Nahum 2:7-10

⁷ And Huzzab [1] shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. ⁸ But Nineveh is of old [2] like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. ⁹ Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end [3] of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture. ¹⁰ She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

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Other Translations of Nahum 2:7-10

New International Version

⁷ It is decreedThe meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain. that Nineveh be exiled and carried away. Her female slaves moan like doves and beat on their breasts. ⁸ Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away. "Stop! Stop!" they cry, but no one turns back. ⁹ Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! The supply is endless, the wealth from all its treasures! ¹⁰ She is pillaged, plundered, stripped! Hearts melt, knees give way, bodies tremble, every face grows pale.

English Standard Version

⁷ its mistressThe meaning of the Hebrew word rendered its mistress is uncertain is stripped;Or exiled she is carried off, her slave girls lamenting, moaning like doves and beating their breasts. ⁸ Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away.Compare Septuagint; the meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain "Halt! Halt!" they cry, but none turns back. ⁹ Plunder the silver, plunder the gold! There is no end of the treasure or of the wealth of all precious things. ¹⁰ Desolate! Desolation and ruin! Hearts melt and knees tremble; anguish is in all loins; all faces grow pale!

The Message

⁷ Soon it's all over: Nineveh stripped, Nineveh doomed, Maids and slaves moaning like doves, beating their breasts. ⁸ Nineveh is a tub from which they've pulled the plug. Cries go up, "Do something! Do something!" but it's too late. Nineveh's soon empty - nothing. ⁹ Other cries come: "Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! A bonanza of plunder! Take everything you want!" ¹⁰ Doom! Damnation! Desolation! Hearts sink, knees fold, stomachs retch, faces blanch.

New King James Version

⁷ It is decreed: She shall be led away captive, She shall be brought up; And her maidservants shall lead her as with the voice of doves, Beating their breasts. ⁸ Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. "Halt! Halt!" they cry; But no one turns back. ⁹ Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold! There is no end of treasure, Or wealth of every desirable prize. ¹⁰ She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in every side, And all their faces are drained of color.

New Living Translation

⁷ Nineveh's exile has been decreed, and all the servant girls mourn its capture. They moan like doves and beat their breasts in sorrow. ⁸ Nineveh is like a leaking water reservoir! The people are slipping away. "Stop, stop!" someone shouts, but no one even looks back. ⁹ Loot the silver! Plunder the gold! There's no end to Nineveh's treasures- its vast, uncounted wealth. ¹⁰ Soon the city is plundered, empty, and ruined. Hearts melt and knees shake. The people stand aghast, their faces pale and trembling.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Nahum 2:7-10

Commentary on Nahum 2:1-10

(Read Nahum 2:1-10)

Nineveh shall not put aside this judgment; there is no counsel or strength against the Lord. God looks upon proud cities, and brings them down. Particular account is given of the terrors wherein the invading enemy shall appear against Nineveh. The empire of Assyria is represented as a queen, about to be led captive to Babylon. Guilt in the conscience fills men with terror in an evil day; and what will treasures or glory do for us in times of distress, or in the day of wrath? Yet for such things how many lose their souls!