John Calvin Commentary Nahum 3:19

"There is no assuaging of thy hurt: thy wound is grievous: all that hear the report of thee clap their hands over thee; for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?" — Nahum 3:19 (ASV)

The Prophet shows here more clearly that when the empire of Nineveh would be scattered, it would be an incurable evil, and every hope of a remedy would be taken away. Though the wicked cannot escape calamity, they still harbor false expectations and think that they can quickly gather new strength. Therefore, to take this hope from them, the Prophet says that there would be no contraction of the fracture. And this is a striking comparison, for he compares the ruin of Nineveh to a wound that cannot be seamed and healed. There is then no contraction; some translate it as "a wrinkle," but improperly. There is then no contraction: and he adds, Your stroke is full of pain; that is, the pain of your stroke cannot be eased. This is one thing—that the ruin of Nineveh would be irreparable.

Then he says, Whoever hears the report will strike the hand on your account. Many offer this translation: "They will clap their hands over you," or "with their hands"; and they think that the singular is used for the plural. But since in Hebrew "to strike the hand" is a sign of consent, it would not be inappropriate to say that the Prophet means that wherever the report of this calamity is heard, all will express their approval: “See, God has at length shown himself to be the just avenger of so much wickedness.”

“To strike the hand” is said to be done by those who make agreements or when anyone pledges for another. Since, then, in giving pledges and in other compacts, people are said to strike the hand, so also all will thus agree with God’s judgment in this case: “Oh, how rightly this is done! Oh, how justly God has punished these tyrants, these plunderers!” They will then strike the hand on your account; that is, “This ruin of yours will be approved,” as if he said, “Not only before God are you, Nineveh, accursed, but also by the agreement of all nations.”

And thus he implies that Nineveh would perish in the greatest dishonor and disgrace. Sometimes an empire falls, and everyone mourns the event; but God here declares that he would not be satisfied with the simple destruction of the city Nineveh without adding to it public infamy, so that all might acknowledge that it happened through his righteous judgment.

He afterwards adds, For upon whom has your wickedness not passed continually? This is a confirmation of the last clause, and this reason will fit both views that have been given. If we interpret "the striking of the hand" as approval, this reason will be suitable. How so? Because all nations will rejoice at your destruction, for there is no nation which you have not injured in many ways. So also, as a sign of their joy, all will congratulate themselves, as if they were set free. Or they will clap their hands, that is, acknowledge that you have been destroyed by the judgment of God, because all had experienced how unjustly and tyrannically you have ruled. Since, then, your wickedness has been like a deluge and has nearly consumed all the earth, all will clap or shake their hands at your ruin.

And he says continually, to show that God’s patience had been long exercised. Therefore, it also appears that the Assyrians were inexcusable because, when God patiently spared them, they did not repent but pursued their wicked ways for a long time. Since, then, they added perversity to their sinful licentiousness, every excuse was removed. But the Prophet, at the same time, reminds the Israelites that there was no reason for them to be discouraged, because God did not immediately carry out punishment. For by the word תמיד, tamid, he implies that God would suspend his judgment concerning Nineveh for a time, so that his patience and delay might be evidence of his goodness and mercy. We therefore see that the Prophet here opposes the impatience of people, for they immediately grow angry or complain when God delays to execute vengeance on their enemies.

He shows that God has a just reason for not punishing the wicked immediately; but yet the time will come when it will appear that they are altogether beyond recovery—the time, I say, will come, when the Lord will at length stretch out his hand and execute his judgment.

Prayer:

Grant, Almighty God, since we are not able to keep a firm footing in the way of justice and uprightness—O grant that, being governed by Your Spirit, we may restrain ourselves from doing any harm, abstain from all evil deeds, and labor to do good to all.

May we, by experience, find that all are protected by You who so conform themselves to the rule of Your Law: those who take no advantage of the simple, either to ruin or injure them, but who, content with their own small portion, know that there is nothing better than to be wholly subject to You and Your guidance.

And may we thus live in forbearance and justice towards our neighbors, that we may, at the same time, rely on Your mercy, by which alone we can be defended and made safe against so many assaults of Satan and of the wicked, until, having at length completed the course of our warfare, we shall come into that blessed rest which has been prepared for us in heaven by Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.