Nahum 2:1

¶ 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.

He that dasheth in pieces {H6327} is come up {H5927} before thy face {H6440}: keep {H5341} the munition {H4694}, watch {H6822} the way {H1870}, make thy loins {H4975} strong {H2388}, fortify {H553} thy power {H3581} mightily {H3966}.

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

One who scatters advances against you, O Nineveh. Guard the fortress! Watch the road! Brace yourselves! Summon all your strength!

He that dasheth in pieces is come up against thee: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.

Nahum 2:1 opens with a dramatic declaration of impending judgment upon Nineveh, the formidable capital of Assyria. The verse vividly portrays the approach of a destructive enemy, while ironically or sarcastically commanding Nineveh to prepare its defenses.

Context of Nahum 2:1

The book of Nahum is a powerful prophecy almost entirely dedicated to foretelling the destruction of Nineveh. Unlike the book of Jonah, where Nineveh temporarily repented and was spared, Nahum describes a Nineveh that has returned to its cruel and idolatrous ways. Chapter 1 establishes God's character as a righteous avenger who will not clear the guilty (Nahum 1:3). Verse 1 of Chapter 2 marks the beginning of the detailed prophetic vision of Nineveh's siege and ultimate downfall, likely at the hands of the Babylonian and Mede armies in 612 BC.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The verse highlights God's unwavering justice against wicked nations and their oppressive practices. Nineveh, known for its brutality and pride, is now facing the consequences of its actions. This demonstrates a consistent theme of God's sovereignty over the nations.
  • Futility of Resistance: The command to "keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily" is delivered with an underlying tone of irony. Despite Nineveh's immense military strength and fortifications, their efforts to defend themselves against the divinely appointed "dasher in pieces" will ultimately be in vain.
  • Prophetic Certainty: The declaration "He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face" speaks to the absolute certainty of the prophecy. What is foretold by God is as good as done, emphasizing the reliability of His word.

Linguistic Insights

  • "He that dasheth in pieces" (Hebrew: māpēṣ): This powerful term emphasizes the violent and complete destruction that the invading force will inflict. It paints a picture of shattering and breaking into fragments.
  • "Keep the munition" (Hebrew: miṣṣārâ): Refers to guarding the fortress or stronghold, highlighting Nineveh's reliance on its physical defenses.
  • "Make thy loins strong" (Hebrew: ḥāzaq motnayim): An ancient idiom calling for preparation for strenuous effort, battle, or a difficult task. It implies gathering all one's strength and resolve.

Practical Application

For a general audience, Nahum 2:1 serves as a stark reminder that:

  1. God's Justice Prevails: No empire, nation, or individual can ultimately escape divine accountability for persistent wickedness. There is a day of reckoning for all (Romans 14:12).
  2. True Security is in God: While preparation and defense are important, ultimate security does not lie in human strength, military might, or impenetrable walls. Reliance on God's protection and living righteously is paramount (Psalm 20:7).
  3. Repentance is Key: The fate of Nineveh underscores the importance of genuine and lasting repentance. When opportunities for change are ignored, judgment eventually comes.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Joel 3:9

    ¶ Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up:

  • Joel 3:11

    Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 25:8

    But if thou wilt go, do [it], be strong for the battle: God shall make thee fall before the enemy: for God hath power to help, and to cast down.

  • Jeremiah 51:20

    Thou [art] my battle axe [and] weapons of war: for with thee will I break in pieces the nations, and with thee will I destroy kingdoms;

  • Jeremiah 51:23

    I will also break in pieces with thee the shepherd and his flock; and with thee will I break in pieces the husbandman and his yoke of oxen; and with thee will I break in pieces captains and rulers.

  • Jeremiah 51:11

    Make bright the arrows; gather the shields: the LORD hath raised up the spirit of the kings of the Medes: for his device [is] against Babylon, to destroy it; because it [is] the vengeance of the LORD, the vengeance of his temple.

  • Jeremiah 51:12

    Set up the standard upon the walls of Babylon, make the watch strong, set up the watchmen, prepare the ambushes: for the LORD hath both devised and done that which he spake against the inhabitants of Babylon.

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