About Nahum

Nahum announces the destruction of Nineveh, showing that God will judge those who oppose His people.

Author: NahumWritten: c. 663-612 BCReading time: ~2 minVerses: 13
Divine WrathJusticeSovereigntyJudgmentComfortVengeance

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Nineveh(Settlement)

King James Version

Nahum 2

13 verses with commentary

Nineveh to Fall

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. He: or, The disperser, or, hammer

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KJV Study Commentary

This chapter begins dramatically: 'He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face' (alah mephitz al-panayik). The 'dasher' (mephitz) is the destroyer who scatters and shatters. This refers to the Babylonian-Median coalition that would destroy Nineveh. God ironically commands Nineveh to prepare defenses: 'keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.' Th...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(1) **Keep the munition.**—Better, *guard the for. tress.* These four sententious directions to Nineveh are, of course, ironical, like Elijah’s instructions to the priests of Baal in 1Kings 18:27. “He that dasheth in pieces” may perhaps be identified with Cyaxares.
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. the excellency of Jacob: or, the pride of Jacob as the pride, etc

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KJV Study Commentary

This verse reveals God's redemptive purpose behind Nineveh's judgment: '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.' The 'excellency' (ga'on) refers to Jacob and Israel's former glory and pride. Assyria had 'emptied' them—destroying the Northern Kingdom (Israel) in 722 BC and devastating...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(2) Better, *For Jehovah restores the glory of Jacob, so that it is as the glory of* [ancient] *Israel, though the plunderers plundered them and marred their vine shoots.* The sacred nation is Jehovah’s vine, destined to send out its tendrils all over the earth. But Jehovah has allowed its hedge to be broken down. “All they that go by do pluck her . . .” (Psalm 80:12-13). In the punishment of one ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**12. serve not thy gods--**not only not the golden image, but also not any of Nebuchadnezzar's gods.
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. in scarlet: or, dyed scarlet flaming: or, fiery

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KJV Study Commentary

Nahum's vision of Nineveh's attackers is vivid and terrifying: 'The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet' (magen gibborav me'adam anshei chayil metullai'im). Shields painted or covered in red leather, warriors clothed in scarlet—either literal military attire or imagery of bloodshed—create a picture of overwhelming force. 'The chariots shall be with flaming torches'...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(3) **His mighty men.**—That is, those of the besieger of Nahum 2:1. **Made red.**—That is, with blood; not with reference to the bright red copper, which was the material of the shield, for the word usually means “dyed red.” **In scarlet.**—Red was the favourite colour, not only of the Medes, from whom Xenophon says the Persians obtained their purple tunics, but also of the Babylonians; compare t...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**13. bring--**Instead of commanding their immediate execution, as in the case of the Magi (Da 2:12), Providence inclined him to command the recusants to be brought before him, so that their noble "testimony" for God might be given before the world powers "against them" (Mt 10:18), to the edification of the Church in all ages.
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. they: Heb. their show

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KJV Study Commentary

The chaos of Nineveh's fall continues: 'The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways' (ba'avaqim yithholelu harekev yishtakkekun barechovoth). Chariots racing madly through city streets, crashing into each other in panicked confusion—this depicts total breakdown of military order. What should be disciplined defense becomes chaotic disaster. 'They ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**14. Is it true--**rather, as the Margin [Theodotion], "Is it purposely that?" &c. Compare the Hebrew, Nu 35:20, 22. Notwithstanding his "fury," his past favor for them disposes him to give them the opportunity of excusing themselves on the ground that their disobedience had not been intentional; so he gives them another trial to see whether they would still worship the image.
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. worthies: or, gallants defence: Heb. covering, or, coverer

