Table of Contents
Introduction
The Book of Nahum belongs to the Nevi’im Aharonim (Latter Prophets) and is included among the Minor Prophets in the Tanakh. Despite its brevity, the text exhibits strong thematic and literary unity, focusing primarily on the announcement of the fall of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire.
Historically, the book is set in the 7th century BCE, likely between the fall of Thebes (663 BCE) and that of Nineveh (612 BCE). It reflects a period in which Assyria, the dominant power of the ancient Near East, exerted oppressive control over the peoples of the region, including Judah.
The Hebrew text, preserved in the Masoretic tradition, is marked by an intense and highly structured poetic style, with vivid imagery and rhythmic language. The theology of the book emphasizes the justice of GOD in history, interpreting the fall of Nineveh not merely as a political event but as a manifestation of divine judgment. The Book of Nahum has played a role in shaping theological and historical reflection within Judaism and later Abrahamic traditions.
Structure
Nahum 1:1 (narrative) – Introduction and oracle against Nineveh.
Nahum 1:2 (poetry) – Description of the justice and power of GOD.
Nahum 1:7 (poetry) – GOD as refuge in times of distress.
Nahum 1:9 (prophecy) – Announcement of the enemy’s final end.
Nahum 2:1 (prophecy) – Siege and imminent fall of Nineveh.
Nahum 2:4 (poetry) – Vivid depiction of battle.
Nahum 2:11 (symbolic poetry) – Nineveh as a den of lions.
Nahum 3:1 (prophecy) – Condemnation of violence and deceit.
Nahum 3:4 (prophecy) – Accusation of corruption and idolatrous seduction.
Nahum 3:8 (discourse) – Comparison with the fall of Thebes.
Nahum 3:13 (prophecy) – Weakness and inevitable destruction.
Nahum 3:19 (final narrative) – Conclusion and irreversibility of judgment.
Historical Context
The Book of Nahum is set within the geopolitical context of the 7th century BCE, when the Assyrian Empire dominated much of the ancient Near East. Nineveh, its capital, stood as the center of political and military power, but also as a symbol of oppression for many subjugated nations.
The reference to the fall of Thebes (No-Amon) in Egypt suggests a date after 663 BCE, while the announcement of Nineveh’s destruction anticipates the historical event of 612 BCE, when the city was conquered by the Medes and Babylonians. The text thus reflects a period of Assyrian decline, perceived as an opportunity for liberation by oppressed peoples.
From a religious and theological perspective, Nahum interprets these historical events as expressions of the justice of GOD, who acts within history to judge violent powers. The poetic and prophetic language of the book is rooted in the Hebrew tradition, employing powerful imagery to describe the سقوط of an imperial power and to reaffirm divine sovereignty.
Conclusion
The Book of Nahum is not only an announcement of destruction, but a revelation of the inherent limits of human power when it becomes absolute. In the fall of Nineveh, the Hebrew text suggests a principle that resonates across Abrahamic traditions: history is not abandoned to chaos, but oriented toward a justice that transcends political structures.
In a broader perspective, Nahum may be read as a fragment of expectation: not merely the end of an empire, but an opening toward a time in which the sovereignty of GOD is revealed not through destruction, but through the restoration of order and righteousness. Within this tension, the book continues to speak as a prophetic echo of a future where judgment prepares the way for a deeper peace.
