Nahum 2:8 Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away. "Stop! Stop!" they cry, but no one turns back.

◄ Nahum 2:8 ►

Parallel Verses

New International Version
Nineveh is like a pool whose water is draining away. "Stop! Stop!" they cry, but no one turns back.

English Standard Version
Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry, but none turns back.

New American Standard Bible
Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout her days, Now they are fleeing; "Stop, stop," But no one turns back.

King James Bible
But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Nineveh has been like a pool of water from her first days, but they are fleeing." Stop! Stop!" they cry, but no one turns back."

International Standard Version
Nineveh is a reservoir whose water is draining away. "Wait! Wait!" they cry, yet not even one person looks back.

American Standard Version
But Nineveh hath been from of old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. Stand, stand, they cry ; but none looketh back.

Douay-Rheims Bible
And as for Ninive, her waters are like a great pool, but the men flee away. They cry: Stand, stand, but there is none that will return back.

Darby Bible Translation
Nineveh hath been like a pool of water, since the day she existed, yet they flee away. ... Stand! Stand! But none looketh back.

Young's Literal Translation
And Nineveh is as a pool of waters, From of old it is -- and they are fleeing! 'Stand ye, stand;' and none is turning!

Commentaries

Matthew Henry's Commentary

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!

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

8. But—rather, "Though" [G. V. Smith].

of old—rather, "from the days that she hath been"; from the earliest period of her existence. Alluding to Nineveh's antiquity (Ge 10:11). "Though Nineveh has been of old defended by water surrounding her, yet her inhabitants shall flee away." Grotius, less probably (compare Na 3:8-12), interprets, the "waters" of her numerous population (Isa 8:7; Jer 51:13; Re 17:15).

Stand, stand, shall they cry—that is, the few patriotic citizens shall cry to their fleeing countrymen; "but none looketh back," much less stops in flight, so panic-stricken are they.