Nahum 2:11

KJV

¶ 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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Where is the dwelling {H4583} of the lions {H738}, and the feedingplace {H4829} of the young lions {H3715}, where the lion {H738}, even the old lion {H3833}, walked {H1980}, and the lion's {H738} whelp {H1482}, and none made them afraid {H2729}?

Complete Jewish Bible

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?

Berean Standard Bible

Where is the lions’ lair or the feeding ground of the young lions, where the lion and lioness prowled with their cubs, with nothing to frighten them away?

American Standard Version

Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding-place of the young lions, where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nahum 2:11 is a potent rhetorical question within the prophet Nahum's oracle, dramatically questioning the fate of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Through the vivid metaphor of a lion's den, the verse laments the sudden and complete disappearance of Assyria's once-unrivaled power, predatory dominance, and the security it enjoyed, implying its utter desolation and the irreversible end of its reign of terror.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nahum 2:11 is situated in the heart of Nahum's prophecy, specifically within a detailed description of Nineveh's impending siege and destruction. Chapter 1 introduces Yahweh as a jealous, avenging God who is slow to anger but great in power, promising judgment upon His enemies, particularly Nineveh. Chapter 2 vividly portrays the chaos, military assault, and ultimate downfall of the city, using graphic imagery of chariots, swords, and fire. Verse 11, therefore, serves as a poignant rhetorical climax, reflecting on the profound reversal of fortune for a city that once terrorized the ancient world. It follows descriptions of the city's defenses being breached and its treasures plundered, setting the stage for the complete annihilation implied by the question.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Nahum prophesies the fall of Nineveh, which occurred in 612 BC when a coalition of Babylonians and Medes sacked the city. For centuries, the Assyrian Empire had been the dominant superpower in the Near East, notorious for its brutal military campaigns, forced deportations, and cruel treatment of conquered peoples. Nineveh, its capital, was a symbol of this might, famed for its formidable walls and military prowess. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the lion was a powerful symbol of strength, ferocity, and royal authority, often depicted in art and literature as a representation of kings and empires. Assyrian kings, in particular, frequently boasted of their lion-like strength and hunting prowess. Nahum’s use of the lion metaphor would have been immediately understood by his audience as a direct reference to Assyria's predatory nature and unchallenged power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major theological and narrative themes within Nahum and the broader prophetic tradition. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Judgment on Oppression**, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and His commitment to justice. Even the most formidable and feared empires, like Assyria, are not beyond His righteous wrath, a truth echoed in passages like [Isaiah 10:5-19](/isaiah/10-5-19 "Isaiah 10:5-19 - God's Judgment on Arrogant Assyria"). Another key theme is **The Transient Nature of Earthly Power**, highlighting the inevitable collapse of human kingdoms that defy God and oppress others. Nineveh, once the terror of the world, would become a desolate ruin, illustrating the principle that all human might is ultimately subject to divine will, as seen in [Daniel 2:20-21](/daniel/2-20-21 "Daniel 2:20-21 - God Controls Kingdoms"). Finally, the verse powerfully illustrates the **Reversal of Fortune**, where the once-feared predator is utterly vanquished, signifying a dramatic shift where the oppressor faces its own demise. This reversal is a recurring motif in prophetic literature, emphasizing God's ability to humble the proud and exalt the lowly, a concept found in [1 Samuel 2:7-8](/1_samuel/2-7-8 "1 Samuel 2:7-8 - Hannah's Prayer on God's Reversal of Fortunes").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **dwelling (Hebrew, _mâʻôwn'_):** This word refers to an abode, a place of habitation, which can be for God (like the Tabernacle or Temple), for humans (their home), or for animals (their lair or den). In Nahum 2:11, it specifically denotes the secure and established lair of the lions, metaphorically representing Nineveh as the secure, dominant, and unchallenged stronghold of the Assyrian Empire. Its disappearance signifies the complete eradication of their former security and power.
* **old lion (Hebrew, _lâbîyʼ'_):** This term, often referring to a lioness (which is typically fiercer), or a great, stout lion, emphasizes the mature, most formidable, and experienced aspect of the predatory power. It represents the peak of Assyrian military might, its seasoned leaders, and its long-standing reign of terror. The question "where... walked" implies that this once-dominant force has vanished without a trace.
* **afraid (Hebrew, _chârad'_):** This root means to shudder with terror, to fear, or to hasten with anxiety. In the context of Nahum 2:11, "none made them afraid" highlights the absolute and unchallenged dominance of the Assyrian "lions." They operated without fear of reprisal or opposition from any external force. The rhetorical question thus emphasizes the dramatic reversal: the once-fearless predators are now themselves subject to a terror that has utterly annihilated their presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Where [is] the dwelling of the lions,"**: This opening rhetorical question immediately sets the tone of lament and astonishment. It challenges the very existence of what was once the secure and formidable lair of the Assyrian "lions," implying its utter destruction and disappearance.
* **"and the feedingplace of the young lions,"**: This clause extends the metaphor, referring to the place where the next generation of Assyrian power, represented by "young lions," was nurtured and sustained. It signifies the complete eradication of their future strength and capacity for plunder, leaving no successor to their predatory legacy.
* **"where the lion, [even] the old lion, walked,"**: This phrase emphasizes the unchallenged authority and freedom of movement enjoyed by the most powerful and experienced "lions" (Assyrian leaders and warriors). Their ability to roam freely and confidently, without threat, highlights their past dominance, now contrasted with their complete absence.
* **"[and] the lion's whelp,"**: This further illustrates the comprehensive nature of Nineveh's destruction, indicating that even the smallest, most vulnerable, and future potential of the Assyrian "lion" family has vanished. No part of their predatory lineage or future generation remains.
* **"and none made [them] afraid?"**: This concluding rhetorical question underscores the absolute security and terror-inducing power Assyria once wielded. They were the ones who instilled fear, and no one dared to challenge them. The question's implication is that this era of unchallenged dominance is definitively over, replaced by a desolation so complete that the very memory of their fear-inducing presence is now a haunting query.