Audiobook
Interlinear Translation
Chapter 1
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Italiano |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. מַשָּׂ֖א נִֽינְוֵ֑ה סֵ֧פֶר חֲז֛וֹן נַח֖וּם הָאֶלְקֹשִֽׁי׃ | 1. maś·śā nî·nə·wêh; sê·p̄er ḥă·zō·wn na·ḥūm hā·’el·qō·šî. | 1 The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. | 1. Oracolo su Ninive; libro della visione di Naum l’Elcosita. |
| 2. אֵ֣ל קַנּ֤וֹא וְנֹקֵם֙ יְהוָ֔ה נֹקֵ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה וּבַ֣עַל חֵמָ֑ה נֹקֵ֤ם יְהוָה֙ לְצָרָ֔יו וְנוֹטֵ֥ר ה֖וּא לְאֹיְבָֽיו׃ | 2. ’êl qan·nō·w wə·nō·qêm Yah·weh, nō·qêm Yah·weh ū·ḇa·‘al ḥê·māh; nō·qêm Yah·weh lə·ṣā·rāw, wə·nō·w·ṭêr hū lə·’ō·yə·ḇāw. | 2 God is jealous, and the Lord avenges; The Lord avenges and is furious. The Lord will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies; | 2. Il Signore è un Dio geloso e vendicatore; il Signore è vendicatore e pieno di furore. Il Signore si vendica dei suoi avversari e serba rancore verso i suoi nemici. |
| 3. יְהֹוָ֗ה אֶ֤רֶךְ אַפַּ֙יִם֙ [וגדול־] (וּגְדָל־) כֹּ֔חַ וְנַקֵּ֖ה לֹ֣א יְנַקֶּ֑ה יְהוָ֗ה בְּסוּפָ֤ה וּבִשְׂעָרָה֙ דַּרְכּ֔וֹ וְעָנָ֖ן אֲבַ֥ק רַגְלָֽיו׃ | 3. Yah·weh ’e·reḵ ’ap·pa·yim [ū·ḡə·ḏō·wl- ḵ] (ū·ḡə·ḏāl- kō·aḥ, q) wə·naq·qêh lō yə·naq·qeh; Yah·weh bə·sū·p̄āh ū·ḇiś·‘ā·rāh dar·kōw, wə·‘ā·nān ’ă·ḇaq raḡ·lāw. | 3 The Lord is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The Lord has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. | 3. Il Signore è lento all’ira ed è molto potente, ma non lascia il colpevole impunito. Il Signore cammina nell’uragano e nella tempesta, e le nuvole sono la polvere dei suoi piedi. |
| 4. גּוֹעֵ֤ר בַּיָּם֙ וַֽיַּבְּשֵׁ֔הוּ וְכָל־ הַנְּהָר֖וֹת הֶֽחֱרִ֑יב אֻמְלַ֤ל בָּשָׁן֙ וְכַרְמֶ֔ל וּפֶ֥רַח לְבָנ֖וֹן אֻמְלָֽל׃ | 4. gō·w·‘êr bay·yām way·yab·bə·šê·hū, wə·ḵāl han·nə·hā·rō·wṯ he·ḥĕ·rîḇ; ’um·lal bā·šān wə·ḵar·mel, ū·p̄e·raḥ lə·ḇā·nō·wn ’um·lāl. | 4 He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. | 4. Egli sgrida il mare e lo prosciuga, dissecca tutti i fiumi. Basan langue, langue il Carmelo e appassisce il fiore del Libano. |
| 5. הָרִים֙ רָעֲשׁ֣וּ מִמֶּ֔נּוּ וְהַגְּבָע֖וֹת הִתְמֹגָ֑גוּ וַתִּשָּׂ֤א הָאָ֙רֶץ֙ מִפָּנָ֔יו וְתֵבֵ֖ל וְכָל־ יֹ֥שְׁבֵי בָֽהּ׃ | 5. hā·rîm rā·‘ă·šū mim·men·nū, wə·hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ hiṯ·mō·ḡā·ḡū; wat·tiś·śā hā·’ā·reṣ mip·pā·nāw, wə·ṯê·ḇêl wə·ḵāl yō·šə·ḇê ḇāh. | 5 The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. | 5. I monti tremano davanti a lui, si sciolgono i colli; alla sua presenza si solleva la terra e il mondo con tutti i suoi abitanti. |
| 6. לִפְנֵ֤י זַעְמוֹ֙ מִ֣י יַֽעֲמ֔וֹד וּמִ֥י יָק֖וּם בַּחֲר֣וֹן אַפּ֑וֹ חֲמָתוֹ֙ נִתְּכָ֣ה כָאֵ֔שׁ וְהַצֻּרִ֖ים נִתְּצ֥וּ מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃ | 6. lip̄·nê za‘·mōw mî ya·‘ă·mō·wḏ, ū·mî yā·qūm ba·ḥă·rō·wn ’ap·pōw; ḥă·mā·ṯōw nit·tə·ḵāh ḵā·’êš, wə·haṣ·ṣu·rîm nit·tə·ṣū mim·men·nū. | 6 Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. | 6. Chi può resistere davanti alla sua indignazione? Chi può sopportare l’ardore della sua ira? Il suo furore si spande come fuoco e le rocce si schiantano davanti a lui. |
| 7. ט֣וֹב יְהוָ֔ה לְמָע֖וֹז בְּי֣וֹם צָרָ֑ה וְיֹדֵ֖עַ חֹ֥סֵי בֽוֹ׃ | 7. ṭō·wḇ Yah·weh, lə·mā·‘ō·wz bə·yō·wm ṣā·rāh; wə·yō·ḏê·a‘ ḥō·sê ḇōw. | 7 The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. | 7. Il Signore è buono; è un rifugio nel giorno dell’angoscia e conosce quelli che confidano in lui. |
