Nahum 2:8

But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. BUT - rather, 'though' (G.V. Smith). IS OF OLD - rather, from the days that she hath been, from the earliest period of her existence. Alluding to Nineveh's antiquity (). YET THEY SHALL FLEE AWAY. 'Though Nineveh has been of old defended by water surrounding her, yet her inhabitants shall flee away.' Grotius, less probably (cf. Nahum 3:8), interprets, the 'waters' of her numerous population (; ;...

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 can its strength be now suddenly subverted? For where there is no beginning, we cannot believe that there will be any end.” And a beginning it had not, according to the common opinion; for we know how the Egyptians also fabled respecting their antiquity; they imagined that their kingdom was five thousand years before the world was made; that is, in numbering their ages they went back nearly five thousand ye...

1-10 Nineveh shall not put aside this judgment; there is no counsel or strength against the Lord. God looks upon proud cities, and brings them down. Particular account is given of the terrors wherein the invading enemy shall appear against Nineveh. The empire of Assyria is represented as a queen, about to be led captive to Babylon. Guilt in the conscience fills men with terror in an evil day; and what will treasures or glory do for us in times of distress, or in the day of wrath? Yet for such things how many lose their souls!...

Verse 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 looketh back_....

BUT NINEVEH IS OF OLD LIKE A POOL OF WATER - that is, of many peoples Revelation 17:1, gathered from all quarters and settled there, her multitudes being like the countless drops, full, untroubled, with no ebb or flow, fenced in, “from the days that she hath been,” yet even therefore stagnant and corrupted (see Jeremiah 48:11), not “a fountain of living waters,” during 600 years of unbroken empire; even lately it had been assailed in vain ; now its hour was come, the sluices were broken; the waters poured out. It was full not of citizens only, but of other nations poured into it. An old historian says , “The chief and most powerful of those whom Ninus settled there, were the Assyrians, but also, of other nations, whoever willed.” Thus, the pool was filled; but at the r

EXPOSITION NAHUM 2:1 Part II. THE EXECUTION OF THE DECREE; THE DESTRUCTION OF NINEVEH DESCRIBED. NAHUM 2:1 § 1. _Nineveh shall be besieged, because God is about to exalt his people by taking vengeance on the enemy, whose defence, howsoever formidable, is of no avail._ NAHUM 2:1 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 disper

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 disturbances, but had remained from the beginning in a tranquil and prosperous state; besides, some regard may be had in a literal sense to its situation, being watered by the river Tigris, and which was for its profit and defence: so some copies of the Septuagint read the words, "Nineveh is like a pool of water, the waters are her walls:'' and the Syriac version is, "Nine

CHAPTER 2 The Overthrow, Plundering and Destruction Of Nineveh _ 1. The capture of Nineveh announced and described (Nahum 2:1) _ 2. The completeness of the judgment (Nahum 2:11) Nahum 2:1. This great prophecy was literally fulfilled some ninety years after Nahum had spoken. When these words were spoken Nineveh was in the zenith of her glory. Who told Nahum the Elkoshite that the proud world city would undergo such a sack and be completely wiped out? Who moved his pen to give such a vivid description of what would take place? There is but one answer--the Spirit of God. How was the prophecy fulfilled? Cyaxares of the Medes had surrounded Nineveh in the north. Nabopolassar of Babylon entered into an allianc

NAHUM 1:11; NAHUM 1:14; NAHUM 2:1; NAHUM 2:3. THE FALL OF NINEVEH. Nahum 1:11. In days gone by there went out of Nineveh one that planned villainous devices against Yahweh and His people. Now Yahweh has given commandment that his name shall be blotted out, his grave dishonoured, and the temple of his gods robbed of its images. NAHUM 1:11. The reference is clearly to Sennacherib. BELIAL (_mg.): i.e._ malicious destruction ...

BUT. Though, to answer to the "yet" of the next line. IS OF OLD, &C. Read "hath been from of old [filled with men] as. pool [is full] of water". THEY: i.e. the defenders. FLEE AWAY. Before their besiegers. THEY: i.e. the captains....