Nahum 3:9
New International Version
Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were among her allies.

New Living Translation
Ethiopia and the land of Egypt gave unlimited assistance. The nations of Put and Libya were among her allies.

English Standard Version
Cush was her strength; Egypt too, and that without limit; Put and the Libyans were her helpers.

Berean Standard Bible
Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies.

King James Bible
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

New King James Version
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, And it was boundless; Put and Lubim were your helpers.

New American Standard Bible
Ethiopia was her might, Egypt too, without limits. Put and Lubim were among her helpers.

NASB 1995
Ethiopia was her might, And Egypt too, without limits. Put and Lubim were among her helpers.

NASB 1977
Ethiopia was her might, And Egypt too, without limits. Put and Lubim were among her helpers.

Legacy Standard Bible
Ethiopia was her might, And Egypt too, without end. Put and Lubim were among her helpers.

Amplified Bible
Ethiopia was her strength, And Egypt too, without limits. Put and Lubim were among her helpers.

Christian Standard Bible
Cush and Egypt were her endless source of strength; Put and Libya were among her allies.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Cush and Egypt were her endless source of strength; Put and Libya were among her allies.

American Standard Version
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

Contemporary English Version
Thebes trusted the mighty power of Ethiopia and Egypt; the nations of Put and Libya were her allies.

English Revised Version
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Sudan and Egypt were her endless strength. Put and the Lybians were her help.

Good News Translation
She ruled Ethiopia and Egypt, there was no limit to her power; Libya was her ally.

International Standard Version
Sudan was her source of strength, along with Egypt— there were no limits. Put and the Libyans were her allies.

Majority Standard Bible
Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies.

NET Bible
Cush and Egypt had limitless strength; Put and the Libyans were among her allies.

New Heart English Bible
Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength. Put and Libya were her helpers.

Webster's Bible Translation
Cush and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

World English Bible
Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength. Put and Libya were her helpers.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Cush her might, and Egypt, and there is no end. Put and Lubim have been for your help.

Young's Literal Translation
Cush her might, and Egypt, and there is no end. Put and Lubim have been for thy help.

Smith's Literal Translation
Cush her strength, and Egypt, and no end; Put and Lubim were among thy helpers.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Ethiopia and Egypt were the strength thereof, and there is no end: Africa and the Libyans were thy helpers.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Ethiopia and Egypt were its strength, and there is no limit. Africa and Northern Africa have been your helpers.

New American Bible
Ethiopia was her strength, and Egypt without end; Put and the Libyans were her allies.

New Revised Standard Version
Ethiopia was her strength, Egypt too, and that without limit; Put and the Libyans were her helpers.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was limitless; Put and the Libyans were her helpers;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Cush and Egypt is her strength and she has no limit; the Putians and the Libyans were among her allies
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Ethiopia and Egypt were thy strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Ethiopia is her strength, and Egypt; and there was no limit of the flight of her enemies; and the Libyans became her helpers.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Judgment Against Nineveh
8Are you better than Thebes, stationed by the Nile with water around her, whose rampart was the sea, whose wall was the water? 9Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength; Put and Libya were her allies. 10Yet she became an exile; she went into captivity. Her infants were dashed to pieces at the head of every street. They cast lots for her dignitaries, and all her nobles were bound in chains.…

Cross References
Ezekiel 30:4-5
A sword will come against Egypt, and there will be anguish in Cush when the slain fall in Egypt, its wealth is taken away, and its foundations are torn down. / Cush, Put, and Lud, and all the various peoples, as well as Libya and the men of the covenant land, will fall with Egypt by the sword.

Isaiah 20:4-5
so the king of Assyria will lead away the captives of Egypt and the exiles of Cush, young and old alike, naked and barefoot, with bared buttocks—to Egypt’s shame. / Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed.

Jeremiah 46:9
Advance, O horses! Race furiously, O chariots! Let the warriors come forth—Cush and Put carrying their shields, men of Lydia drawing the bow.

Isaiah 19:4
I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of a harsh master, and a fierce king will rule over them,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts.

Ezekiel 30:9
On that day messengers will go out from Me in ships to frighten Cush out of complacency. Anguish will come upon them on the day of Egypt’s doom. For it is indeed coming.

Isaiah 30:2-3
They set out to go down to Egypt without asking My advice, to seek shelter under Pharaoh’s protection and take refuge in Egypt’s shade. / But Pharaoh’s protection will become your shame, and the refuge of Egypt’s shade your disgrace.

Jeremiah 46:25
The LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel, says: “Behold, I am about to punish Amon god of Thebes, along with Pharaoh, Egypt with her gods and kings, and those who trust in Pharaoh.

Isaiah 31:1
Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, who rely on horses, who trust in their abundance of chariots and in their multitude of horsemen. They do not look to the Holy One of Israel; they do not seek the LORD.

Ezekiel 29:10
therefore I am against you and against your rivers. I will turn the land of Egypt into a ruin, a desolate wasteland from Migdol to Syene, and as far as the border of Cush.

Isaiah 19:11-13
The princes of Zoan are mere fools; Pharaoh’s wise counselors give senseless advice. How can you say to Pharaoh, “I am one of the wise, a son of eastern kings”? / Where are your wise men now? Let them tell you and reveal what the LORD of Hosts has planned against Egypt. / The princes of Zoan have become fools; the princes of Memphis are deceived. The cornerstones of her tribes have led Egypt astray.

Acts 7:22
So Moses was educated in all the wisdom of the Egyptians and was powerful in speech and action.

Revelation 11:8
Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.

Matthew 2:15
where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called My Son.”

Acts 2:10
Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome,

Revelation 18:3
All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”


Treasury of Scripture

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were your helpers.

