Nahum 2:3 The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. - Free Bible Online

Nahum 2:3 The 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.


      3. his mighty men--the Medo-Babylonian general's mighty men attacking Nineveh.
      made red--The ancients dyed their bull's-hide shields red, partly to strike terror into the enemy, chiefly lest the blood from wounds which they might receive should be perceived and give confidence to the foe [CALVIN]. G. V. SMITH conjectures that the reference is to the red reflection of the sun's rays from shields of bronze or copper, such as are found among the Assyrian remains.
      in scarlet--or crimson military tunics (compare Mt 27:28). XENOPHON mentions that the Medes were fond of this color. The Lydians and Tyrians extracted the dye from a particular worm.
      chariots . . . with flaming torches--that is, the chariots shall be like flaming torches, their wheels in lightning-like rapidity of rotation flashing light and striking sparks from the stones over which they pass (compare Isa 5:28). English Version supposes a transposition of the Hebrew letters. It is better to translate the Hebrew as it is, "the chariots (shall be furnished) with fire-flashing scythes" (literally, "with the fire," or glitter, of iron weapons). Iron scythes were fixed at right angles to the axles and turned down, or parallel to it, inserted into the felly of the wheel. The Medes, perhaps, had such chariots, though no traces of them are found in Assyrian remains. On account of the latter fact, it may be better to translate, "the chariots (shall come) with the glitter of steel weapons" [MAURER and G. V. SMITH].
      in the day of his preparation--JEHOVAH'S (Isa 13:3). Or, "Medo-Babylonian commander's day of preparation for the attack" (Na 2:1). "He" confirms this, and "his" in this verse.
      the fir trees--their fir-tree lances.
      terribly shaken--branded so as to strike terror. Or, "shall be tremulous with being brandished" [MAURER].

JFB.


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Nahum Images and Notes

The Book of Nahum

Nahum 1:7 - The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Nahum 1:14-15 - And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, [that] no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

The Old Testament - A Brief Overview

Bible Survey - Nahum
Hebrew Name - Nachoum "Consulation"
Greek Name - Naoum (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Nahum (According to Tradition)
Date - 713 BC Approximately
Theme - The Destruction of Assyria
Types and Shadows - In Nahum Jesus is the Avenger

The First Day. Light.

Summary of The Book of Nahum

Nahum began to prophesy in about 713 BC after the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians. Nahum prophesied about God's vengeance and judgement, and the destruction that was going to come upon Nineveh for her great wickedness and cruelty. The name Nahum means "consolation" or "consoler", and this is a fitting name for the man who was chosen to comfort the oppressed people of the southern kingdom of Judah. Nahum told them to rejoice because Nineveh will be justly punished. - The above text is © Rusty Russell - Bible History Online and must be sourced for use on a website.

There is very little known about Nahum, he is called the "Elkoshite" in Nahum 1:1, yet the location of this place is uncertain. Some scholars place it in the Galilee region, and others place it in Judah or Assyria. One  believe is that Nahum's home was Capernaum  which means "Village of Nahum", and that Elkosh was just the place of his birth. In any case Nahum's message was the final decimation and downfall of Nineveh.

In Nahum 1 God is seen as the one who triumphs over his enemies, regardless of how strong they are. The following chapters speak of the reasons for Nineveh's impending doom. There are two primary sins that the prophet mentions about Nineveh:  

1. They had no mercy with all their great strength, they just killed destroyed and plundered with no remorse.

2. Their greed and lustful pleasures cause them to be corrupt in all their dealings with the nations.

Nahum's prophecy is the cry of an oppressed and outraged people of Judah, for all the suffering that the Assyrians bring. The thought of  the Assyrian empire coming to an end brought a joyful satisfaction of a punishment that is justly due.

Interesting Note: In a book of utter judgement stands one verse like the eye in a hurricane. Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Outline of the Book of Nahum

Nahum 1:1 Introduction to the prophet Nahum and his "burden"

Nahum 1:2-11 God's holy judgment

Nahum 1:12-15 The fall of Nineveh is proclaimed

Nahum 2:1-12 The siege and overthrow of Nineveh

Nahum 2:13 The reason for Nineveh's destruction

Nahum 3:1-17 Nineveh was an example of sin reaping God's judgment

Nahum 3:18-19 The king of Assyria's destruction brings great joy

The First Day. Light.

Nahum Resources

The Divided Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Southern Kingdom of Judah
The Assyrian Captivity
The Babylonian Captivity
The Return From Babylon
The Prophets
The Messiah

The Book of Nahum

More About the Book of Nahum
Nahum in the Picture Study Bible
Chart of the Prophets of Israel and Judah
Timeline of the Ancient World
Back to the Old Testament
Back to Bible History Online
 

Bibliography Information

Free Bible Online Picture Study Bible, King James Version. New York: American Bible Society: www.free-bible.com, 1995-2013. Bible History Picture Study Bible. May 18, 2024.

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