| 8. וּבְשֶׁ֣טֶף עֹבֵ֔ר כָּלָ֖ה יַעֲשֶׂ֣ה מְקוֹמָ֑הּ וְאֹיְבָ֖יו יְרַדֶּף־ חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ | 8. ū·ḇə·še·ṭep̄ ‘ō·ḇêr, kā·lāh ya·‘ă·śeh mə·qō·w·māh; wə·’ō·yə·ḇāw yə·rad·dep̄- ḥō·šeḵ | 8 But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies. | 8. Ma con una irrompente inondazione egli distruggerà completamente chi lo attacca e inseguirà i suoi nemici fin nelle tenebre. |
| 9. מַה־ תְּחַשְּׁבוּן֙ אֶל־ יְהוָ֔ה כָּלָ֖ה ה֣וּא עֹשֶׂ֑ה לֹֽא־ תָק֥וּם פַּעֲמַ֖יִם צָרָֽה׃ | 9. mah- tə·ḥaš·šə·ḇūn ’el- Yah·weh, kā·lāh hū ‘ō·śeh; lō- ṯā·qūm pa·‘ă·ma·yim ṣā·rāh. | 9 What do you conspire against the Lord? He will make an utter end of it. Affliction will not rise up a second time. | 9. Che cosa premeditate voi contro il Signore? Egli farà una distruzione totale; la sventura non si abbatterà due volte. |
| 10. כִּ֚י עַד־ סִירִ֣ים סְבֻכִ֔ים וּכְסָבְאָ֖ם סְבוּאִ֑ים אֻ֨כְּל֔וּ כְּקַ֥שׁ יָבֵ֖שׁ מָלֵֽא׃ | 10. kî ‘aḏ- sî·rîm sə·ḇu·ḵîm, ū·ḵə·sā·ḇə·’ām sə·ḇū·’îm; ’uk·kə·lū, kə·qaš yā·ḇêš mā·lê. | 10 For while tangled like thorns, And while drunken like drunkards, They shall be devoured like stubble fully dried. | 10. Poiché, anche se fossero intrecciati come rovi e fradici di bevande, saranno interamente consumati come stoppia secca. |
| 11. מִמֵּ֣ךְ יָצָ֔א חֹשֵׁ֥ב עַל־ יְהוָ֖ה רָעָ֑ה יֹעֵ֖ץ בְּלִיָּֽעַל׃ ס | 11. mim·mêḵ yā·ṣā, ḥō·šêḇ ‘al- Yah·weh rā·‘āh; yō·‘êṣ bə·lî·yā·‘al. s | 11 From you comes forth one Who plots evil against the Lord, A wicked counselor. | 11. Da te è uscito colui che ha tramato il male contro il Signore, che ha premeditato scelleratezze. |
| 12. כֹּ֣ה ׀ אָמַ֣ר יְהוָ֗ה אִם־ שְׁלֵמִים֙ וְכֵ֣ן רַבִּ֔ים וְכֵ֥ן נָגֹ֖זּוּ וְעָבָ֑ר וְעִ֨נִּתִ֔ךְ לֹ֥א אֲעַנֵּ֖ךְ עֽוֹד׃ | 12. kōh ’ā·mar Yah·weh ’im- šə·lê·mîm wə·ḵên rab·bîm, wə·ḵên nā·ḡōz·zū wə·‘ā·ḇār; wə·‘in·ni·ṯiḵ, lō ’ă·‘an·nêḵ ‘ō·wḏ. | 12 Thus says the Lord: "Though they are safe, and likewise many, Yet in this manner they will be cut down When he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more; | 12. Così dice il Signore: «Anche se forti e numerosi, saranno falciati e scompariranno; e se io ti ho afflitta, non ti affliggerò più. |
| 13. וְעַתָּ֕ה אֶשְׁבֹּ֥ר מֹטֵ֖הוּ מֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְ וּמוֹסְרֹתַ֖יִךְ אֲנַתֵּֽק׃ | 13. wə·‘at·tāh ’eš·bōr mō·ṭê·hū mê·‘ā·lā·yiḵ; ū·mō·ws·rō·ṯa·yiḵ ’ă·nat·têq. | 13 For now I will break off his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart." | 13. Ora spezzerò il suo giogo di dosso a te e romperò le tue catene». |
| 14. וְצִוָּ֤ה עָלֶ֙יךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה לֹֽא־ יִזָּרַ֥ע מִשִּׁמְךָ֖ ע֑וֹד מִבֵּ֨ית אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ אַכְרִ֨ית פֶּ֧סֶל וּמַסֵּכָ֛ה אָשִׂ֥ים קִבְרֶ֖ךָ כִּ֥י קַלּֽוֹתָ׃ פ | 14. wə·ṣiw·wāh ‘ā·le·ḵā Yah·weh, lō- yiz·zā·ra‘ miš·šim·ḵā ‘ō·wḏ; mib·bêṯ ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā ’aḵ·rîṯ pe·sel ū·mas·sê·ḵāh ’ā·śîm qiḇ·re·ḵā kî qal·lō·w·ṯā. p̄ | 14 The Lord has given a command concerning you: "Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, For you are vile." | 14. Quanto a te, il Signore ha dato quest’ordine: «Che non ci sia più discendenza con il tuo nome. Io eliminerò dalla casa delle tue divinità le immagini scolpite e le immagini fuse; io ti preparerò la tomba, perché sei diventato spregevole». |