#### Literary Devices
Nahum 2:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, where Assyria is consistently depicted as a "lion" in various stages of life—"lions," "young lions," "old lion," and "lion's whelp." This sustained metaphor vividly portrays Assyria's predatory nature, its ferocity, its unchallenged dominance, and its generational continuity of cruelty. The repeated use of "lion" (Hebrew: *'aryeh*, *kᵉphîyr*, *lâbîyʼ*, *gûwr*) reinforces this imagery. The entire verse is framed as a **Rhetorical Question** ("Where is...?"), which is not intended to elicit an answer but to express profound lament, astonishment, and the certainty of Nineveh's utter desolation. It highlights the dramatic reversal of fortune. Furthermore, **Parallelism** is evident in the repeated structure of "the dwelling of the lions" and "the feedingplace of the young lions," and the progression from "lion" to "old lion" to "lion's whelp," emphasizing the comprehensive scope of the destruction across all aspects and generations of Assyrian power. This creates a rhythmic and emphatic declaration of their demise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nahum 2:11 powerfully articulates God's unwavering commitment to justice and His sovereignty over all nations, even the most formidable. It serves as a stark reminder that no earthly power, no matter how great its military might or how extensive its reign of terror, can ultimately escape the righteous judgment of the Almighty. The demise of Nineveh, once the epitome of unchecked aggression and pride, demonstrates that God observes the oppression of His people and will act decisively to bring about justice. This divine intervention is not merely punitive but redemptive, clearing the way for His people's liberation and the establishment of His righteous order. The verse thus offers a profound message of hope to the oppressed and a solemn warning to the arrogant, affirming that God's purposes will prevail over all human defiance.

