King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:5 Mean?

Nahum 2:5 in the King James Version says “He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defe...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Nahum 2:5 · KJV

Context

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

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

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

6

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

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

Read Nahum 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk—the Assyrian king summons his addirim (אַדִּירִים, nobles/mighty ones), his elite warriors and commanders, but panic causes them to stumble (yikkashelu, יִכָּשְׁלוּ) as they rush to defend the walls. The verb kashal suggests stumbling from haste, fear, or exhaustion—not the confident march of a victorious army but the disoriented scramble of defeated troops.

They shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared (yemaharû lechomath vehukin hasokekh)—defenders rush (mahar, מָהַר) to the wall, and the sokekh (סֹכֵךְ, mantelet or protective shelter) is set up. The sokekh was a mobile shield or protective covering used in siege warfare. This frantic activity depicts Nineveh's desperate final defense: officers stumbling in confusion, soldiers rushing to positions, last-minute fortifications erected—all futile against God's decreed judgment. The imagery contrasts sharply with Assyria's usual role as the aggressor; now they're the panicked defenders.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663-612 BC. In 612 BC, a coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians besieged Nineveh. Historical sources (Babylonian Chronicle, Greek historians) describe the three-month siege ending in the city's catastrophic destruction. The Tigris River reportedly flooded, weakening the walls (fulfilling Nahum 2:6). Nineveh's defenders, once the terror of the ancient world, found themselves in the unfamiliar role of desperate resistance. The city's fall was so complete that the Assyrian Empire effectively ceased to exist. Archaeological excavations reveal massive destruction layers confirming the violent conquest—palaces burned, walls breached, evidence of desperate last stands.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of Assyria's elite warriors stumbling in panic demonstrate the futility of military might apart from God?
  2. What does Nineveh's frantic preparation—despite certain judgment—teach about human attempts to forestall divine justice?
  3. How should the reversal of fortunes (oppressor becoming oppressed) shape Christian understanding of God's justice in history?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 8 words
יִזְכֹּר֙1 of 8

“He shall recount”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

אַדִּירָ֔יו2 of 8

“his worthies”

H117

wide or (generally) large; figuratively, powerful

יִכָּשְׁל֖וּ3 of 8

“they shall stumble”

H3782

to totter or waver (through weakness of the legs, especially the ankle); by implication, to falter, stumble, faint or fall

בַּהֲלִֽכוָתָ֑ם4 of 8

“in their walk”

H1979

a walking; by implication, a procession or march, a caravan

יְמַֽהֲרוּ֙5 of 8

“they shall make haste”

H4116

properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)

חֽוֹמָתָ֔הּ6 of 8

“to the wall”

H2346

a wall of protection

וְהֻכַ֖ן7 of 8

“shall be prepared”

H3559

properly, to be erect (i.e., stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal (establish, fix,

הַסֹּכֵֽךְ׃8 of 8

“thereof and the defence”

H5526

properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nahum. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nahum 2:5 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nahum 2:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 46:12Jeremiah 51:27-28Jeremiah 50:29Nahum 3:3Nahum 3:18Isaiah 21:5

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Nahum 2 →

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