Nahum 3

Nahum 3:1

VVO to the bloudy citie] Heb. citie of blouds. Nineveh, which never ceaseth to spoil and robbe. Ezekiel 24:9. Hab. 2. 12.

Nahum 3:2

The noise of a whip] He sheweth how the Chaldeans shall haste, and how couragious their horses shall be in beating the ground when they come against the Assyrians.

Nahum 3:3

the bright sword, and the glittering spear] Heb. the flame of the sword, and the lightning of the spear.

Nahum 3:4

the whoredoms] That is, cunning devices and plots to draw in people, and to become Lords over them, as it were by interest of State. This word being often used in this sense among the prophets. Isa. 23. 15, 17. Revelation 17:2. and Revelation 18:3.

of witchcrafts] This term may also be referred to the same sense; it being the custome of Harlots to use forceries and witchcrafts. It may also be understood in its proper sense; as Isaiah 47:9. 12.

that selleth nations] Under the colour of protection, favour courtesie, and the like, she seiseth on Kingdoms and States, and doth subject nations unto her.

Nahum 3:5

I will discover thy skirts] Isaiah 47:3. Ezekiel 16:37. Jeremiah 13:22. I will expose thee to shame and slavery. A term taken from the injuries done by the souldiers to poor women which were taken prisoners in the warres, Isa. 47. 2, 3. Jeremiah 13:22. Ezekiel 16:37.

Nahum 3:6

I will cast abominable filth upon thee] All manner of filth, as they used to throw upon people that were publikely disgraced.

Nahum 3:7

shall flee from thee] Through detestation and horrour.

Nahum 3:8

populous No] Or, nourishing. Heb. No Amon. A famous Citie of Egypt, called in following ages Alexandria, which it is likely had been greatly ruined before the Prophets time, not mentioned in Scripture.

among the rivers] In Egypt, where there were divers branches of Nilus cut out in channels; for otherwise Alexandria was not situated by the river it self.

Nahum 3:9

Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength] Heb. Chush and Put; people of Africa.

thy helpers] Heb. in thy help.

Nahum 3:10

were dashed in pieces] A cruelty which was used in Cities taken by force of Arms. See Psalm. 137. 9. Isaiah 13:6. Hosea 13:16.

they cast lots] For to part them as a prey.

Nahum 3:11

Thou] Namely, Nineveh.

shalt be drunken] With the cup of Gods wrath. Jeremiah 25:15; Jeremiah 25:17; Jeremiah 25:27.

thou shalt be hid] For fear and shame.

Nahum 3:12

shall be like figge-trees] Shall be easily taken by the enemies.

Nahum 3:13

thy barres] Thine enclosures and defences.

Nahum 3:14

Draw thee waters] Make all needfull preparations and provisions for to hold out the Siege, repairing the breaches of thy walls with bricks. An ironicall kinde of speech; as Nahum 2. 1.

Nahum 3:15

There shall the fire devour thee] Namely, in those thy strongholds, so well repaired and fortified.

like the canker-worm] Even as those destroying creatures gnaw and spoil the plants: or, as they themselves are destroyed in any place by fire.

Nahum 3:16

Thou hast multiplied thy merchants] An infinite number of people were gathered together in thee, to live by thy traffique and commodities; but like to these wasting creatures, so soon as there is nothing to gnaw, they presently vanish away: so thou were presently forsaken, when there was no more to be gained by thee.

spoileth] Or, spreadeth himself.

Nahum 3:17

Thy crowned are as the locusts] Namely, thy Princes, and great Lords, wearing diadems and wreathes, in token of dignitie: or, vassall and confederate Kings.

Nahum 3:18

Thy shepherds slumber] Thy Heads, Governours and Officers are dead or astonished, and out of heart. Exodus 15:16. Psalms 76:6.

nobles] Or, valiant ones.

shall dwell in the dust] As Jeremiah 51:30.

Nahum 3:19

healing] Heb. wrinkling.

shall clap the hands over thee] For joy to see thy tyrannie overthrown.

upon whom hath not thy wickednesse passed continually] Meaning, that there was no people to whom the Assyrians had not done hurt.