King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:8 Mean?

Nahum 2:8 in the King James Version says “But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look ...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Nahum 2:8 · KJV

Context

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

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

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

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.

Read Nahum 2 full chapter

Commentary

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, stand!' (imdu, imdu) go unheeded—'none shall look back' (ma'amid ayin). This echoes Lot's flight from Sodom—no time to look back, only escape (Genesis 19:17, 26). The imagery shows total societal collapse: those who should defend the city fleeing instead, pleas for resistance ignored, panic and chaos. Once proud Nineveh reduced to terrified fugitives. This demonstrates how quickly human power and security collapse when God's judgment arrives.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nineveh was a massive, fortified city with sophisticated water systems (pools, canals, moats), seemingly impregnable. Yet in 612 BC, combined forces of Babylonians and Medes besieged it. According to historical accounts, flooding weakened walls, enabling conquest. The city was utterly destroyed—palaces burned, population killed or enslaved, Assyrian Empire ended. This fulfilled Nahum's prophecies precisely. The rapidity and totality of Nineveh's fall shocked the ancient world: the superpower that dominated for centuries vanished. Archaeological excavations reveal destruction layers confirming the violent end. This stands as perpetual testimony that no earthly power can withstand God's judgment when it comes.

Reflection Questions

  1. What 'impregnable' securities in my life—wealth, power, reputation—could collapse quickly if God withdraws His sustaining hand?
  2. How should the reality of civilization's fragility before God's judgment affect my ultimate allegiances?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וְנִינְוֵ֥ה1 of 11

“But Nineveh”

H5210

nineveh, the capital of assyria

כִבְרֵֽכַת2 of 11

“like a pool”

H1295

a reservoir (at which camels kneel as a resting-place)

מַ֖יִם3 of 11

“of water”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

מִ֣ימֵי4 of 11

“is of old”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הִ֑יא5 of 11
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וְהֵ֣מָּה6 of 11
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

נָסִ֔ים7 of 11

“yet they shall flee away”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

עֲמֹ֖דוּ8 of 11

“Stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

עֲמֹ֖דוּ9 of 11

“Stand”

H5975

to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive)

וְאֵ֥ין10 of 11
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַפְנֶֽה׃11 of 11

“shall they cry but none shall look back”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

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 2:8 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 2:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Genesis 10:11Jeremiah 46:5Revelation 17:1Jeremiah 51:30Nahum 3:17Isaiah 48:20

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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