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NAHUM 2

PARAGRAPH DIVISIONS OF MODERN TRANSLATIONS

READING CYCLE THREE (see "Bible Interpretation Seminar")

FOLLOWING THE ORIGINAL AUTHOR'S INTENT AT THE PARAGRAPH LEVEL

This is a study guide commentary, which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

Read the chapter in one sitting. Identify the subjects. Compare your subject divisions with the five translations above. Paragraphing is not inspired, but it is the key to following the original author's intent, which is the heart of interpretation. Every paragraph has one and only one subject.

1. First paragraph
2. Second paragraph
3. Etc.

WORD AND PHRASE STUDY

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:1-2
  ¹The one who scatters has come up against you.
 Man the fortress, watch the road;
 Strengthen your back, summon all your strength.
 ²For the Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
 Like the splendor of Israel,
 Even though devastators have devastated them
 And destroyed their vine branches.

2:1 "The one who scatters has come up against you" Nahum 2 is a detailed, poetic description of the fall of Nineveh. This refers to the invading Neo-Babylonian, Median, and Scythian army which scattered (BDB 807, in this sense only here) the Assyrians, as they had scattered other populations.

Nineveh's fall is also predicted in Isa. 10:5-7 and Micah 5:4,5.

▣ "Man the fortress" This phrase addresses a personified Nineveh directly. Her assailants are a coalition of Media, Neo-Babylonians, and the Scythians. They collectively address Nineveh in sarcasm (cf. Nah. 3:14).

▣ "watch the road" This is the first in a series of three Piel IMPERATIVES.

1. watch ‒ BDB 859, KB 1044
2. strengthen (lit. "make strong your loins," cf. Jer. 1:17) ‒ BDB 304, KB 302, cf. Nah. 3:14
3. summon all your strength ‒ BDB 54, KB 65

It is possible that the INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE "guard" (BDB 665 I), which is in the NASB, "Man the fortress," is to be understood as a fourth IMPERATIVE.

All of Nah. 2:1 is sarcasm, similar to Nah. 3:14 and Jeremiah's taunt of Egypt's army in Jer. 46:3-4. There is no hope; preparations will not help, for YHWH is their enemy (cf. Nah. 2:13)!

2:2 The first two lines refer to the divided kingdom (922 B.C.); the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Nineveh had exiled Israel but Judah was spared by a Divine act (cf. 2 Kings 19).

These two covenant nations will be reunited ("restore" is a PROPHETIC PERFECT, cf. Ezek. 37:21-23). Notice it was YHWH who allowed the exile and it is YHWH who will restore the descendants of Abraham to Canaan.

The JPSOA footnote, p. 1221, says, "Jacob refers to the northern kingdom (cf. Amos 6:8; 8:7); Israel refers to the southern kingdom, regarded as the remnant of Israel after the fall of the northern kingdom" (cf. Mic. 1:13-15).

The NRSV, TEV, NJB make Nah. 2:2 a parenthesis because Nah. 1:1,3-7 are a graphic description of the fall of Nineveh. It contextually fits best after Nah. 1:15 (Heb. 2:1).

▣ "splendor" The NOUN (BDB 144, see LXX) is used twice. The NJB (KB 200, "climbing plant") emends "splendor," גאין, and because "branches" (BDB 274, i.e., parallelism) are mentioned in 2:2d, changes it to "vines" (גפן, BDB 172, see JPSOA footnote).

The grapevine was often a symbol for the covenant people (i.e., Ps. 80:6-8; Isa. 5:1-7; Jer. 5:10; 12:10; Joel 1:7).

▣ "Even though devastators have devastated them" This is a Qal PERFECT and a Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE of the same VERB (BDB 132, KB 150). This construction is typical of Hebrew Poetry.

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEBREW POETRY

▣ "destroyed their vine branches" Here, the term "vine branches" (BDB 274) is figurative language for Israel.

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:3-7
  ³The shields of his mighty men are colored red,
 The warriors are dressed in scarlet,
 The chariots are enveloped in flashing steel
 When he is prepared to march,
 And the cypress spears are brandished.
 ⁴The chariots race madly in the streets,
 They rush wildly in the squares,
 Their appearance is like torches,
 They dash to and fro like lightning flashes.
 ⁵He remembers his nobles;
 They stumble in their march,
 They hurry to her wall,
 And the mantelet is set up.
 ⁶The gates of the rivers are opened
 And the palace is dissolved.
 ⁷It is fixed:
 She is stripped, she is carried away,
 And her handmaids are moaning like the sound of doves,
 Beating on their breasts.

