What Does Nahum 1:12 Mean in the King James?
Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
The verse calls the enemy’s force whole and numerous, then says that even apparent completeness cannot keep it from being cut down.
THE MEANING
The pressure you face can look settled and overwhelming, yet its size does not make it permanent. The affliction you have borne has an end: “I will afflict thee no more” names a boundary beyond which it does not continue.
WHAT THIS UNDOES
This undoes the belief that because affliction is happening now, it must continue indefinitely.
THE ROOT
שְׁלֵמִים
shelemim
GROWS FROM
שלם
To be whole, complete, or sound.
The Hebrew word translated “quiet” can describe being whole or intact. The verse grants the many their apparent completeness, then says it cannot protect them from being cut down; the same root also gives the language of wholeness.
ALSO GROWS
shalom: Wholeness, well-being, peace.
שָׁלוֹם
It shows that the word behind “quiet” belongs to the same family as the Hebrew word for wholeness.
shalem: Whole, complete, intact.
שָׁלֵם
It sharpens the contrast in the verse: the enemy may appear intact, but that condition does not make its power permanent.
THE PATTERN
Constricting power can look complete and overwhelming, yet its hold has an end.
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.THE THREAD
Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.The word behind Nahum’s “quiet” and Isaiah’s “perfect peace” share the root שלם, the language of wholeness. Nahum says apparent intactness cannot preserve the oppressor; Isaiah names wholeness as what is kept.
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