* [Psalm 76:10](/psalm/76-10 "Psalm 76:10 - God's Wrath Restrains")
* [Jeremiah 51:34-37](/jeremiah/51-34-37 "Jeremiah 51:34-37 - Babylon as a Devouring Monster")
* [Revelation 18:2-3](/revelation/18-2-3 "Revelation 18:2-3 - The Fall of Babylon the Great")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nahum 2:11, though a prophecy of ancient judgment, holds enduring relevance for contemporary believers. It confronts us with the sobering truth that all earthly powers are transient and ultimately accountable to God. In a world often dominated by seemingly invincible systems, oppressive regimes, or even personal strongholds of pride and self-reliance, this verse reminds us that true security and lasting power reside only in God. It calls us to trust in His justice when faced with injustice, to pray for the downfall of oppressive systems, and to never place our ultimate hope in human institutions or might. For those who feel marginalized or oppressed, it offers comfort, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will ultimately vindicate His people. For those in positions of influence, it serves as a powerful warning against the dangers of arrogance, the abuse of power, and the temptation to rely on one's own strength rather than on divine wisdom and righteousness. We are reminded that humility before God is the only path to true and lasting flourishing, both individually and corporately.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "lion's den" or seemingly unassailable power in your life or in the world today do you need to surrender to God's ultimate sovereignty?**
* **How does the fall of Nineveh encourage you to trust in God's justice when you witness widespread oppression or injustice?**
* **In what ways might you be tempted to rely on your own strength or resources, rather than acknowledging God as the ultimate source of security and power?**

### FAQ
**Why is Nineveh, a city, described as a "lion" and its dwelling a "lion's den" in this verse?**

Answer: In Nahum 2:11, Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire, is described metaphorically as a "lion" and its "dwelling" or "feedingplace" as a "lion's den" to vividly portray its character and actions. The lion was a widely recognized symbol in the ancient Near East for ferocity, strength, and predatory power. Assyria, through its brutal military campaigns, plundering, and subjugation of nations, acted like a ravenous lion, devouring its prey without fear. The "dwelling" and "feedingplace" refer to Nineveh as the secure base from which this predatory empire operated, where it stored its plunder and nurtured its next generation of warriors. The rhetorical question, "Where is the dwelling of the lions... and none made them afraid?" emphasizes that this once-unrivaled, terrifying power has vanished, highlighting the completeness of its destruction and the end of its reign of terror. This imagery is consistent with other prophetic condemnations of oppressive empires, such as Babylon being depicted as a devouring lion in [Jeremiah 50:17](/jeremiah/50-17 "Jeremiah 50:17 - Babylon as a Scattered Flock").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Nahum's prophecy of Nineveh's destruction, particularly the rhetorical question in Nahum 2:11, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in the physical fall of an earthly city, but in the triumph of God's righteous kingdom over all forms of spiritual and earthly oppression through Jesus Christ. The "lion" metaphor, once applied to a cruel empire, is powerfully reappropriated in the New Testament to describe Christ Himself as the "Lion of the tribe of Judah" in [Revelation 5:5](/revelation/5-5 "Revelation 5:5 - The Lion of the Tribe of Judah"). Unlike Assyria, whose power was for destruction and self-aggrandizement, Christ's lion-like strength is for salvation, justice, and the establishment of an eternal kingdom. The "dwelling of the lions" that vanished in Nahum points to the transient nature of all earthly kingdoms built on human pride and violence, contrasting sharply with the enduring and unshakable kingdom of God inaugurated by Christ. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus conquered the ultimate oppressor, sin and death, rendering their "dwelling" desolate and their power to make us "afraid" nullified, as celebrated in [Hebrews 2:14-15](/hebrews/2-14-15 "Hebrews 2:14-15 - Christ's Victory Over Death"). The final judgment described in Nahum foreshadows the ultimate judgment Christ will execute upon all unrighteousness and every oppressive system that stands against God, culminating in the new heavens and new earth where righteousness dwells and there is no more fear or oppression ([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

Isaiah 5:29

Their roaring [shall be] like a lion, they shall roar like young lions: yea, they shall roar, and lay hold of the prey, and shall carry [it] away safe, and none shall deliver [it].

Jeremiah 2:15

The young lions roared upon him, [and] yelled, and they made his land waste: his cities are burned without inhabitant.

Jeremiah 50:44

Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the swelling of Jordan unto the habitation of the strong: but I will make them suddenly run away from her: and who [is] a chosen [man, that] I may appoint over her? for who [is] like me? and who will appoint me the time? and who [is] that shepherd that will stand before me?

Genesis 49:9

Judah [is] a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?

Ezekiel 19:2

And say, What [is] thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

Ezekiel 19:8

Then the nations set against him on every side from the provinces, and spread their net over him: he was taken in their pit.

Jeremiah 50:17

Israel [is] a scattered sheep; the lions have driven [him] away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.