Lexical Summary tala: To patch, to mend, to repair Original Word: תָּלַע Strong's Exhaustive Concordance scarlet A denominative from towla'; to crimson, i.e. Dye that color -- X scarlet. see HEBREW towla' NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origindenominative verb from tola Definition to clothe in scarlet NASB Translation dressed in scarlet (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs [תָּלַע] verb Pu`al denominative clad in scarlet (see I. תּוֺלָע 2; תּוֺלֵעָה 2 — Late Hebrew Hiph`il denominative is breed worms, etc.); — Participle plural מְתֻלָּעִים Nahum 2:4 ("" מְאָדָּם). Topical Lexicon IntroductionStrong’s Hebrew number 8529, תָּלַע (tālaʿ), occurs only once in the Hebrew Scriptures, at Nahum 2:3. Though lexicons render it “brandished,” “made to quiver,” or “waved,” its significance is best appreciated by considering the prophetic context, the martial imagery it supports, and the theological lessons it conveys. Context in Nahum 2:3 “The shields of his mighty men are colored red; his warriors are clothed in scarlet. The metal on the chariots flashes on the day they are prepared; the spears are brandished.” (Nahum 2:3) Nahum pronounces judgment on Nineveh, capital of Assyria, a superpower renowned for ruthless warfare. Verse 3 presents a vivid battle tableau: crimson shields, scarlet-clad troops, flashing chariots, and finally the “spears” (plural of *rāmaḥ*, *rāmaḥ*) that are “tālaʿ”—set in trembling motion. The single verb crowns the crescendo of sights and sounds, evoking the restless energy of an army unleashed by God’s decree. Military Imagery and the Force of the Verb 1. Dynamic movement While shields, uniforms, and chariot-plates are static ornaments, the spears are in action. *Tālaʿ* underscores immediacy: the weapons do not simply exist; they vibrate, shimmer, and cut the air. The prophet’s auditory and visual cues place the reader amid a living battlefield. 2. Heightened menace The trembling spear suggests both readiness and aggression. Assyrian troops were feared for their swift cavalry and long lances. By spotlighting the spears’ motion, Nahum affirms the real, tangible threat—yet does so within a proclamation that the LORD Himself has orchestrated the scene. 3. Divine orchestration Earlier, Nahum stresses God’s vengeance (Nahum 1:2) and sovereignty over armies (Nahum 2:13). The singular verb *tālaʿ* becomes an instrument in the inspired narrative: human warfare unfolds, but divine judgment directs every metallic quiver. Literary Significance 1. Hapax Legomenon Because *tālaʿ* appears nowhere else in Scripture, it heightens reader attention. Biblical authors commonly exploit unique terms to punctuate climactic or critical moments (compare *we-niddon*, “strip off,” Micah 1:8). The rarity guards the word’s shock value and focuses interpretive energy on its immediate context. 2. Alliteration and Sound Hebrew poetry often employs assonance and consonance. In Nahum 2:3 the consonantal cluster of ת and ל in *tālaʿ* follows the sibilant sounds of *rāmāḥ* (spears), creating a phonetic snap that mimics the flick of weapons. The verse’s rhythm moves from color (“red,” “scarlet”) to glare (“flashes”) to vibration (“brandished”)—a carefully composed progression. Historical Background 1. Assyrian weaponry Archaeology confirms that Assyrian spears were long, cedar-shafted, tipped with iron or bronze, and often used from chariots or horseback. Reliefs from Nineveh depict warriors twirling or thrusting such lances. Nahum’s description is therefore historically precise and visually verifiable. 2. Seventh-century Near Eastern warfare Battles relied on psychological intimidation. Painted shields and scarlet tunics signaled unity and terror, while whirling spears demonstrated martial skill. The prophet employs these details not to glorify violence but to certify that God’s judgment uses means familiar to the day. Theological Implications 1. God’s control of nations The motion signified by *tālaʿ* does not escape the Creator’s governance. Though Nineveh once “plotted evil against the LORD” (Nahum 1:11), now its own weapons move under divine sanction to bring about its fall. 2. Certainty of judgment The trembling spear is both a literal detail and a metaphor for impending doom. The verb’s kinetic sense assures readers that judgment is not abstract; it advances, vibrates, and strikes. Habakkuk will later echo the theme: “You brandished Your bow” (Habakkuk 3:9), reinforcing continuity in prophetic revelation. 3. The moral order Assyria’s previous triumphs over Israel and Judah seemed to suggest imperial invincibility. Nahum, by showing even the finest lances merely quaking toward their own city, reasserts a moral universe where oppression invites recompense. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Preaching on divine justice *Tālaʿ* helps proclaim a balanced view of God: patient yet decisive. Congregations pondering injustice can find assurance that the Lord oversees every instrument of retribution. 2. Spiritual warfare imagery Ephesians 6:17 speaks of “the sword of the Spirit.” Nahum’s trembling spears remind believers that spiritual weapons are active, not ornamental. Faith must be wielded, not merely possessed. 3. Encouragement in adversity For believers facing seemingly invincible opposition, Nahum 2:3 teaches that God can turn an enemy’s own strength into a mechanism of downfall. What wavers in human hands is steadfast in divine purpose. Related Biblical Parallels • Psalm 7:12-13 – God “sharpens His sword” and “bends His bow,” paralleling the notion of prepared, active weaponry. Conclusion Though *tālaʿ* appears but once, its placement in Nahum 2:3 amplifies the prophecy’s urgency. The quivering spear captures the moment when human violence, colored by pride, becomes the very tool by which the LORD vindicates His holiness and defends His people. In drawing attention to this single verb, Scripture invites readers to trust the God who rules over every motion in history, from the smallest tremor of a spear to the grand sweep of empires. Forms and Transliterations מְתֻלָּעִ֔ים מתלעים mə·ṯul·lā·‘îm məṯullā‘îm metullaImLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nahum 2:3 HEB: אַנְשֵׁי־ חַ֙יִל֙ מְתֻלָּעִ֔ים בְּאֵשׁ־ פְּלָד֥וֹת NAS: The warriors are dressed in scarlet, The chariots KJV: men [are] in scarlet: the chariots INT: the warriors the valiant are dressed flashing steel 1 Occurrence |
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