Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:8
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.
8. But Nineveh a pool of water ] And Nineveh was like a pool of water from her beginning, lit. from the days she was, during all her history.
shall flee away ] but they flee away. The vast population of Nineveh, drawn from all quarters, is compared to a mass of waters; these break asunder and flee away. The figure of waters “fleeing,” Psa 104:7. The text is not beyond suspicion in the first clause of the verse. The prophet vividly realises the scene. Nothing will arrest the precipitate flight. The cry, Stand! is unheard, none looks back. Cf. Jer 46:21.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water – that is, of many peoples Rev 17:1, gathered from all quarters and settled there, her multitudes being like the countless drops, full, untroubled, with no ebb or flow, fenced in, from the days that she hath been, yet even therefore stagnant and corrupted (see Jer 48:11), not a fountain of living waters, during 600 years of unbroken empire; even lately it had been assailed in vain ; now its hour was come, the sluices were broken; the waters poured out. It was full not of citizens only, but of other nations poured into it. An old historian says , The chief and most powerful of those whom Ninus settled there, were the Assyrians, but also, of other nations, whoever willed. Thus, the pool was filled; but at the rebuke of the Lord they flee. Stand, stand, the prophet speaks in the name of the widowed city; shut the gates, go up on the walls, resist the enemy, gather yourselves together, form a band to withstand, but none shalt look back to the mother-city which calls them; all is forgotten, except their fear; parents, wives, children, the wealth which is plundered, home, worldly repute. So will men leave all things, for the life of this world. All that a man hath, will he give for his life Job 2:4. Why not for the life to come?
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 8. But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water] mimey, from days. Bp. Newcome translates the line thus: “And the waters of Nineveh are a pool of waters.” There may be reference here to the fact given in the preceding note, the overflowing of the river by which the city was primarily destroyed.
Stand, stand] Consternation shall be at its utmost height, the people shall flee in all directions; and though quarter is offered, and they are assured of safety it they remain, yet not one looketh back.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Nineveh is of old; a very ancient city, of great renown and strength.
Like a pool of water; very populous, like a pool of water which hath been long breeding of fish, and is full of them.
Yet they, yet these multitudes, shall not be a safety or protection to Nineveh, they shall flee away discomfited and terrified.
Stand, stand; as officers call to fleeing soldiers, and it is doubled to show the earnestness of the commanders desiring the soldier to stand and fight.
Shall they cry; the chieftains, and most valiant among the Ninevites. But none shall look back; a panic fear shall so possess them, that none of them shall dare to turn again, nor to look back upon the enemy.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
8. Butrather, “Though”[G. V. SMITH].
of oldrather, “fromthe days that she hath been”; from the earliest period of herexistence. Alluding to Nineveh’s antiquity (Ge10:11). “Though Nineveh has been of old defended by watersurrounding her, yet her inhabitants shall flee away.” GROTIUS,less probably (compare Na3:8-12), interprets, the “waters” of her numerouspopulation (Isa 8:7; Jer 51:13;Rev 17:15).
