Nahum 2:1 - Exposition

Nahum addresses Nineveh, and forewarns her of the siege she was about to undergo (see Introduction, § I.). He that dasheth in pieces; the disperser; qui dispergat (Vulgate); ἐμφυσῶν , "panting". The mixed army that invested Nineveh is so called from its effect on the inhabitants of the neighbouring lands. Others translate it, "the maul," or "hammer"—an appellation of Cyaxares, which reminds one of Charles Martel and Judas Maccabaeus. Is come up before thy face. Placing his forces in thy sight, that thou mayest see his power and thine own danger. Keep the munition. The prophet urges the Ninevites to guard their fortress well. Some connect this clause with the preceding: "the disperser is come to maintain the siege;" as the Vulgate, qui custodiat obsidionem. But the other interpretation is more forcible, and suits the rest of the verse. The LXX ; reading differently, gives, ἐξαιρούμενος [+ σε , Alex.] ἐκ θλίψεως , "one delivered from affliction." Watch the way, by which the enemy approaches. Make thy loins strong. Gather up thy strength, the loins being regarded as the seat of strength ( 2 Chronicles 10:10 ; Job 40:7 ; Ezekiel 29:7 ; 1 Peter 1:13 ). So weak, effeminate people were called in Latin elumbes, " loinless. " Fortify thy power mightily; ανδρισαι τῇ ἰσχύι σφόδρα . Make yourselves as strong as possible (comp. Amos 2:14 ).