Bible Commentaries

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

recount = bethink himself of.

worthies = nobles, who may assemble their troops; as in Nahum 3:18. Judges 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].

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.

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 Exodus 15:20. 1 Samuel 10:6.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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, 2 Kings 18:19; 2 Kings 19:9, 2 Kings 19:23.