Stand, stand, shallthey cry that is, the few patriotic citizens shallcry to their fleeing countrymen; “but none lookethback,” much less stops in flight, so panic-stricken are they.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But Nineveh [is] of old like a pool of water,…. This was a very ancient city, built by Nimrod, as some say; or rather by Ashur, as appears from Ge 10:10 and it was like fish pool, full of people, as it was in the times of Jonah, who for their number may be compared both to water and to fish; and likewise full of wealth and riches, which for their instability may be signified by water also; and moreover, like a pool of standing water, had never been liable to any commotions and disturbances, but had remained from the beginning in a tranquil and prosperous state; besides, some regard may be had in a literal sense to its situation, being watered by the river Tigris, and which was for its profit and defence: so some copies of the Septuagint read the words,
“Nineveh is like a pool of water, the waters are her walls:”
and the Syriac version is,
“Nineveh is as a lake of water, and is among the waters;”
see Na 1:6:
yet they shall flee away; the waters out of the pool, the sluices being opened, or the banks broken down; or the people out of the city, breaches being made in its walls, or its gates opened, and the enemy entering; when everyone would flee for his life, and make his escape in the best manner he could:
stand, stand, [shall they cry]; either the generals and officers of the king of Assyria’s army, to the soldiers running away; or the more courageous inhabitants of the city, to those that were timorous and seized with a panic, fleeing in the utmost consternation; or the enemy, as Kimchi, who shall call to them to stop, promising to spare their lives upon a surrender of them to them:
but none shall look back; and stand to hear what is said unto them, but make the best of their way, and flee with all their might and main.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
At the conquest of Nineveh the numerous inhabitants flee, and the rich city is plundered. Nah 2:8. “And Nineveh like a water-pond all her days. And they flee! Stand ye, O stand! and no one turns round. Nah 2:9. Take silver as booty, take ye gold! And no end to the furnishing with immense quantity of all kinds of ornamental vessels. Nah 2:10. Emptying and devastation! and the heart has melted, and trembling of the knees, and labour pain in all loins, and the countenance of every one withdraws its ruddiness.” Nineveh is compared to a pool, not merely with reference to the multitude of men who had gathered together there, but, as water is everywhere an element of life, also with reference to the wealth and prosperity which accrued to this imperial city out of the streaming together of so many men and so many different peoples. Compare Jer 51:13, where Babel is addressed as “Thou that dwellest on many waters, art rich in many treasures.” , since the days that she exists. = , the relation being indicated by the construct state; in Isa 18:2 is different. But they flee. The subject to is not the waters, although nus is applied to water in Psa 104:7, but, as what follows shows, the masses of men who are represented as water. These flee away without being stopped by the cry “Stand ye” (i.e., remain), or even paying any attention to it. Hiphnah , lit., “to turn the back” ( oreph , Jer 48:39), to flee, but when applied to a person already fleeing, to turn round (cf. Jer 46:5). In Nah 2:9 the conquerors are summoned to plunder, not by their generals, but by God, who speaks through the prophet. The fact is hereby indicated, “that this does not happen by chance, but because God determines to avenge the injuries inflicted upon His people” (Calvin). With the prophecy passes into a simple description. There is no end latt e khunah , to the furnishing with treasures. T e khunah , from kun , not from takhan , lit., the setting up, the erection of a building (Eze 43:11); here the furnishing of Nineveh as the dwelling-place of the rulers of the world, whilst in Job 23:3 it is applied to the place where the throne of God has been established. In the might be thought of as still continuing in force (Ewald, Hitzig), but it answers better to the liveliness of the description to take as beginning a fresh sentence. written defectively, as in Gen 31:1: glory, equivalent to the great amount of the wealth, as in Genesis ( l.c.). K e le chendah , gold and silver vessels and jewels, as in Hos 13:15. That there were immense treasures of the precious metals and of costly vessels treasured up in Nineveh, may be inferred with certainty from the accounts of ancient writers, which border on the fabulous.
(Note: For proofs, see Layard’s Nineveh, ii. 415ff., and Movers, Phnizier (iii. 1, pp. 40, 41). After quoting the statements of Ctesias, the latter observes that “these numbers are indeed fabulous; but they have their historical side, inasmuch as in the time of Ctesias the riches of Nineveh were estimated at an infinitely greater amount than the enormous treasures accumulated in the treasuries of the Persian empire. That the latter is quite in accordance with truth, may be inferred from the fact that the conquerors of Nineveh, the Medes and Chaldaeans, of whose immense booty, in the shape of gold, silver, and other treasures, even the prophet Nahum speaks, furnished Ecbatana and Babylon with gold and silver from the booty of Nineveh to an extent unparalleled in all history.”)
Of all these treasures nothing was left but desolate emptiness. This is expressed by the combination of three synonymous words. Buqah and mebhuqah are substantive formations from buq = baqaq , to empty out, and are combined to strengthen the idea, like similar combinations in Zep 1:15; Eze 33:29, and Isa 29:2. M e bhullaqah is a synonymous noun formed from the participle pual, and signifying devastation (cf. Isa 24:1, where even balaq is combined with baqaq ). In Nah 2:11 the horror of the vanquished at the total devastation of Nineveh is described, also in short substantive clauses: “melted heart” ( names is a participle), i.e., perfect despondency (see Isa 13:7; Jos 7:5); trembling of the knees, so that from terror men can hardly keep upon their feet ( pq for puq ; it only occurs here). Chalchalah formed by reduplication from chl : spasmodic pains in all loins, like the labour pains of women in childbirth (cf. Isa 21:3). Lastly, the faces of all turning pale (see at Joe 2:6).