| 15. הִנֵּ֨ה עַל־ הֶהָרִ֜ים רַגְלֵ֤י מְבַשֵּׂר֙ מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ שָׁל֔וֹם חָגִּ֧י יְהוּדָ֛ה חַגַּ֖יִךְ שַׁלְּמִ֣י נְדָרָ֑יִךְ כִּי֩ לֹ֨א יוֹסִ֥יף ע֛וֹד [לעבור־] (לַֽעֲבָר־) בָּ֥ךְ בְּלִיַּ֖עַל כֻּלֹּ֥ה נִכְרָֽת׃ | 15. hin·nêh ‘al- he·hā·rîm raḡ·lê mə·ḇaś·śêr maš·mî·a‘ šā·lō·wm, ḥāg·gî yə·hū·ḏāh ḥag·ga·yiḵ šal·lə·mî nə·ḏā·rā·yiḵ; kî lō yō·w·sîp̄ ‘ō·wḏ (la·‘ă·ḇār- bāḵ q) bə·lî·ya·‘al kul·lōh niḵ·rāṯ. | 15 Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off. | 15. Ecco, sui monti, i piedi di un messaggero che porta buone notizie, che annuncia la pace! Celebra le tue feste, o Giuda, adempi i tuoi voti, perché il malvagio non passerà più in mezzo a te; egli è completamente distrutto. |
Chapter 2
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Italiano |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. עָלָ֥ה מֵפִ֛יץ עַל־ פָּנַ֖יִךְ נָצ֣וֹר מְצֻרָ֑ה צַפֵּה־ דֶ֙רֶךְ֙ חַזֵּ֣ק מָתְנַ֔יִם אַמֵּ֥ץ כֹּ֖חַ מְאֹֽד׃ | 1. ‘ā·lāh mê·p̄îṣ ‘al- pā·na·yiḵ nā·ṣō·wr mə·ṣu·rāh; ṣap·pêh- ḏe·reḵ ḥaz·zêq mā·ṯə·na·yim, ’am·mêṣ kō·aḥ mə·’ōḏ. | 1 He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily. | 1. Un distruttore marcia contro di te; custodisci bene la fortezza, sorveglia le strade, rafforza le tue reni, raccogli tutte le tue forze! |
| 2. כִּ֣י שָׁ֤ב יְהוָה֙ אֶת־ גְּא֣וֹן יַעֲקֹ֔ב כִּגְא֖וֹן יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל כִּ֤י בְקָקוּם֙ בֹּֽקְקִ֔ים וּזְמֹרֵיהֶ֖ם שִׁחֵֽתוּ׃ | 2. kî šāḇ Yah·weh ’eṯ- gə·’ō·wn ya·‘ă·qōḇ, kiḡ·’ō·wn yiś·rā·’êl; kî ḇə·qā·qūm bō·qə·qîm, ū·zə·mō·rê·hem ši·ḥê·ṯū. | 2 For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches. | 2. Poiché il Signore ristabilisce la gloria di Giacobbe e la gloria d’Israele; perché i saccheggiatori li hanno saccheggiati e hanno distrutto i loro tralci. |
| 3. מָגֵ֨ן גִּבֹּרֵ֜יהוּ מְאָדָּ֗ם אַנְשֵׁי־ חַ֙יִל֙ מְתֻלָּעִ֔ים בְּאֵשׁ־ פְּלָד֥וֹת הָרֶ֖כֶב בְּי֣וֹם הֲכִינ֑וֹ וְהַבְּרֹשִׁ֖ים הָרְעָֽלוּ׃ | 3. mā·ḡên gib·bō·rê·hū mə·’ād·dām, ’an·šê- ḥa·yil mə·ṯul·lā·‘îm, bə·’êš- pə·lā·ḏō·wṯ hā·re·ḵeḇ bə·yō·wm hă·ḵî·nōw; wə·hab·bə·rō·šîm hā·rə·‘ā·lū. | 3 The shields of his mighty men are made red, The valiant men are in scarlet. The chariots come with flaming torches In the day of his preparation, And the spears are brandished. | 3. Lo scudo dei suoi prodi è tinto di rosso, i suoi guerrieri vestono di porpora; nel giorno in cui egli si prepara, l’acciaio dei carri scintilla e si brandiscono le lance di cipresso. |
| 4. בַּֽחוּצוֹת֙ יִתְהוֹלְל֣וּ הָרֶ֔כֶב יִֽשְׁתַּקְשְׁק֖וּן בָּרְחֹב֑וֹת מַרְאֵיהֶן֙ כַּלַּפִּידִ֔ם כַּבְּרָקִ֖ים יְרוֹצֵֽצוּ׃ | 4. ba·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ yiṯ·hō·wl·lū hā·re·ḵeḇ, yiš·taq·šə·qūn bā·rə·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ; mar·’ê·hen kal·lap·pî·ḏim, kab·bə·rā·qîm yə·rō·w·ṣê·ṣū. | 4 The chariots rage in the streets, They jostle one another in the broad roads; They seem like torches, They run like lightning. | 4. I carri si lanciano furiosamente per le strade, si precipitano per le piazze; il loro aspetto è come di fiaccole, guizzano come fulmini. |
| 5. יִזְכֹּר֙ אַדִּירָ֔יו יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ [בהלכותם] (בַּהֲלִֽיכָתָ֑ם) יְמַֽהֲרוּ֙ חֽוֹמָתָ֔הּ וְהֻכַ֖ן הַסֹּכֵֽךְ׃ | 5. yiz·kōr ’ad·dî·rāw, yik·kā·šə·lū [ḇa·hă·li·ḵō·w·ṯām ḵ] (ba·hă·lî·ḵā·ṯām; q) yə·ma·hă·rū ḥō·w·mā·ṯāh, wə·hu·ḵan has·sō·ḵêḵ. | 5 He remembers his nobles; They stumble in their walk; They make haste to her walls, And the defense is prepared. | 5. Il re di Ninive si ricorda dei suoi prodi ufficiali; essi inciampano nella loro marcia, si precipitano verso le mura e la difesa è preparata. |
| 6. שַׁעֲרֵ֥י הַנְּהָר֖וֹת נִפְתָּ֑חוּ וְהַֽהֵיכָ֖ל נָמֽוֹג׃ | 6. ša·‘ă·rê han·nə·hā·rō·wṯ nip̄·tā·ḥū; wə·ha·hê·ḵāl nā·mō·wḡ. | 6 The gates of the rivers are opened, And the palace is dissolved. | 6. Le porte dei fiumi si aprono e il palazzo crolla. |
