Nahum’s mocking now turns to the army of Nineveh. To the modern reader this verse may seem sexist, implying that women are inferior to men. There is no doubt that the words are meant to describe the Ninevite army as vulnerable to attack. The comparison is probably based on the fact that women are generally weaker physically and less inclined to fighting wars. None of these qualities suggest they are inferior to men, but it does suggest that Nineveh’s army is not going to fare well in battle.
13 Behold, your troops are women in your midst. The gates of your land are wide open to your enemies; fire has devoured your bars.