Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 3:12

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

12 15. Her outer defences fallen, Nineveh must prepare for the siege

12. thy strong holds shall be] are. The strongholds here are the fortresses in the country, meant to guard the frontier or block the enemy’s progress towards the capital. They are like ripe figs, if the tree be shaken they fall into the mouth. Hab 1:10; 2Ki 3:25; Mic 5:5. On Nineveh’s preliminary defences, cf. Billerb.-Jer., pp. 127 seq.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

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 Rev 6:13, for then God will use no human instrument, but put forth only His own Almightiness; and all strong-holds of mans pride, moral or spiritual, shall, of themselves, melt away.

Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible

Verse 12. 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.

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

All thy strong holds, castles and fortified places, not one or two, but all of them,

shall be like fig trees, easily shaken,

with the first-ripe figs, whose weight and ripeness will bring them quickly to the ground.

If they be shaken, if but very lightly touched. they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater; into the hand of devouring and hungry ones.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

12. thy strongholdson theborders of Assyria, protecting the approaches to Nineveh: “thegates of thy land” (Na 3:13).

fig trees with the first ripefigsexpressing the rapidity and ease of the capture of Nineveh(compare Isa 28:4; Rev 6:13).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

All thy strong holds [shall be like] fig trees with the first ripe figs,…. Upon them, or like them: “and the first ripe figs”; which are easily shook and gathered; and so easily should the fortresses and towers of Nineveh, in which they trusted for safety, be taken by the enemy, not only one, but all of them:

if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater; as such ripe fruit is very desirable, and the mouth of a man is open and ready for them; so if he gives the tree but the least shake, they will fall into his mouth, or about him in great plenty: in like manner, as the fortresses of Nineveh, being of importance, were desirable by the Chaldeans and Medes, and for which they were gaping; so upon the least assault they would fall into their hands; see Re 6:13.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

The Prophet here declares that the strongholds of the Assyrians would avail them nothing; whether they trusted in the number of their men, or in their walls, or in other defenses, they would be disappointed; for all things, he says, will of themselves fall, even without being much assailed. And he employs a very apposite similitude, “Thy fortifications,” he says, “which thou thinkest to be very strong, shall be like figs; for when the fruit is ripe, and any comes to the tree, as soon as he touches it or any of the branches, the figs will fall off themselves.” We indeed know that there is not much firmness in that fruit; when it is ripe, it immediately falls to the ground, or if it hangs on the branches, a very little shaking will bring it down. We now see the design of the Prophet.

And hence an useful doctrine may be deduced: whatever strength men may seek for themselves from different quarters, it will wholly vanish away; for neither forts, nor towers, nor ramparts, nor troops of men, nor any kind of contrivances, will avail any thing; and were there no one to rise against them, they would yet fall of themselves. It afterwards follows —

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

Nah 3:12 All thy strong holds [shall be like] fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.

Ver. 12. All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees ] i.e. Tam infirma ac si ficulnea essent. Look how the fig tree casteth her untimely (or green) figs when she is shaken of a mighty wind, Rev 6:13 ; yea, though it be but of a gentle wind, if the figs be ripe, as here, they fall with little ado; so shall thy munitions, wherein thou trustest.

They shall even fall into the mouth of the eater ] That is, of the Chaldean, who gape for thy destruction, and desires nothing more than to revel in thy ruins. They shall take thy fortresses as easily as Timotheus did towns, which were said to come into his toils while he slept, Aemuli ipsius dormientem pinxerant, &c. (Plut. in Sulla). Or, as Charles V, who in twenty-eight battles in America, waged by his Generals Cortez and Pizarro, won twenty-eight kingdoms.

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)

Hab 1:10, Rev 6:13

Reciprocal: Isa 25:2 – For Isa 28:4 – the hasty Isa 30:25 – when Hos 10:14 – and all Nah 2:13 – I will cut

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Nah 3:12. The firstripe fruit of the fig tree would be very desirable and the Strong holds or fortified places in the city would be the spots most to be desired by an enemy. If the mere shaking ot a tree would place the fruit into the mouth of the eater, it would Illustrate the ease and surety with which the invading army will obtain these coveted spots in Nineveh.

Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary

Nineveh’s fortifications would prove as weak as fig trees laden with ripe fruit. Ripe figs fall off their trees of their own accord, and so easily would Nineveh’s fortifications fall. Though the city’s walls were large and impressive, they would crumble under their own weight when water eroded their foundations (cf. Nah 2:6). The inhabitants, too, would drop like ripe fruit into the hands of their enemies.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)