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk</strong>—the Assyrian king summons his <em>addirim</em> (אַדִּירִים, nobles/mighty ones), his elite warriors and commanders, but panic causes them to stumble (<em>yikkashelu</em>, יִכָּשְׁלוּ) as they rush to defend the walls. The verb <em>kashal</em> suggests stumbling from haste, fear, or exhaustion—not the confident march o...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(5) **And the defence shall be prepared.**—Better, *but* [there] *the storming-shed has been prepared.* Here the surprise and disorder of Nineveh is more plainly portrayed. The Assyrian king bethinks him of his stoutest warriors, but they *stumble in their paths* in nervous perplexity. Men ran to the city wall, but against it the besiegers have already erected their storming-shed—a proceeding whic...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**15. who is that God--**so Sennacherib's taunt (2Ki 18:35), and Pharaoh's (Ex 5:2).
6

The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. dissolved: or, molten

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The gates of the rivers shall be opened</strong> (<em>sha'arei hannharot niphtachu</em>, שַׁעֲרֵי הַנְּהָרוֹת נִפְתָּחוּ)—Nineveh's strategic water defenses, including gates controlling canals and the Tigris River, become the means of its destruction. The passive verb <em>niphtachu</em> (were opened) suggests divine action: God opens what man built to protect. Ancient historians (including...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(6) **The gates of the rivers.**—This verse is one of great importance. The account of Ctesias, preserved by Diodorus Siculus, tells us that for over two years the immense thickness of the walls of Nineveh baffled the engineering skill of the besiegers; but that “in the third year it happened that by reason of a continual discharge of great storms, the Euphrates (*sic*) being swollen, both inundat...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**16. not careful to answer thee--**rather, "We have no need to answer thee"; thou art determined on thy side, and our mind is made up not to worship the image: there is therefore no use in our arguing as if we could be shaken from our principles. Hesitation, or parleying with sin, is fatal; unhesitating decision is the only safety, where the path of duty is clear (Mt 10:19, 28).
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. Huzzab: or, that which was established, or, there was a stand made led: or, discovered

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>And Huzzab shall be led away captive</strong> (<em>vehuzzav guletah hu'alatah</em>)—the identity of <em>Huzzab</em> (הֻצַּב) is debated: possibly a title for the queen ('the one established/stationed'), the city personified, or a specific royal woman. Regardless, the phrase depicts royal humiliation: <em>galah</em> (גָּלָה, led away/uncovered) and <em>alah</em> (עָלָה, brought up) describe...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(7) **And Huzzab shall be led away captive**. . . .—Better, *And it is decided. She is laid bare. She is removed away. And her maidens moan, as with the cry of doves, smiting on their breasts.* *It is decided,* or *established*—*c*’*est un fait accompli.* The Authorised Version apparently follows those Rabbinic commentators who treat the Hebrew expression *hutstsab* as the name of an Assyrian quee...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**17. If it be so--**Vatablus translates, "Assuredly." English Version agrees better with the original. The sense is, If it be our lot to be cast into the furnace, our God (quoted from De 6:4) is able to deliver us (a reply to Nebuchadnezzar's challenge, "Who is that God that shall deliver you?"); and He will deliver us (either from death, or in death, 2Ti 4:17, 18). He will, we trust, literally d...
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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. of old: or, from the days that she hath been look back: or, cause them to turn

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KJV Study Commentary

Nahum's prophecy of Nineveh's fall employs vivid imagery: 'Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.' The Hebrew 'ke-berekat mayim' (like a pool of waters) may refer to Nineveh's prosperity and population—full like a reservoir. But when judgment comes, the waters drain away (people flee). The desperate cries 'Stand, st...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(8) We prefer to adopt the slight change of reading favoured by the LXX. (*mêymeyhâ* for *mîmêy hî,* and to render, *And Nineveh, like a pool of water are her waters, and they* [her inhabitants] *are fleeing away.* The waters which formerly flowed in river-courses and dykes are now one vast expanse of inundation. A panic thereupon seizes the inhabitants. If the present text be maintained, the rend...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**18. But if not, &amp;c.--**connected with Da 3:18. "Whether our God deliver us, as He is able, or do not, we will not serve thy gods." Their service of God is not mercenary in its motive. Though He slay them, they will still trust in Him (Job 13:15). Their deliverance from sinful compliance was as great a miracle in the kingdom of grace, as that from the furnace was in the kingdom of nature. The...
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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. for: or, and their infinite store, etc pleasant: Heb. vessels of desire

