Nahum 2:10

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

She is empty {H950}, and void {H4003}, and waste {H1110}: and the heart {H3820} melteth {H4549}, and the knees {H1290} smite together {H6375}, and much pain {H2479} is in all loins {H4975}, and the faces {H6440} of them all gather {H6908} blackness {H6289}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and laid waste! Hearts melt, knees knock, bodies tremble, and every face grows pale!

American Standard Version

She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are waxed pale.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nahum 2:10 vividly portrays the utter desolation and profound terror that grips Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, as a consequence of divine judgment. The verse employs a series of stark images describing the city's complete emptiness and the physical manifestations of extreme fear among its inhabitants, whose hearts melt, knees tremble, bodies are racked with pain, and faces grow dark with despair, signaling the catastrophic fulfillment of God's prophetic word against a wicked empire.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Nahum's prophecy of Nineveh's destruction, specifically in Chapter 2, which graphically details the siege and fall of the city. Preceding verses (Nahum 2:1-9) describe the formidable invading army, the preparations for battle, the clatter of chariots, the flashing of spears, and the initial breach of Nineveh's defenses. Verse 10 serves as the culmination of this destructive process, shifting from the actions of the invaders to the resulting state of the city and its people. It paints a picture of the aftermath of the conquest, emphasizing the complete ruin and the psychological and physical collapse of the Ninevites, acting as a stark contrast to the city's former might and arrogance described elsewhere in the book. The subsequent verses (Nahum 2:11-13) continue to lament Nineveh's downfall, likening it to a den of lions that has been utterly destroyed, reinforcing the finality of its judgment.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Nahum prophesies against Nineveh, the capital of the Neo-Assyrian Empire, a dominant and notoriously brutal power in the ancient Near East from the 9th to the 7th centuries BC. Assyria was known for its military might, ruthless conquest, and cruel treatment of conquered peoples, including Israel and Judah. Nineveh itself was a massive, fortified city, considered impregnable by its inhabitants. The prophecy of Nahum, likely delivered in the late 7th century BC, foretold its complete destruction, a seemingly improbable event given Assyria's power. This prophecy was dramatically fulfilled in 612 BC when a coalition of Babylonian and Median forces besieged and utterly destroyed Nineveh, leaving it largely uninhabited for centuries. The cultural context includes the common understanding of divine retribution for national sins, especially oppression and idolatry, and the use of vivid, often hyperbolic, language to describe the horrors of war and conquest. The physical reactions described in the verse—melting heart, trembling knees, pain, and darkened faces—were universally recognized signs of extreme terror and despair in the ancient world.
* **Key Themes:** Nahum 2:10 contributes significantly to several major themes found throughout the book of Nahum and the broader prophetic literature. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment**, where God, as the sovereign ruler of nations, executes justice against those who defy Him and oppress His people, as declared in [Nahum 1:2-3](/nahum/1-2-3 "Nahum 1:2-3 - God's Vengeance and Wrath"). The verse underscores the **Total Desolation** that results from this judgment, emphasizing the complete ruin of a once-mighty city, a theme echoed in [Nahum 3:7](/nahum/3-7 "Nahum 3:7 - Nineveh's Utter Ruin"). It also highlights the **Fall of Human Power**, demonstrating that even the most formidable earthly empires are ultimately transient and subject to God's will, a concept often seen in prophecies against other great cities like Babylon in [Isaiah 13](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon"). Finally, the detailed physical descriptions in the verse powerfully convey the **Physical Manifestation of Terror and Despair**, illustrating the overwhelming fear and anguish experienced by those facing God's wrath, a common motif in biblical accounts of divine visitation and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **waste (Hebrew, _bâlaq'_):** From H1110 (bâlaq), a primitive root meaning "to annihilate; (make) waste." This word, used in conjunction with "empty" and "void," emphasizes the absolute and irreversible destruction of Nineveh. It signifies not just abandonment, but a deliberate act of making something desolate, utterly destroying its former state and purpose. The city is not merely deserted; it has been reduced to nothingness, a direct result of divine judgment.
* **heart (Hebrew, _lêb'_):** From H3820 (lêb), referring to "the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect." In this context, "the heart melteth" signifies not just emotional fear but a complete collapse of courage, will, and inner strength. It portrays a profound psychological and spiritual breakdown, indicating that the Ninevites are utterly demoralized and without hope, their very core dissolving under the weight of terror.
* **faces (Hebrew, _pânîym'_):** From H6440 (pânîym), meaning "the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively)." The phrase "faces... gather blackness" vividly describes the physical manifestation of extreme distress. It can imply a pallor or darkness due to shock, despair, or the accumulation of grime and soot from the destruction, symbolizing the complete loss of dignity, vitality, and hope. It is a public display of their inner devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"She is empty, and void, and waste:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the complete and utter desolation of Nineveh. The repetition of terms for emptiness and destruction (Hebrew: _bûqâh ûmbûqâh ûmbûllâqâh_) is highly emphatic, underscoring the absolute ruin of the once-mighty city. It signifies that Nineveh has been plundered, depopulated, and rendered uninhabitable, stripped of all its former glory and inhabitants.
* **"and the heart melteth,"** This phrase vividly describes the psychological impact of the destruction on the Ninevites. A "melting heart" is a common biblical idiom for extreme fear, loss of courage, and utter despair. It suggests a complete collapse of morale and inner strength, rendering the people powerless and paralyzed by terror in the face of overwhelming catastrophe.
* **"and the knees smite together,"** This continues the description of physical manifestations of terror. Trembling or "smiting together" knees is a classic sign of intense fear, weakness, and uncontrollable shaking. It portrays a loss of physical control, indicating that the inhabitants are literally unable to stand firm, their bodies betraying their inner panic.
* **"and much pain [is] in all loins,"** The "loins" (the lower back and hip region) were often associated with strength, procreation, and the core of one's being. "Pain in all loins" signifies intense, agonizing physical distress, often likened to the writhing pain of childbirth (as seen in other prophetic texts describing national anguish). It conveys a widespread, visceral suffering that affects everyone, a deep-seated agony that permeates the entire population.
* **"and the faces of them all gather blackness."** This final clause provides a striking visual image of the Ninevites' despair. "Gathering blackness" can suggest a darkened countenance due to extreme pallor, the literal grime of destruction, or a metaphorical darkening of expression reflecting profound sorrow, shock, and the absence of hope. It is a public, visible sign of their overwhelming grief and the complete loss of their former pride and vitality.

