Nahum 2 5

Nahum 2:5 kjv

He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

Nahum 2:5 nkjv

He remembers his nobles; They stumble in their walk; They make haste to her walls, And the defense is prepared.

Nahum 2:5 niv

Nineveh summons her picked troops, yet they stumble on their way. They dash to the city wall; the protective shield is put in place.

Nahum 2:5 esv

He remembers his officers; they stumble as they go, they hasten to the wall; the siege tower is set up.

Nahum 2:5 nlt

The king shouts to his officers;
they stumble in their haste,
rushing to the walls to set up their defenses.

Nahum 2 verses

Nahum 2 5 Meaning

Nahum 2:5 describes a moment of frantic desperation during the siege of Nineveh. It portrays the Assyrian king's urgent command to his elite officers and their bewildered response, attempting to prepare their defenses against the invading forces. Despite their high status, these officers are depicted as stumbling in their hurried movements, signifying panic and disarray amidst the rapidly escalating threat. They rush to the city walls, preparing a "mantelet" – a movable protective shield used in siege warfare – indicating a desperate last-ditch effort to fortify the city against the impending assault. The verse captures the chaos and futility of Nineveh's defense in the face of God's appointed judgment.

Nahum 2 5 Context

Nahum is a prophetic book primarily delivering an oracle against Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire. It proclaims God's certain and devastating judgment on this city known for its brutal warfare, cruelty, and oppressive rule, particularly against God's people, Israel. Chapter 2 transitions from announcing the coming destruction to vividly depicting the actual siege and fall of Nineveh. The preceding verses (Nahum 2:1-4) describe the advance of the Babylonian and Median forces (though not explicitly named, historical context points to them), characterized by glittering shields, scarlet garments, and chariots causing havoc. Verse 5 fits into this chaotic scene, portraying the desperate, yet ineffective, defensive actions taken by the Assyrian king and his elite forces as the attackers close in on the city. This verse highlights the immediacy and panic of the siege, demonstrating that even a once-mighty empire, prepared for battle, cannot withstand the sovereign judgment of the Lord.

Nahum 2 5 Word analysis

• He remembers his officers (וְיִזְכֹּר אֹסְרָיו, v'yiz'kor os'rav):
  • וְיִזְכֹּר (v'yiz'kor): "And he will remember" or "And he will call to mind." The subject is widely understood to be the king of Nineveh, desperately recalling or summoning his highest-ranking commanders or elite troops. This verb, "remember," here implies a frantic attempt to mobilize and rally resources that might have been scattered or demoralized.
  • אֹסְרָיו (os'rav): "his officers," "his mighty ones," "his bound ones," or "his chief men." Derived from a root meaning "to bind," suggesting those who are specially chosen, bound by oath, or are the chief executives or leaders in the military or state. These are not common soldiers, but the powerful and authoritative figures, emphasizing the desperation that even they are called into a frantic, direct defense.
• they stumble in their march (יִכָּשְׁלוּ בַּהֲלִיכָתָם, yik'ka'sh'lu ba'hali'kha'tam):
  • יִכָּשְׁלוּ (yik'ka'sh'lu): "they stumble," "they falter," "they trip." This depicts physical unsteadiness, disarray, and confusion, directly contradicting the expected discipline and strength of elite military personnel. It illustrates the panic and the breakdown of order within Nineveh's defense.
  • בַּהֲלִיכָתָם (ba'hali'kha'tam): "in their going," "in their march," "as they move." This highlights the very action of their movement being affected by their desperation and fear, not a confident, organized advance or defense.
• they hasten to the wall (יְמַהֲרוּ חוֹמָה, y'ma'ha'ru khomah):
  • יְמַהֲרוּ (y'ma'ha'ru): "they hasten," "they hurry quickly." This further emphasizes the frantic, emergency nature of their actions. It's a rapid, uncoordinated rush rather than a strategic deployment.
  • חוֹמָה (khomah): "wall." Refers to the massive, renowned walls of Nineveh, once thought impregnable. The very act of rushing to these walls for defense underlines the immediate and critical threat the city is facing.
• and the mantelet is set up (וְהֻכַן הַסֹּכֵכָה, v'hu'khan ha'sokh'khe'kah):
  • וְהֻכַן (v'hu'khan): "and it is prepared," "and it is made ready," "and it is established." This is a passive verb (hophal perfect), indicating that the action of preparation is taking place or completed. It signifies a last-ditch effort at fortifying, though contextually implying it's done amidst haste and confusion.
  • הַסֹּכֵכָה (ha'sokh'khe'kah): "the mantelet," "the movable shed," "the siege shield," "the covering." This refers to a defensive or protective screen, possibly made of wicker or wood, used in siege warfare to shield workers repairing walls or those preparing for an attack/defense. Its deployment is a sign of intense, desperate preparation for direct siege combat against overwhelming forces.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He remembers his officers; they stumble in their march;": This phrase powerfully contrasts the king's summoning of his elite forces with their immediate display of disorder. Instead of a swift, disciplined response, their very movement is portrayed as faltering and chaotic, a clear sign that the mighty Assyrian army is collapsing from within due to panic and divine judgment.
• "they hasten to the wall; and the mantelet is set up.": This grouping depicts the immediate, physical scramble to bolster the city's defenses. The urgency of "hasten" coupled with the readiness of the specialized siege equipment ("mantelet") shows Nineveh's desperate and tangible preparation for what they know will be a final, destructive confrontation at their very gates. This effort, however, is presented as part of the overall futile attempt to withstand God's wrath.

Nahum 2 5 Bonus section

• The rapid succession of short verbs in the Hebrew original ("remembers," "stumble," "hasten," "is set up") vividly creates a sense of frantic, rapid-fire action and increasing panic, almost like a sped-up video of the collapse of order. This serves to emphasize the chaos of Nineveh's final hours.
• The use of "mantelet" (סֹכֵכָה) indicates advanced siege warfare of the time. However, its preparation here is not shown as a sign of strength, but of desperation. Even with such technology, Nineveh is powerless against God's decree.
• The fate of Nineveh, described here, became a proverbial example in ancient Near Eastern thought for the unpredictable nature of imperial power and the ultimate justice that awaited oppressive regimes, reinforcing the truth of God's control over human history. This serves as a strong encouragement to those who had suffered under Assyrian cruelty, demonstrating that their cry to the Lord had been heard and acted upon.

Nahum 2 5 Commentary

Nahum 2:5 provides a gripping snapshot of Nineveh's final moments of perceived defense, drenched in irony. The Assyrian king, a symbol of former strength and oppression, desperately summons his most trusted and capable officers, highlighting the severity of the crisis. Yet, these very men, who would normally exhibit precision and discipline, are depicted as stumbling, embodying the city's overall disarray and spiritual downfall. Their hasty dash to the legendary, imposing walls of Nineveh and the frantic deployment of the mantelet—a specific tool for siege warfare—reveal the intense pressure and immediate threat they faced. This verse underscores that human strength and formidable fortifications are utterly powerless when God's appointed time for judgment arrives. It portrays not a strategic retreat or organized defense, but a frantic, uncoordinated response to an inevitable destruction decreed by the Almighty, a testament to His sovereign power over even the mightiest empires.