| 7. וְהֻצַּ֖ב גֻּלְּתָ֣ה הֹֽעֲלָ֑תָה וְאַמְהֹתֶ֗יהָ מְנַֽהֲגוֹת֙ כְּק֣וֹל יוֹנִ֔ים מְתֹפְפֹ֖ת עַל־ לִבְבֵהֶֽן׃ | 7. wə·huṣ·ṣaḇ gul·lə·ṯāh hō·‘ă·lā·ṯāh; wə·’am·hō·ṯe·hā, mə·na·hă·ḡō·wṯ kə·qō·wl yō·w·nîm, mə·ṯō·p̄ə·p̄ōṯ ‘al- liḇ·ḇê·hen. | 7 It is decreed: She shall be led away captive, She shall be brought up; And her maidservants shall lead her as with the voice of doves, Beating their breasts. | 7. È fatto! Ninive è spogliata e portata via; le sue ancelle gemono come colombe e si battono il petto. |
| 8. וְנִינְוֵ֥ה כִבְרֵֽכַת־ מַ֖יִם מִ֣ימֵי הִ֑יא וְהֵ֣מָּה נָסִ֔ים עִמְד֥וּ עֲמֹ֖דוּ וְאֵ֥ין מַפְנֶֽה׃ | 8. wə·nî·nə·wêh ḵiḇ·rê·ḵaṯ- ma·yim mî·mê hî; wə·hêm·māh nā·sîm, ‘im·ḏū ‘ă·mō·ḏū wə·’ên map̄·neh. | 8 Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. "Halt! Halt!" they cry; But no one turns back. | 8. Ninive era come un serbatoio pieno d’acqua, e ora l’acqua fugge! Fermatevi! fermatevi! Ma nessuno si volta. |
| 9. בֹּ֥זּוּ כֶ֖סֶף בֹּ֣זּוּ זָהָ֑ב וְאֵ֥ין קֵ֙צֶה֙ לַתְּכוּנָ֔ה כָּבֹ֕ד מִכֹּ֖ל כְּלִ֥י חֶמְדָּֽה׃ | 9. bōz·zū ḵe·sep̄ bōz·zū zā·hāḇ; wə·’ên qê·ṣeh lat·tə·ḵū·nāh, kā·ḇōḏ mik·kōl kə·lî ḥem·dāh. | 9 Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold! There is no end of treasure, Or wealth of every desirable prize. | 9. Saccheggiate l’argento, saccheggiate l’oro! Ci sono tesori senza fine, montagne di oggetti preziosi di ogni specie. |
| 10. בּוּקָ֥ה וּמְבוּקָ֖ה וּמְבֻלָּקָ֑ה וְלֵ֨ב נָמֵ֜ס וּפִ֣ק בִּרְכַּ֗יִם וְחַלְחָלָה֙ בְּכָל־ מָתְנַ֔יִם וּפְנֵ֥י כֻלָּ֖ם קִבְּצ֥וּ פָארֽוּר׃ | 10. bū·qāh ū·mə·ḇū·qāh ū·mə·ḇul·lā·qāh; wə·lêḇ nā·mês ū·p̄iq bir·ka·yim, wə·ḥal·ḥā·lāh bə·ḵāl mā·ṯə·na·yim, ū·p̄ə·nê ḵul·lām qib·bə·ṣū p̄ā·rūr. | 10 She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in every side, And all their faces are drained of color. | 10. Essa è vuotata, spogliata, devastata; i cuori vengono meno, le ginocchia tremano, tutti i fianchi sono dolenti, tutti i volti impallidiscono. |
| 11. אַיֵּה֙ מְע֣וֹן אֲרָי֔וֹת וּמִרְעֶ֥ה ה֖וּא לַכְּפִרִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר הָלַךְ֩ אַרְיֵ֨ה לָבִ֥יא שָׁ֛ם גּ֥וּר אַרְיֵ֖ה וְאֵ֥ין מַחֲרִֽיד׃ | 11. ’ay·yêh mə·‘ō·wn ’ă·rā·yō·wṯ, ū·mir·‘eh hū lak·kə·p̄i·rîm; ’ă·šer hā·laḵ ’ar·yêh lā·ḇî šām gūr ’ar·yêh wə·’ên ma·ḥă·rîḏ. | 11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion walked, the lioness and lion's cub, And no one made them afraid? | 11. Dov’è questo covo di leoni, questo luogo dove facevano il pasto i leoncelli, dove il leone, la leonessa e i leoncelli passeggiavano, senza che nessuno li spaventasse? |
| 12. אַרְיֵ֤ה טֹרֵף֙ בְּדֵ֣י גֹֽרוֹתָ֔יו וּמְחַנֵּ֖ק לְלִבְאֹתָ֑יו וַיְמַלֵּא־ טֶ֣רֶף חֹרָ֔יו וּמְעֹֽנֹתָ֖יו טְרֵפָֽה׃ | 12. ’ar·yêh ṭō·rêp̄ bə·ḏê ḡō·rō·w·ṯāw, ū·mə·ḥan·nêq lə·liḇ·’ō·ṯāw; way·mal·lê- ṭe·rep̄ ḥō·rāw, ū·mə·‘ō·nō·ṯāw ṭə·rê·p̄āh. | 12 The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs, Killed for his lionesses, Filled his caves with prey, And his dens with flesh. | 12. Là il leone sbranava per i suoi piccoli, strangolava per le sue leonesse e riempiva i suoi covi di preda, le sue tane di rapina. |
| 13. הִנְנִ֣י אֵלַ֗יִךְ נְאֻם֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת וְהִבְעַרְתִּ֤י בֶֽעָשָׁן֙ רִכְבָּ֔הּ וּכְפִירַ֖יִךְ תֹּ֣אכַל חָ֑רֶב וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙ טַרְפֵּ֔ךְ וְלֹֽא־ יִשָּׁמַ֥ע ע֖וֹד ק֥וֹל מַלְאָכֵֽכֵה׃ ס | 13. hin·nî ’ê·la·yiḵ, nə·’um Yah·weh ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ, wə·hiḇ·‘ar·tî ḇe·‘ā·šān riḵ·bāh, ū·ḵə·p̄î·ra·yiḵ tō·ḵal ḥā·reḇ; wə·hiḵ·rat·tî mê·’e·reṣ ṭar·pêḵ, wə·lō- yiš·šā·ma‘ ‘ō·wḏ qō·wl mal·’ā·ḵê·ḵêh. s | 13 "Behold, I am against you," says the Lord of hosts, "I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more." | 13. «Eccomi a te», dice il Signore degli eserciti; «io brucerò i tuoi carri che andranno in fumo, la spada divorerà i tuoi leoncelli; io strapperò dal paese la tua preda e non si udrà più la voce dei tuoi messaggeri». |
