NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:1 Again, Focus on Nineveh: More concerning the Lord’s Coming Judgment. This last major section of the book repeats most of the themes of the previous section (Nahum 2:1). However, it does not mention the plundering of Nineveh (compare Nahum 2:9), and it adds the comparison of N... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:4 This verse uses figurative language to explain the reasons for Nineveh’s destruction. GRACEFUL... DEADLY CHARMS. Nineveh, with its power and wealth, exerted a corrupting influence throughout the Near East (compare 2 Kings 16:18). BETRAYS. The Assyrian leaders did not hesitate... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:5 BEHOLD, I AM AGAINST YOU. Compare Nahum 2:13; the repetition emphasizes the certainty of Nineveh’s doom. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:7 WHO WILL GRIEVE FOR HER? The answer to the rhetorical question is that no one will grieve for or comfort Nineveh. People will shrink back or flee in horror at the sight of what will happen to Nineveh. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:8 To those who think it is impossible that Nineveh would fall, Nahum reminds them of what had recently happened to the mighty city of Thebes, in Egypt (see Introduction: Author and Date). ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length,... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:9 CUSH was the region just south of Egypt. EGYPT refers to military aid coming from northern Egypt. PUT may have been on the north African coastline. While Thebes could count on military assistance from these different areas, Assyria could not rely on help from any region. ⇐ ⇔... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:10 Despite its strategic advantages, Thebes was conquered by the Assyrians. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:11 This verse directly applies the lesson of vv. Nahum 3:8: “Nineveh, you can expect the same!” Just as a DRUNKEN man cannot defend himself against an attacker, so Nineveh will not be able to turn back its enemies. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for ... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:12 Nineveh’s surrounding FORTRESSES will be the first to be taken by the advancing enemy army. The GATES of Assyria will be WIDE OPEN to the ENEMIES since the fortresses that guarded those entrances have been destroyed. The TROOPS, that is, the soldiers within Nineveh, will be... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:14 As the enemy draws close, Nahum tells the city to get ready for the attack (see Nahum 2:1). However, any preparations they make will be useless. DRAW WATER. The Ninevites can assume that the enemy will shut off the city’s water supply by closing the river gates (see note on... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:15 No matter how well supplied and fortified Nineveh is, THERE the inhabitants will die. FIRE. Archaeologists have found evidence of a devastating fire at Nineveh. SWORD. Compare Nahum 2:13. MULTIPLY... LOCUST... GRASSHOPPER. Nahum sarcastically tells the Ninevites, in preparat... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:16 YOU INCREASED YOUR MERCHANTS. When Nineveh was the proud capital of a vast empire, her merchants brought enormous wealth to the city. Now, however, these merchants, and the huge treasure in Nineveh, will do the city no good. THE LOCUST... FLIES AWAY. Compare v. Nahum 3:15. T... [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:17 Like swarms of GRASSHOPPERS or LOCUSTS that quickly FLY AWAY and disappear, some of the leading men of Nineveh will flee when the enemy takes the city. ⇐ ⇔ ⇒ var images = document.getElementsByTagName("img"); for (var i=0, len=images.length, img; i [ Continue Reading ]
NAHUM—NOTE ON NAHUM 3:18 KING OF ASSYRIA. See Nahum 1:11. Nahum, looking at Nineveh’s wreckage, addresses its monarchy with sarcastic language. Many of Nineveh’s SHEPHERDS (leaders and officials) and NOBLES are dead. Many of the PEOPLE are scattered. The WOUND Assyria has received is GRIEVOUS and ma... [ Continue Reading ]