# The shields of his mighty men are red

Possible meanings are 1) the shields appear red as the light from the sun reflects upon their metal surfaces or 2) the shields are covered with leather that has been dyed red.

# his mighty men

the soldiers of the one "who will dash" Nineveh "to pieces" ([Nahum 2:1](./01.md)).

# the chariots flash with their metal

This likely refers to the light from the sun reflecting upon the metal chariots.

# on the day that they are made ready

This can be stated in active form. AT: "when the soldiers have made them ready" or "when the soldiers have prepared them to attack" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# the cypress spears are waved in the air

This can be stated in active form. AT: "the soldiers wave their cypress spears in the air" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive]])

# cypress

a type of tree whose wood is good for weapons (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown]])

# The chariots speed through the streets

"The soldiers drive the chariots wildly through the streets"

# They look like torches

Nahum compares the way that the light from the sun reflects upon the chariots with torches whose fire gives light. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# they run like lightning

Nahum compares the way that the light from the sun reflects upon the chariots, and the quickness with which the chariots move, with lightning that flashes quickly in the sky. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/mighty]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/clothed]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/chariot]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/spear]]