Definition: [There is] no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Nahum 3:19. It's a really powerful and somewhat unsettling passage about suffering and judgment. Here’s an explanation in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a situation where someone has suffered a deep and painful injury (a “bruise”). God is saying that no matter how much people try to comfort or excuse the person, there's no relief from their suffering. And those who are witnessing this suffering will be actively trying to block out any hope of it. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “Nahum 3:19 [There is] no healing of thy bruise…” – This immediately tells us about a physical injury. It's not about a simple cut; this is a deep, painful wound that needs attention. "No healing" means there’s no way to make it better. “thy wound is grievous…” - This emphasizes how serious the injury is. “Grievous” means extremely painful or deeply upsetting. It's not just a minor hurt; this is something significant. “all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee…” – This is where it gets more metaphorical. “Bruit” means gossip, rumors, or whispers. The verse says that anyone who hears about the person’s suffering will be actively trying to block out the bad news and prevent anyone from offering comfort. "Clap the hands over thee" is a symbolic action – like covering your eyes or blocking your ears – to keep the bad news out of sight. “for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?” - This is the core of the message. It’s a question about God's judgment and how it applies to those who are causing suffering. It implies that God sees through the person's wrongdoing (wickedness). The phrase “passed continuously” suggests that this injustice continues, affecting everyone around them. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: The verse is a warning about the consequences of wickedness and the potential for judgment. It’s suggesting that God will not tolerate evil and will hold accountable those who cause suffering to others. It’s a message about the importance of repentance (turning away from wrongdoing) and seeking forgiveness. In short, this verse speaks to the idea that suffering often comes as a direct result of our choices and actions – and that God is watching and judging us. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of the verse? Discuss the context of Nahum 3? Connect this verse to a larger theme in the Bible (like repentance or justice)?