Bible prophecy explained:
Biblical prophecies fulfilled by Nineveh

The excerpts below are from the Second Edition of the book, 100 Prophecies, by George Konig and Ray Konig, who are the authors and copyright holders. The excerpts are reprinted here with written permission from the authors. All rights reserved. The Fourth Edition, which has been revised, expanded, and renamed as
100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies, is available through Amazon.com.

The selection of Bible prophecies below involve Nineveh, which served as the capital for the Assyrian Empire about 2600 years ago.

1. Nineveh's army officers would desert
Bible passage: Nahum 3:17
Written: About 614 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. - Copyright © George Konig, Ray Konig, 100Prophecies.org

Nahum 3:17:

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.

2. Nineveh would be destroyed, permanently
Bible passage: Nahum 3:19
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. - Copyright © George Konig, Ray Konig, 100Prophecies.org

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?

3. Ninevites would be drunk in their final hours
Bible passage: Nahum 1:10
Written: About 614 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. - Copyright © George Konig, Ray Konig, 100Prophecies.org

Nahum 1:10:

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

4. Nineveh would be destroyed by fire
Bible passage: Nahum 3:15
Written: About 614 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…" - Copyright © George Konig, Ray Konig, 100Prophecies.org

Nahum 3:15:

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

5. Ninevites would be wiped out
Bible passage: Nahum 1:14
Written: About 614 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. - Copyright © George Konig, Ray Konig, 100Prophecies.org

Nahum 1:14:

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 excerpts above are from the Second Edition of the book, 100 Prophecies, by George Konig and Ray Konig, who are the authors and copyright holders. The excerpts are reprinted here with written permission from the authors. All rights reserved. The Fourth Edition, which has been revised, expanded, and renamed as
100 Fulfilled Bible Prophecies, is available through Amazon.com.