Nahum 2

Nahum 2:1

Face, O Juda. Septuagint, “who blows on thy face, (Genesis ii. 7.) freeing from misery.” Here St. Jerome’s Greek copy ends the chapter. (Haydock) — Watch. Behold Nabopolassar is about to attack thy enemies. Some think that Nahum addresses Ninive ironically. (Calmet) — Nabuchodonosor wasted all the environs, and then took the city (Worthington) after his other conquests. (Calmet) — But his father is here denoted. (Haydock)

Nahum 2:2

Pride, &c. He hath punished Jacob for his pride; and therefore Ninive must not expect to escape. Or else, rendering the pride of Jacob means rewarding, that is, punishing Ninive for the pride they exercised against Jacob. (Challoner) — After the Assyrians had seized the ten tribes, they became more insolent, and are therefore punished. (Worthington) — The haughty Phul, &c., had invaded the Israelites, and had taken them into captivity. This God will now resent, (Calmet) though he justly chastised his people by them. (Haydock)

Nahum 2:3

Mighty men. He speaks of the Chaldeans and Medes sent to destroy the Ninivites. (Challoner) — This is the common opinion. Yet it seems rather that the Ninivites are designated, as they were asleep and stumbled, &c. (Calmet) — Stupified. That is, they drive on furiously, like men intoxicated with wine. (Challoner) — Hebrew, “the fir-tree shall be shaken,” or poisoned. Psalm cxix. 4. Septuagint read better, (Calmet) “their horsemen shall be in a hurry, or in confusion.” (Haydock) — The armour was kept very shining, and the soldiers of Cyrus were clothed in purple, like himself. (Xen. iii.) — Yet this availed nothing, while the men were asleep or confounded. (Calmet)

Nahum 2:4

Streets. The Ninivites are disordered at the enemy’s approach. (St. Jerome)

Nahum 2:5

Muster. Literally, " remember" (Haydock) the ancient heroes, Salmanasar, &c. (Calmet) — Stumble, by running hastily on. (Challoner) — Prepared to defend the city. (Haydock) — All this represents a city surprised. It attempts to defend itself; but God renders all efforts vain. (Calmet)

Nahum 2:6

Gates; floodgates or channel of the Tigris overflowing, chap. i. 8. — Temple. Septuagint," palace."

Nahum 2:7

Soldier. Hebrew hutsab, (Haydock) “the station” or guard; the queen, or the statue of the idol, with the women (Calmet) who prostituted themselves in its honour. (Sanct. xxxi.) — Ninive and its dependances are taken. (Grotius)

Nahum 2:8

Waters: multitudes, (Apocalypse xvii. 15.) and riches; (Calmet) or the flood bursting upon them makes them flee. (Haydock) — The citizens run away when the enemy had made a breach, as water does when the dam is broken down; and though some more valiant will exhort them to tarry, they will not succeed, nor save the city. (Worthington)

Nahum 2:10

Kettle. In mourning they blacken their face. (Tav. Perse.)

Nahum 2:11

Lions. The kings of Assyria had plundered various nations, (Haydock) and had brought the spoils to Ninive. But all shall be lost. (Worthington) — These princes followed no law but their own will. — The lion, Nabopolassar, or his son: though it seems rather to relate to the Assyrian monarchs. (Calmet)

Nahum 2:13

Chariots. Septuagint, “multitude.” Some wild beasts were thus suffocated in their dens. (Theodoret) — More, like that of the impious Rabsaces, 4 Kings xviii. 17. (Calmet)