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
The prophet here anticipates a doubt which might have weakened confidence in his words; for Nineveh not only flourished in power, but it had also confirmed its strength during a long course of time; and antiquity not only adds to the strength of kingdoms, but secures authority to them. As then the imperial power of the city Nineveh was ancient, it might seem to have been perpetual: “Why! Nineveh has ever ruled and possessed the sovereign power in all the east; can it be now shaken, or can its strength be now suddenly subverted? For where there is no beginning, we cannot believe that there will be any end.” And a beginning it had not, according to the common opinion; for we know how the Egyptians also fabled respecting their antiquity; they imagined that their kingdom was five thousand years before the world was made; that is, in numbering their ages they went back nearly five thousand years before the creation. The Ninevites, no doubt, boasted that they had ever been; and as they were fixed in this conceit respecting their antiquity, no one thought that they could ever fail. This is the reason why the Prophet expressly declares, that Nineveh had been like a pool of waters from ancient days; (231) that is, Nineveh had been, as it were, separated from the rest of the world; for where there is a pool, it seems well fortified by its own banks, no one comes into it; when one walks on the land he does not enter into the waters. Thus, then, had Nineveh been in a quiet state not only for a short time, but for many ages. This circumstance shall not, however, prevent God from overturning now its dominion. How much soever, then, Nineveh took pride in the notion of its ancientness, it was yet God’s purpose to destroy it.
He says then, They flee: by fleeing, he means, that, though not beaten by their enemies, they would yet be overcome by their own fear. He then intimates, that Nineveh would not only be destroyed by slaughter, but that all the Assyrians would flee away, and despair would deliver them up to their enemies. Hence the Chaldeans would not only be victorious through their courage and the sword, but the Assyrians, distrusting their own forces, would flee away.
It afterwards follows, Stand ye, stand ye, and no one regards. Here the Prophet places, as it were, before our eyes, the effect of the dread of which he speaks. He might have given a single narrative, — that though one called them back they would not dare to look behind; and that, thinking that safety alone was in flight, they would pursue their course. The Prophet might have formed this sort of narrative: this he has not done; but he assumes the person of one calling back the fugitives, as though he saw them fleeing away, and tried to bring them back: No one, he says, regards We now see what the Prophet meant.
But from this passage we ought to learn that no trust is to be put in the number of men, nor in the defenses and strongholds of cities, nor in ancientness; for when men excel in power, God will hence take occasion to destroy them, inasmuch as pride is almost ever connected with strength. It can hardly be but that men arrogate too much to themselves when they think that they excel in any thing. Thus it happens, that on account of their strength they run headlong into ruin; not that God has any delight, as profane men imagine, when he turns upside down the face of the earth, but because men cannot bear their own success, nor keep themselves within moderate bounds, but many triumph against God: hence it is that human power recoils on the head of those who possess it. The same things must also be said of ancientness: for they who boast of their antiquity, know not for how long a time they have been provoking the wrath of God; for it cannot be otherwise but that abundance of itself generates licentiousness, or that it at least leads to excess; and further, they who are the most powerful are the most daring in corrupting others. Hence the increase at putridity; for men are like the dead when not ruled by the fear of God. A dead body becomes more and more fetid the longer it continues putrifying; and so it is with men. When they have been for a long time sinning, and still continue to sin, the fetidness of their sins increases, and the wrath of God is more and more provoked. There is then no reason why ancientness should deceive us. And if, at any time, we are tempted to think that men are sufficiently fortified by their own strength, or by numerous auxiliaries, or that they are, as it were sacred through their own ancientness, let what is said here come to our minds, — that Nineveh had been like a pool of waters from the ancient days; but that, when it was given up to destruction, it fled away; and that, when their enemies did not rout them, they yet, being driven by their own fear, ran away and would not stop, though one called them to return.
(231) The original is in a singular form, מימי היא, “from the days of it,” or, of her. Henderson says, that “it is an antiquated mode of expressing the feminine pronominal affix — the absolute form of the pronoun being retained instead of the fragmental ה.” The verse may be thus rendered: —
Though Nineveh has been like a pool of water during her days, Yet they flee; — — “Stand, stand;” But none is looking back.
Newcome’s version of the first line is as follows, —
And the waters of Nineveh are as a pool of water:
And he says, that the pronoun sometimes is at the end of a clause: but it cannot be so considered here, because היא is in regimine with מימי It is to be noticed, that the Prophet throughout represents the whole transaction as an eye-witness, as it had been shown to him in a vision. — Ed.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
CRITICAL NOTES.
Nah. 2:8. Old] From antiquity hath been like a pool of water; the confluence of people from all parts, like countless drops; an unbroken empire for 600 years. Stand] Stand is the cry, but all flee away.
Nah. 2:9. Take] God bids the conquerors to plunder. This does not happen by chance, but because God determines to avenge the injuries inflicted upon his people [Calvin].
Nah. 2:10. Empty] Lit. emptiness, and emptiedness and waste. The city is left, without its wealth and monuments, a complete ruin. The vanquished are horrified at the destruction, despond, can hardly keep on their feet, and turn pale. The completeness of her judgment is declared first under that solemn number, Three, and the three words in Hebrew are nearly the same, with the same meaning, only each word fuller than the former, as picturing a growing desolation; and then under four heads (in all seven); also a growing fear [Pusey].
HOMILETICS
THE FLIGHT OF THE INHABITANTS AND THE PLUNDER OF THE CITY.Nah. 2:8-10
Nineveh was a wealthy and populous city. Like a pool of water in multitude of men, but nothing could defend it.
I. The disgraceful flight. Yet they shall flee away.
1. The people lost courage. Effeminacy and lust beget weakness. God can dishearten the strongest and most courageous. Patriotism and confidence flee apace, and men are helpless as the reed when he pursues.
2. The people fled away. Panic seized them. Deaf to the call of a few leaders, none looked back, took a stand, or stopped in the flight. At Waterloo, Napoleon, observing the recoil of his columns and the confusion of all around him, cried out, All is lost, save who can. In Nineveh the discomfiture and flight were complete. In the day of judgment none can save themselves by flight. The flight shall perish from the swift.
II. The extensive plunder. Enormous wealth was treasured up in the city. Its reputation as a commercial city rivalled Tyre (Eze. 27:23). Immense riches were acquired also by predatory war and taxes levied to the utmost degree.
1. Its gold and silver were taken. Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold. Riches cannot deliver in the day of wrath. They rather tempt and entice the spoiler. Small articles of value have been found in the ruins of Nineveh, but no gold nor silver. When thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled.
2. Its pleasant furniture was taken. Glory out of all the pleasant furniture. Everything considered costly, vessels of desire, treasures and utensils that yielded glory and reputation, were carried away. The wealth of the sinner is laid up for the just.
3. Its desolation was complete. She is empty, and void, and waste. (a) The city itself was destroyed. Worldly wealth is vain, emptiness and poverty are the end of worldly greatness. Those who heap up silver as dust, and prepare raiment as clay, only provide for anothers booty (Job. 27:17). (b) The inhabitants were terror-struck. Their hearts melted like wax before the fire, and their knees trembled in weakness. Pain seized their loins, and paleness covered their faces. A guilty conscience turns the most hardy into cowards. Ninevehs strength failed her in the day of need. The terror she had caused to Israel fell in just retribution upon herself, and this storehouse of plunder was utterly laid waste and destroyed.
HOMILETIC HINTS AND SUGGESTIONS
Nah. 2:8. Wealth may be treasured up for ages, and increase in value and abundance, yet not be secure. Of old, yet flee away. Because God spares a people, and permits them to prosper in wickedness for a long time, it is no proof of security from coming judgment. Punishment is often sure and decreed; she shall be laid bare; they shall flee away.
