Nahum 2:3
The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them; the cypress spears are brandished.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The "flaming torches" aren't literal fire, but a vivid image for the dazzling, even terrifying, flash of steel from weapons and chariot parts as they rapidly advance, making the enemy feel the heat of imminent battle. This isn't just decoration; it highlights the terrifying efficiency and raw power of the approaching army.
The prophet Nahum describes the terrifying, elaborately prepared army about to attack Nineveh. This isn't just any army; their shields are a menacing red, their soldiers wear scarlet, and their chariots are described with flashing metal and brandished spears, creating a fearsome spectacle on the day of their mobilization. This vivid imagery emphasizes the overwhelming might and terrifying presence of the forces God has unleashed against the city.
Why would an invading army wear bright colors like red and scarlet? It seems counterintuitive for warfare. What was the deeper meaning behind these choices?
The vivid colors described in Nahum 2:3 are not just for show; they served strategic and symbolic purposes.
Dyes of War
The 'red' shields and 'scarlet' clothing weren't accidental. Ancient commentators suggest several reasons:
These colors, therefore, were a deliberate part of the military's presentation, designed to impress and intimidate before a single blow was struck.
The description of chariots 'with flaming torches' and 'terribly shaken' spears sounds incredibly fierce. What exactly made these war machines so terrifying?
Nahum 2:3 vividly portrays the advanced and fearsome weaponry of the invading army, particularly their chariots and spears.
The Chariot's Fury
The phrase 'with flaming torches' is debated, but points to the terrifying nature of the chariots:
Understand the original words
magen · Hebrew Noun
A defensive piece of armor designed to block weapons, symbolically representing God's protection or the defensive capacity of an army.
gibbor · Hebrew Noun
Military units or valiant warriors distinguished by strength, courage, and effectiveness in battle.
rekeb · Hebrew Noun
A wooden pole or vehicle used for transport and combat; frequently used in Scripture to represent human military strength or the instruments of warfare.
arak · Hebrew Verb
To summon, gather, or assemble forces for a specific purpose, usually for military engagement or divine judgment.
Nahum's prophecy vividly depicts the terrifying military might of the coalition that would soon bring about Nineveh's destruction. The imagery of red shields, scarlet uniforms, and flashing chariots underscores the formidable force God used to judge the cruel Assyrian empire.
c. 700 BC
Assyrian Empire at its Zenith
The Neo-Assyrian Empire, with Nineveh as its magnificent capital, stands as the dominant superpower of the ancient Near East, known for its military might and brutal efficiency.
626 BC
Nabopolassar Rebels
Nabopolassar, a general from Babylon, revolts against Assyrian rule, marking the beginning of a new Babylonian dynasty and a long struggle for independence.
612 BC— this verse
Siege and Fall of Nineveh
A coalition of Babylonians, Medes, and Scythians lays siege to Nineveh. The city is brutally sacked and destroyed, ending the Assyrian Empire.
c. 610 BC
Rise of the Neo-Babylonian Empire
With Nineveh in ruins, Babylon, under Nabopolassar and later his son Nebuchadnezzar II, emerges as the new dominant power in Mesopotamia.
This passage also speaks of God commanding and calling His mighty ones, echoing the powerful imagery of an unstoppable divine army ready for battle.
Ezekiel 23:14-15This verse describes Babylonian officials clothed in scarlet and purple, similar to the description of the valiant men in Nahum, highlighting the visual splendor and potential symbolic meaning of the enemy's attire.
Jeremiah 51:11This verse uses similar imagery of sharpening weapons ('make sharp the arrows; gather the shields') in preparation for attacking Babylon, paralleling the military readiness described in Nahum.
This passage describes elephants with shields of bronze and iron, which 'glistered' in the sun like lamps of fire, offering a possible visual parallel to the 'red' shields in Nahum potentially reflecting light.
This prophecy describes God making the enemies' 'war horses conspicuous,' and speaks of 'cornerstones, tent pegs, battle bows, and all together,' which can be seen as a parallel to the impressive and intimidating military preparations mentioned in Nahum.
barnesNahum 2:3: "The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken."
Army is arrayed against army; the armies, thus far, of God against the army of His enemy; all without is order; all within, confusion. The assailing army, from its compactness and unity, is spoken of, both as many and one. The might is of many; the order and singleness of purpose is as of one.…
jfbNahum 2:3: "The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken."
- his mighty men—the Medo-Babylonian general's mighty men attacking Nineveh.made red—The ancients dyed their bull's-hide shields red, partly to strike terror into the enemy, chiefly lest the blood from wounds which they might receive should be perceived and give confidence to the foe [Calvin]…
The "flaming torches" aren't literal fire, but a vivid image for the dazzling, even terrifying, flash of steel from weapons and chariot parts as they rapidly advance, making the enemy feel the heat of imminent battle. This isn't just decoration; it highlights the terrifying efficiency and raw power of the approaching army.
The prophet Nahum describes the terrifying, elaborately prepared army about to attack Nineveh. This isn't just any army; their shields are a menacing red, their soldiers wear scarlet, and their chariots are described with flashing metal and brandished spears, creating a fearsome spectacle on the day of their mobilization. This vivid imagery emphasizes the overwhelming might and terrifying presence of the forces God has unleashed against the city.
The prophet Nahum describes the terrifying, elaborately prepared army about to attack Nineveh. This isn't just any army; their shields are a menacing red, their soldiers wear scarlet, and their chariots are described with flashing metal and brandished spears, creating a fearsome spectacle on the day of their mobilization. This vivid imagery emphasizes the overwhelming might and terrifying presence of the forces God has unleashed against the city.
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Brandished Spears
The 'cypress spears' are described as 'terribly shaken.' This imagery likely refers to:
Together, these elements paint a picture of a highly equipped and aggressively advancing military force, ready to unleash devastating power.
The verse speaks of 'his mighty men' and 'his preparation.' But who is 'he'? Is this purely an earthly conflict, or is there a divine hand at play?
While Nahum 2:3 describes the terrifying military might of the invaders, it's crucial to remember the context of God's ultimate sovereignty.
The Invader as God's Instrument
The pronoun 'his' in 'his mighty men' and 'his preparation' can be understood in two ways, both pointing to divine involvement:
The Day of Preparation
The 'day of his preparation' is not just any military assembly; it is a divinely appointed time. God allows and directs this preparation for the destruction of Nineveh. The magnificent, terrifying display of military power is, in essence, God's chosen method for carrying out His verdict against the city's cruelty and idolatry.
This perspective shifts the focus from the human army's power to God's sovereign plan, reminding us that even the most fearsome earthly powers are subject to the Almighty.
"The shield of his mighty men is red; his soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots come with flashing metal on the day he musters them; the cypress spears are brandished." — The "flaming torches" aren't literal fire, but a vivid image for the dazzling, even terrifying, flash of steel from weapons and chariot parts as they rapidly advance, making the enemy feel the heat o…