#### Literary Devices
Nahum 2:10 is rich in powerful literary devices that amplify its message of destruction and despair. The opening phrase, **Tricolon** ("She is empty, and void, and waste"), uses three synonymous terms to create a cumulative effect, emphasizing the thoroughness and totality of Nineveh's desolation. This is further enhanced by **Hyperbole**, as the descriptions of physical reactions—a melting heart, knees smiting together, and faces gathering blackness—are exaggerated to convey the extreme and overwhelming nature of the terror. The verse employs vivid **Imagery** that appeals to the senses: the emptiness of the city, the sensation of a dissolving heart, the sound of knocking knees, and the visual of darkened faces. This imagery creates a visceral experience for the reader, allowing them to feel the horror of the Ninevites' plight. Furthermore, the rapid succession of clauses describing physical symptoms ("the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain [is] in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness") creates a strong sense of **Parallelism** and **Anaphora** (though less strict on the latter), building a relentless crescendo of despair and illustrating the widespread and pervasive nature of the anguish.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nahum 2:10 serves as a profound theological statement on God's unwavering justice and sovereignty over all nations. It demonstrates that no earthly power, no matter how formidable or seemingly impregnable, can escape divine judgment when its actions are characterized by cruelty, oppression, and defiance of God's moral order. The utter desolation of Nineveh is a testament to the principle that God will indeed bring low the proud and will avenge the wrongs committed against His people and against humanity. This verse underscores the terrifying reality of facing God's wrath without repentance, highlighting that the consequences of persistent wickedness are not merely political or military defeat, but a complete existential collapse, marked by physical and psychological agony. It is a stark reminder that true security lies not in fortifications or military might, but in righteousness and submission to the Lord.

