He summons his nobles;This phrase indicates a call to action by the Assyrian king or leader, likely in a moment of crisis. In the historical context, Assyria was known for its powerful and organized military structure, with nobles often serving as commanders or high-ranking officials. The summoning of nobles suggests urgency and the need for leadership in the face of impending danger. This reflects the broader theme of divine judgment against Nineveh, as prophesied by Nahum, where even the mightiest leaders are rendered powerless.
they stumble as they advance.
The imagery of stumbling conveys chaos and disarray among the Assyrian forces. This could symbolize the confusion and panic that ensues when God's judgment is upon a nation. The stumbling of the nobles, despite their status and experience, highlights the futility of human efforts against divine will. This can be connected to other biblical instances where God causes confusion among enemy ranks, such as inExodus 14:24-25 during the pursuit of the Israelites by the Egyptians.
They race to its wall;
The urgency in racing to the wall suggests a defensive maneuver, indicating that the city is under siege. In ancient warfare, city walls were crucial for protection, and defending them was a priority. This reflects the historical context of Nineveh's fall, where the city's defenses were ultimately breached. The phrase underscores the desperation and haste of the Assyrian forces as they attempt to protect their stronghold.
the protective shield is set in place.
The setting of the protective shield refers to the use of large shields or mantlets in ancient warfare to protect soldiers from enemy attacks, particularly during sieges. This detail highlights the defensive preparations taken by the Assyrians. However, despite these efforts, the prophecy foretells their downfall, emphasizing the theme of inevitable divine judgment. The protective shield, while a symbol of human defense, is ultimately ineffective against God's decreed destruction of Nineveh.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
He (The Assyrian King)The verse refers to the Assyrian king, likely Sennacherib or one of his successors, who is summoning his nobles in a time of crisis.
2.
NoblesThese are the high-ranking officials or military leaders of Assyria, who are called to action in defense of the city.
3.
The WallRepresents the fortifications of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, which is under threat of attack.
4.
Protective ShieldA defensive measure used in ancient warfare, possibly referring to a large shield or a formation used to protect the city from invaders.
5.
StumblingThis action indicates a sense of urgency and disarray among the Assyrian forces, suggesting a lack of preparedness or divine intervention against them.
Teaching Points
Divine Judgment on PrideThe stumbling of the nobles signifies God's judgment on the pride and arrogance of Assyria. It serves as a reminder that no earthly power can stand against God's will.
Urgency and DisarrayThe hurried and stumbling advance of the nobles reflects the futility of human efforts without God's guidance. In times of crisis, reliance on God brings true stability.
God's Sovereignty Over NationsThe setting of the protective shield and the defense of the city highlight the ultimate futility of human defenses against divine judgment. Trust in God, not in human strength, is paramount.
Preparedness in Spiritual WarfareJust as the Assyrians were caught unprepared, Christians are called to be spiritually vigilant and prepared, wearing the full armor of God as described in
Ephesians 6.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Nahum 2:5?
2.How does Nahum 2:5 illustrate God's judgment against Nineveh's leaders and defenses?
3.What can we learn about God's sovereignty from Nahum 2:5?
4.How does Nahum 2:5 connect with God's justice in other scriptures?
5.How should believers respond to God's warnings as seen in Nahum 2:5?
6.What practical steps can we take to avoid complacency in our spiritual lives?
7.What historical events does Nahum 2:5 refer to in the context of Nineveh's fall?
8.How does Nahum 2:5 illustrate God's judgment against nations?
9.What is the significance of the chariots in Nahum 2:5?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Nahum 2?
11.What are the Walls of Jerusalem?
12.What happened to Belshazzar during the feast?
13.Is there archaeological evidence to support the mention of the 'tower of David' and its 'thousand shields' in Song of Solomon 4:4?
14.What are the key themes of the Minor Prophets?What Does Nahum 2:5 Mean
He summons his nobles“He summons his nobles” (Nahum 2:5a)
• The king of Nineveh frantically calls his highest officers to organize a last-minute defense. Compare the hurried summons of rulers in crisis inEsther 6:14 andDaniel 5:9.
• God’s hand is behind the scene: “The LORD has stirred up the spirit of the kings of the Medes” (Jeremiah 51:11). The very act of summoning shows the terror God’s judgment has produced.
• Leadership that once swaggered in power is now reduced to scrambling for survival, echoingProverbs 21:30—“There is no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel that can prevail against the LORD.”
They stumble as they advance“They stumble as they advance” (Nahum 2:5b)
• Military precision dissolves into panic; the elite troops trip over themselves.Jeremiah 46:5 pictures the same chaos: “Why have I seen them terror-stricken? They draw back; their warriors are defeated.”
• God’s judgment often confounds the mighty (Isaiah 19:16). When prideful nations face divine wrath, even the best-trained soldiers can’t maintain composure.
• Practical takeaway: any structure built on arrogance will eventually falter when God removes His restraining hand (Psalm 127:1).
They race to its wall“They race to its wall” (Nahum 2:5c)
• The defenders sprint to man the ramparts, attempting to plug breaches before the invaders pour in.Jeremiah 51:12 speaks similarly: “Raise a banner against the walls of Babylon! Reinforce the guard!”
• Speed reveals desperation. The city that once besieged others (2 Kings 19:36) now fears siege.
• God reverses roles: the aggressor becomes the besieged (Obadiah 1:15). Divine justice ensures that violence boomerangs on the violent.
The protective shield is set in place“The protective shield is set in place” (Nahum 2:5d)
• The Hebrew idea is a mobile shelter or mantelet rolled to the wall. It’s the last line of defense (Isaiah 37:33).
• Yet external defenses cannot stop a divinely decreed fall.Psalm 33:17 warns, “A horse is a vain hope for salvation.”
• The contrast is striking: while Nineveh trusts wooden shields, believers are told, “The LORD is a shield around me” (Psalm 3:3).
summaryNahum 2:5 paints a rapid-fire scene of panic in Nineveh: nobles hastily gathered, elite troops stumbling, frantic dashes to the wall, and emergency shields erected. Each movement underscores a single truth—when God’s judgment comes, human power unravels. Earthly fortifications crumble, but those who trust the LORD find in Him an unshakable refuge.
(5)
And the defence shall be prepared.--Better,
but [there]
the storming-shed has been prepared. Here the surprise and disorder of Nineveh is more plainly portrayed. The Assyrian king bethinks him of his stoutest warriors, but they
stumble in their paths in nervous perplexity. Men ran to the city wall, but against it the besiegers have already erected their storming-shed--a proceeding which ought to have been prevented by the discharge of stones and other missiles from the walls. The storming-shed protected the battering-rams. Of the representations of these preserved in the monuments of Nineveh, Professor Rawlinson thus writes: "All of them were covered with a framework, which was of osier wood, felt, or skins, for the better protection of those who worked the implement. . . . Some appear to have been stationary, others provided with wheels. . . . Again, sometimes combined with the ram and its framework was a movable tower containing soldiers, who at once fought the enemy on a level, and protected the engine from their attacks (
Ancient Monarchies, i. 470).
Verse 5. - The prophet turns to the Ninevites and their preparations for defence.
He shall recount his worthies;he remembers his nobles. The King of Nineveh calls to mind the mighty captains who have often led his armies to victory, and sends them to defend the walls (comp.
Nahum 3:18). The LXX., anticipating the next clause, adds here,
καὶ φεύξονται ἡμέρας, "and they shall flee by day."
They shall stumble in their walk. In their fear and baste, or half drunken, they totter and stumble as they hasten to the walls of the city.
The defence shall be prepared; literally,
the covering is prepared. If this refers to the operations of the Ninevites, it means some kind of breastwork or fascine erected between the towers; but it most probably depicts the sight that meets their eyes from the wails. They see the besiegers bringing up their mantelets and towers. As used by the Assyrians, the machine called "the covering" is either a wooden tower or a wicker mantelet in which was suspended a battering ram. It stood on four or six wheels, and the larger sort had archers posted in the various stories, both to annoy the enemy and to defend the engine. The rams were provided with lance headed extremities, and must have rather picked at and loosened the courses of bricks of which the walls were composed than battered them down (see Bonomi, 'Nineveh and its Palaces,' pp. 160, 234, 243, etc. Layard, 'Nineveh,' ch. 5. p. 376, etc., figs. 57, 58). The Septuagint rendering applies rather to the besieged,
Ἐτοιμάσουσι τὰς προφυλακὰςαὐτῶν, "They shall prepare their defences."
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He summonsיִזְכֹּר֙(yiz·kōr)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2142:To mark, to remember, to mention, to be malehis nobles;אַדִּירָ֔יו(’ad·dî·rāw)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 117:Wide, large, powerfulthey stumbleיִכָּשְׁל֖וּ(yik·kā·šə·lū)Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3782:To totter, waver, to falter, stumble, faint, fallas they advance.בַּהֲלִֽיכָתָ֑ם(ba·hă·lî·ḵā·ṯām)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 1979:A walking, a procession, march, a caravanThey raceיְמַֽהֲרוּ֙(yə·ma·hă·rū)Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4116:To be liquid, flow easily, to hurry, promptlyto its wall;חֽוֹמָתָ֔הּ(ḥō·w·mā·ṯāh)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 2346:A wall of protectionthe protective shieldהַסֹּכֵֽךְ׃(has·sō·ḵêḵ)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5526:To entwine as a, screen, to fence in, cover over, protectis set in place.וְהֻכַ֖ן(wə·hu·ḵan)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hofal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3559:To be erect
Links
Nahum 2:5 NIVNahum 2:5 NLTNahum 2:5 ESVNahum 2:5 NASBNahum 2:5 KJV
Nahum 2:5 BibleApps.comNahum 2:5 Biblia ParalelaNahum 2:5 Chinese BibleNahum 2:5 French BibleNahum 2:5 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Nahum 2:5 He summons his picked troops (Nah. Na) 
