Matthew Poole and continuators on Nahum 1

1 THE burthen of Nineveh , The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite .

When the Prophets were sent to denounce future Judgments against a Nation or City, the word was usually called the burthen of that Nation or City; as the burthen of Moab, Isa. 15.1. of Egypt, Isa. 19.1. of Babylon, Isa. 13.1. of Damascus, Isa. 17.1. So here the calamities foretold are called the burthen of Nineveh.

It was the Mother City of the Assyrian Kingdom, and so by a Synechdoche, is here to be interpreted, as including the whole Kingdom, which is threatned with destruction, in the destruction of Nineveh, a City very antient, built by Assar, Son of Nimr[illegible: 1 letter]d, repaired and enlarged by Ninus, giving name to the City he repaired Nineveh, Anno Mundi 1905, or 1908.

Either because written, and sent to Nineveh, or else because written, and left to be read by Posterity.

Or Prophesie, for Prophets were of old called seers, 1 Sam. 9.9. and their Prophesies were called Visions, or it may include the manner in which Nahum was informed what was coming upon Nineveh, God revealed, and the Prophet foresaw the things.

His name speaks a comforter, but 'tis to Gods people, to whom he gives notice of the destruction of their oppressours, his Family, place of Birth, and time of Prophesying, are somewhat uncertain, perhaps he might Prophesie in the time of Hez[illegible: 1 letter]kiah, when the ten Tribes were carried captive by Salmaneser.

Whether this speaks Nahum's Family, or Town where born, or his Country in general, is not certain, but probably 'tis the Village Elcosh in Galilee, by which he is here called.

Marginal references: Zeph. 2.13.

2 God is jealous , and the LORD revengeth , the LORD revengeth , and is furious , the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and hereserveth wrath for his enemies.

The mighty God, so the Fr. Version, and the Heb. [non-Latin text not transcribed] implyeth it.

His Love is fervent for his people, his displeasure hot against his, and their Enemies, whose Idolatries he will not long bear against himself, nor their cruelties and rage against his people, but as jealous for his peoples good, and for his own Glory he will appear and act, so Isa. 42.13. Ezek. 39.25. and Zech. 1.14. and 8.2.

Iehovah, the Everlasting and Unchangeable God, the same alwayes towards his people▪

As Supream Governour, who by Office is, and accounts himself bound, to right the oppressed, and to punish the oppressour, so vengeance is the Lords, and he will repay.

'Tis repeated for confirming the truth, and to affect the wicked with terrour, and to awaken them to a timely Repentance, to affect Gods own people with joy and hope that they may wait on him till they see the vengeance from God mighty, judge, zealous, unchangeable, and eternal.

Heb. is Lord, or Master of Fury, not like furious men, who cannot Command or govern their anger, but grow suddenly furious, and as suddenly pour it forth whether seasonably, or unseasonably they regard not; but God who here threatens Enemies, and comforts his friends, is as much Lord of his Anger, as he is Lord of Power and Wisdom to execute his displeasure in fittest time.

When it is most seasonable he should do it, he most certainly will do it.

This explains the former phrase, Lord of fury, God restrains and keeps in his own anger which grows greater by the sufferings of his people, and sins of his Enemies.

Marginal references: Or, the Lord is a jealous God, and a revenger; Exod. 20.5.; Heb. that hath fury.

3 The LORD is slow to anger , and great in power , and will not at all acquit the wicked : the LORD hath his way▪ in the whirlwind , and in the storm , and the clouds are the dust of his feet .

Not slack, as some count slackness, 2 Pet. 3.9. either in performing promise, or executing threats; but very wisely patient, and long suffering which is ever temper'd with great mercy, and both are joyned together in his Providence, and in his word; see Exod. 34.6. Numb. 14.18. Neh. 9.17. Psal. 103.8. and 145.8. Ioel 2.13. Ion. 4.2.

Just displeasure conceive[illegible: 1 letter] and expressed; the Lord doth not presently entertain resentments of displeasure, nor make sinners feel them, He doth now, as he long hath forborn, you oh sinful Ninevites! Oh cruel Assyrians, but consider it, his slow anger will be the heavier when it falls on you.

Most mighty in Power, which restrains the rage of Enemies, defends and supports his oppressed ones, and in a moment can destroy those that have deserved, yet fear not his Anger; that the Assyrians are not yet destroyed is the effect of Patience, not of impotence, in the God of Israel.