* [Isaiah 13:6-8](/isaiah/13-6-8 "Isaiah 13:6-8 - Terror in the Day of the Lord")
* [Jeremiah 30:5-7](/jeremiah/30-5-7 "Jeremiah 30:5-7 - Jacob's Trouble")
* [Revelation 18:19-20](/revelation/18-19-20 "Revelation 18:19-20 - Lament over Babylon's Fall")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nahum 2:10 offers a sobering reflection on the transient nature of earthly power and the inevitable consequences of unrepentant sin. For us today, it serves as a powerful reminder that human strength, wealth, and security are ultimately fleeting when not grounded in God's eternal truth and justice. We are called to examine where we place our trust: Is it in temporal achievements, material possessions, or societal influence, which can be rendered "empty, and void, and waste" in a moment? Or is it in the unchanging character of God, whose justice will ultimately prevail? This verse also challenges us to consider the impact of our actions on others. Just as Nineveh's cruelty brought about its downfall, so too do individual and corporate injustices accumulate consequences. It compels us to live justly, to seek mercy, and to walk humbly with our God, recognizing that true peace and security are found only in Him. Furthermore, for those who are tempted to despair in the face of widespread evil or injustice, Nahum 2:10 offers a profound reassurance that God sees, God judges, and God will ultimately set all things right, bringing comfort to the oppressed and accountability to the oppressor.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I tend to place my ultimate trust and security in life?**
* **How does the concept of divine judgment, as portrayed in Nahum 2:10, shape my understanding of God's character?**
* **What lessons can I draw from Nineveh's downfall regarding the consequences of unrepentant sin and oppression in my own life or society?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to live a life of justice, mercy, and humility?**

### FAQ
**What does "She is empty, and void, and waste" signify about Nineveh's destruction?**

Answer: This phrase signifies the absolute and comprehensive nature of Nineveh's destruction. "Empty," "void," and "waste" (from the Hebrew _bûqâh ûmbûqâh ûmbûllâqâh_) are highly emphatic terms that describe a city that has been thoroughly plundered, depopulated, and reduced to rubble. It means that Nineveh was not just conquered or occupied, but utterly annihilated, stripped of its inhabitants, wealth, and former glory, becoming a desolate ruin. This state of complete desolation underscores the finality and severity of God's judgment against the Assyrian capital, as prophesied throughout [Nahum 2](/nahum/2 "Nahum 2 - The Fall of Nineveh").

**What do the physical reactions described in the verse (melting heart, trembling knees, pain, black faces) represent?**

Answer: These vivid physical reactions are powerful metaphors representing the extreme psychological and emotional impact of Nineveh's downfall on its inhabitants. A "melting heart" (from H3820, _lêb_) signifies a complete loss of courage and utter despair, a dissolution of inner strength. "Knees smite together" (from H6375, _pîyq_) depicts uncontrollable trembling and weakness due to intense fear, indicating a physical inability to stand firm. "Much pain in all loins" (from H2479, _chalchâlâh_, often associated with childbirth pain) conveys widespread, agonizing, visceral suffering and anguish. Finally, "faces... gather blackness" (from H6289, _pâʼrûwr_, and H6440, _pânîym_) visually portrays profound shock, despair, and the complete absence of hope or vitality. Together, these images paint a picture of a populace utterly overwhelmed by terror and suffering, experiencing the full horror of divine judgment. Such descriptions are common in prophetic literature to convey the depth of national calamity, as seen in [Isaiah 13:7-8](/isaiah/13-7-8 "Isaiah 13:7-8 - Anguish and Terror").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nahum 2:10 graphically depicts the judgment of a specific historical city, Nineveh, it also points to a broader theological truth that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ. The terror and desolation described here foreshadow the ultimate judgment against all sin and rebellion against God. Humanity, apart from Christ, stands condemned, facing a "melting heart" of despair and the "blackness" of eternal separation from God, as described in [Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin"). However, in Jesus Christ, this terrifying judgment is uniquely absorbed. He, the innocent Lamb of God, willingly endured the ultimate "pain in all loins" and the "melting heart" of agony in Gethsemane and on the cross, taking upon Himself the full wrath of God for sin (cf. [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - Christ's Atoning Sacrifice")). Through His sacrifice, those who believe in Him are spared the desolation of eternal judgment, finding refuge and peace in Him. The "empty, void, and waste" state of Nineveh serves as a stark reminder of the fate of all who reject God's grace, while simultaneously highlighting the glorious alternative offered in Christ, who makes all things new and offers a secure, eternal dwelling place for those who trust in Him, a dwelling that will never be "empty, and void, and waste" but filled with His glory (cf. [Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - New Heaven and New Earth")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 22:14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.

Joel 2:6

Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness.

Daniel 5:6

Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another.

Isaiah 13:7

Therefore shall all hands be faint, and every man's heart shall melt:

Isaiah 13:8

And they shall be afraid: pangs and sorrows shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travaileth: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces [shall be as] flames.

Jeremiah 30:6

Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?

Zephaniah 2:13

And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and destroy Assyria; and will make Nineveh a desolation, [and] dry like a wilderness.