He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

NAHUM 2:5KJV
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Nahum 2:5 (KJV)

What does Nahum 2:5 mean?

Nahum 2:5 describes a moment when the leader of Nineveh calls together his best warriors, but they are confused and unsteady as they rush to defend the city, quickly preparing its defenses. The verse paints a picture of panic and disorder among those who are supposed to protect the city as an enemy attack approaches.

In this verse, the prophet Nahum is speaking about the fall of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, warning of its coming destruction. The "worthies" are the city's elite soldiers or commanders, and the verse highlights their stumbling and hurried actions as they try to respond to the threat. Instead of showing strength, these defenders are shown as scrambling and unprepared, which adds to the sense of impending doom for Nineveh.

The Hebrew behind Nahum 2:5

  • "Recount" (זָכַר, zakar) means to remember or call to mind. Here, it suggests the leader is urgently summoning his best men, not just counting them but actively calling them to action.
  • "Worthies" (אַדִּיר, addir) refers to nobles or mighty men. This word highlights that even the strongest and most respected defenders are caught off guard and are not able to stand firm.
  • "Stumble" (כָּשַׁל, kashal) means to totter or stagger. This shows the defenders are not moving with confidence but are instead confused or panicked.
  • "Defence" (סָכַךְ, sakhakh) means a covering or protection, often used for a shield or defensive structure. The verse suggests that the city's defenses are being hastily put in place, not calmly or confidently prepared.

Why Nahum 2:5 matters

  • Nahum 2:5 clears up any idea that Nineveh’s fall was due to weak defenders; instead, it shows even the best soldiers were overwhelmed and unsteady in the face of judgment.
  • The verse emphasizes the suddenness and panic of the attack, highlighting how quickly order turns to chaos when disaster strikes.
  • This detail connects to the larger message of Nahum: that even the mightiest cities and armies cannot stand against the judgment and power described in this prophecy.

Where else these words appear

“walk” Hebrew H1979 · used in 5 verses

  • Job 6:19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
  • Psalms 68:24 They have seen thy goings, O God; even the goings of my God, my King, in the sanctuary.
  • Proverbs 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

“defence” Hebrew H5526 · used in 23 verses

  • Exodus 25:20 And the cherubims shall stretch forth their wings on high, covering the mercy seat with their wings, and their faces shall look one to another; toward the mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubims be.
  • 1 Kings 8:7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
  • Psalms 139:13 For thou hast possessed my reins: thou hast covered me in my mother's womb.

“worthies” Hebrew H117 · used in 25 verses

  • Exodus 15:10 Thou didst blow with thy wind, the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
  • Psalms 8:9 O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!
  • Jeremiah 25:34 Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes, ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.

“stumble” Hebrew H3782 · used in 59 verses

  • Leviticus 26:37 And they shall fall one upon another, as it were before a sword, when none pursueth: and ye shall have no power to stand before your enemies.
  • Isaiah 3:8 For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke the eyes of his glory.
  • Jeremiah 46:16 He made many to fall, yea, one fell upon another: and they said, Arise, and let us go again to our own people, and to the land of our nativity, from the oppressing sword.