[192] The Heb., מַשְׂאֵת, _burden of_, is unintelligible. Wellhausen proposes מִשְׂאֵת עֲלֵיהֶ. [193] This rendering is only a venture in the almost impossible task of restoring the text of the clause. As it stands the Heb. runs, _Behold, I am about to do_, or _deal, with thine oppressors_ (which Hitzig and Ewald accept). Schwally points מְעַנַּיִךְ (active) as a passive, מְעֻנַּיִךְ, _thine oppressed_. LXX. has ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ποιῶ ἐν σοὶ ἕνεκεν σοῦ, _i.e._ it read אִתֵּךְ לְמַעֲנֵךְ. Following its suggestion we might read אֶת־כֹּל לְמַעֲנֵךְ, and so get the above translation. [194] Micah iv. 6. [195] This rendering (Ewald’s) is doubtful. The verse concludes with _in the whole earth their shame_. But בָּשְׁתָּם may be a gloss. LXX. take it as a verb with the next verse. [196] LXX. _do good to you_; perhaps אטיב for אביא. [197] So Heb. literally, but the construction is very awkward. Perhaps we should read _in that time I will gather you_. [198] _Before your eyes_, _i.e._ in your lifetime. It is doubtful whether ver. 20 is original to the passage. For it is simply a variation on ver. 19, and it has more than one impossible reading: see previous note, and for שבותיכם read שבותכם. _NAHUM_ _Woe to the City of Blood, All of her guile, robbery-full, ceaseless rapine!_ _Hark the whip, And the rumbling of wheels! Horses at the gallop, And the rattling dance of the chariot! Cavalry at the charge, Flash of sabres, and lightning of lances!_ CHAPTER VI _THE BOOK OF NAHUM_ The Book of Nahum consists of a double title and three odes. The title runs _Oracle of Niniveh: Book of the Vision of Nahum the Elḳôshite_. The three odes, eager and passionate pieces, are all of them apparently vibrant to the impending fall of Assyria. The first, chap. i. with the possible inclusion of chap. ii. 2,[199] is general and theological, affirming God’s power of vengeance and the certainty of the overthrow of His enemies. The second, chap. ii. with the omission of ver. 2,[200] and the third, chap, iii., can hardly be disjoined; they both present a vivid picture of the siege, the storm and the spoiling of Niniveh. The introductory questions, which title and contents start, are in the main three: 1. The position of Elḳôsh, to which the title assigns the prophet; 2. The authenticity of chap. i.; 3. The date of chaps, ii., iii.: to which siege of Niniveh do they refer? 1. THE POSITION OF ELḲÔSH. The title calls Nahum the Elḳôshite—that is, native or citizen of Elḳôsh.[201] Three positions have been claimed for this place, which is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible.