Book of Nahum - Chapter 2 - Verse 8

The verse 'But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.' can be found in the book of Nahum in the Old Testament of the Bible. In this verse, the prophet Nahum is delivering a message from God to the city of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. The comparison of Nineveh to a pool of water suggests that the city was once prosperous and flourishing, but now it is about to face destruction and desolation. The imagery of people fleeing and crying out to stand indicates that the people of Nineveh will try to defend themselves and resist their impending fate. However, despite their desperate cries, no one will look back to save the city from its downfall. This verse serves as a warning to the people of Nineveh of the consequences of their actions and the impending judgment that is about to befall them.

In the theological interpretation of the verse from the book of Nahum, scholars consider the imagery of Nineveh as a pool of water. In biblical times, pools of water were often seen as places of refuge and sustenance. However, in this verse, Nineveh's status as a pool of water is used to highlight its vulnerability and impending destruction. The imagery of fleeing away and crying out to stand reflects the desperate situation of the people of Nineveh as they face their impending judgment. The repeated cry to stand emphasizes the futility of their attempts to resist their fate. The word "none" in the phrase "but none shall look back" underscores the finality of Nineveh's downfall, indicating that there will be no turning back or escape from the consequences of their actions. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the inevitability of divine judgment.