Nah. 2:9-10. Learn the folly of depending upon worldly resources.
1. Wealth may be taken away.
2. Numbers may fail and flee away.
3. The greatest defences may be levelled to the dust. The greatest kingdoms finally come to nothing when the Lord inflicts upon them his penal judgments, and all their power is unable to quench and stop the fire of his wrath [Lange].
Nah. 2:10. The horrors of a guilty conscience.
1. Desponding minds.
2. Extreme pain.
3. Visible tokens of approaching ruin. The state of mind manifested in the attitudes of the body. Natural men despair in adversity, sink in courage when robbed of their earthly goods. It is certainly a great loss when one loses money and goods, but not so great as when the heart falls into despair [Lange]. First, the heart, the seat of courage, and resolve, and high purpose, melteth; then the knees smite together, tremble, shake under their frame; then much pain is in all loins, lit. strong pains as of a woman in travail, writhing and doubling the whole body, and making it wholly powerless and unable to stand upright, shall bow the very loins, the seat of strength (Pro. 31:17); and lastly, the faces of them all gather blackness (cf. Joe. 2:6), the fruit of extreme pain, and the token of approaching dissolution [Pusey]. Joy and sorrow will show themselves in the face as in a glass. Now if for a temporal mischief there is so great a consternation in wicked men, what shall we think there is in hell? [Trapp].
Fuente: The Preacher’s Complete Homiletical Commentary Edited by Joseph S. Exell
THE RUINS OF WAR . . . Nah. 2:8-13
RV . . . But Nineveh hath been from old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. Stand, stand, they cry; but none looketh back. Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold; for there is no end of the store, the glory of all goodly furniture. She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart meketh, and the knees smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are waxed pale. Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding-place of the young lions, where the lion and the lioness walked, the lions whelp, and none made them afraid? The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his caves with prey, and his dens with ravin. Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah 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.
LXX . . . And as for Nineve, her waters shall be as a pool of water: and they fled, and staid not, and there was none to look back. They plundered the silver, they plundered the gold, and there was no end of their adorning; they were loaded with it upon all their pleasant vessels. There is thrusting forth, and shaking, and tumult, and heart-breaking, and loosing of knees, and pangs on all loins; and the faces of all are as the blackening of a pot. Where is the dwelling-place of the lions, and the pasture that belonged to the whelps? where did the lion go, that the lions whelp should enter in there, and there was none to scare him away? The lion seized enough prey for his whelps, and strangled for his young lions, and filled his lair with prey, and his dwelling-place with spoil. Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord Almighty, and I will burn up thy multitude in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy lions; and I will utterly destroy thy prey from off the land, and thy deeds shall no more at all be heard of.
COMMENTS
. . . BUT NONE SHALL LOOK BACK . . . Nah. 2:8
As with modern, so with ancient warfare, a stream of refugees poured from the fallen city of Nineveh with no idea where to go. The call to them to stay is in vain. Hollow-eyed, they stumble away from all that has ever been home.
Nineveh has always been populace . . . as stated by Nahums picturesque description of her as a pool, the figure of water to symbolize a multitude is a common one. (Cp. Rev. 17:5)
A century earlier, in Jonahs time, the population of the Assyrian capital was estimated as including 120,000 small children. (Jon. 4:11)
Now, in defeat, the multitude flee. The commanders cry for them to return, but they will not so much as look back. Their one thought is escape.
TAKE THE SPOIL . . . Nah. 2:9-12
Andrew Jackson is quoted in American history as saying to the victors belong the spoils. The Medes and Babylonians, and every other invading army to march through the pages of history, agree.
The wealth of the city becomes the prey of its conquerors. The officers stir up their troops to make a thorough job of looting. Nineveh Was rich, and the chief source of income to the ancient man of war was such loot.
The Assyrian lion will no longer ravage the world in search of prey for his lioness and her whelps. The poetic symbolism is obvious. The destruction of Nineveh with her armies and chariots will forever prevent her from preying as a wild animal upon the victims of her greed for empire.
