Nahum 2:8

8 Nineveh [is] like a pool of water without its water. {As they flee}, [she cries,] "Stop! Stop!" But there is no one who turns back.

Nahum 2:8 Meaning and Commentary

Nahum 2:8

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 ( Genesis 10:10 Genesis 10:11 ) 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 ( Nahum 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.

Nahum 2:8 In-Context

6 The gates of the river are opened; the palace trembles.

7 {Her goddess is taken out and taken into exile}; her maidservants moan like doves; they beat on their breasts.

8 Nineveh [is] like a pool of water without its water. {As they flee}, [she cries,] "Stop! Stop!" But there is no one who turns back.

9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! There is no end to the spoils, an abundance of {everything one could want}!

10 Emptiness and plundering and devastation! Their hearts faint and their knees tremble, {All their loins shake} and all their faces {turn} pale.

Footnotes

• [a] MT reads "from her days." Greek LXX and Syriac Peshitta reflect "from her waters"
• [b] Literally "And they flee away"