2:3 "The shields. . .are colored red" The Hebrew term (BDB 10, KB 14, Pual PARTICIPLE) implies "dyed red" (cf. Ezek. 23:12-21). We know from Assyrian documents that the Assyrians and Babylonians both used red shields and cloaks. Some assert that this is to mimic the blood of their victims, while some say that they were covered with bronze (cf. Xenophon's Cyropaedia 6:4:1).

▣ "red. . .scarlet" These are two VERBS.

1. "red" is literally "dyed red" ‒ BDB 10, KB 14, Pual PARTICIPLE; used of ram's skins dyed red and used in the Tabernacle (Exod. 25:5 and five more times)
2. "scarlet" is literally "be clad in red" ‒ BDB 1069, KB 1741, Pual PARTICIPLE, found only here

This color may have mimicked the blood of its victims.

▣ "The warriors are dressed in scarlet" Some have asserted that this is "purple," but the ancient colors are difficult to identify. It is known from history that the commanders of the Babylonian army dressed in bright red.

SPECIAL TOPIC: ANE SACRED COLORS

▣ "the chariots" See SPECIAL TOPIC: CHARIOTS.

▣ "And the cypress spears" The cypress spears (BDB 141) were very hard wood and were reddish in color.

The word "steel" (BDB 811, KB 929) is found only here. It appears to be a loan word from Aramaic or Arabic. Similar imagery is used of the chariots in Nah. 2:4d and 3:3.

The MT has "and the cypress are made to quiver." The JPSOA (footnote) suggests an emendation to "the horsemen charge," giving Hab. 3:3 as a parallel.

1. the cypress ‒ יםשׁוהבר (BDB 141)
2. the horsemen ‒ יםשׁוהפר (BDB 832)

The UBS Text Project, p. 342, gives option #1 a "C" rating (considerable doubt).

2:4 This verse is a good example of the type of vivid, rhythmic poetry which characterizes this book (i.e., Nah. 2:8-12; 3:2-3).

Since "chariots" are mentioned in Nah. 2:3c, it is possible all the lines of poetry from 2:3c-4d are about them (see note at Nah. 2:3e). These verses describe either

1. the frantic, chaotic movements of Nineveh's defenders
2. parading of the invaders before the wall of the citadel

▣ "The chariots race madly in the streets
  They rush wildly in the squares"

These terms refer to the streets of the suburbs of the city in front of the citadel. We know from Assyrian records that the kings were very proud of these wide, shining streets just in front of the citadel and palace.

2:5 "He" This PRONOUN refers to the king of Nineveh, while the "she" (Nah. 2:7) refers to

1. the city personified ("her," Nah. 2:5c)
2. the queen

▣ "They hung to her wall" Even the "nobles" (Nah. 2:5a) are called on to defend the city's defenses.

The PRONOUN could refer to military commanders.

▣ "The mantelet is set up" This term (BDB 697) occurs only here. It refers to some type of covering or shielding mechanism. It could refer to either

1. the defenders of the city (protection from arrows)
2. the invaders (NJB, 2:4-6; protection of siege machines)

The footnote of Rotherham's Emphasized Bible, p. 891, has "mantlet of the besiegers, or bulwark of the besieged," a quote from George Adam Smith.

The IVP Bible Background Commentary, p. 798, suggests the root comes from an Akkadian term used of a "plug" and suggests it is related to the damming up of the Khosr River, which when released all at once (Nah. 2:6), destroyed part of the wall of Nineveh's citadel.

2:6 "The gates of the rivers are opened
  And the palace is dissolved"

This refers to the enemies' manipulating the waters of the Khosr River, one of the tributaries which met the Tigris at the city of Nineveh. From archaeological evidence we learn that the Khosr was dammed up with a double dam for irrigation and defense, but it had control valves. Apparently the invading army (1) closed the irrigation gates and (2) stopped drinking water from entering the city. Then, when the reservoir was full, they opened the gates and knocked down a long section of the protecting wall.

See Diodorus Siculus, Bibliotheca Historia 2.26-27; 27:1-3 and The Babylonian Chronicles (cf. ANET, 303-306).