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KJV Study Commentary

Nahum asks rhetorically: 'Art thou better than populous No' (heteytivi miNo-Amown). No-Amon (Thebes) was Egypt's ancient capital, one of the greatest cities of antiquity, located on the Nile with sophisticated defenses. It 'sat among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea.' The Nile and surrounding waterways provided natural defense...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **And glory.**—Better, *there is abundance of all precious vessels.*

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**19. visage ... changed--**He had shown forbearance (Da 3:14, 15) as a favor to them, but now that they despise even his forbearance, anger "fills" him, and is betrayed in his whole countenance. **seven times more than it was wont--**literally, "than it was (ever) seen to be heated." Seven is the perfect number; that is, it was made as hot as possible. Passion overdoes and defeats its own end, ...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

Nahum describes Thebes' horrific fate, which prefigures Nineveh's coming judgment: 'Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity: her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets' (gam-hi lagolah halekah bashevi gam olaleyha yerattechu berosh kol-chutzoth). The brutal imagery—infants dashed against stones in public view—depicts the horror of ancient warfare. 'And th...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(10) **And the faces of them all gather blackness.**—Better, perhaps, *and all faces withdraw their brightness.* (See Note on Joel 2:6, where the same expression occurs.)
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?

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>Where is the dwelling of the lions</strong> (<em>ayyeh me'on arayot</em>, אַיֵּה מְעוֹן אֲרָיוֹת)—Nahum's rhetorical question mocks Nineveh's vanished power. Assyria consistently used lion imagery to represent itself: palace walls featured carved lion hunts, kings compared themselves to lions, lions symbolized royal might. The <em>me'on</em> (מָעוֹן, dwelling/den) suggests a secure lair wh...
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Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(11-13) The figure of the lion appears so frequently on the Assyrian monuments that we may perhaps suppose it to have been a national scutcheon. The metaphor of the ravening beast is well illustrated by the Assyrian records, wherein the most frequent theme is the levying of gold, silver, brass, oxen, &c., from tributary cities. The “messengers” of Nahum 2:13 are royal heralds and delegates, subord...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**21. coats ... hosen ... hats--**Herodotus [1.195] says that the Babylonian costume consisted of three parts: (1) wide, long pantaloons; (2) a woollen shirt; (3) an outer mantle with a girdle round it. So these are specified [Gesenius], "their pantaloons, inner tunics (hosen, or stockings, are not commonly worn in the East), and outer mantles." Their being cast in so hurriedly, with all their gar...
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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.

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KJV Study Commentary

<strong>The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps</strong> (<em>aryeh toreph bedi gorotav</em>, אַרְיֵה טֹרֵף בְּדֵי גֹרוֹתָיו)—continuing the lion metaphor, Nahum depicts Assyria as a predator tearing prey (<em>taraph</em>, טָרַף) sufficient (<em>dei</em>, דֵּי) for its cubs. The image is of a provider-predator hunting to feed its young, suggesting Assyria's systematic plunder of nations ...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**22. flame ... slew those men--**(Da 6:24; Psa 7:16).
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.

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KJV Study Commentary

God personally addresses Nineveh: "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." The Hebrew <em>hineni eleyka ne'um YHWH tzeva'ot vehis'atti ve'ashan rikkah vekhepirekha tokhal charev vehikratti me'eretz ta...
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Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

**23. fell down--**not cast down; for those who brought the three youths to the furnace, perished by the flames themselves, and so could not cast them in. Here follows an addition in the Septuagint, Syrian, Arabic, and Vulgate versions. "The Prayer of Azarias," and "The Song of the Three Holy Children." It is not in the Chaldee. The hymn was sung throughout the whole Church in their liturgies, fro...
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