This is spoken to awaken the secure Kingdom, in which many, 'tis like, were as the Scoffers, 2 Pet. 3.4. ready to say all things do continue as they were, there will be no change, no judgment against the wicked. But our Prophet assures such, that as there is great Power with God, he can, so there is exact justice, and stedfast resolution, he will judge.

Neither pronounce them innocent by sentence of judgment, nor let them escape as if innocent by a perpetuated forbearance in the course of his Providence; but sooner, or later, in due season the wickedness, or righteousness of men shall be upon them.

The incorrigible, hardned, and persisting sinner.

Either the methods of his Providence, his usual path; or else his way intimating the unerring steddiness of Providence, the straight, and known path; however to us it may seem, yet certainly God knows and keeps the right way.

Which riseth suddenly, and with violence beareth before it all things that stand in its way, which none can prevent, which no man can calm, which is attended with terrour and amazement, Iob 27.20. Isaiah 17.13. and 29.6. A[illegible: 1 letter]os 1.14. so will destruction from the mighty and just displeasure of God come upon his Adversaries, and on you Ninevit[illegible: 1 letter]s and Assyrians when you shall fall before this Whirlwind, and Tempest, so all impenitent sinners perish, Prov. 1.27.

Heb. Speaks a dr[illegible: 1 letter]adful Tempest which makes men full of horrour; 'tis an elegant ingemination of the same thing to affect hearers the more.

Though he be surounded with darkness, yet as an Army afar of is discovered by the dust that their feet raise, so will God at last appear as an Enemy with great Power marching against his Enemies.

And from above, as well as from the darkness of clouds destroy them, this is spoken after the manner of man, and must be applyed as beseems God.

Marginal references: Psal. 13.7. Hab. 3.5.11.12.

4 He rebuketh the sea , and maketh it dry , and dryeth up all the rivers : Bashan languisheth , and Carmel , and the flower of Lebanon languisheth .

He once did rebuke, as Exod. 14.22. he still can, as a Lord rebuketh his Servant, or a General rebukes his Souldier, by word, or look, Isa. 50.2.

Literally understood, or figuratively, it imports still that he can deliver his people, and destroy his adversaries, as of old he did.

His word or will doth as speedily do this thing, as it doth proceed from God; he commands, and 'tis done.

So Iordan saw, or heard the rebuke of our God, and fled, or was driven back; Ioh. 3.15, 16. and Psal. 114.3. And what he once did upon Iordan, that he can do on all other Rivers, and so are we to understand the words.

It lay Eastward of Iordan, was the Kingdom of Og, it was famous for Oakes, Ezek. 27.6. for Cattle also, as Bulls, Psal. 22.12. and Rams, Deut. 32.14. and was given to the half Tribe of Manasseh.

Grows barren, as if under a Consumptive languishing, is not longer sufficient to feed the Cattle that were wont to feed, and grow fa[illegible: 1 letter] upon it.

A very fruitful Mountain, either in the confines of Zabulon and A[illegible: 1 letter]h[illegible: 1 letter]r Northward, Iosh, 12.22. where Elijah by fire from Heaven contended, and convicted the Baa[illegible: 1 letter]ites, or else, this [illegible: 1 word], might be that where Nabal dwelt, 1 Sam. 25.2. famous for its rich Pastures; this was more Southward then the other, and not far from Hebro[illegible: 1 letter].

Whatever flourished, and was beautiful, Trees; their Blossoms, and the Flowers which were wont to be the glory of it.

A mountain that runs from the Coast of the Phenician Sea Westward, for 125 Miles more or less Eastward, and verging toward Arabia, it is the North boundary of Iudea, and divides it from Syria, famous for its fruitfulness, as for its height.

Loseth its strength and vertue; both the Product; and the very Soil that produceth too, soon fall into a Consumption.

5 The mountains quake at him , and the hills melt , and the earth is burnt at his presence, yea the world , and all that dwell therein.

The more known Mountains of that Country were mentioned verse 4. now the Prophet doth extend his Speech to all Mountains, how great soever, and how fast soever their Foundations are laid.

Tremble at his rebuke, not only are shaken by Earthquakes from natural causes, disposed by Gods power and wisdom, but are shaken and tremble under the effects of his extraordinary presence, Iudg. 5.4. Iob 9.5. Psal. 29.6. Ier. 10.10.

