SEV Biblia, Chapter 3:14
Provéete de agua para el cerco, fortifica tus fortalezas; entra en el lodo, pisa el barro, fortifica el horno.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Nahum 3:14
Verse 14. Draw thee waters for the siege] The Tigris ran near to Nineveh, and here they are exhorted to lay in plenty of fresh water, lest the siege should last long, and lest the enemy should cut off this supply. Go into clay, and tread the mortar] This refers to the manner of forming bricks anciently in those countries; they digged up the clay, kneaded it properly by treading, mixed it with straw or coarse grass, moulded the bricks, and dried them in the sun. I have now some of the identical bricks, that were brought from this country, lying before me, and they show all these appearances. They are compact and very hard, but wholly soluble in water. There were however others without straw, that seem to have been burnt in a kiln as ours are. I have also some fragments or bats of these from Babylon.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 14. Draw thee waters for the siege , etc.] Before the siege is begun, fetch water from the river, wells, or fountains without the city, and fill cisterns, and such like receptacles of water, with them; that there may be sufficiency of it to hold out, which is often wanting in long sieges; the want of which gives great distress to the besieged: this is put for all necessary provisions, which should be made when a city is in danger of being blocked up: this, and what follows, are said ironically; signifying, let them do what they would or could for their support and security, it would be all in vain: fortify thy strong holds ; repair the old fortifications, and add new ones to them; fill them with soldiers, arms, and ammunition: go into clay, and tread the mortar; make strong the brick kiln ; repair the brick kilns, keep them in good order; employ men in digging clay, and treading it, and making it into bricks, and burning them in the kiln, that there be no want of bricks to repair the fortifications, or such breaches as might be made by the enemy. Bricks were much used instead of stone in those countries; but when they had done their utmost, they would not be able to secure themselves, and keep out the enemy.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 8-19 - Strong-holds, even the strongest, are no defence against the judgment of God. They shall be unable to do any thing for themselves. The Chaldeans and Medes would devour the land like canker-worms. The Assyrians also would be eaten up by their own numerous hired troops which seem to be meant by the word rendered "merchants." Those tha have done evil to their neighbours, will find it come home to them Nineveh, and many other cities, states, and empires, have been ruined and should be a warning to us. Are we better, except as there are some true Christians amongst us, who are a greater security, and a stronge defence, than all the advantages of situation or strength? When the Lord shows himself against a people, every thing they trust in mus fail, or prove a disadvantage; but he continues good to Israel. He is strong-hold for every believer in time of trouble, that cannot be stormed or taken; and he knoweth those that trust in Him __________________________________________________________________
Original Hebrew
מי 4325 מצור 4692 שׁאבי 7579 לך חזקי 2388 מבצריך 4013 באי 935 בטיט 2916 ורמסי 7429 בחמר 2563 החזיקי 2388 מלבן׃ 4404
