Nahum 2:10

Authorized King James Version

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בּוּקָ֥ה
She is empty
emptiness (as adjective)
#2
וּמְבוּקָ֖ה
and void
emptiness
#3
וּמְבֻלָּקָ֑ה
and waste
to annihilate
#4
וְלֵ֨ב
and the heart
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
#5
נָמֵ֜ס
melteth
to liquefy; figuratively, to waste (with disease), to faint (with fatigue, fear or grief)
#6
וּפִ֣ק
smite together
a tottering
#7
בִּרְכַּ֗יִם
and the knees
a knee
#8
וְחַלְחָלָה֙
and much pain
writhing (in childbirth); by implication, terror
#9
בְּכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#10
מָתְנַ֔יִם
is in all loins
properly, the waist or small of the back; only in plural the loins
#11
וּפְנֵ֥י
and the faces
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#12
כֻלָּ֖ם
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
קִבְּצ֥וּ
of them all gather
to grasp, i.e., collect
#14
פָארֽוּר׃
blackness
properly, illuminated, i.e., a glow; as noun, a flush (of anxiety)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Nahum. The concept of divine revelation reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The literary structure and word choice here contribute to biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness, advancing the author's theological argument. The original language emphasizes careful word choice that would have carried specific theological weight for the original audience, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Nahum Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection