Chia, Philip Suciadi2026-01-272026-01-272025-12-12Chia, P.S. 2025, 'Unravelling “ דהר ” : the study of ancient texts', Acta Theologica, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 68-79. https://doi.org/10.38140/ at.v45i2.9344.1015-8758 (print)2309-9089 (online)10.38140/ at.v45i2.9344http://hdl.handle.net/2263/107614The Hebrew word “דהר” remains a persistent exegetical challenge, with ancient texts reflecting striking discrepancies in its interpretation. As a result, this article aims to decipher the unclear Hebrew term “דהר” in Nahum 3:2. It addresses this lexical puzzle, using a comprehensive approach, emphasising textual criticism of ancient texts, while incorporating comparative Semitic languages such as Egyptian and Arabic along with a literary-rhetorical analysis of the battle imagery in Nahum. By synthesising these various strands of methodologies, this article seeks to offer a credible interpretation of this puzzling term.en© 2025 The Authors. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Ancient textsOld TestamentTextual criticismNahumAntieke teksteOu TestamentTekskritiekNahumArticle