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.

But - rather, 'though' (G.V. Smith).

Is of old - rather, from the days that she hath been, from the earliest period of her existence. Alluding to Nineveh's antiquity ().

Yet they shall flee away. 'Though Nineveh has been of old defended by water surrounding her, yet her inhabitants shall flee away.' Grotius, less probably (cf. Nahum 3:8), interprets, the 'waters' of her numerous population (; ; ).

Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back - i:e., the few patriotic citizens shall cry to their fleeing countrymen; 'but none looketh back,' much less stops in flight, so panic-stricken are they.