Nahum 2:5
What does Nahum 2:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Nahum 2:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Nahum 2:5 means
Nineveh’s ruler, jolted awake to the peril, summons his nobles. In haste and confusion they stumble, rushing to man the walls and set up a mantelet—a large protective screen for siege conditions. The scene mixes resolve with disorder: leadership is present but overwhelmed. The once-fearsome administrators of empire are reduced to hurried, shaky movements. The mention of the mantelet shows they attempt proper defenses, yet the narrative tone suggests it is too late. Their frantic organization cannot match the attackers’ speed and God’s decree. Human authority—titles, ranks, nobles—proves fragile in the hour of reckoning. Nahum exposes the gap between imperial appearance and actual capacity under divine judgment.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He remembereth his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He remembereth his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He takes the record of his great men: they go falling on their way; they go quickly to the wall, the cover is made ready.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He doth remember his honourable ones, They stumble in their goings, They hasten <FI>to<Fi> its wall, and prepared is the covering.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He will muster up his valiant men, they shall stumble in their march: they shall quickly get upon the walls thereof: and a covering shall be prepared.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He bethinketh him of his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the shelter is prepared.
Context
From the chariots raging in verse 4, attention turns to Nineveh’s internal command trying to steady the situation. This transitional moment shows attempted resistance before the fatal opening described in verse 6. The momentum is against Nineveh; though they arrange defenses, the next scene reveals a breach beyond their control. The sequence underscores the futility of human measures when the time of judgment has arrived.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Nahum 3:3
the horseman mounting, and the flashing sword, and the glittering spear, and a multitude of slain, and a great heap of corpses, and there is no end of the bodies; they stumble upon their bodies;—
- Isaiah 5:27
None shall be weary nor stumble among them; none shall slumber nor sleep; neither shall the girdle of their loins be loosed, nor the latchet of their shoes be broken:
- Nahum 3:18
Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; thy nobles are at rest; thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them.
- Jeremiah 46:12
The nations have heard of thy shame, and the earth is full of thy cry; for the mighty man hath stumbled against the mighty, they are fallen both of them together.
- Isaiah 21:5
They prepare the table, they set the watch, they eat, they drink: rise up, ye princes, anoint the shield.
- Jeremiah 50:29
Call together the archers against Babylon, all them that bend the bow; encamp against her round about; let none thereof escape: recompense her according to her work; according to all that she hath done, do unto her; for she hath been proud against Jehovah, against the Holy One of Israel.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Nahum 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Nahum 2.
Topics that quote it
Topic
Bible Verses About God as Refuge
The Bible uses the powerful imagery of refuge to describe God as our ultimate protector and safe haven in times of trouble.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Goodness of God
God’s goodness is a foundational truth of faith, revealing His benevolent nature and faithful provision for all creation.
Topic
Bible Verses About the Wrath of God
God's wrath is a profound aspect of His holiness and justice, revealed against sin and rebellion throughout scripture.