The Meaning of Nahum 2:4 Explained

Nahum 2:4

KJV: The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.

YLT: In out-places shine do the chariots, They go to and fro in broad places, Their appearances are like torches, As lightnings they run.

Darby: The chariots rush madly in the streets, they justle one against another in the broad ways: the appearance of them is like torches, they run like lightnings.

ASV: The chariots rage in the streets; they rush to and fro in the broad ways: the appearance of them is like torches; they run like the lightnings.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The chariots  shall rage  in the streets,  they shall justle one against another  in the broad ways:  they shall seem  like torches,  they shall run  like the lightnings. 

What does Nahum 2:4 Mean?

Verse Meaning

The invaders" chariots would race through Nineveh"s streets and squares. So gleaming with red and steel would they be that they would look like torches or lightning darting to and fro. Since Nahum described the enemy advancing toward the city walls ( Nahum 2:5), he may have seen these chariots darting through the suburban streets and squares outside the walls. [1]

Context Summary

Nahum 2:1-13 - A Cruel City To Be Overthrown
This is a prophetic foreview of the overthrow of Nineveh by the Medo-Babylonians. God had used her for the chastisement of His people; now, in turn, she must be cast away for her sins. The attacking soldiers wore crimson tunics, and the chariot wheels were armed with scythes, that flashed as they revolved. The streets might be filled with chariots mustering for defence, but all must be in vain since the scaling-ladders were already against the walls, and the gates of the rivers would soon be opened. Huzzab was Nineveh's queen, and represents the condition of the city, going into captivity as a slave, with bare face and legs. Note the comparison of Nineveh to a den of lions filled with bones. Fire and sword completed her ruin. This is the lot of the enemies of God's people. See Isaiah 54:16-17. But if God is true to His threatenings, how much more is He true to His promises! [source]

Chapter Summary: Nahum 2

1  The fearful and victorious armies of God against Nineveh

What do the individual words in Nahum 2:4 mean?

In the streets rage the chariots they jostle one another in the broad [roads] they seem like torches like lightning they run
בַּֽחוּצוֹת֙ יִתְהוֹלְל֣וּ הָרֶ֔כֶב יִֽשְׁתַּקְשְׁק֖וּן בָּרְחֹב֑וֹת מַרְאֵיהֶן֙ כַּלַּפִּידִ֔ם כַּבְּרָקִ֖ים יְרוֹצֵֽצוּ

בַּֽחוּצוֹת֙  In  the  streets 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: חוּץ  
Sense: outside, outward, street, the outside.
יִתְהוֹלְל֣וּ  rage 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: הָלַל 
Sense: to shine.
הָרֶ֔כֶב  the  chariots 
Parse: Article, Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֶכֶב  
Sense: a team, chariot, chariotry, mill-stone, riders.
יִֽשְׁתַּקְשְׁק֖וּן  they  jostle  one  another 
Parse: Verb, Hitpael, Imperfect, third person masculine plural, Paragogic nun
Root: שֹׁוקֵק 
Sense: to run, run about, rush, run to and fro, be eager or greedy or thirsty.
בָּרְחֹב֑וֹת  in  the  broad  [roads] 
Parse: Preposition-b, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: רְחֹב  
Sense: broad or open place or plaza.
מַרְאֵיהֶן֙  they  seem 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person feminine plural
Root: מַרְאֶה  
Sense: sight, appearance, vision.
כַּלַּפִּידִ֔ם  like  torches 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: לַפִּיד  
Sense: torch.
כַּבְּרָקִ֖ים  like  lightning 
Parse: Preposition-k, Article, Noun, masculine plural
Root: בָּרָק  
Sense: lightning.
יְרוֹצֵֽצוּ  they  run 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person masculine plural
Root: רוּץ 
Sense: to run.