Chapter 3
| Hebrew | Transliteration | English | Italiano |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. ה֖וֹי עִ֣יר דָּמִ֑ים כֻּלָּ֗הּ כַּ֤חַשׁ פֶּ֙רֶק֙ מְלֵאָ֔ה לֹ֥א יָמִ֖ישׁ טָֽרֶף׃ | 1. hō·w ‘îr dā·mîm; kul·lāh, ka·ḥaš pe·req mə·lê·’āh, lō yā·mîš ṭā·rep̄. | 1 Woe to the bloody city! It is all full of lies and robbery. Its victim never departs. | 1. Guai alla città sanguinaria, piena di menzogna e di violenza, che non cessa di depredare! |
| 2. ק֣וֹל שׁ֔וֹט וְק֖וֹל רַ֣עַשׁ אוֹפָ֑ן וְס֣וּס דֹּהֵ֔ר וּמֶרְכָּבָ֖ה מְרַקֵּדָֽה׃ | 2. qō·wl šō·wṭ, wə·qō·wl ra·‘aš ’ō·w·p̄ān; wə·sūs dō·hêr, ū·mer·kā·ḇāh mə·raq·qê·ḏāh. | 2 The noise of a whip And the noise of rattling wheels, Of galloping horses, Of clattering chariots! | 2. Si ode rumore di fruste, frastuono di ruote, galoppo di cavalli, sobbalzare di carri. |
| 3. פָּרָ֣שׁ מַעֲלֶ֗ה וְלַ֤הַב חֶ֙רֶב֙ וּבְרַ֣ק חֲנִ֔ית וְרֹ֥ב חָלָ֖ל וְכֹ֣בֶד פָּ֑גֶר וְאֵ֥ין קֵ֙צֶה֙ לַגְּוִיָּ֔ה [יכשלו] (וְכָשְׁל֖וּ) בִּגְוִיָּתָֽם׃ | 3. pā·rāš ma·‘ă·leh, wə·la·haḇ ḥe·reḇ ū·ḇə·raq ḥă·nîṯ, wə·rōḇ ḥā·lāl wə·ḵō·ḇeḏ pā·ḡer; wə·’ên qê·ṣeh lag·gə·wî·yāh, (wə·ḵā·šə·lū q) biḡ·wî·yā·ṯām. | 3 Horsemen charge with bright sword and glittering spear. There is a multitude of slain, A great number of bodies, Countless corpses-- They stumble over the corpses-- | 3. I cavalieri danno la carica, fiammeggiano le spade, sfolgorano le lance, abbondano i feriti, si ammucchiano i cadaveri, sono infiniti i morti, si inciampa nei cadaveri. |
| 4. מֵרֹב֙ זְנוּנֵ֣י זוֹנָ֔ה ט֥וֹבַת חֵ֖ן בַּעֲלַ֣ת כְּשָׁפִ֑ים הַמֹּכֶ֤רֶת גּוֹיִם֙ בִּזְנוּנֶ֔יהָ וּמִשְׁפָּח֖וֹת בִּכְשָׁפֶֽיהָ׃ | 4. mê·rōḇ zə·nū·nê zō·w·nāh, ṭō·w·ḇaṯ ḥên ba·‘ă·laṯ kə·šā·p̄îm; ham·mō·ḵe·reṯ gō·w·yim biz·nū·ne·hā, ū·miš·pā·ḥō·wṯ biḵ·šā·p̄e·hā. | 4 Because of the multitude of harlotries of the seductive harlot, The mistress of sorceries, Who sells nations through her harlotries, And families through her sorceries. | 4. Questo a causa delle tante fornicazioni dell’avvenente prostituta, dell’abile incantatrice, che vendeva le nazioni con le sue fornicazioni e i popoli con i suoi incantesimi. |
| 5. הִנְנִ֣י אֵלַ֗יִךְ נְאֻם֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת וְגִלֵּיתִ֥י שׁוּלַ֖יִךְ עַל־ פָּנָ֑יִךְ וְהַרְאֵיתִ֤י גוֹיִם֙ מַעְרֵ֔ךְ וּמַמְלָכ֖וֹת קְלוֹנֵֽךְ׃ | 5. hin·nî ’ê·la·yiḵ, nə·’um Yah·weh ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ, wə·ḡil·lê·ṯî šū·la·yiḵ ‘al- pā·nā·yiḵ; wə·har·’ê·ṯî ḡō·w·yim ma‘·rêḵ, ū·mam·lā·ḵō·wṯ qə·lō·w·nêḵ. | 5 "Behold, I am against you," says the Lord of hosts; "I will lift your skirts over your face, I will show the nations your nakedness, And the kingdoms your shame. | 5. «Eccomi a te», dice il Signore degli eserciti; «io alzerò i lembi della tua veste fin sulla tua faccia e mostrerò alle nazioni la tua nudità, ai regni la tua vergogna. |
| 6. וְהִשְׁלַכְתִּ֥י עָלַ֛יִךְ שִׁקֻּצִ֖ים וְנִבַּלְתִּ֑יךְ וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךְ כְּרֹֽאִי׃ | 6. wə·hiš·laḵ·tî ‘ā·la·yiḵ šiq·qu·ṣîm wə·nib·bal·tîḵ; wə·śam·tîḵ kə·rō·’î. | 6 I will cast abominable filth upon you, Make you vile, And make you a spectacle. | 6. Ti getterò addosso delle immondizie, ti umilierò e ti esporrò allo scherno. |