BEHOLD I AM AGAINST THEE . . . Nah. 2:13
The prophet is careful to point out that the sack of Nineveh is carried out at the will of Jehovah. It must be pointed out here that this is a strange idea to the people of the prophets time. Each nation had its own gods and they were credited with that nations victories over her enemies. It is not, however, the gods of the Medes and Babylonians to whom Nahum credits the fall of Nineveh. It is Jehovah of Israel!
Perhaps Nahum saw, as did Micah, Isaiah and the others that Jehovah is not only the one true God, but that He is Lord of all nations.
Chapter XIIIQuestions
Details of Ninevehs Downfall
1.
In a prophetic vision, Nahum saw Babylons __________ and the armies of the Median __________ at the very gates of Nineveh.
2.
Nebuchadnezzars common title __________ was well-deserved.
3.
What sort of attack did the Medo-Babylonian alliance launch against Nineveh?
4.
We can only understand Gods punishing of Assyria for destroying Israel, the purpose for which He had raised up Assyria, by remembering __________.
5.
In warfare Assyria had practiced a __________ policy.
6.
How does Nahum describe the chariot charge against Nineveh?
7.
Much of Nahums poetic vividness is borrowed from __________.
8.
What is meant by The gates of the rivers are opened?
9.
Compare the refugee situation of Nineveh with that of modern war.
10.
Discuss take the spoil. Is this practice still followed in modern warfare?
11.
What is implied in Nah. 2:13 by the statement I am against thee?
Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
(8) We prefer to adopt the slight change of reading favoured by the LXX. (mymeyh for mmy h, 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 rendering of the Authorised Version will stand. We may then suppose the heterogeneous population of Nineveh to be compared to countless drops, full, untroubled, with no ebb or flow, fenced in from the days that she hath been, yet even therefore stagnant and corrupted; not a fountain of living waters (Pusey). But this appears to us a farfetched comparison.
The pregnant terseness of the last part of the verse will give the English reader a good idea of Nahums style and the difficulties therewith connected.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Nah 2:8 describes the precipitate flight of the inhabitants.
Like a pool of water Nineveh, now named for the first time in the prophecy proper, is likened to a pool of water, because in the city were gathered multitudes of individuals, as there are multitudes of drops of water in a pool. Nowack may be right in regarding the Hebrew translated “of old,” or “from of old,” due to dittography. With it omitted, the first clause reads, “Nineveh, like a pool of water is she.” The comparison is carried out in the rest of the verse.
They flee away The artificial pool is surrounded by a dam; when it bursts, the waters rush out; thus, with its walls battered down, the inhabitants of Nineveh scatter in every direction, and, though urged to stop, they pay no attention to the cry (Jer 46:5).
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Nah 2:8. But Nineveh is of old, &c. Nineveh is become as a pool of water. Its waters subvert it: they who fled stand still; they stand still, and know not whither to fly. See Houbigant, and the note on Nah 2:6.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Nah 2:8 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.
Ver. 8. But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water ] Like a fish pool of water, and therefore happy. The word ( ) here used for a pool, or pond, signifieth also a blessing. The Pope was wont to say of England, that it was puteus inexhaustus, his pit that could not be drawn dry. Such a pit or pool was Nineveh. Populous, wealthy, potent, &c., Isa 8:7 , the magazine of the whole east, a rich Cargazon, and not unlike the island Cyprus, anciently called Macaria, that is, blessed for the plenty, prosperity, and pleasure there abounding. This invited the Romans to subdue it; as the pearls usually cast out at the flood, and gathered at the ebb, drew Caesar’s affection for the conquest of Britain; and as Nineveh’s fish pool did the Chaldean fishermen. The greater wealth the greater spoil awaiteth a people or person, Pro 1:19 . As if a tree hath thick and large boughs, every man desires to be lopping at it. Nineveh’s antiquity is here also noted. Of old, or of a long time, she hath been Empress of the East; she was the seat of the first monarchy, which she also held longest of any, even over 1300 years. Howbeit this shall be now no protection to her, but an article or an argument against her, that she is an old sinner, and hath been long time heaping up and hoarding the mammon of unrighteousness.
