complete verse (Nahum 2:9)

Following are a number of back-translations as well as a sample translation for translators of Nahum 2:9:

  • Kupsabiny: “The enemies say, ‘Plunder (plur.) the silver! Plunder the gold!’ There is endless wealth in that city.” (Source: Kupsabiny Back Translation)
  • Newari: “Loot silver!
    Loot gold!
    There is a lot of wealth,
    There are a lot of valuable things accumulated.” (Source: Newari Back Translation)
  • Hiligaynon: “You (plur.) who attack Nineve, [you (plur.)] take-away the silver and gold from this city for this/it is full of wealth.” (Source: Hiligaynon Back Translation)
  • English: “The enemy attackers say to each other, ‘Seize the silver!
    Grab the gold!
    There is a huge amount of very valuable things in this city,
    more valuable things than anyone can count!’” (Source: Translation for Translators)

Translation commentary on Nahum 2:9

Nahum here turns to address the attackers, who can take what they want from Nineveh, now that the defending soldiers have fled. Plunder the silver, plunder the gold!: silver and gold would be the most obvious and most valuable items to attract the attacking soldiers. The word plunder refers to violent action like “taking by force” or “seizing” (see also verse 2, where “plunderers” occurs).

But there were many other things beside silver and gold. Nineveh contained the goods captured by the Assyrian armies in many previous campaigns, as well as the annual tribute which subject nations were forced to give. These other things are described in general terms as There is no end of treasure, or wealth of every precious thing. Good News Translation combines these two clauses into one and says simply “The city is full of treasure!” Some translators may wish to use a broader expression more like the Hebrew and say “treasure of every kind” or “precious things of every kind.”

Quoted with permission from Clark, David J. & Hatton, Howard A . A Handbook on the Book of Nahum. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 1989. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .