Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
Ver. 14. Draw thee waters for the siege, &c.] A most bitter and biting taunt, or mock (sarcasmus), whereby the prophet laugheth to scorn the fortifications of the Ninevites and their diligence and providence in defending themselves, which shall nothing avail them, because God will curse their enterprises, Psalms 127:1,2 : see the like sarcasm Nahum 2:1. In those eastern countries there was a great scarcity of water. Draw thee good store, for the better holding out the siege; for if water fail thee thou must needs yield.
Fortify thy strong holds] But they shall soon fail thee, Nahum 3:12, as the tower of Shechem did those that fled to it, and as the strong hold of Zion did the braving Jebusites, 2 Samuel 5:7. If God be against us no other help can relieve us. Brass and iron can fence a man against a sword, but not against fire.
Go into clay, and tread the morter] viz. To make brick of. For in maritime and moorish places, where stones are not to be had, they used to wall their cities and make their munitions with brick. This proud Nineveh is commanded here to do, by an irony, as Theophylact noteth; but she shall but labour in the very fire, take pains to no purpose; for God will destroy the works of her hands, Ecclesiastes 5:6 .
Make strong the brickkiln] Or repair it, that all may be ready. And these things they did, no doubt, very diligently; neither were they for that to be blamed. But this was their fault, as it was also the fault of the Jews in like case, Isaiah 22:8,11, that "they looked not to the Maker of all, neither had respect unto him that fashioned it long ago." This, if they had done seriously, though they had made less preparation, the enemy might have been daunted and dismayed as much as that Duke of Saxony was, who, having proclaimed war against the Bishop of Magdeburg, and understanding by his intelligencers that the bishop levied no army, made no preparation, but only gave out that he would commit his cause to God, who would not fail to take up arms for him. Insaniat alius, said the duke, It were a mad prank for me to make war upon such a one that trusteth in God to right and revenge him. Let who will meddle with such a man: I will not (Bucholcer, Chronol.).