Nahum 3:4–6

Footnotes

1. 20 The preposition מִן (min) on מֵרֹב (merov; Heb “from the abundance of harlotries”) is causal: “because of; in consequence of” ( מִן 6; 579–80 מִן 2.e). See, e.g., Exod 2:23; 15:23; Deut 7:7; 2 Sam 3:11, 37; Job 22:4; Isa 6:4; 43:4; 53:5; Ezek 28:5, 18; Nah 1:5; Zech 2:8; see also §11.2.11.d; R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 58, §319. The causal sense is supported by the ’s ἀπό (apo, “from, because of”). Most English versions adopt the causal sense (, , , , ).
2. 21 Heb “Because of the many harlotries of the harlot.” The connects v. 4 with vv. 5–6; however, the connects v. 4 with vv. 1–3. The Masoretic division is followed by and ; the division is followed by and ; and the division equivocates on the issue. It is best to connect v. 4 with vv. 5–6 (following the ) because: (1) vv. 1–3 constitute a self-contained woe-oracle; and (2) the theme of the harlot unifies vv. 4–6: the accusation against the harlot (v. 4) and the stereotypical punishment of the harlot (vv. 5–6).
3. 22 Heb “fair of form, a mistress of sorceries.”
4. 23 Heb “she.” This has been translated as a relative pronoun for stylistic reasons. The shift from 2nd person feminine singular (“you”) to 3rd person feminine singular (“she”) is an example of heterosis of persons, a common literary/poetic device used in Hebrew poetry and prophetic literature.
5. 24 The reads the Qal participle הַמֹּכֶרֶת (hammokheret) which is derived from מָכַר (makhar, “to sell, to betray”): “the one who sells/betrays [nations].” The is supported by the . The Dead Sea Scrolls read הממכרת (4QpNah 2:7): “the one who sells/betrays [nations]” (see 5:38). Dahood repoints the as a Hophal participle, הַמֻּכֶּרֶת (hammukkeret) from נָכַר (nakhar, “to know, to recognize”): “the one who is known [by the nations for her harlotries]” (M. Dahood, “Causal Beth and the Root NKR in Nahum 3.4,” 52 [1971]: 395–96). The editors suggest emending the , due to metathesis, to הַכֹּמֶרֶת (hakkomeret) from II כמר (“to ensnare”; II כמר) which is related to Assyrian kamaru [A] (“to ensnare”): “The one who ensnares [nations].” The related nouns “snare; net” (מִכְמָר, mikhmar) and “net” (מִכְמֶרֶת, mikhmeret) are used as metaphors of the wicked destroying their victims (Ps 141:10; Isa 51:20; Hab 1:15, 16). This approach is adopted by : “who ensnared nations.” Others suggest emending to the Qal participle הַכֹּמֶרֶת from III כמר (“to destroy, to overthrow”; 485 III כמר) related to Assyrian kamaru [B] (“to destroy; to annihilate”): “the one who destroys nations.” The may be retained due to strong external support ( and 4QpNah) and adequate internal support; the conjectural emendations are unnecessary. Heb “sells.” Alternately, “enslaves”; or perhaps “deceives.” Most scholars derive the Qal participle הַמֹּכֶרֶת from מָכַר (“to sell, to betray”): “who sells nations.” When used in reference to people, this verb may denote three things: (1) to sell slaves or prisoners of war (Exod 21:8; Deut 21:14; 24:7; Joel 4:3, 6); (2) to sell off someone into the hands of the enemy, that is, to give someone entirely into their power (Exod 21:7; 22:2; Deut 32:30; Judg 2:14; 3:8; 4:2; 10:7; 1 Sam 12:9; Isa 50:1; Joel 4:8; Ps 44:13); and (3) to betray someone (possibly the meaning here in Nah 3:4?); see I מכר; 569 מָכַר. This is related to Assyrian makara (“to carry out trade; to make merchandise of”). Some English versions nuance הַמֹּכֶרֶת as “who sells nations” (, ); others nuance it metonymically, “who enslaves nations” (, ). Thomas derives הַמֹּכֶרֶת from II מָכַר (“to deceive, to beguile, to betray”) which is related to Arabic makara (“to betray”): “who deceives the nations” (D. W. Thomas, “The Root mkr in Hebrew,” 37 [1936]: 388–89; idem, “A Further Note on the Root mkr in Hebrew,” 3 [1952]: 214).
6. 25 Heb “the one who sells nations by her harlotries.”
7. 26 Heb “and clans by her sorceries.”
8. 27 Traditionally, “the Lord of hosts.” See the note on the expression “the Lord who commands armies” in .
9. 28 Heb “I will uncover your skirts over your face.” Strip off your clothes. In the ancient Near East, the typical punishment for a prostitute was to strip her of her clothes publicly to expose her to open shame, embarrassment, and public ridicule. Because Nineveh had acted like a prostitute, the Lord would punish her as a prostitute.
10. 29 Heb “detestable things”; , “abominable filth”; “filthy garbage.”