Yet they shall flee away
Stand, stand, shall they cry
But none shall look back
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Nah 2:8-13
THE RUINS OF WAR . . . Nah 2:8-13
. . . BUT NONE SHALL LOOK BACK . . . Nah 2:8
As with modern, so with ancient warfare, a stream of refugees poured from the fallen city of Nineveh with no idea where to go. The call to them to stay is in vain. Hollow-eyed, they stumble away from all that has ever been home. Nineveh has always been populace . . . as stated by Nahums picturesque description of her as a pool, the figure of water to symbolize a multitude is a common one. (Cp. Rev 17:5) A century earlier, in Jonahs time, the population of the Assyrian capital was estimated as including 120,000 small children. (Jon 4:11) Now, in defeat, the multitude flee. The commanders cry for them to return, but they will not so much as look back. Their one thought is escape.
Zerr: The lexicon definition for pool (Nah 2:8) uses a stronger word and calls it a reservoir which denotes a larger body. It represents Nineveh as a piace containing many people which the history and geography of the city will bear out. Yet they, etc., means they of this reservoir of people will flee when they see the invading army coming. Stand, stand. is the cry of the more resolute inhabitants trying to stop the fleeing citizens, but they will not be able to stop the fleeing which will have become what is vlrtually a panic of fear and desperation.
TAKE THE SPOIL . . . Nah 2:9-12
Andrew Jackson is quoted in American history as saying to the victors belong the spoils. The Medes and Babylonians, and every other invading army to march through the pages of history, agree. The wealth of the city becomes the prey of its conquerors. The officers stir up their troops to make a thorough job of looting. Nineveh was rich, and the chief source of income to the ancient man of war was such loot. The Assyrian lion will no longer ravage the world in search of prey for his lioness and her whelps. The poetic symbolism is obvious. The destruction of Nineveh with her armies and chariots will forever prevent her from preying as a wild animal upon the victims of her greed for empire.
Zerr: Take ye the spoil (Nah 2:9) is a form of prediction that the invader will take the valuables ot the city as a spoil of war. None end of the store denotes that there was much wealth in the ctty of Nineveh. Pleasant furniture (Nah 2:9) means the vessels in which these precious metals were kept, including the gold or silver contained therein. Empty and void and waste (Nah 2:10) is a prediction of the utter ruin that was to come upon the city. The rest at the verse is a description of the agitated state of mind that the citizens in the city will experience at the destruction of their city. Faces gather blackness is a somewhat unusual rendering with regard to the last word. Moffatt renders it “black fear,” while the American Standard Version gives us “waxed pale.” Strong defines the original “Inuminated, I.e. a glow ; as noun, a flush (at anxiety).” Whatever particular translation we adopt, it is clear that the terrible disturbance within the city was to have its effect upon the facial expression of the citizens. It will be helpful to quote a paragraph from history that shows the fulfillment of this eventrul revolution as follows: “Saracus, who came to the throne towards the end of the 7th century B.C., was the last of the long line of Assyrian kings. For nearly or quite six centuries the Ninevite kings had now lorded it over the East. There was scarcely a state in all western Asia that during this time had not, in the language of the royal inscriptions, ‘borne the heavy yoke of their lordship,’ scarcely a peopIe that had not suffered their cruel punishments. or tasted the bitterness at entorced exile. But now swift misfortunes were bearing down upon the oppressor from every quarter. Egypt revolted and tore Syria away from the empire; from the mountain defiles on the east issued the armies of the recentgrown empire of the Aryan Medes, led by the renowned Cyaxres; from the southern lowlands, anxious to aid in the overthrow or the hated oppressor, the Babylonians joined the Medes as allies, and together they laid close siege to Nineveh. The city was finally taken and sacked [plundered], and dominion passed away forever from the proud capital. Two hundred years later, when Xenophon with his Ten Thousand Greeks, in his memorable retreat passed the spot, the once great City was a crumbling mass of ruins at which he could not even learn the name.”-Myers, Ancient History, page 66.
