Original Word: מִנְּזָר
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: minnzar
Pronunciation: min-ZAHR
Phonetic Spelling: (min-ez-awr')
KJV: crowned
NASB: guardsmen
Word Origin: [from H5144 (נָזַר - To consecrate)]

1. a prince

crowned

From nazar; a prince -- crowned.

see HEBREW nazar

Word Origin
from nazar
Definition
perhaps consecrated ones, princes
NASB Translation
guardsmen (1).

[מִנְזָר] noun [masculine] plural perhaps consecrated (i.e. anointed) ones, princes; — only suffix מִנְּזָרַ֫יִךְ Nahum 3:17 with dagesh forte dirimens Ges^{§ 20h} (of Nineveh); — form dubious; Kö^{ii. 1, 90} proposes מְנֻזָּרַיַךְ = thy crowned ones; Gr רוֺזְנַיִךְ; Now GASm leave untranslated.

נֹחַ

proper name see נַחְבִי נוח

proper name see חבה

Biblical Occurrence

The noun מִנְּזָר appears once, in Nahum 3:17: “Your guards are like locusts, your officials like swarms of locusts that settle in the walls on a cold day; when the sun rises, they take flight, and no one knows where” (Berean Standard Bible). The word identifies high-ranking, crowned officers of Nineveh.

Context in Nahum

Nahum’s oracle announces the overthrow of the Assyrian capital. After extolling the city’s military might, the prophet exposes its fragility. The crowned leaders—symbols of prestige—are compared to locusts that assemble in cool weather but vanish at the first touch of the sun. Their flight underscores the certainty of God’s judgment and the emptiness of human pomp.

Imagery and Symbolism

• Locusts: Usually a sign of sudden devastation, here a picture of cowardly abandonment.
• Crowns: Though a crown implies permanence and consecration, these crowns prove useless when confronted by the LORD’s day.
• Rising sun: A figure of divine visitation (Malachi 4:1–2) that scatters all who resist His rule.

Historical Insights

Assyrian art shows rows of helmeted commanders standing atop walls in parade formation. Nahum’s contemporaries would recall such displays and take comfort that these glittering ranks could not forestall the city’s collapse in 612 B.C. Archaeology confirms that Nineveh’s defenses fell quickly—its leaders gone, its people abandoned.

Theological and Ministerial Significance

1. Human authority is temporary (Psalm 2:1–6).
2. Prophetic Scripture is reliable; the fulfillment of Nahum encourages trust in all divine promises.
3. True consecration belongs to those set apart for God, not to self-exalting rulers.

Practical Application

• Titles and regalia are stewardship, not entitlement; leaders must serve in humility.
• Oppressive systems may appear invincible yet can dissolve “when the sun rises.”
• Believers pursue imperishable crowns through loyalty to Christ, “the King of kings” (1 Timothy 6:15).

Related Scriptures

Psalm 103:15–16; Isaiah 40:23–24; Jeremiah 46:22–23; Micah 7:16–17; Revelation 9:7.

Christological Perspective

The fleeting crown of מִנְּזָר contrasts with “the crown of righteousness” awarded by the risen Lord (2 Timothy 4:8). Where Assyrian leaders scatter, Christ “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

Summary

מִנְּזָר captures the vanity of earthly splendor against the backdrop of God’s enduring dominion. Its lone appearance reminds readers to value the eternal crown that only the Lord can bestow.

מִנְּזָרַ֙יִךְ֙ מנזריך min·nə·zā·ra·yiḵ minnezaRayich minnəzārayiḵInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts