Nahum 2:11

¶ 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?

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}?

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?

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?

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?

Nahum 2:11 is a powerful rhetorical question within the prophet Nahum's oracle against Nineveh, the capital of the oppressive Assyrian Empire. This verse vividly uses the metaphor of lions to describe Assyria's once-unrivaled power and predatory nature.

Context of Nahum 2:11

The book of Nahum is a prophecy specifically foretelling the complete destruction of Nineveh, a city notorious for its cruelty, military might, and dominance over surrounding nations. Assyria, often depicted as a ravenous lion in ancient Near Eastern imagery, had for centuries terrorized the region, plundering and conquering without fear of reprisal. Chapter 2 describes the impending siege and downfall of this mighty city, detailing the chaos and despair that would replace its former glory. Verse 11, therefore, serves as a poignant reflection on the sudden and complete reversal of Assyria's fortunes, asking where their once-impregnable fortress and unchallenged reign have gone.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment on Oppression: The verse underscores God's ultimate sovereignty and His commitment to justice. It declares that even the most formidable and feared empires, like Assyria, are not beyond His judgment. This judgment is a central theme throughout Nahum, emphasizing that God will not let evil go unpunished.
  • The Fall of Empires: The rhetorical question "Where is...?" highlights the transient nature of earthly power and the inevitable collapse of human kingdoms that defy God and oppress others. Nineveh, once the terror of the world, would become a desolate ruin.
  • Reversal of Fortune: The image of the lion, once feared by all and making "none afraid" of itself, now faces its own demise. This signifies a dramatic reversal where the predator becomes the prey, or rather, simply vanishes from its former place of power. It speaks to the ultimate vulnerability of those who rely solely on their own strength and ruthlessness.

Linguistic Insights

The repeated use of "lion" (Hebrew: אריה, 'aryeh) in its various stages—"lion," "young lions," "old lion," "lion's whelp"—is a powerful literary device. It emphasizes that every aspect and generation of Assyrian power, from its most seasoned warriors and leaders to its burgeoning future, was characterized by this predatory nature. The rhetorical question "Where [is]?" (Hebrew: איה, 'ayeh) is not seeking an answer but rather expresses a lament and astonishment at the utter desolation and disappearance of what was once so mighty and terrifying. It implies a complete and irreversible end.

Related Scriptures

This verse finds echoes in other prophetic warnings against proud nations. For instance, the prophet Isaiah also speaks of God's judgment against Assyria, stating that after God has accomplished His work on Mount Zion, He will punish the "stout heart of the king of Assyria" (Isaiah 10:12). The broader theme of divine judgment on oppressive powers is also seen in Jeremiah's prophecies against Babylon (Jeremiah 50:17, which also uses a lion metaphor). The principle that pride goes before destruction is clearly demonstrated in Nahum's prophecy.

Practical Application

Nahum 2:11 offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that no earthly power, government, or individual, no matter how dominant or seemingly invincible, is beyond the reach of God's justice. It provides comfort to those who feel oppressed, assuring them that God sees their suffering and will ultimately bring about righteousness. For those in positions of power, it serves as a solemn warning against arrogance, cruelty, and trusting solely in one's own might rather than in God's sovereignty. Ultimately, it reinforces the truth that God is the supreme ruler over all nations and history, and His purposes will prevail.

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.

  • 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.
← Back