| 7. וְהָיָ֤ה כָל־ רֹאַ֙יִךְ֙ יִדּ֣וֹד מִמֵּ֔ךְ וְאָמַר֙ שָׁדְּדָ֣ה נִֽינְוֵ֔ה מִ֖י יָנ֣וּד לָ֑הּ מֵאַ֛יִן אֲבַקֵּ֥שׁ מְנַחֲמִ֖ים לָֽךְ׃ | 7. wə·hā·yāh ḵāl rō·’a·yiḵ yid·dō·wḏ mim·mêḵ, wə·’ā·mar šād·də·ḏāh nî·nə·wêh, mî yā·nūḏ lāh; mê·’a·yin ’ă·ḇaq·qêš mə·na·ḥă·mîm lāḵ. | 7 It shall come to pass that all who look upon you Will flee from you, and say, 'Nineveh is laid waste! Who will bemoan her?' Where shall I seek comforters for you?" | 7. Tutti quelli che ti vedranno fuggiranno lontano da te e diranno: “Ninive è distrutta! Chi la compiangerà?” Dove ti cercherò dei consolatori?» |
| 8. הֲתֵֽיטְבִי֙ מִנֹּ֣א אָמ֔וֹן הַיֹּֽשְׁבָה֙ בַּיְאֹרִ֔ים מַ֖יִם סָבִ֣יב לָ֑הּ אֲשֶׁר־ חֵ֣יל יָ֔ם מִיָּ֖ם חוֹמָתָֽהּ׃ | 8. hă·ṯê·ṭə·ḇî min·nō ’ā·mō·wn, hay·yō·šə·ḇāh bay·’ō·rîm, ma·yim sā·ḇîḇ lāh; ’ă·šer- ḥêl yām, mî·yām ḥō·w·mā·ṯāh. | 8 Are you better than No Amon That was situated by the River, That had the waters around her, Whose rampart was the sea, Whose wall was the sea? | 8. Sei forse migliore di No-Amon, che stava seduta tra i fiumi, circondata dalle acque, che aveva il mare per baluardo, il mare per mura? |
| 9. כּ֥וּשׁ עָצְמָ֛ה וּמִצְרַ֖יִם וְאֵ֣ין קֵ֑צֶה פּ֣וּט וְלוּבִ֔ים הָי֖וּ בְּעֶזְרָתֵֽךְ׃ | 9. kūš ‘ā·ṣə·māh ū·miṣ·ra·yim wə·’ên qê·ṣeh; pūṭ wə·lū·ḇîm, hā·yū bə·‘ez·rā·ṯêḵ. | 9 Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, And it was boundless; Put and Lubim were your helpers. | 9. L’Etiopia e l’Egitto erano la sua forza che non aveva limiti; Put e i Libici erano i suoi alleati. |
| 10. גַּם־ הִ֗יא לַגֹּלָה֙ הָלְכָ֣ה בַשֶּׁ֔בִי גַּ֧ם עֹלָלֶ֛יהָ יְרֻטְּשׁ֖וּ בְּרֹ֣אשׁ כָּל־ חוּצ֑וֹת וְעַל־ נִכְבַּדֶּ֙יהָ֙ יַדּ֣וּ גוֹרָ֔ל וְכָל־ גְּדוֹלֶ֖יהָ רֻתְּק֥וּ בַזִּקִּֽים׃ | 10. gam- hî, lag·gō·lāh hā·lə·ḵāh ḇaš·še·ḇî, gam ‘ō·lā·le·hā yə·ruṭ·ṭə·šū bə·rōš kāl- ḥū·ṣō·wṯ; wə·‘al- niḵ·bad·de·hā yad·dū ḡō·w·rāl, wə·ḵāl gə·ḏō·w·le·hā rut·tə·qū ḇaz·ziq·qîm. | 10 Yet she was carried away, She went into captivity; Her young children also were dashed to pieces At the head of every street; They cast lots for her honorable men, And all her great men were bound in chains. | 10. Eppure, anch’essa è stata deportata, è andata in esilio; anche i suoi bambini sono stati sfracellati a ogni angolo di strada. I suoi nobili sono stati estratti a sorte e tutti i suoi grandi sono stati messi in catene. |
| 11. גַּם־ אַ֣תְּ תִּשְׁכְּרִ֔י תְּהִ֖י נַֽעֲלָמָ֑ה גַּם־ אַ֛תְּ תְּבַקְשִׁ֥י מָע֖וֹז מֵאוֹיֵֽב׃ | 11. gam- ’at tiš·kə·rî, tə·hî na·‘ă·lā·māh; gam- ’at tə·ḇaq·šî mā·‘ō·wz mê·’ō·w·yêḇ. | 11 You also will be drunk; You will be hidden; You also will seek refuge from the enemy. | 11. Tu pure sarai ubriacata e andrai a nasconderti; tu pure cercherai un rifugio davanti al nemico. |
| 12. כָּ֨ל־ מִבְצָרַ֔יִךְ תְּאֵנִ֖ים עִם־ בִּכּוּרִ֑ים אִם־ יִנּ֕וֹעוּ וְנָפְל֖וּ עַל־ פִּ֥י אוֹכֵֽל׃ | 12. kāl- miḇ·ṣā·ra·yiḵ, tə·’ê·nîm ‘im- bik·kū·rîm; ’im- yin·nō·w·‘ū wə·nā·p̄ə·lū ‘al- pî ’ō·w·ḵêl. | 12 All your strongholds are fig trees with ripened figs: If they are shaken, They fall into the mouth of the eater. | 12. Tutte le tue fortezze saranno come alberi di fico dai frutti primaticci, che, quando sono scossi, cadono in bocca a chi li vuol mangiare. |
| 13. הִנֵּ֨ה עַמֵּ֤ךְ נָשִׁים֙ בְּקִרְבֵּ֔ךְ לְאֹ֣יְבַ֔יִךְ פָּת֥וֹחַ נִפְתְּח֖וּ שַׁעֲרֵ֣י אַרְצֵ֑ךְ אָכְלָ֥ה אֵ֖שׁ בְּרִיחָֽיִך׃ | 13. hin·nêh ‘am·mêḵ nā·šîm bə·qir·bêḵ, lə·’ō·yə·ḇa·yiḵ, pā·ṯō·w·aḥ nip̄·tə·ḥū ša·‘ă·rê ’ar·ṣêḵ; ’ā·ḵə·lāh ’êš bə·rî·ḥā·yiḵ. | 13 Surely, your people in your midst are women! The gates of your land are wide open for your enemies; Fire shall devour the bars of your gates. | 13. Ecco il tuo popolo: in mezzo a te sono solo donne; le porte del tuo paese sono spalancate davanti ai tuoi nemici, il fuoco ha divorato le tue sbarre. |
