Here the word "nations" represents the armies of those nations. The writer uses hyperbole to emphasize the great number of armies that surrounded him. AT: "The armies of many nations" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-hyperbole]])
The writer speaks of defeating the enemy armies as if he were cutting them off like a person would cut a branch off of a plant. AT: "I defeated them" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])
# They surrounded me like bees
The writer compares the enemy armies to a swarm of bees. AT: "They surrounded me like a swarm of bees would surround a person" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
# they disappeared as quickly as fire among thorns
Just like dry thorns burn out quickly, the attack of the enemy armies was quickly over. AT: "their attack lasted only a short time, as a fire that consumes thorns quickly dies" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-simile]])
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