Ethiopia.

Isaiah 20:5
And they shall be afraid and ashamed of Ethiopia their expectation, and of Egypt their glory.

Jeremiah 46:9
Come up, ye horses; and rage, ye chariots; and let the mighty men come forth; the Ethiopians and the Libyans, that handle the shield; and the Lydians, that handle and bend the bow.

Put.

Genesis 10:6
And the sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, and Phut, and Canaan.

1 Chronicles 1:8
The sons of Ham; Cush, and Mizraim, Put, and Canaan.

Ezekiel 27:10
They of Persia and of Lud and of Phut were in thine army, thy men of war: they hanged the shield and helmet in thee; they set forth thy comeliness.

thy helpers.

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Nahum 3
1. The destruction of Nineveh.














Cush and Egypt
The mention of "Cush and Egypt" refers to regions known for their historical might and influence. Cush, often associated with the region south of Egypt, corresponds to modern-day Sudan. In the Hebrew context, Cush is sometimes synonymous with Ethiopia. Egypt, a powerful and ancient civilization, was renowned for its wealth, military prowess, and cultural influence. The alliance between Cush and Egypt signifies a formidable force, suggesting that Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, had strong allies. This highlights the extent of Nineveh's power and the perceived invincibility of its empire. Historically, these regions were known for their chariots and skilled warriors, contributing to the strength of any coalition they joined.

were her boundless strength
The phrase "were her boundless strength" emphasizes the seemingly limitless power and resources that Nineveh could draw upon. The Hebrew word for "strength" here can also imply a sense of might or force. The term "boundless" suggests an overwhelming, inexhaustible supply of military and economic resources. This reflects the confidence and security that Nineveh felt due to its alliances. However, the prophetic message of Nahum is that even such formidable strength is not enough to withstand the judgment of God. This serves as a reminder of the ultimate sovereignty of God over nations, regardless of their earthly power.

Put and Libya
"Put" is often identified with the region west of Egypt, possibly corresponding to modern-day Libya or parts of North Africa. Libya, mentioned alongside Put, further reinforces the idea of a coalition of North African powers. These regions were known for their warriors and mercenaries, often employed by other nations for their military campaigns. The inclusion of Put and Libya as allies indicates a broad network of support for Nineveh, extending beyond its immediate neighbors. This historical context underscores the vast reach and influence of the Assyrian Empire, which could command loyalty and support from distant lands.

were her allies
The term "allies" suggests a formal agreement or partnership, often for mutual benefit, particularly in military endeavors. In the ancient Near Eastern context, alliances were crucial for maintaining power and security. The Hebrew word used here implies a binding relationship, one that would have been seen as a source of strength and reassurance. However, Nahum's prophecy reveals the futility of relying on human alliances when faced with divine judgment. This serves as a powerful reminder of the transient nature of earthly power and the importance of placing trust in God rather than in human alliances or strength.

Verse 9. - Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength. Urdamaneh, or Rudammon, in whose time this capture of No-Amon took place, was son and successor of Tirhalrah, who is called expressly King of Ethiopia (2 Kings 19:9; Isaiah 37:9). Egypt. The Egyptians proper, combined with the Ethiopians, formed the kingdom of Egypt under the twenty-fifth, the Ethiopian, dynasty. And it was infinite. The power of Egypt was boundless, its forces in numerable (see 2 Chronicles 12:3). Pusey notes a remark of Cato (in Steph. Byzant. ap. Boch., 4:27) that the Egyptians connected with Thebes amounted to seven millions. In Isaiah 18-20. Ethiopia and Egypt are represented as combined against Assyria, and conquered by it (Wordsworth). Septuagint, Οὐκ ἔστῃ τέρας τῆς φυγῆς, There was no limit of the flight. This is thought by Jerome to be connected with the previous verses, and to refer to Nineveh. Put and Lubim were thy helpers. No- Amon is here suddenly addressed. Put, or Punt, designates either a part of Arabia or that part of the coast of Egypt opposite to it (see Ebers, 'AEgypt. und die Buch. Mos.,' p. 64, etc.). Luhim are the Lybians, dwelling on the west of the Canopic mouth of the Nile. Thus the enumeration of the forces of Thebes is regularly arranged, beginning with the south, Ethiopia, then through Egypt proper to the north, and then to the provinces on the east and west (Knabenbauer). The Vulgate translates the two terms, Africa et Libya. The LXX. combines them in one, Λίβυες. These peoples are named together elsewhere: e.g. Jeremiah 46:9; Ezekiel 27:10; Ezekiel 30:5; Ezekiel 38:5.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Cush
כּ֥וּשׁ (kūš)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3568: A son of Ham, also his descendants, also a land in the southern Nile Valley

and Egypt
וּמִצְרַ֖יִם (ū·miṣ·ra·yim)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4714: Egypt -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their country in Northwest Africa

were her boundless
וְאֵ֣ין (wə·’ên)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

strength;
עָצְמָ֛ה (‘ā·ṣə·māh)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6109: Powerfulness, numerousness

Put
פּ֣וּט (pūṭ)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6316: Put -- a son of Ham, also his descendants and their land

and Libya
וְלוּבִ֔ים (wə·lū·ḇîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 3864: Lubim -- inhabitants of North Africa

were
הָי֖וּ (hā·yū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

her allies.
בְּעֶזְרָתֵֽךְ׃ (bə·‘ez·rā·ṯêḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | second person feminine singular
Strong's 5833: Help, helper, assistance


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OT Prophets: Nahum 3:9 Cush and Egypt were her boundless strength (Nah. Na)
Nahum 3:8
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