CHAPTER II _Nineveh is now called upon to prepare for the approach of her_ _enemies, the instruments of Jehovah's vengeance_, 1; _and the military array and muster, the very arms and dress, of_ _the Medes and Babylonians in the reigns of Cyaxares and_ _Nabopolassar; their rapid approach to the... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nahum 2:2. _FOR THE LORD HATH TURNED AWAY_] Bishop _Newcome_ reads, _for the Lord restoreth_, by a slight alteration in the text. I do not see that we gain much by this. The Lord _has_ been opposed to Jacob, and the enemy has prevailed against him. _EMPTIED THEM OUT_] Brought them from their... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nahum 2:3. _THE SHIELD OF HIS MIGHTY MEN IS MADE RED_] These things may refer to the war-like preparations made by the Ninevites: they had _red shields_, and _scarlet_ or _purple clothing_; their chariots were finely _decorated_, and proceeded with amazing rapidity. _THE FIR TREES SHALL BE TE... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 4. _THE CHARIOTS SHALL RAGE_] Those of the _besiegers_ and the _besieged_, meeting in the streets, producing universal confusion and carnage.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 5. _HE SHALL RECOUNT HIS WORTHIES_] Muster up his most renowned warriors and heroes. _SHALL MAKE HASTE TO THE WALL_] Where they see the enemies making their most powerful attacks, in order to get possession of the city.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 6. _THE GATES OF THE RIVERS SHALL BE OPENED_] I have already referred to this, Nahum 1:8; but it will be necessary to be _more particular_. The account given by _Diodorus_ _Siculus_, lib. ii., is very surprising. He begins thus: Ην δ' αυτῳ λογιον παραδεδομενον εκ προγονων, κ.τ.λ. - "There wa... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 7. _AND HUZZAB SHALL BE LED AWAY CAPTIVE_] Perhaps _Huzzab_ means the _queen of Nineveh_, who had escaped the burning mentioned above by Diodorus. As there is no account of the _queen_ being burnt, but only of the king, the concubines, and the eunuchs, we may, therefore, naturally conclude tha... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 8. _BUT NINEVEH_ IS _OF OLD LIKE A POOL OF WATER_] מימי _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 prim... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse 9. _TAKE YE THE SPOIL_] Though the king burnt his treasures, vestments, c., he could not totally _destroy_ the _silver_ and the _gold_. Nor did he burn the _riches of the city_ these fell a prey to the conquerors; and there was _no end of the store_ of _glorious_ garments, and the most costly... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nahum 2:10. _SHE IS EMPTY, AND VOID, AND WASTE_] The original is strongly emphatic; the words are of the _same sound_; and increase in their _length_ as they point out _great, greater_, and _greatest_ desolation. בוקה ומבוקה ומבלקה _Bukah, umebukah, umebullakah_. She is _void, empty_, and _... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nahum 2:11. _WHERE_ IS _THE DWELLING OF THE LIONS_] _Nineveh_, the habitation of _bold, strong_, and _ferocious_ men. _THE FEEDING PLACE OF THE YOUNG LIONS_] Whither her victorious and rapacious generals frequently _returned_ to _consume_ the produce of their success. Here they _walked_ at la... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nahum 2:12. _THE LION DID TEAR_] This verse gives us a striking picture of the manner in which the Assyrian conquests and depredations were carried on. How many people were spoiled to enrich his _whelps_ - his sons, princes, and _nobles_! How _many women_ were _stripped_ and _slain_, whose spo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Nahum 2:13. _BEHOLD, I_ AM _AGAINST THEE_] Assyria, and Nineveh its capital. I will deal with you as you have dealt with others. _THE VOICE OF THY MESSENGERS_] Announcing thy splendid victories, and the vast spoils taken - _shall no more be heard_ - thou and thy riches, and ill-got spoils, sh... [ Continue Reading ]