BEHOLD I AM AGAINST THEE . . . Nah 2:13
The prophet is careful to point out that the sack of Nineveh is carried out at the will of Jehovah. It must be pointed out here that this is a strange idea to the people of the prophets time. Each nation had its own gods and they were credited with that nations victories over her enemies. It is not, however, the gods of the Medes and Babylonians to whom Nahum credits the fall of Nineveh. It is Jehovah of Israel! Perhaps Nahum saw, as did Micah, Isaiah and the others that Jehovah is not only the one true God, but that He is Lord of all nations.
Zerr: Nah 2:11-13. These verses are grouped into one paragraph because they all are on the same subject. The terms are generally all used figuratively, especially the lions and their breed. The heroes and leaders of the Assyrian nation are likened to the lions because of their savage treatment of men and women wbo fell into their hands. They showed no mercy toward others and now the Lord will bring a nation against them that wlll burn their chariots and slay their strong men. (See historical quotation.)
Questions
Details of Ninevehs Downfall
1. In a prophetic vision, Nahum saw Babylons __________ and the armies of the Median __________ at the very gates of Nineveh.
2. Nebuchadnezzars common title __________ was well-deserved.
3. What sort of attack did the Medo-Babylonian alliance launch against Nineveh?
4. We can only understand Gods punishing of Assyria for destroying Israel, the purpose for which He had raised up Assyria, by remembering __________.
5. In warfare Assyria had practiced a __________ policy.
6. How does Nahum describe the chariot charge against Nineveh?
7. Much of Nahums poetic vividness is borrowed from __________.
8. What is meant by The gates of the rivers are opened?
9. Compare the refugee situation of Nineveh with that of modern war.
10. Discuss take the spoil. Is this practice still followed in modern warfare?
11. What is implied in Nah 2:13 by the statement I am against thee?
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
of old: or, from the days that she hath been, Gen 10:11
like: Jer 51:13, Rev 17:1, Rev 17:15
Stand: Nah 3:17, Isa 13:14, Isa 47:13, Isa 48:20, Jer 50:16, Jer 51:30
look back: or, cause them to turn
Reciprocal: 2Ki 19:36 – Nineveh Jer 46:5 – fled apace Jer 50:36 – her mighty Eze 31:15 – I caused a Nah 1:8 – the place
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Nah 2:8. The lexicon definition for pool uses a stronger word and calls it a reservoir which denotes a larger body. It represents Nineveh as a piace containing many people which the history and geography of the city will bear out. Yet they, etc., means they of this reservoir of people will flee when they see the invading army coming. Stand, stand. is the cry of the more resolute inhabitants trying to stop the fleeing citizens, but they will not be able to stop the fleeing which will have become what is vlrtually a panic of fear and desperation.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Nah 2:8. But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water Id est, supra modum populosa, nam aqu populi. That is, above measure populous, for waters signify people. Grotius. Yet they shall flee away But they shall all flee for fear of the enemy, and run away like water: compare Psa 58:7. Stand, stand, shall they cry, but none shall look back Their commanders shall call out to them to stand, but none shall pay any regard to them, or cease to flee. The Hebrew is peculiarly animated, and highly poetical. It is literally, Nineveh is as a pool of water: waters is she, and they run away: Stand, stand, but none looketh back. As if he had said, Their commanders might as easily stop the flowing waters by bidding them stand, as cause the Ninevites to stand to their arms and resist the enemy. The words allude to what was foretold Nah 1:8, where see the note.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2:8 But Nineveh [is] of {g} old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, [shall they cry]; but none shall look back.
(g) The Assyrians will flatter themselves and say that Nineveh is so ancient that it can never perish, and is as a fishpool, whose waters cannot be touched by those that walk on the banks. But they will be scattered, and will not look back, even if men call them.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
2. The second description of Nineveh’s fall 2:8-13
The second description of Nineveh’s fall is more philosophical than the first one and ends with a statement by Yahweh that gives the reason for its fall (Nah 2:13).
Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)
Nineveh had been as placid as the waters around the city for most of her history. This is the first explicit reference to Nineveh since Nah 1:1, yet because of Nah 1:1 we know that the prophet’s revelations of destruction dealt with Nineveh. Nahum now saw it inundated with water and enemy soldiers and its inhabitants fleeing in panic, like water gushing from a broken dam. Someone might call to them to stop, perhaps to defend the city, but no one would turn back.