As can be seen from Revised Standard Version, the Hebrew text does not state to whom this verse is addressed. The majority of modern translations indicate by means of section headings, footnotes, or a term of address in the text itself, that they regard this verse as spoken to the people of Israel (Bible de Jérusalem, Jerusalem Bible, New American Bible, New English Bible, Traduction œcuménique de la Bible, Good News Translation, New International Version, Bible en français courant).
The opening words of the verse are the familiar expression Thus says the LORD. Good News Translation puts this into modern language and makes the addressees explicit by saying “This is what the LORD says to his people Israel.” Many translators will wish to do the same. However, the name “Israel” in Good News Translation is misleading, since it normally refers to the northern kingdom of Israel, which no longer existed in Nahum’s day. It would be clearer to say “to his people Judah.”
The rest of the verse is in two parts, of which the first is to be understood as a statement about the Assyrians, and the second is about the LORD’s people, to whom the prophet is speaking. Good News Translation makes the two groups explicit. The first part describes the Assyrians as strong and many. There is some variation in the understanding of the word rendered strong in Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation. New American Bible has “vigorous,” Jerusalem Bible “equipped,” and New International Version “unscathed.” Although these words are different in detail, the differences do not really affect the overall impact of the verse, which is to emphasize the power of the Assyrian army. Translators should choose a term in their own languages which will fit such a setting.
The full statement is that even Though they (the Assyrians) be strong and many, they will be cut off and pass away. The Hebrew word translated cut off is actually a term used of shearing sheep, and New American Bible has kept a figure of speech by saying “they shall be mown down.” Most translators will probably need to use nonfigurative language here, such as Good News Translation‘s “destroyed.” For other ways to render “destroyed,” see comments on “make a full end” in verse 9. The verb translated pass away is singular in Hebrew, in contrast to the plural verb translated be cut off (compare King James Version, Revised Version “cut down”). Some scholars see it as a further reference to the man “who plotted evil against the LORD” in verse 11, but most prefer to supply a singular collective noun such as “their people” as the subject of this verb. In this way it has in effect a plural subject like the previous verb, and thus an awkward change of person in English is avoided. Pass away or “disappear” probably means “vanish from the political scene,” though it may perhaps mean “die.” They will be cut off and pass away can be translated as “people will kill (or, destroy) them and they will disappear.”
The second part of the verse is generally understood as addressed to the people of Judah, and Good News Translation makes this explicit by saying “My people.” The message is one of encouragement: Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more. The meaning is that in the past the LORD used the Assyrians to “discipline” (Jerusalem Bible) his people for their sins (compare Isa 10.5), but he will not use them in this way again. Good News Translation translates in simple language as “I made you suffer, but I will not do it again.”
It is also possible to understand this second part as addressed to the Assyrians. In that case it would mean “I will make you suffer in such a way that I will not make you suffer again.” In other words, the LORD will punish the Assyrians so severely that no second punishment will ever be necessary (compare verse 9). If this interpretation is followed, it will be better style to use the pronoun “them” instead of you in this sentence, and say “I will make them suffer in such a way that I will not need to make them suffer again.”
There is no need to transpose this verse to follow verse 14, as New English Bible does.
Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A . A Handbook on the Book of Nahum. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1989. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .