Nahum 2:8

8 Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. "Halt! Halt!"— but no one 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 river gates are opened, the palace trembles.

7 It is decreed that the city be exiled, its slave women led away, moaning like doves and beating their breasts.

8 Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. "Halt! Halt!"— but no one turns back.

9 "Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of treasure! An abundance of every precious thing!"

10 Devastation, desolation, and destruction! Hearts faint and knees tremble, all loins quake, all faces grow pale!

Footnotes

• [a]. Cn Compare Gk: Heb [a pool, from the days that she has become, and they]