Nahum 1:8-9 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Nahum 1:2-8

Nineveh knows not God, that God that contends with her, and therefore is here told what a God he is; and it is good for us all to mix faith with that which is here said concerning him, which speaks a great deal of terror to the wicked and comfort to good people; for this glorious description of the Sovereign of the world, like the pillar of cloud and fire, has a bright side towards Israel and a dark side towards the Egyptians. Let each take his portion from it; let sinners read it and tremble;... read more

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 1:8

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof ,.... Of Nineveh, against whom this prophecy was, and upon whom it lay as a burden, Nahum 1:1 ; and now though the Lord was good to them that trust in him, and a strong hold to them in a time of trouble; yet he was determined to destroy their enemies the Assyrians, and Nineveh their chief city; and that by the means of a powerful army, which, like a flood or inundation of water breaking in, overruns and carries... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Nahum 1:9

What do ye imagine against the Lord ?.... O ye Ninevites or Assyrians; do you think you can frustrate the designs of the Lord, resist his power, and hinder him from executing what he has threatened and has determined to do? or what mischief is it you devise against his people, which is the same as against himself? can you believe that you shall prosper and succeed, and your schemes be carried into execution, when he, the all wise and all powerful Being, opposes you? he will make an utter... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:8

But with an overrunning flood - Bishop Newcome thinks this may refer to the manner in which Nineveh was taken. The Euphrates overflowed its banks, deluged a part of the city, and overturned twenty stadia of the wall; in consequence of which the desponding king burnt himself, and his palace, with his treasures. - Diodor. Sic., Edit. Wessel., p. 140, lib. ii., s. 27. Darkness shall pursue - Calamity. All kinds of calamity shall pursue them till they are destroyed. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:9

Affliction shall not rise up the second time - There shall be no need to repeat the judgment; with one blow God will make a full end of the business. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:8

Verse 8 The Prophet goes on with the same subject, — that God can easily preserve his people, for he is armed with power sufficient to overcome the whole world. But the Prophet now includes the two things which have been mentioned: Having spoken in general of God’s wrath, and of his goodness towards the faithful, he now applies his doctrine to the consolation of his chosen people. It is then a special application of his doctrine, when he says, By inundation, he, passing through, will make a... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Nahum 1:9

Verse 9 Some interpreters so consider this verse also, as though the Prophet had said, that the calamity of the chosen people would not be a destruction, as God would observe some moderation and keep within certain limits. The unbelieving, we know, immediately exult, whenever the children of God are oppressed by adverse things, as though it were all over with the Church. Hence the Prophet here, according to these interpreters, meets and checks this sort of petulance, What imagine ye against... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Nahum 1:1-15

Part I. THE JUDGMENT UPON NINEVEH DECREED BY GOD . read more