Nahum 2

1 ascendit qui dispergat coram te qui custodit obsidionem contemplare viam conforta lumbos robora virtutem valde

2 quia reddidit Dominus superbiam Iacob sicut superbiam Israhel quia vastatores dissipaverunt eos et propagines eorum corruperunt

3 clypeus fortium eius ignitus viri exercitus in coccineis igneae habenae currus in die praeparationis eius et agitatores consopiti sunt

4 in itineribus conturbati sunt quadrigae conlisae sunt in plateis aspectus eorum quasi lampades quasi fulgura discurrentia

5 recordabitur fortium suorum ruent in itineribus suis velociter ascendent muros eius et praeparabitur umbraculum

6 portae fluviorum apertae sunt et templum ad solum dirutum

7 et miles captivus abductus est et ancillae eius minabantur gementes ut columbae murmurantes in cordibus suis

8 et Nineve quasi piscina aquarum aquae eius ipsi vero fugerunt state state et non est qui revertatur

9 diripite argentum diripite aurum et non est finis divitiarum ex omnibus vasis desiderabilibus

10 dissipata et scissa et dilacerata et cor tabescens et dissolutio geniculorum et defectio in cunctis renibus et facies omnium sicut nigredo ollae

11 ubi est habitaculum leonum et pascua catulorum leonum ad quam ivit leo ut ingrederetur illuc catulus leonis et non est qui exterreat

12 leo cepit sufficienter catulis suis et necavit leaenis suis et implevit praeda speluncas suas et cubile suum rapina

13 ecce ego ad te dicit Dominus exercituum et succendam usque ad fumum quadrigas eius et leunculos tuos comedet gladius et exterminabo de terra praedam tuam et non audietur ultra vox nuntiorum tuorum

Nahum 2 Commentary

Chapter 2

Nineveh's destruction foretold. (1-10) The true cause, their sinning against God, and his appearing against them. (11-13)

Verses 1-10 Nineveh shall not put aside this judgment; there is no counsel or strength against the Lord. God looks upon proud cities, and brings them down. Particular account is given of the terrors wherein the invading enemy shall appear against Nineveh. The empire of Assyria is represented as a queen, about to be led captive to Babylon. Guilt in the conscience fills men with terror in an evil day; and what will treasures or glory do for us in times of distress, or in the day of wrath? Yet for such things how many lose their souls!

Verses 11-13 The kings of Assyria had long been terrible and cruel to their neighbours, but the Lord would destroy their power. Many plead as an excuse for rapine and fraud, that they have families to provide for; but what is thus obtained will never do them any good. Those that fear the Lord, and get honestly what they have, shall not want for themselves and theirs. It is just with God to deprive those of children, or of comfort in them, who take sinful courses to enrich them. Those are not worthy to be heard again, that have spoken reproachfully of God. Let us then come to God upon his mercy-seat, that having peace with him through our Lord Jesus Christ, we may know that he is for us, and that all things shall work together for our everlasting good.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO NAHUM 2

This chapter gives an account of the destruction of the city of Nineveh; describes the instruments of it as very terrible and powerful, and not to be resisted, Na 2:1-4. The manner of taking it, the flight of its inhabitants, and the spoil of its riches and treasures, Na 2:5-10 and the king and the princes thereof, compared to a lion, and a lion's whelp, are insulted as being without a den or dwelling place, because of their cruelty and ravening, for which the Lord was against them, and threatened them with utter ruin, which he brought upon them, Na 2:11-13.