Verse 1
bloody city = city of great bloodshed (Ezekiel 22:2, Ezekiel 22:3; Ezekiel 24:6, Ezekiel 24:9. Habakkuk 2:12).
departeth not = will not be lacking. Captive princes were exposed to public contumely in cages, &c.
Verse 2
The noise, &c. Between verses: Nahum 3:1-2 supply the logical Ellipsis (App-6), thus: "is not released. [Hark! the enemy is within thy gates! ] The noise of a whip . . . chariot".
jumping = bumping, or sounding.
Verse 3
bright = gleaming.
glittering = flashing.
they: i.e. the slayers. Hebrew text margin, with some codices, and four early printed editions, reads "so that they stumble", &c.
upon = over.
Verse 4
Because, &c. Note the Structure, which shows that here, in the member "4-7", we have the cause, corresponding with "Nahum 2:13".
whoredoms = idolatries.
the mistress of witchcrafts. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 22:18. Deuteronomy 18:10).
witchcrafts = sorceries. Compare Isaiah 47:9.
Verse 5
saith the LORD of Hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah Sabaioth. See note on Nahum 2:13.
I will discover. Carrying out the symbol of whoredom for idolatry. Compare Nahum 2:13; Nahum 3:5.
I will shew, &c. (Isaiah 47:2, Isaiah 47:3. Jeremiah 13:22, Jeremiah 13:26. Ezekiel 16:37).
Verse 6
make thee vile = disgrace thee.
Verse 7
her. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "thee"; but the Codex "Mugah", quoted in the Massorah (App-30), reads "her".
Verse 8
better = situated better.
populous No = N"o-"Amon. "Amon is not a Hebrew word meaning "multitude", but an Egyptian word meaning the Egyptian god "Amon". No = the Egyptian net, meaning the city; now known as "Thebes". (Compare Jeremiah 46:25. Ezekiel 30:14, Ezekiel 30:15, Ezekiel 30:16).
the rivers = the Nile streams, Hebrew. yeorm, the regular word for the Nile and its canals, &c. First occurrence Genesis 41:1; rendered "flood" (Jeremiah 46:7, Jeremiah 46:8. Amos 8:8; Amos 9:5); "brooks" (Isaiah 19:6, Isaiah 19:7, Isaiah 19:8); "streams" (Isaiah 33:21).
the sea. The Nile so called in Job 41:31. Isaiah 18:2; Isaiah 19:5.
from = of: i.e. consisted of.
Verse 9
and. Some codices, cited in the Massorah (App-30), omit this word "and"; in which case we should render the clause: "Ethiopia strengthened her; Egypt [defended her with countless hosts (or hosts without end)]".
infinite. Hebrew = and there is no end. See the above note; and Compare Nahum 2:9; Nahum 3:3. Isaiah 2:7.
Put. Genesis 10:6, the third son of Ham, next to Cush (Ethiopia) and Mizraim (Egypt). Put was among the mercenaries of Tyre (Ezekiel 27:10). Compare Jeremiah 46:9.
Lubim = Lybians. Compare 2 Chronicles 12:3. Daniel 11:43.
Verse 10
Yet was she, &c. The cuneiform monuments tell us that Thebes, the old capital of Egypt, was destroyed by Assyria about 663 B.C. Assurbanipal has recorded his conquest. Nahum, writing about 603 B. C, refers to this as a well-known event, and likely to be remembered. Nineveh fell later, just as Nahum had foretold. See note on Nahum 1:1. Yet Nahum refers to the Pentateuch! See App-92.
she: i.e. Thebes.
Verse 11
Thou: i.e. Nineveh.
be drunken: i.e. drink of the cup [of judgment]; or, be stupefied by thy calamity.
be hid = hide thyself.
strength = strength [for defence]; hence = "thou shalt seek a stronghold, or refuge [in vain]".
Verse 14
Draw thee = Draw for thyself.
go . . . tread, &c. : i.e. make plenty of bricks [for the strongholds].
the brickkiln = the brick-work [ = fortifications, or walls] built with bricks. Hebrew. malben. See notes on 2 Samuel 12:31. Jeremiah 43:9; and App-87.
Verse 15
cankerworm = the young locust. Hebrew. yelek. See note on Joel 1:4.
make thyself many = [though thou be] numerous. Figure of speech Irony (App-6).
locusts = the young locust. Hebrew "arbeh. See note on Joel 1:4.
Verse 16
Thou = [Though] thou, &c.
spoileth = stript itself, or cast off the skin.
Verse 17
crowned = mercenary crowds. Hebrew. minzarim. Occurs only here. See Fuerst, Lex., p. 832.
captains = muster-masters, or marshals. Hebrew. tiphsar. Occurs only here, and Jeremiah 51:27. Like the Assyrian dupsarru = a tablet-writer.
hedges = loose stone walls.
flee away = are in flight.
Verse 18
shepherds = leaders, or rulers. Here = generals.
dwell = lie down: i.e. in death.
no man gathereth them. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 30:4). App-92.
Verse 19
healing = alleviation.
bruise = breaking, or breach: i.e. ruin.
bruits = report, tidings. Hebrew. shema". The English "bruit" = rumour; from the French bruire, to make a noise.
upon = over. Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6.
wickedness = cruelty. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.