Nahum 2:6-8 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nahum 2:1-10

Here is, I. An alarm of war sent to Nineveh, Nah. 2:1. The prophet speaks of it as just at hand, for it is neither doubtful nor far distant: ?Look about thee, and see, he that dashes in pieces has come up before thy face. Nebuchadnezzar, who is noted, and will be yet more so, for dashing nations in pieces, begins with thee, and will dissipate and disperse thee;? so some render the word. Babylon is called the hammer of the whole earth, Jer. 50:23. The attempt of Nebuchadnezzar upon Nineveh is... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 2:6

The gates of the rivers shall be opened ,.... Of Diava and Adiava, or Lycus and Caprus, between which, according to some writers F9 Vid. Fuller. Miscel. Sacr. l. 3. c. 6. , Nineveh was situated; or the gates of the city, which lay nearest to the river Tigris, are meant; or that river itself, the plural for the singular, which overflowing, broke down the walls of the city for two and a half miles, and opened a way for the Medes and Chaldeans to enter in; of which see Nahum 1:8 , ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 2:7

And Huzzab shall be led away captive ,.... The Targum translates it the queen; and Jarchi and Aben Ezra, after R. Samuel, take it to be the name of the queen of Assyria; so called, as every queen might, from her standing at the king's right hand, Psalm 45:9 who, when the royal palace was destroyed, was taken out, and carried captive with the rest, who before was in a well settled and tranquil state and condition: or perhaps the king himself is designed, who may be represented as a woman,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible 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 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... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:6

The gates of the rivers shall be opened - I have already referred to this, see the note on 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 was a prophecy received from their forefathers, that Nineveh should not be taken till the river first became an enemy to the city. It happened in the third year of the siege, that the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:7

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 that the queen escaped; and is represented here as brought up and delivered to the conqueror; her maids at the same time bewailing her lot. Some think Huzzab signifies Nineveh itself. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:8

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 primarily destroyed. Stand, stand - Consternation shall be at its utmost height, the people shall flee in all directions; and though quarter is offered, and they are assured of safety it they remain, yet not one... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:6

Verse 6 By the gates of the rivers the Prophet means that part of the city which was most fortified by the river Tigris; for the Tigris flowed close by the city. As then the Tigris was like the strongest defense, (for we know it to have been a most rapid river,) the Prophet ridicules the confidence of the Ninevites, who thought that the access of enemies could be wholly prevented in that part where the Tigris flowed. The gates then of the rivers are opened; that is, your river shall not prevent... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:7

Verse 7 There is some ambiguity in these words, and many interpreters think that הצב, estab, to be the name of the queen. The queen then they say, of the name of הצב, estab, is drawn away into exile; she is bidden to ascend, that she might migrate to a hostile land. But this view is too strained; nor was there any reason to suppose the word to be a proper name, except that there was a wish to say something, and that there was no other conjecture more probable. But I regard their opinion more... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:8

Verse 8 The prophet here anticipates a doubt which might have weakened confidence in his words; for Nineveh not only flourished in power, but it had also confirmed its strength during a long course of time; and antiquity not only adds to the strength of kingdoms, but secures authority to them. As then the imperial power of the city Nineveh was ancient, it might seem to have been perpetual: “Why! Nineveh has ever ruled and possessed the sovereign power in all the east; can it be now shaken, or... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nahum 2:1-10

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 2:6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 2:7

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 2:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:6

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:7

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 2:8

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