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.
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Nineveh Warned of the Destroyer

1
He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. ​
2
For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches. ​

Terror of the Invading Army

3
The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. ​
4
The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings. ​
5
He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. ​

The City Falls and is Plundered

6
The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. ​
7
And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. ​
8
But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. ​
9
Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture. ​
10
She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness. ​

The Lion's Den Is Destroyed

11
Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid? ​
12
The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin. ​
13
Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard. ​

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.

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