This VERB (BDB 662, KB 714, Hophal PERFECT), meaning "to stand," is found only three times in the Hophal stem.

1. Gen. 28:12, "a ladder set up"
2. Jdgs. 9:6, "a pillar set up"
3. here in the sense of a decree set up (UBS Text Project, "C" rating, p. 343)

There have been many suggestions of its meaning in this context.

1. its mistress (JPSOA footnote)
2. the train of captives (from BDB 845, REB)
3. the beauty (NJB)
4. the statue (BDB 662, "pillar," i.e. Ishtar, NJB footnote)
5. the Queen (Targums, Peshitta, "the Queen summons her horsemen and flees northward")
6. a proper name for the Queen (Hussab)
7. LXX has "the substructure has been uncovered" (i.e., the wall)

▣ "She is stripped" The VERB (BDB 162, KB 191, Pual PERFECT). The question is who "is uncovered" (cf. Nah. 3:5).

1. symbol of the city (cf. Isa. 47:2-3 of Babylon)
2. goddess Ishtar (a main Assyrian goddess called, "The Queen of Nineveh")
3. the Queen of Nineveh and her court

Assyrian records show they paraded conquered Queens naked through the streets of their capital.

The UBS Text Project, p. 344, suggests

1. she is stripped ‒ גלתה (an "A" rating, NASB, NKJV)
2. she is deported ‒ גלתה (same consonants but different vowels, NRSV, TEV, NJB, JPSOA, REB, NET)

▣ "her handmaids" If the Queen, then her entourage; if Ishtar, then her sacred prostitutes (i.e., fertility worship.

SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST

The MT has "moan" (BDB 624 II, KB 675), which is found only here. The Targums, LXX, and Vulgate think it is from the common root, "to remove forcibly" (BDB 624 I, KB 675), cf. Gen. 31:26; Deut. 4:27; 28:37; Isa. 20:4; Lam. 3:2

▣ "like the sound of doves" The sound of doves or pigeons is often a biblical image of grief (cf. Isa. 38:14; 59:11; Ezek. 7:16).

▣ "Beating on their breasts" This is literally "heart". The beating of one's breast/chest was a common idiom for grief (cf. Isa. 32:12; Luke 18:13; 23:48).

SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART

SPECIAL TOPIC: GRIEVING RITES

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:8-12
  ⁸Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days,
 Now they are fleeing;
 "Stop, stop,"
 But no one turns back.
 ⁹Plunder the silver!
 Plunder the gold!
 For there is no limit to the treasure—
 Wealth from every kind of desirable object.
 ¹⁰She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste!
 Hearts are melting and knees knocking!
 Also anguish is in the whole body
 And all their faces are grown pale!
 ¹¹Where is the den of the lions
 And the feeding place of the young lions,
 Where the lion, lioness and lion's cub prowled,
 With nothing to disturb them?
 ¹²The lion tore enough for his cubs,
 Killed enough for his lionesses,
 And filled his lairs with prey
 And his dens with torn flesh.

2:8 "Though Nineveh was like a pool of water through her days" This phrase has been understood in several ways.

1. Nineveh was known for her decorative pools and water defenses (Peshitta).
2. Nineveh's strength and beauty are being drained away (NJB).
3. Nineveh, in the past, collected people groups as a reservoir collects water.
4. Nineveh's defenders and populatioin are fleeing. See Josephus, Antiq. 9.11.3; LXX, NRSV, TEV

▣ "they are fleeing" This verse describes the panic among the military who tried to defend Nineveh.

1. they are fleeing ‒ BDB 630, KB 681, Qal ACTIVE PARTICIPLE (this was a new experience for them, cf. Nah. 2:8a; it could refer to fleeing by boat)
2. Stop, stop ‒ BDB 763, KB 840, Qal IMPERATIVE, twice for emphasis; this is the cry of the military officers trying to stop the defenders of the city from fleeing
3. No one turns back ‒ BDB 815, KB 937, Hiphil PARTICIPLE; it was every man for himself; run!

2:9 Assyria had been a cruel and despotic nation for many years. She confiscated all her conquered people's idols and treasure. Her vaults were full.

