Biblical prophecy fulfilled by the Assyrian Empire and its great city of Nineveh

This selection of Bible prophecies involve the ancient city of Nineveh, which served as the capital for the Assyrian Empire about 2600 years ago. The conquest of Nineveh in 612 BC, by a coalition of Babylonians and others, brought an end to the Assyrian Empire.

The commentaries below are from the second edition of the book, 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies, by George Konig and Ray Konig, who are the authors and copyright holders of the material. The commentaries are reprinted here with written permission from the authors. The third edition, revised and expanded, of 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies is available through Amazon.com.

Nineveh's army officers would desert

Bible prophecy: Nahum 3:17
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 3:17, the prophet said Nineveh's army officers would flee rather than fight. Babylonian records claim that Assyrian army members did flee from the battle.

Nahum 3:17 (NIV):

Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in the walls on a cold day-- but when the sun appears they fly away, and no one knows where.

Nineveh would be destroyed

Bible prophecy: Nahum 3:19
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 3:19 (and 1:9), the prophet said that Nineveh, which was the Assyrian Empire's capital and perhaps the most powerful city of the ancient world, would suffer a wound that would never heal.

In 612 BC (about 2600 years ago), a coalition of Babylonians, Scythians and Medes conquered the heavily fortified city. According to the Bible, Nineveh was to be punished for the empire's inhumane treatment of Israel.

It is unknown as to when exactly Nahum delivered this prophecy. Some scholars speculate that it was delivered about two years before the conquest. But, it is known that Nahum was correct: the city of Nineveh, as well as the Assyrian empire as a whole, never recovered from the defeat.

It is worth noting that recovery would not have been unprecedented. The Assyrian empire had conquered Babylon many years beforehand, but Babylon was able to recover from that defeat, regain its power, and defeat Assyria. But, as Nahum had accurately prophesied some 2600 years ago, Nineveh never recovered.

Nahum 3:19 (NIV):

Nothing can heal your wound; your injury is fatal. Everyone who hears the news about you claps his hands at your fall, for who has not felt your endless cruelty?

Nineveh's destruction would be permanent

Bible prophecy: Nahum 1:8-9
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 1:8-9, the prophet said Nineveh's destruction would be permanent and that it would not cause trouble a second time. This prophecy has been fulfilled. Nineveh's destruction in 612 BC brought an end to the city's status as the ancient world's most powerful city. It also brought an end to the Assyrian Empire, for which Nineveh was the capital. Many empires have lost and regained power, including Babylon, which played a key role in conquering Nineveh. But, like Nahum said 2,600 years ago, Nineveh never rose to power again.

Nahum 1:8-9 (NIV):

8 but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of [Nineveh]; he will pursue his foes into darkness.

9 Whatever they plot against the LORD he[1] will bring to an end; trouble will not come a second time.

NIV Footnote: [1] Or What do you foes plot against the LORD? He

Ninevites would be drunk in their final hours

Bible prophecy: Nahum 1:10
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 1:10 and 3:11, the prophet said that during the final hours of the attack on Nineveh, the Ninevites would be drunk. There is evidence that this prophecy was fulfilled. According to the ancient historian Diodorus Siculus: "The Assyrian king gave much wine to his soldiers. Deserters told this to the enemy, who attacked that night." Siculus compiled his historical works about 600 years after the fall of Nineveh.

Nahum 1:10 (NIV):

They will be entangled among thorns and drunk from their wine; they will be consumed like dry stubble.

Nineveh would be hit with a flood

Bible prophecy: Nahum 2:6
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 2:6, the prophet said that Nineveh would be hit with a flood. This reportedly happened while the Babylonians and Medes were attacking the great city around 612 BC. According to the Greek historian Diodorus Siculus, who lived in the First Century BC, heavy rains had caused the Tigris River to overflow and flood part of Nineveh. The flooding destroyed some of Nineveh's protective walls. That might have helped the attacking forces conquer Nineveh.

Nahum 2:6 (NIV):

The river gates are thrown open and the palace collapses.

Nineveh would be destroyed by fire

Bible prophecy: Nahum 3:15
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 3:15, the prophet said that Nineveh would be damaged by fire. Archaeologists unearthed the site during the 1800s and found a layer of ash covering the ruins. According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica: "...Nineveh suffered a defeat from which it never recovered. Extensive traces of ash, representing the sack of the city by Babylonians, Scythians, and Medes in 612 BC, have been found in many parts of the Acropolis. After 612 BC the city ceased to be important..."

Nahum 3:15 (NIV):

There the fire will devour you; the sword will cut you down and, like grasshoppers, consume you...

Nineveh's fortresses would be easily captured

Bible prophecy: Nahum 3:12
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 3:12, the prophet said that Assyrian fortresses around Nineveh would fall to attackers. A coalition of Babylonians, Scythians and Medes successfully broke through the fortresses. Ancient Babylonian records say the fortified towns around Nineveh began to fall in 614 BC, about two years before the total defeat of the Assyrian empire.

Nahum 3:12 (NIV):

All your fortresses are like fig trees with their first ripe fruit; when they are shaken, the figs fall into the mouth of the eater.

Ninevites would be wiped out

Bible prophecy: Nahum 1:14
Prophecy written: About 614 BC
Prophecy fulfilled: 612 BC

In Nahum 1:14, the prophet said Nineveh would have no descendants to carry on the prestige of Nineveh. Nineveh's destruction in 612 BC marked a permanent end to the Assyrian Empire. The city itself never again rose to any significant importance. Today, Nineveh is an archaeological site in Iraq.

Nahum 1:14 (NIV):

The Lord has given a command concerning you, [Nineveh]: "You will have no descendants to bear your name. I will destroy the carved images and cast idols that are in the temple of your gods. I will prepare your grave, for you are vile."

Notes: The commentaries above are summaries from the book 100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies. Copyright © Ray Konig.

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