Bible Commentaries
Nahum 2

Verse 1

He that dasheth, &c.: i.e. Cyaxares and Nabopolassar ( Herod, i. 106). A reference or type of the future destruction of Antichrist.

dasheth, &c.: or, the breaker (Hebrew. mephiz = battle-axe, or hammer (Proverbs 25:18 )). Compare Jeremiah 23:29 ; Jeremiah 51:20 . Ezekiel 9:2 , margin Micah 2:13 .

keep the munition . Figure of speech Homoeopropheron ( App-6 ), in the Hebrew In English, keep the keeps, or fortify the fortress, or fence the defences.

make thy loins strong: i.e. be courageous. Compare Job 40:7 . Jeremiah 1:17 .

fortify, &c . = strengthen [thee] with power mightily. Compare Proverbs 24:5 .

Verse 2

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . The verse not "misplaced", as alleged. See the Structure above.

hath turned away = restoreth, or is on the way to bring back.

the excellency = pre-eminence. Used in good, or bad sense according to the context.

Jacob . Put here for the natural seed, and Judah in contrast with Israel; compare Genesis 32:28 ; Genesis 43:6 ; Genesis 45:26 , Genesis 45:28 .

as = as [He will restore] the excellency, &c.

Verse 3

mighty men = mighty ones, or warriors. Compare 2 Samuel 23:8 . 1 Kings 1:8 , 1 Kings 1:10 .

made red = reddened [with blood].

are in scarlet = [are clad] in scarlet, as were the armies of the Persians.

the chariots shall be . . . torches: or, with the flashing of steel the chariots [glitter].

fir trees . Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , for the spears or lances made from them.

Verse 4

rage = rave [as though mad]. Hebrew. halal .

justle . From Old French jouster, to tilt; from Low Latin. juxtare, to approach (as in tilting).

Jostle = to push against, a frequentative form; but the Hebrew ( shakak ) means to run to and fro, as in Isaiah 33:4 .Joel 2:9 .

they shall seem = their appearance is.

run = rush, or flash. Hebrew. ruz.

Verse 5

He. The king of Assyria (Nahum 3:18 ).

recount = bethink himself of.

worthies = nobles, who may assemble their troops; as in Nahum 3:18 . Jdg 5:13 . 2 Chronicles 23:20 .

in their walk = as they march.

the wall thereof = her wall: i.e. the wall of Nineveh.

and = yet.

the defence = the mantelet, or portable storming cover [of the besiegers].

Verse 6

gates = flood-gates, or sluices.

the rivers. Nineveh lay on the east (or left) bank of the Tigris. The Khusur (a perennial stream) ran through it; also a canal from it to the Tigris ran through the city.

opened: i.e. by the enemy.

be dissolved = melt away [in fear], or was in dismay.

Verse 7

Huzzab . The words which follow show that the queen or queen-mother is meant: or, Huzzab may be taken as a verb (dual of nazah) , and the "and" as = though (like "but" in Nahum 2:8 ). In that case read: "though firmly established, she shall be dishonoured and taken captive"; the city being thus personified.

lead her = mourn for, or bemoaning.

tabering = drumming [with their fingers] incessantly. Hebrew. taphaph , from toph = a drum. See note on Exo 15:20 . 1 Samuel 10:6 .

breasts = hearts. Some codices read "heart" (singular); but others, with eight early printed editions, read "hearts" (plural)

Verse 8

But = Though, to answer to the "yet" of the next line.

is of old, &c . Read "hath been from of old [filled with men] as a pool [is full] of water".

they: i.e. the defenders.

flee away . Before their besiegers.

they: i.e. the captains.

Verse 9

take the spoil . Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

none end, &c . = [there are] treasures without end, [and] stores of all covetable vessels.

Verse 10

empty . . . void . . . waste. Note the Figure of speech Paronomasia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. Hebrew. bukah umbukah umebullakah.

the faces of them all, &c . Only here, and in Joel 2:6 . The reference is to Joel 2:6 (as Nahum 1:15 is to Isaiah 52:7 ); not vice versa.

Verse 11

Where . . . ? Figure of speech Erotesis ( App-6 ), for emphasis.

lions . Note the Figure of speech Synonymia ( App-6 ), for emphasis. This is Jehovah's answer to Sennacherib's taunt in 2 Kings 18:34 , looking back after the fulfillment of this prophecy.

old lion = lioness.

Verse 12

did tear = was tearing. Nineveh again personified in verses: Nahum 2:11 , Nahum 2:12 .

Verse 13

saith the LORD of Hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah Sabaioth.

the LORD . Hebrew. Jehovah. as in Nahum 2:2 . The full expression, "Jehovah of hosts", occurs only here in Nahum ("Nahum 2:13 ") and in the corresponding member ("Nahum 3:5 "). See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

in the smoke = into smoke.

messengers = ambassadors. Compare 2 Kings 18:17 , 2Ki 18:19 ; 2 Kings 19:9 , 2 Kings 19:23 .