What Assyria did to others is now done to them (cf. Job 34:11; Ps. 28:4; 62:12; Pro. 24:12; Eccl. 12:14; Jer. 17:10; 32:19; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 2:6; 14:12; 1 Cor. 3:8; 2 Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:7-10; 2 Tim. 4:14; 1 Pet. 1:17; Rev. 2:23; 20:12; 22:12). Note the double use of "plunders" both of which are Qal IMPERATIVES (BDB 102, KB 117). This is YHWH's call to the invaders!

2:10 The fierce nation (i.e., the lion of the ANE) is now

1. emptied ‒ BDB 101
2. desolate ‒ BDB 101
3. wasted ‒ BDB 118, KB 135 (the first three words have similar sounds and meaning, cf. Isa. 24:1,3)
4. hearts melting ‒ BDB 587, KB 606, cf. Jos. 2:11; 5:1; Isa. 13:7; 19:1
5. knees knocking ‒ BDB 807 (only here) and BDB 139; but similar imagery in Ps. 69:23; Ezek. 7:17; 21:7; Dan. 5:6
6. lions (i.e., "whole body") in anguish ‒ BDB 298), only four times in the OT: Isa. 21:3; Ezek. 30:4,9; and here, from root "to writhe in pain"
7. faces pale ‒ BDB 802, only here and Joel 2:6

What a contrast between Nineveh now (Nah. 2:10) and Nineveh before (Nah. 2:11-12).

This word (BDB 802) occurs only here and Joel 2:6. The problem is what root to connect it with.

1. black (from "cooking pot")
2. red (KB 860)
3. grey (i.e., loss of beauty)
4. loss of all color

Number 4 fits the two usages best. See a good note in the NET Bible, p. 1643, #6.

2:11-12 This is a taunt directed to the arrogant, prideful Assyrians who characterized themselves in their art and literature as "lions."

This may also relate to Nah. 2:7 if the first word "hussab" refers to the statute of Ishtar, the patron goddess of Nineveh, who was depicted in art as accompanied by a lion.

2:11 "the feeding places" The MT has the term "pasture" (BDB 945), but the NRSV, NJB, REB have the emendation "cave" (reversal of two consonants).

1. pasture ‒ ימרעה
2. cave ‒ ימערה

The UBS Text Project, p. 346, gives #1 an "A" rating. This is followed by the DSS and LXX. The question is, "Does this verse refer to where they are fed or where they sleep?"

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: 2:13
  ¹³"Behold, I am against you," declares the Lord of hosts. "I will burn up her chariots in smoke, a sword will devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the land, and no longer will the voice of your messengers be heard."

2:13 As Nah. 2:2 fits better after 1:15 (MT 2:1), so this verse may better be understood as an introductory statement to Nahum 3.

▣ "the Lord of Hosts" This phrase asserts "I am against you" (cf. Nah. 3:5).

1. I will burn up her chariots.
2. I will devour your young lions (i.e., warriors).
3. I will cut off your prey (i.e., captive peoples).
4. I will stop the voice of your messengers (i.e., governmental pronouncements or threats, 2 Kgs. 18:13-37; Isa. 36:1-22).

SPECIAL TOPIC: Lord OF HOSTS

▣ "her chariots" There have been several suggested emendations.

1. רכבה ‒ its chariots, JPSOA, NRSV, NJB, NKJV, TEV
2. הבכה ‒ your crowd, Peshitta
3. רהבן ‒ your pride (i.e., of lions), REB
4. your abundance, LXX

▣ "messengers" The MT has "messenger (מלאן, BDB 521), but it is spelled in an unusual way, so the LXX and Peshitta understood it as "deeds" (BDB 521, מלאכה).

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

This is a study guide commentary which means that you are responsible for your own interpretation of the Bible. Each of us must walk in the light we have. You, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit are priority in interpretation. You must not relinquish this to a commentator.

These discussion questions are provided to help you think through the major issues of this section of the book. They are meant to be thought-provoking, not definitive.

1. To whom is Nah. 2:1 addressed?
2. In Nah. 2:2 Israel and Judah are addressed, but which term, "Jacob" or "Israel" applies to Judah?
3. To whom is Nah. 2:3-5 addressed?
4. Why has Nah. 2:7 caused so much trouble to translators? Who is it referring to?
5. Explain the imagery of Nah. 2:8.
6. Why is Assyria described as a den of lions?

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