By his power, or at his displeasure, or indeed at his presence, Psal. 68.8. and so the Chald. Paraphrast.

The lesser Hills distinguisht from Mountains, or else 'tis a confirming ingemination of what he had said.

Gods Rebuke is as fire, Mountains and Hills like wax melt down before it, Psal. 114.6, 7, 8.

Which seems to be secure against the fury of the fire, yet proves combustible under the fire of Gods wrath.

Or else is taken away, withdraws its self, lifts up it self, as sometimes in Earthquakes, or as the Gallick Version, mounteth up in fire; the Heb. imports all these.

The Habitable world.

Whether they be far off, or near to Israel, both men, and all the rest of the Creatures, whose abode is on Earth, are wonderfully shaken, affrighted and overwhelmed at the tokens of God's rebuke.

Marginal references: Psal. 97.5.

6 Who can stand before his indignation ? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire , and the rocks are thrown down by him.

Since God can do all this who among the Assyrians? who among the Ninevites? What Kingdom, or Monarchy is mighty enough to resist, or defeat the Counsel and Power of this God, who will e're long rebuke, and pour out his indignation upon them?

Be able to endure, or continue in flourishing, peaceful, safe, or joyful state? 'Tis much the same with standing before mentioned.

This explains the former, the heat of his anger, is his indignation, and no Creature can bear it.

Fury in man speaks somewhat culpable, and blame-worthy, but in God it cannot be so, it is the intenseness of his just, and wise displeasure,

with most righteous and wise direction by God himself, who is as ver. 2. let. m. which see.

Not in the unsteddiness and unruliness, but in the vehemency, spreading Nature, and irresistible force of it, as in Sodoms overthrow.

Though Foundations do support other things, yet cannot support themselves against their God when once angry.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 letter]eb. stand up.

7 The LORD is good , a strong hold in the day of trouble , and he knoweth them that trust in him .

Though so terrible to his Enemies, to obstinate sinners, yet he is as gentle, kind, and good to his people, to Israel; so the Ch. Paraphr.

In his just severity he continueth to be good, None of that consuming anger comes from any want of goodness in God: Yea, 'tis as much an effect of his goodness, as just punishments on incorrigible Malefactors are the effects of goodness in a Judge, or Magistrate. But here the Prophet intends rather the kindness and grace of God towards his people to whom he doth good, and will do more, Psal. 73.1. and 119.68.

It might have been rendred good to be a strong hold, as the Hebr. affix imports, and is sometimes rendred. Though Israel seems to be exposed to the violence of Enemies, and to be without any munition or fortress, yet verily the Lord their God is for a defence and fortress to them, Psal. 31.3. and 61.3. Prov. 18.10. and is their strength also in that fortress.

At all times of affliction and danger, when outward pressures fill us with anguish and fears.

Discerneth, approveth, owneth, and will make it appear that he doth preserve, that he may deliver his peculiar ones. He knows the wicked, and will restrain, rebuke, and destroy them; he knows the good, and will protect, rescue, and save them.

Whether you consider them in a Body and Community, or by themselves, a part, or singly.

Believe, depend, and wait on God, they that depend by Faith, and wait with hope.

On God, or on Christ, or on the word and promise of God. So God was to those that trusted in his word of promise in Hezekiah's time.

Marginal references: [illegible: 1 word] strength.; [illegible: 1 word] 1.6.

8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof , and darkness shall pursue his enemies .

Or Ard, or therefore, since God is so good to Israel opprest by Assyria, and so terrible, just, and mighty to punish oppressors.

His judgments like a mighty flood that overfloweth all banks, and scorns all that might check it, shall swallow up Assyria and Nineveh, which was in part effected by Phraortis about the 3312 An. of the World, and in part by his Son Cyaxares who broke the Assyrian Kingdom, and took Nineveh.

The Lord by the Medes,

will destroy, so that it shall never recover, or be rebuilt.

Of Nineveh, that is. Nineveh it self▪ so in Scripture sometime the place is said to perish when the thing it self doth; as Dan. 2.35. Revel. 12 8. and 20.11.

Not a single calamity which is soon at an end, but indeed a succession of calamities, continued course of them shall pursue; so Phraortes began, Cyaxares continued, Scythians helpt on▪ and Astyages finally with Four Hundred Thousand Men finisht the pursuit in the Sack and Ruin of Nineveh after Two years siege.

