Nineveh would be destroyed, permanently

Bible passage: Nahum 3:19
Prophet: Nahum
Written: About 614 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.

- Research and commentary by George Konig and Ray Konig of www.AboutBibleProphecy.com. Copyright © George Konig and Ray Konig. All rights reserved.

Here is Nahum 3:19:

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?

(New International Version translation)