Nahum2

Nahum chapter two vividly describes the impending destruction of Nineveh by an invading force. The prophet portrays the attacking army with fiery chariots and swift movements, overwhelming the city's defenses. Nineveh, once a powerful and secure city, is depicted as becoming desolate, its inhabitants fleeing in terror, and its vast treasures plundered. The chapter concludes with the Lord's direct declaration against Nineveh, affirming His judgment upon its predatory nature.

Nineveh Warned of the Destroyer

A destroyer has risen in front of your face; guard the ramparts, keep watch on the road, brace yourselves, marshall all your strength.

For ADONAI is restoring the pride of Ya'akov, along with the pride of Isra'el; because plunderers have plundered them and ravaged their vines.

Terror of the Invading Army

The shields of [Ninveh's] warriors are [dyed] red; the soldiers are wearing scarlet. The steel of the chariots flashes like fire as they prepare for battle. The cypress [spears] are poisoned.

The chariots rush madly about in the streets, jostling each other in the open places; their appearance is like torches, they run here and there like lightning.

[The king of Ninveh] assigns his officers; they stumble as they march; they hurry to its wall and set up shields to protect the battering ram.

The City Falls and is Plundered

The gates of the rivers are opened, and the palace melts away.

Its mistress is stripped and carried away; her handmaids moan, they sound like doves, as they beat their breasts.

Ninveh is like a pool whose water ebbs away. "Stop! Stop!" But none of it goes back.

Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! There is no end to the treasure, weighed down with precious things.

She is void, vacant; she is made bare. Hearts are melting, knees are knocking; every stomach is churning, every face is drained of color.

The Lion's Den Is Destroyed

What has become of the lion's den, the cave where the young lions fed, where lion and lioness walked with their cubs, and no one made them afraid?

The lion would tear up food for his cubs and strangle prey for his lionesses; he used to fill his caves with prey, his lairs with torn flesh.

"I am against you," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "Her chariots I will send up in smoke, the sword will consume your lion cubs, I will destroy your prey from the earth, and your envoys' voices will be heard no more."

Study Notes for Nahum 2

Verse 1

The destroyer refers to the invading army (Babylonians and Medes). The command to Nineveh to 'keep the munition' is ironic, highlighting the futility of their defenses against God’s determined judgment.

Verse 2

This verse is a parenthesis of comfort for Judah (Jacob/Israel), assuring them that although Assyria had previously marred their land, God will now restore them after Nineveh’s destruction.

Verse 3

The description of the invading shields and uniforms being 'red' and 'scarlet' emphasizes their terrifying appearance, possibly symbolizing blood or the fiery nature of the impending attack.

Verse 4

The vivid imagery compares the speed and recklessness of the chariots to torches and lightning, emphasizing the swift, chaotic, and irresistible nature of the siege.

Verse 5

The Assyrian king attempts to rally his 'worthies' (officers), but their hasty preparation and stumbling suggest panic and ineffective defense as the enemy reaches the walls.

Verse 6

Nineveh was protected by the Tigris River and a system of moats. The 'gates of the rivers' opening likely refers to a breach in the defenses caused by flooding, fulfilling a historical account of the city’s fall.

Verse 7

Huzzab (meaning 'the established one' or possibly a reference to the Queen) personifies Nineveh. Her capture and the mourning of her maids, symbolized by the 'voice of doves,' depict profound lamentation and humiliation.

Verse 8

Nineveh’s ancient stability is compared to a 'pool of water,' but now its inhabitants flee like draining water. Their panic is so complete that no one heeds the desperate cries to 'Stand, stand.'

Verse 9

The prophet instructs the invaders to 'take ye the spoil,' highlighting the immense wealth Nineveh had amassed through centuries of conquest and plunder, now becoming the spoil of others.

Verse 10

A powerful description of utter desolation, using three terms for emptiness. The physical symptoms (melting heart, smiting knees, blackness in faces) illustrate the paralyzing terror gripping the city’s population.

Verse 11

Nineveh (Assyria) is consistently likened to a vicious lion, symbolizing its predatory nature and oppressive power over surrounding nations. This rhetorical question taunts them for the loss of their secure dominion.

Verse 12

This verse reinforces the 'lion' metaphor, emphasizing how Assyria violently acquired resources ('ravin') to enrich itself, feeding its kingdom through relentless military aggression and cruelty.

Verse 13

This climactic declaration confirms that the destruction of Nineveh is a direct, sovereign act of judgment by Yahweh, the 'LORD of hosts,' ending Assyria’s reign of terror and cutting off their communication and military strength.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate

Nahum2

Nineveh Warned of the Destroyer

Terror of the Invading Army

The City Falls and is Plundered

The Lion's Den Is Destroyed

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options