Nahum2
King James Version · Public Domain
1 He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
2 For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
4 The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
5 He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
6 The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7 And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
8 But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9 Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10 She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
11 Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?
12 The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13 Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.
Study
Nahum 2Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Nahum 2. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Nineveh's destruction foretold. (1–10). The true cause, their sinning against God, and his appearing against them. (11–13).
vv1-10
Nineveh shall not put aside this judgment; there is no counsel or strength against the Lord. God looks upon proud cities, and brings them down. Particular account is given of the terrors wherein the invading enemy shall appear against Nineveh. The empire of Assyria is represented as a queen, about to be led captive to Babylon. Guilt in the conscience fills men with terror in an evil day; and what will treasures or glory do for us in times of distress, or in the day of wrath? Yet for such things how many lose their souls!
vv11-13
The kings of Assyria had long been terrible and cruel to their neighbours, but the Lord would destroy their power. Many plead as an excuse for rapine and fraud, that they have families to provide for; but what is thus obtained will never do them any good. Those that fear the Lord, and get honestly what they have, shall not want for themselves and theirs. It is just with God to deprive those of children, or of comfort in them, who take sinful courses to enrich them. Those are not worthy to be heard again, that have spoken reproachfully of God. Let us then come to God upon his mercy-seat, that having peace with him through our Lord Jesus Christ, we may know that he is for us, and that all things shall work together for our everlasting good.
Key Words
פּוּץ: to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
עָלָה: to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עַל: above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)
נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
מְצוּרָה: a hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of siege), or (subjectively) a rampart (of protection), (abstractly) fortification
צָפָה: properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe, await
דֶּרֶךְ: a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אָמַץ: to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage)
מְאֹד: properly, vehemence, i.e. (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or superlative; especially when repeated)
Cross References
Nahum 2The 'dasher in pieces' (v1) matches Jeremiah's description of Babylon as God's destroying battle-axe.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts God's love for the 'excellency of Jacob' with his judgment and turning it away.
Supported by JFB
Connects Israel as an empty vine to the 'emptiers' who marred their vine branches.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the rapid, flashing wheels of the invading chariots looking like sparks and torches.
Supported by JFB
The felling of 'fir trees' refers to the shaking and destruction of great empires and kingdoms.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the raging, furious driving of chariots in the streets during the siege of Nineveh.
Supported by JFB
Uses the exact same extended allegory of imperial powers as lions caught in pits.
Supported by JFB
Further identifies the 'hammer of the whole earth' who breaks in pieces.
Supported by JFB
The Assyrian rod of anger, having done its work of emptying Jacob, is now destroyed.
Supported by Poole, Calvin, JFB
Identical prophetic expression where hearts melt and 'faces gather blackness' in terror.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Rabshakeh's proud messages against Judah are silenced forever; the messengers' voices are heard no more.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Repeats the terrifying divine declaration: 'Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts.'
Supported by Matthew Henry
Shows literal physical terror of judgment, matching 'the knees smite together'.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The historical destruction of the Assyrian army, showing God fulfilling His word.
Supported by Matthew Poole