him “part of Ammon,” and commands him to rejoice, because Nineveh was destroyed; and he calls the trenches “the rivers around it.” Then he lists the helpers, the Ethiopians, Libyans and Western Libyans, now called Afris: for he called them “Fud”. However, having so many supporters, being surrounded by the sea and rivers, Nineveh, says the Prophet, will not fail to experience disaster. Nahum.3:10. But the captive will go into exile, and her babies will be broken at the beginning of her paths, and lots will be cast for all her glorious ones, and all her commanders will be bound in shackles. This is what Nebuchadnezzar did to Egypt, and subsequently Cambyses, the son of Cyrus, having crushed the kingdom of Egypt, forced it to remain under his rule, and after many generations, Alexander conquered Egypt to the kingdom of Macedon. The Prophet, having predicted this about Egypt, again turns his speech to Nineveh. Nahum.3:11. And you will become drunk, and you will be despised, and you yourself will seek help from your enemies. How will you be given over to misfortune by some kind of intoxication and, rushing here and there, you will begin to look for some kind of deliverance from the evils that beset you, but you will not find it. And like you, your fortified cities will be handed over to your enemies. The Prophet presented this as follows. Nahum.3:12. All your strength is like that of a fig tree, a guardian: if they waver, they will fall into the mouth of one who eats. Like fig trees shaken by the wind, from which even unripe figs easily fall, you will be deprived of inhabitants; your courageous warriors, overcome with fear, will be no different from their wives; but without effort your gates will open when the fire destroys the faith, and the opposing forces invade them like a stream. Nahum.3:14. Admire the water of obsession for yourself, The Prophet continues, and as if in mockery he adds: “and establish your strongholds,” use your strength, having fences and trenches outside the fences. climb into the clay, and rest on the chaff, make it stronger than the plinth. Nahum.3:15. There the fire will burn you, the sword will consume you, you will be eaten like a pruz, and you will be aggravated like a moss. Nahum.3:16. Thou hast multiplied thy purchases more than the stars of heaven: Do not rely on these strongholds, because they will not provide you with any help: but like clay, which is trampled together with chaff to make plinth out of it, you will be trampled underfoot by the enemies who attack you: they will burn the city, and you, the inhabitants, will be struck with all kinds of arrows, like locusts and moss, and will ultimately destroy you all; the wealth that you have collected from everywhere, and which is as difficult to count as the stars of heaven, will be taken by the hostile. the mosses rushed forward and flew near. Nahum.3:16. Jump up like your little spring, like an akrid ascending the fence on a cold day: the sun has risen, and you have flown away, not knowing its place. Like locusts and moss and similar animals, while the dew lies, they sit on the bushes, not having the strength to fly; and as soon as a ray of sunlight falls on them, they rise, expand their wings, and are transported to another place: so those who came to your aid, seeing the invasion of enemies, will take care of saving themselves, and, giving themselves up to flight, will leave you alone. Then the Prophet says with compassion: “Be cruel to them!” Nahum.3:18. Your shepherds have fallen asleep, O king of Assyria, let your strength rest; your people have risen to the mountains, and have not fallen short of him who has received them. And from this it is clear that the Divine Scripture also calls the king of Babylon Assyrian. This is what external writers also call him. The Prophet said that the kings of Nineveh dozed and fell asleep, and called death sleep. This is what blessed David says: “Because of Your rebuke, O God of Jacob, those who mounted their horses slumbered” (Psalm 75:7). But the Prophet also said that these kings were put to sleep by the king of Assyria: “King of Assyria, let your strength rest.” After the death of the kings, “your people went up to the mountains,” indulging in flight, “and there was no one who accepted,” that is, a person who would be able to resist. Then, signifying the incurability of disasters, the Prophet says: Nahum.3:19. There is no purpose to your contrition. And just as he used the words “contrition” and “healing” in a figurative sense, in the same sense he added: “your plague has flared up.” You are given over to evils that cannot be healed. All who hear your news will clasp their hands for you: against whom will your anger always be found? Remembering the disasters that they suffered from you, they will be glad that you are suffering the same, and they will applaud. Therefore, knowing the truthfulness of the Judge, let us fear the judgment seat in order to avoid the sentence pronounced there on the lawless and to be worthy of eternal blessings through the grace and love of our Lord Jesus Christ. With Him glory to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, now and always, and unto ages of ages! Amen.