| 14. מֵ֤י מָצוֹר֙ שַֽׁאֲבִי־ לָ֔ךְ חַזְּקִ֖י מִבְצָרָ֑יִךְ בֹּ֧אִי בַטִּ֛יט וְרִמְסִ֥י בַחֹ֖מֶר הַחֲזִ֥יקִי מַלְבֵּֽן׃ | 14. mê mā·ṣō·wr ša·’ă·ḇî- lāḵ, ḥaz·zə·qî miḇ·ṣā·rā·yiḵ; bō·’î ḇaṭ·ṭîṭ wə·rim·sî ḇa·ḥō·mer ha·ḥă·zî·qî mal·bên. | 14 Draw your water for the siege! Fortify your strongholds! Go into the clay and tread the mortar! Make strong the brick kiln! | 14. Attingi pure acqua per l’assedio! Rinforza le tue difese! Pesta la malta, impasta l’argilla! Ripara la fornace! |
| 15. שָׁ֚ם תֹּאכְלֵ֣ךְ אֵ֔שׁ תַּכְרִיתֵ֣ךְ חֶ֔רֶב תֹּאכְלֵ֖ךְ כַּיָּ֑לֶק הִתְכַּבֵּ֣ד כַּיֶּ֔לֶק הִֽתְכַּבְּדִ֖י כָּאַרְבֶּֽה׃ | 15. m tō·ḵə·lêḵ ’êš, taḵ·rî·ṯêḵ ḥe·reḇ, tō·ḵə·lêḵ kay·yā·leq; hiṯ·kab·bêḏ kay·ye·leq, hiṯ·kab·bə·ḏî kā·’ar·beh. | 15 There the fire will devour you, The sword will cut you off; It will eat you up like a locust. Make yourself many--like the locust! Make yourself many--like the swarming locusts! | 15. Là il fuoco ti divorerà, la spada ti distruggerà; ti divorerà come la cavalletta, fossi tu pur numerosa come le cavallette, fossi tu pur numerosa come le locuste. |
| 16. הִרְבֵּית֙ רֹֽכְלַ֔יִךְ מִכּוֹכְבֵ֖י הַשָּׁמָ֑יִם יֶ֥לֶק פָּשַׁ֖ט וַיָּעֹֽף׃ | 16. hir·bêṯ rō·ḵə·la·yiḵ, mik·kō·wḵ·ḇê haš·šā·mā·yim; ye·leq pā·šaṭ way·yā·‘ōp̄. | 16 You have multiplied your merchants more than the stars of heaven. The locust plunders and flies away. | 16. Tu hai moltiplicato i tuoi mercanti più delle stelle del cielo; sono come le cavallette che spogliano ogni cosa e volano via. |
| 17. מִנְּזָרַ֙יִךְ֙ כָּֽאַרְבֶּ֔ה וְטַפְסְרַ֖יִךְ כְּג֣וֹב גֹּבָ֑י הַֽחוֹנִ֤ים בַּגְּדֵרוֹת֙ בְּי֣וֹם קָרָ֔ה שֶׁ֤מֶשׁ זָֽרְחָה֙ וְנוֹדַ֔ד וְלֹֽא־ נוֹדַ֥ע מְקוֹמ֖וֹ אַיָּֽם׃ | 17. min·nə·zā·ra·yiḵ kā·’ar·beh, wə·ṭap̄·sə·ra·yiḵ kə·ḡō·wḇ gō·ḇāy; ha·ḥō·w·nîm bag·gə·ḏê·rō·wṯ bə·yō·wm qā·rāh, še·meš zā·rə·ḥāh wə·nō·w·ḏaḏ, wə·lō- nō·w·ḏa‘ mə·qō·w·mōw ’ay·yām. | 17 Your commanders are like swarming locusts, And your generals like great grasshoppers, Which camp in the hedges on a cold day; When the sun rises they flee away, And the place where they are is not known. | 17. I tuoi prìncipi sono come le locuste, i tuoi ufficiali come sciami di giovani locuste, che si accampano lungo le siepi nei giorni freddi e, quando spunta il sole, volano via e non si riconosce più il posto dov’erano. |
| 18. נָמ֤וּ רֹעֶ֙יךָ֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ אַשּׁ֔וּר יִשְׁכְּנ֖וּ אַדִּירֶ֑יךָ נָפֹ֧שׁוּ עַמְּךָ֛ עַל־ הֶהָרִ֖ים וְאֵ֥ין מְקַבֵּֽץ׃ | 18. nā·mū rō·‘e·ḵā me·leḵ ’aš·šūr, yiš·kə·nū ’ad·dî·re·ḵā; nā·p̄ō·šū ‘am·mə·ḵā ‘al- he·hā·rîm wə·’ên mə·qab·bêṣ. | 18 Your shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; Your nobles rest in the dust. Your people are scattered on the mountains, And no one gathers them. | 18. O re d’Assiria, i tuoi pastori si sono addormentati, i tuoi valorosi ufficiali riposano; il tuo popolo è disperso su per i monti e non c’è nessuno che lo riunisca. |
| 19. אֵין־ כֵּהָ֣ה לְשִׁבְרֶ֔ךָ נַחְלָ֖ה מַכָּתֶ֑ךָ כֹּ֣ל ׀ שֹׁמְעֵ֣י שִׁמְעֲךָ֗ תָּ֤קְעוּ כַף֙ עָלֶ֔יךָ כִּ֗י עַל־ מִ֛י לֹֽא־ עָבְרָ֥ה רָעָתְךָ֖ תָּמִֽיד׃ | 19. ’ên- kê·hāh lə·šiḇ·re·ḵā, naḥ·lāh mak·kā·ṯe·ḵā; kōl šō·mə·‘ê šim·‘ă·ḵā, tā·qə·‘ū ḵap̄ ‘ā·le·ḵā, kî, ‘al- mî lō- ‘ā·ḇə·rāh rā·‘ā·ṯə·ḵā tā·mîḏ. | 19 Your injury has no healing, Your wound is severe. All who hear news of you Will clap their hands over you, For upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually? | 19. Non c’è rimedio per la tua ferita, la tua piaga è grave; tutti quelli che udranno parlare di te batteranno le mani per la tua sorte. Su chi infatti non è passata la tua malvagità senza fine? |