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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nahum 1:9-15

These verses seem to point at the destruction of the army of the Assyrians under Sennacherib, which may well be reckoned a part of the burden of Nineveh, the head city of the Assyrian empire, and a pledge of the destruction of Nineveh itself about 100 years after; and this was an event which Isaiah, with whom probably this prophet was contemporary, spoke much of. Now observe here, I. The great provocation which the Assyrians gave to God, the just and jealous God, for which, though slow to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 1:11

There is one come out of thee ,.... That is, out of Nineveh, as the Targum explains it; meaning Sennacherib, who had his royal seat and palace there; or Rabshakeh that was sent from hence by him with a railing and blaspheming letter to the king of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This is said to be at the present time of writing this prophecy, though it was after it, because of the certainty of it, as is usual in prophetic language; unless it can be thought that this prophecy was... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 1:12

Thus saith the Lord, though they be quiet, and likewise many ,.... The Assyrian army under Sennacherib before Jerusalem, though they were quiet and secure and thought themselves out of all danger; not at all fearing that the besieged would sally out against them they being so numerous, and therefore betook themselves to sleep and rest: yet thus shall they be cut down ; or "shorn" F12 נגוזו "tonsi", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. ; as the wool is shorn off the back of a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 1:13

For now will I break his yoke from off thee ,.... The Assyrian yoke from off the Jews, who had been obliged to pay tribute, or send presents to the king of Assyria, from the times of Ahaz; and were in bondage, while shut up and besieged by his army, and the country all around laid under contribution; from all which they were delivered when his army was in that dreadful manner destroyed: and will burst thy bonds in sunder ; and set thee entirely free from the bondage of the enemy, and all... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:11

Imagineth evil against the Lord - Such were Pul, 2 Kings 15:10 , Tiglath-pileser, 2 Kings 15:29 ; Shalmaneser, 2 Kings 17:6 ; and Sennacherib, 2 Kings 18:17 ; 2 Kings 19:23 . A wicked counsellor - Sennacherib and Rabshakeh. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:12

Though they be - many - Sennacherib invaded Judea with an army of nearly two hundred thousand men. Thus shall they be cut down - The angel of the Lord (a suffocating wind) slew of them in one night one hundred and eighty-five thousand 2 Kings 19:35 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:13

Now will I break his yoke from off thee - This refers to the tribute which the Jews were obliged to pay to the Assyrians, 2 Kings 17:14 . read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:11

Verse 11 The Prophet now shows why God was so exceedingly displeased with the Assyrians, and that was, because he would, as a protector of his Church, defend the distressed against those who unjustly oppressed them. The Prophet then designed here to give the Jews a firm hope, so that they might know that God had a care for their safety; for if he had only threatened the Assyrians without expressing the reason, of what avail could this have been to the Jews? It is indeed gratifying and pleasing... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:12

Verse 12 The Prophet pursues here the same subject; but expresses more clearly what might have been doubtful, — that whatever strength there might be in the Assyrians, it could not resist the coming of God’s vengeance. For thus saith Jehovah, Though they be quiet and also strong, etc. I cannot now finish this subject, but will only say this, — The Prophet intimates that though Nineveh promised to itself a tranquil state, because it was well fortified, and had a wide and large extent of empire,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:13

Verse 13 He confirms what the former verse contains, — that God would now cease from his rigor; for he says, that the deliverance of this chosen people was nigh, when God would break down and reduce to nothing the tyranny of that empire. This verse clearly shows, that a clause in the preceding verse ought not to be so restricted as it is by some interpreters, who regard it as having been said of the slaughter of the army of Sennacherib. But the Prophet addresses here in common both the... read more

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