Nahum 2 3

Nahum 2:3 kjv

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.

Nahum 2:3 nkjv

The shields of his mighty men are made red, The valiant men are in scarlet. The chariots come with flaming torches In the day of his preparation, And the spears are brandished.

Nahum 2:3 niv

The shields of the soldiers are red; the warriors are clad in scarlet. The metal on the chariots flashes on the day they are made ready; the spears of juniper are brandished.

Nahum 2:3 esv

The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them; the cypress spears are brandished.

Nahum 2:3 nlt

Shields flash red in the sunlight!
See the scarlet uniforms of the valiant troops!
Watch as their glittering chariots move into position,
with a forest of spears waving above them.

Nahum 2 verses

Nahum 2 3 Meaning

The verse vividly depicts the imminent destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. It highlights the strategic movements and fierce resolve of the invading forces as they prepare to assault the city. The imagery emphasizes the swiftness and violence of the impending judgment, portraying a formidable and determined army advancing with shields gleaming and chariots rolling, signifying an unstoppable force.

Nahum 2 3 Context

Nahum's prophecy is directed at Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, a cruel and oppressive force that had previously devastated the Northern Kingdom of Israel and threatened Judah. Chapter 2 describes the impending attack and sack of the city. This specific verse sets the stage for the onslaught by depicting the powerful military might of the attackers, highlighting their colorful and intimidating appearance as they advance, signifying the certainty and overwhelming nature of the coming judgment upon the prideful Assyrians.

Nahum 2 3 Word Analysis

• וְעָתָּה (vəʿāṯāh): "And now." This is a temporal conjunction, signaling an immediate transition and the unfolding of a present or imminent event. It emphasizes that the described action is about to occur or is currently in progress.
• יִשָּׁבֵר (yiššāḇēr): "He shall break" or "shall be broken." This is a verb in the Piel or Hifil stem of the root שׁבר (shavar), meaning "to break." The form suggests a forceful and complete destruction or shattering.
• מַחְצֶ֖בֶךָ (maḥṣeḇekā): "Your strong hold" or "your fortress." From the root חצב (ḥaṣav), which means "to hew," "to cut," or "to carve out." It refers to a place made secure by cutting or digging, hence a well-fortified location, pointing to Nineveh's presumed invincibility.
• חֵיל (ḥêyl): "Host," "army," or "military force." A common term for an army's strength and personnel.
• מְגִנֵּּי (məginnê): "The shields of." This is the plural of מָגֵן (magên), meaning shield. It indicates protective coverings, but in this context, their presence is a precursor to battle and the imagery of their color highlights the soldiers.
• אַנְשֵׁי (ʾanšê): "Men of" or "warriors of."
• חַיִל (ḥayil): "Might," "strength," or "army." Reinforces the previous use of חֵיל (ḥêyl), emphasizing the military prowess.
• נֹ֣אדְמ֖וּ (nōʾḏə·mū): "Are red" or "have become red." This is the Qal perfect form of the verb אָדַם (ʾāḏam), meaning "to be red" or "to redden." The redness of the shields suggests they are either made of red material, have been splashed with blood from previous battles, or are brightly burnished to intimidate.
• בַּגְּדִיִּ֖ם (baġəḏə·đîm): "In garments" or "in clothes." This is the plural of בֶּגֶד (beḡeḏ), meaning clothing. The reference to red garments, in conjunction with red shields, paints a striking visual of the approaching army, potentially the Medes or allied forces.
• אֹ֚פֶל (ʾō·p̱el): "Smoke." From the root אָפַל (ʾāp̱al), meaning "to be dark" or "to grow dark." Here it refers to the smoke of torches or signals, implying movement and perhaps a strategic dimming of light for attack, or simply a dense assembly that obscures like smoke. This might refer to the dust raised by the marching army or the smoke from their torches.
• רֶ֔כֶב (re·ḵeḇ): "The chariots" or "the riders." The plural form refers to the cavalry or chariots.
• וְהִצְהִ֥ילוּ (wə·hiṣ·hî·lū): "And they shall shine" or "gleam." This is the Hifil perfect form of the verb הֵילִיל (hê·lîl), meaning "to sound a war cry" or "to exult." However, in this context, coupled with "chariots," it strongly suggests the gleam or shining of metal—chariots and perhaps their accoutrements or standards, contributing to their intimidating appearance. It could also suggest their war cry which rises up like a noise and bright as metal.
• בַּמִּסְכֹּ֖נֹת (ba·mis·kō·nōṯ): "On the ramparts" or "in the towers." Possibly derived from a root related to a high place or defense structure. It indicates positions of strategic importance from which the city is being approached or observed. It may also relate to battle towers or siege engines.

Group Analysis:

The phrase "the shield of his mighty men is red; the warriors are in scarlet" (חֵיל מְגִנֵּי אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל נֹדמו בּגדיּם) creates a powerful visual of a unified, war-ready army. The identical, intimidating color (red) for both defensive equipment (shields) and offensive apparel (garments) suggests a highly disciplined and uniformly equipped force. This visual description accentuates the ferocity and terrifying presence of the approaching enemy. The subsequent mention of chariots (רֶכֶב) gleaming on the ramparts (בַּמִּסְכֹּנֹת) amplifies the sense of an overwhelming and unstoppable military advance, portending dire consequences for Nineveh.

Nahum 2 3 Bonus Section

The color red in ancient warfare often symbolized courage, victory, or the shedding of blood. The use of scarlet for warriors and red for shields could represent a highly seasoned, battle-hardened army, or it could be a divinely orchestrated element of terror. The detail highlights that even the equipment of the enemy serves God's purpose. The term "rumbled" (or "become red" for shields) coupled with "shone" (or "gleamed" for chariots) creates a dynamic image of both dust or smoke and gleaming metal, a complete sensory impression of an approaching army's power and imminence. Some interpretations also connect the "smoke" or "dust" to the torches used during night sieges, further enhancing the terror.

Nahum 2 3 Commentary

This verse serves as a powerful prelude to the destruction of Nineveh. The enemy army, likely the Medes and Babylonians, is presented not merely as a military force, but as a terrifying visual spectacle. The red shields and scarlet garments signify blood, war, and perhaps the divine judgment that the enemy is being used to enact. The gleaming chariots on the ramparts indicate the breaching of defenses and the imminent takeover. This is not just an invasion; it is a display of divine retribution manifested through military might, demonstrating that no fortification can withstand God's chosen instrument of judgment against a wicked city like Nineveh.