Bible Commentary

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 … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:8”

And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead [her] as with the voice of doves, taboring upon their breasts. 7. And Huzzab ] The word is altogether obscure, and Assyriology has not been able to throw any light upon it. Reference must be to the queen, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:7”

The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. 6. The gates shall be opened ] are opened. The city of Nineveh lay on the left or E. side of the Tigris. The city proper was of the form of an irregular parallelogram, stretching from N.W. to S.E., the broader … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:6”

He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defense shall be prepared. 5. It is not easy to say whether this verse refers to the besiegers or the besieged. As Nah 2:3 referred to the preparation, and Nah 2:4 to conflicts before … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:5”

The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall jostle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings. 4. Nah 2:3 referred to the aspect of the assailing army in the day of preparation; Nah 2:4 appears to describe an actual conflict before the city. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:4”

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. 3. Description of the hostile army “in the day of its preparation,” i.e. before engaging the Ninevites. The pronoun, … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:3”

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. 2. hath turned away] Rather: restoreth the excellency, i.e. the former glory of the kingdom. This is Jehovah’s purpose in the destruction of Nineveh, the redemptive meaning of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:2”

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. 1. Now begins the description of the attack upon Nineveh and its fall. Nah 2:2, however, returns to Israel and contains a reflection on the meaning of the downfall of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 2:1”

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. Behold upon the mountains, the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace – From … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 1:15”

And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, [that] no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. 14. Asshur is addressed. house of thy gods ] Perhaps: thy … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Nahum 1:14”