Nahum 2:9-10

9, 10. The sack of the city. The prophet summons the victors to plunder.

Silver,… gold Immense quantities of these were carried to Nineveh by the Assyrian kings.

None end of the store The truth of this statement is established by the inscriptions, which enumerate again and again the enormous treasures brought to Nineveh by her victorious armies (see pp.

429f.).

Glory out of all the pleasant furniture R.V., “the glory of all goodly furniture.” An obscure phrase, whose grammatical connection is not quite clear; perhaps it is to be understood as in apposition to the preceding “store.” If so, instead of “glory” we would better read with R.V. margin, “wealth.” “Furniture” also cannot be taken in the narrow sense of that term; it must include jewels, costly vessels, rich apparel in fact, everything that men consider precious; all these will be found in great abundance. The peculiarity of the present Hebrew text has led Marti to emend it so as to read, “Take for yourselves the abundance of all kinds of precious things.” Nahum 2:10 concludes the description.

Empty,… void,… waste In the original a forceful play upon words, which cannot be reproduced in English (compare Zephaniah 1:15; Isaiah 24:1). With these three words, similar in meaning and sound, the prophet depicts the utter desolation of Nineveh. The few who have remained behind are paralyzed with terror.

Heart melteth Their courage gives out completely.

The knees smite together Their whole body trembles as a result of terror.

Much pain R.V., “anguish.”

Is in all loins As in the case of a woman in childbirth (see on Micah 4:9; Isaiah 21:3).

The faces of them all gather blackness R.V., “are waxed pale” (see on Joel 2:6).