The Ninevites, and Assyrians.

Marginal references: Troubles, desolating afflictions, extream evils; in Scripture stile are called darkness, Iob 15.22. and 17.12. Psal. 35.6. and 55.6. Eccles. 5.17. Isa. 42.7. and 59.9, &c. Iosh 2.2.

9 What do ye imagine against the LORD ? he will make an utter end : affliction shall not rise up the second time .

Having declared the dreadfulness of God's Power and Anger against the wicked; his goodness towards his people, and denounced future destruction against the Ninevites, and Assyrians: He doth now expostulate with them, would know what 'tis they think of God, what 'tis they design against him, and on what ground they flatter themselves into such an attempt?

The God of Israel, for however you O Ninevites, and Assyrians! will look only upon a poor, afflicted people, (weakned by many Wars,) and design to swallow them up, yet they are the people of the Lord, and you design against him what you design against them.

He will make your utter desolation to be the issue of your projects, and the punishment of your sins, vid. ver. 8. let. p.

When that storm which shall overthrow you is past, no other shall arise, because you shall be no more; as if the Prophet had said, God will at once, and for ever destroy your Empire and City.

10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry .

This gives us account how this desolation shall be effected;

They should be like thorns easily burnt, and like thorns folden together, which burn together, and help to destroy each other, or are altogether cast into the fire.

As men drunken, and unable to help themselves, are easily destroyed, so shall the Assyrians be, or drunk with pleasures, and pride, they shall be surprised, and ruined, and easily overthrown.

This fully expresseth the speedy, irresistible, and total destruction, that the anger of God will bring upon them, as the fire burns up all the dryed stubble, so shall the wrath of God destroy the Enemies of Israel, and of Israel's God.

11 There is one come out of thee that imagineth evil against the LORD : a wicked counsellour .

This is a very usual Dialect to express an uncertain number; several are contain'd in such, One, though if you will determine it to one single person, it is very like it may be Senacherib, or Rabshekah.

From Nineveh he set forth on that Expedition against Iudea in the dayes of Hezekiah.

Nineveh.

Consulteth, hath formed, and resolved upon it.

So 'tis evident by his Blasphemies against the Lord, Isa. 36.7, 18, 20. and 37.10, 24, 29. 2 Chron. 32.14, 15, 17, 19. And he imagin'd evil against the people of the Lord, 2 Chron. 32.1.

One whose councels, and projects are without any regard to right and equity, who by injustice and oppressions, who by frauds and deceits, by bloud and slaughter designs his own greatness, and the ruin of his neighbours.

Marginal references: Heb. a counsellor of Belial.

12 Thus saith the LORD , Though they be quiet , and likewise many , yet thus shall they be cut down , when he shall pass through: Though I have afflicted thee , I will afflict thee no more .

This addeth weight to his prediction, it comes under the great Seal of Heaven.

Or if they would have been quiet and peaceable towards my people Israel, they, i. e. the Assy[illegible: 1 letter]ians, should have been many, &c. but I think 'tis nearer to the intent of the place to retain our Version. Though

Citizens of Nineveh, and people of Assyria

Be secure, and fear no danger, because of their strength and Victories.

As appears by the mighty Army with which they besieged Ierusalem in which 185000 were cut off in one night.

Irresistibly, suddenly, and universally as is foretold, ver. 10.

The Prophet varieth his phrase, for ver. 10. he speaks of it as done by fire, here he speaks of cutting down, intimating that 'twas the Sword, which should cut them off.

Either God, the mighty and terrible one, passing over as a floud, as 'tis, ver. 8. Or else the Angel of the Lord, as 2 King. 19.35.

The Lord who am good to my people.

O Israel,

chastised by the Assyrian, the Rod of mine Anger, hast thou been, O my people! but I will no more use that Rod.

For they should soon cease to be a Nation that ruleth, and be conquer'd, and opprest by others.

Marginal references: Or, if they would have been at peace, so should they have been many, and so should they have been shorn, and he should have passed away.; Zeph. 2.13, 14, 15.; Heb. shorn.

13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee , and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

The Lord confirms the Prediction, by declaring how it should be done.

Er'e long, and in few years after this was done, though we cannot precisely determine how soon it was.

As that which is broken into pieces.

Sennacheribs, or [illegible: 2 letters]ther the Tyranny and Oppression of the Assyrian Kingdom.

