r strong or numerous
their forces may be, they shall be cut off; and their prince or leader
shall pass away and disappear.
1:13. And now I will break in pieces his rod with which he struck thy
back, and I will burst thy bonds asunder.
1:14. And the Lord will give a commandment concerning thee, that no more
of thy name shall be sown: I will destroy the graven and molten thing
out of the house of thy God, I will make it thy grave, for thou art
disgraced.
Will give a commandment... That is, a decree, concerning thee, O king of
Ninive, thy seed shall fail, etc.
1:15. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good
tidings, and that preacheth peace: O Juda, keep thy festivals, and pay
thy vows: for Belial shall no more pass through thee again, he is
utterly cut off.
Belial... The wicked one, viz., the Assyrian.
Nahum Chapter 2
God sends his armies against Ninive to destroy it.
2:1. He is come up that shall destroy before thy face, that shall keep
the siege: watch the way, fortify thy loins, strengthen thy power
exceedingly.
2:2. For the Lord hath rendered the pride of Jacob, as the pride of
Israel: because the spoilers have laid them waste, and have marred their
vine branches.
Hath rendered the pride of Jacob, etc... 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.
2:3. The shield of his mighty men is like fire, the men of the army are
clad in scarlet, the reins of the chariot are flaming in the day of his
preparation, and the drivers are stupified.
Of his mighty men, etc... He speaks of the Chaldeans and Medes sent to
destroy Ninive.-Ibid. Stupefied... consopiti. That is, they drive on
furiously like men intoxicated with wine.
2:4. They are in confusion in the ways, the chariots jostle one against
another in the streets: their looks are like torches, like lightning
running to and fro.
2:5. He will muster up his valiant men, they shall stumble in their
march: they shall quickly get upon the walls thereof: and a covering
shall be prepared.
Stumble in their march... By running hastily on.
2:6. The gates of the rivers are opened, and the temple is thrown down
to the ground.
2:7. And the soldier is led away captive: and her bondwomen were led
away mourning as doves, murmuring in their hearts.
2:8. And as for Niniv
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