Bible Dictionary
WORTHIES
Worthies means nobles, distinguished men, or commanders. In Nahum it refers to the leaders whom the Assyrian king recalls in haste during the attack, though the passage is textually difficult.
Definition
Worthies means nobles, distinguished men, gallants, or commanders. The word describes persons regarded as important or eminent, especially leaders.
Biblical Usage
In Nahum 2:5, the term refers to the Assyrian king’s worthies or nobles. The passage presents them as commanders being hurriedly summoned to repel an assault.
Historical Background
The Hebrew text of the passage is obscure and may require emendation. English versions render the term as worthies, gallants, or nobles.
Related Figures
Historical Bible Dictionaries
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (ISBE)
<p>wur'-thiz ('addir, "majestic," "noble" (compare Jud 5:13, etc.)):In Na 2:5, the King James Version "He shall recount his worthies" (margin "gallants"), the English Revised Version "He remembereth his worthies," the American Standard Revised Version "He remembereth his nobles." As Massoretic Text stands, the Assyrian king hurriedly summons his commanders to repel the assault, but the passage is obscure and the text quite possibly in need of emendation.</p>