O Israel, and Ierusalem.

Those unjust impositions, and edicts, which as strong bonds fastned his heavy yoke upon thy neck. They are the bonds of Assyria, as laid upon Israel, they are Israels bonds as born by Israel.

14 And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee , that no more of thy name be sown : out of the house of thy Gods will I cut off the graven image , and the molten image : I will make thy grave , for thou art vile .

God of Israel, against whom thou imaginest evil,

Determin'd with himself, and given charge to the Medes, which in due season they will observe, and with assistance of the Chaldeans, will fully execute.

Or against thee Sennacherib, thy Royal Family, and the whole Kingdom of Assyria.

Tho' Esar-haddon son to this Sennacherib did succeed his Father, yet may it be rather said he was never sown, he never took root, but like seed that falling on the surface of the Earth, there withers and dies, or else none shall bear thy Name, and Title; but hereafter thy Kingdom shall be swallowed up by the Power, and silenced in the Name of Babylonian or Chaldean Monarchy.

Temples built for their Heathenish Worship.

Idols intimating the number of them, and the chiefest of them.

Destroy, and abolish, so Idolatrous Conquerours were Gods Servants to cut off Idolatrous Worship, and Idols of the Conquered Nations; so did this Sennacherib, 2 Kings 18.33, 34. Isa. 37.19. destroy the Idols of the Conquered, so should they do against the Assyrian Idols who were appointed of God to wast Nineveh.

Either it respecteth the universal destruction of the Idols all cut off, not one left: or rather some one more noted, depended on, worshipt, called Isa. 37.38. Nisroch, by some thought to be the Sun, but nothing in particular is elsewhere recorded of this Ido[illegible: 1 letter], or its Worship.

Added either to intimate that all Idols should fall in the future ruine of the Kingdom, or to let us know that the worth of the Mettal of which the Image was made, and the curiosity of the work, nor yet the pretext of Sacred as a God, should be any safeguard to it.

Thou shalt not have a Royal Magnificent Tomb made by thy Successor, or, such as honour thee, but thou shalt be either buried in obscurity, or else thy Tomb shall relate thy vileness, as 'tis reported it did by this Inscription under Sennacherib's Statue in an Aegyptian Temple, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. Learn to fear God who lookst on me.

Despised [illegible: 2 letters]nce thy defeat before Ierusalem, or rather hast been a vile prophane despiser of God, whom thou hast blasphemed, and reproacht, and an oppressour of men whom thou hast slain, or enslaved, unworthy of Life, and unworthy of a Grave when dead.

15 Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tydings , that publisheth peace : O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts , perform thy vows : for the wicked shall no more pass through thee, he is utterly cut off e.

As this speaks some unexpected thing, so it calls for our heeding and minding of it,

Over which he must needs come that either came from the Assyrian Camp where the miraculous slaughter was made, or from Nineveh, where the Fugitive defeated Tyrant was slain, many Mountains invironing Ierusalem, and lying dispersed in Iudea, over which the Messengers came, who brought news of Sennacherib's Death, or downfal of the Assyrian Kingdom.

Good news indeed to an oppressed, and weakned people, at which they might well rejoice indeed if it be considered what this Tyrant intended, vid. Isa. 10. from ver. 5. to theend of the chap. Now he is dead, who designed the mischief.

Proclaimeth, and tells to every one he meets.

Not by league or friendship with the Assyrian, but as the consequent of his Death, and overthrow of his Kingdom.

Be careful to serve God, and Worship him ye that are his people.

Made in thy deep distress when all seemed lost and forlorn.

That wicked Counsellor, ver. 11. the violent oppressour, proud Sennacherib, who shall fall by the Sword, or rather is fallen by it, in his own Land, when this Messenger of glad Tydings came, Isa. 37.7. with 37, and 38 verses.

Neither as a conquerour who beareth all down before him, nor as a Triumpher glorying in his acquists which in progress he takes view of.

Murther'd by his Sons, his Kingdom shaken by intestine troubles arising on the slaughter of his Army, and an Anarchie, or interregnum whilest the two Brethren Parricides war'd with the third for the Crown, and all three were in that juncture as in an opportune season, invaded, subdued, and destroyed by Merodach Baladan King of Babylon, vid▪ Isa. 10. tot.

Marginal references: Isa. 52.7. Rom. 10.15.; Heb. feast.; Heb. Belial.