Nahum 2:9

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take ye the spoil {H962} of silver {H3701}, take the spoil {H962} of gold {H2091}: for there is none end {H7097} of the store {H8498} and glory {H3519} out of all the pleasant {H2532} furniture {H3627}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! There is no end to the treasure, weighed down with precious things.

Berean Standard Bible

“Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold!” There is no end to the treasure, an abundance of every precious thing.

American Standard Version

Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold; for there is no end of the store, the glory of all goodly furniture.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Nahum 2:9 vividly portrays the impending and absolute desolation of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, through a prophetic command to its conquerors. The verse invites the invading forces to plunder the city's immense and seemingly inexhaustible wealth of silver, gold, and precious artifacts, emphasizing the completeness of its downfall and the transfer of its vast, ill-gotten treasures as a direct consequence of divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Nahum 2:9 is situated within the heart of Nahum's prophetic oracle against Nineveh, specifically within a section (Nahum 2:1-13) that graphically describes the siege, battle, and ultimate destruction of the Assyrian capital. Following a vivid depiction of the attacking army (Nahum 2:3-5) and the city's defenses crumbling (Nahum 2:6-8), verse 9 issues a direct taunt or command to the victorious forces to seize the spoils. It serves as a climactic declaration of Nineveh's humiliation, directly preceding the lament over its utter emptiness and the final judgment against the "lion's den" (Nahum 2:10-13), which represents Assyria's predatory nature.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Nahum is dated to the late 7th century BCE, likely before Nineveh's fall in 612 BCE. At this time, Assyria was the dominant power in the Near East, notorious for its brutal military campaigns, forced deportations, and the vast accumulation of wealth through tribute and plunder from conquered nations. Nineveh, its capital, was a symbol of this immense power and opulence. The prophet's message would have resonated deeply with the oppressed nations, offering hope of divine retribution against a seemingly invincible empire. The practice of plundering conquered cities was a common and expected outcome of ancient warfare, signifying the complete subjugation and humiliation of the defeated.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Nahum and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Justice**, demonstrating God's righteous wrath against nations characterized by violence, oppression, and arrogance, as seen throughout the book of Nahum, particularly in [Nahum 3:1-4](/nahum/3-1-4 "Nahum 3:1-4 - Nineveh's Bloodguilt and Idolatry"). It also highlights the **Reversal of Fortune**, where the once-mighty oppressor, which had plundered countless nations, now becomes the object of plunder itself, illustrating God's sovereignty over earthly empires and their transient power. Furthermore, the emphasis on the vastness of Nineveh's wealth, which ultimately cannot save it, speaks to the **Vanity of Earthly Riches** when confronted with divine decree, a theme echoed in wisdom literature like [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Profit Not in the Day of Wrath").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **spoil (Hebrew, _bâzaz'_):** From a primitive root meaning "to plunder," this word denotes the act of seizing booty or prey, often violently, in the context of warfare. Its repetition in the verse ("Take ye the spoil... take the spoil") emphasizes the aggressive and comprehensive nature of the plundering, signifying the complete subjugation and despoiling of Nineveh's accumulated wealth.
* **end (Hebrew, _qâtseh'_):** This term refers to an extremity, border, or limit. In the phrase "none end of the store," it conveys the idea of an immeasurable quantity, suggesting that Nineveh's treasures are so vast as to be without limit or exhaustion. This hyperbole underscores the city's immense riches, accumulated through centuries of conquest and tribute, making its fall all the more dramatic.
* **glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** While literally meaning "weight," this word is used figuratively to denote splendor, honor, copiousness, or magnificence. Here, it describes the intrinsic value and impressive nature of the "pleasant furniture" and accumulated wealth. It speaks not just to the quantity but also to the quality and prestige of Nineveh's possessions, highlighting the grandeur that will now be stripped away.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold:"** This is a prophetic imperative or invitation, addressed to the conquering armies. The repetition of "take the spoil" underscores the certainty and comprehensiveness of the plunder. Silver and gold are specified as the primary forms of wealth, representing the most valuable and coveted treasures in the ancient world, accumulated by Nineveh through its extensive conquests and tributes.
* **"for there is none end of the store"** This clause provides the reason for the command to plunder, explaining the immense quantity of wealth available. "Store" (Hebrew, _tᵉkûwnâh'_) refers to accumulated provisions or treasures. The phrase "none end" signifies an inexhaustible, boundless supply, emphasizing the staggering amount of riches Nineveh had amassed, making it a prime target for plunder.
* **"and glory out of all the pleasant furniture."** This further elaborates on the nature of Nineveh's wealth. "Glory" refers to the splendor and intrinsic value of these possessions. "Pleasant furniture" (Hebrew, _chemdâh kᵉlîy'_) does not refer to ordinary household items but to highly desirable, precious vessels, artifacts, and valuable articles—luxurious and beautiful items collected from various lands as spoils of war and tribute. This highlights the opulence and artistry of the treasures that will now be seized.

#### Literary Devices
Nahum 2:9 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message of Nineveh's impending doom. **Imperative** mood is used in "Take ye the spoil," directly commanding or inviting the conquerors, which creates a sense of immediate and unavoidable action. **Repetition** of "take the spoil" emphasizes the certainty and totality of the plunder, reinforcing the idea that no wealth will be left untouched. **Hyperbole** is evident in "none end of the store," exaggerating the quantity of Nineveh's wealth to underscore its immense riches and thus the dramatic scale of its downfall. Finally, there is a strong sense of **Irony** in the fact that Nineveh, which had become rich by plundering others, now faces the same fate, its "glory" becoming the very object of its humiliation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Nahum 2:9 serves as a profound theological statement on God's sovereignty over nations and His unwavering commitment to justice. It demonstrates that no earthly power, however mighty or wealthy, can escape divine judgment when its actions are characterized by cruelty, oppression, and arrogance. Nineveh's vast accumulation of silver, gold, and "pleasant furniture"—symbols of its worldly success and pride—becomes the very evidence of its guilt and the object of its humiliation. This verse powerfully illustrates the principle that ill-gotten gains and reliance on material wealth ultimately offer no security against the righteous wrath of God, reinforcing the transient nature of all earthly glory compared to the eternal justice of the Lord.

* [Proverbs 11:4](/proverbs/11-4 "Proverbs 11:4 - Riches Profit Not in the Day of Wrath")
* [Jeremiah 50:10](/jeremiah/50-10 "Jeremiah 50:10 - Babylon to be Plundered")
* [Revelation 18:16-17](/revelation/18-16-17 "Revelation 18:16-17 - Lament for Babylon's Lost Riches")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Nahum 2:9 offers a stark and timeless reminder that material wealth, no matter how vast or gloriously displayed, is ultimately fleeting and cannot secure a nation or individual from divine judgment. For us today, this verse challenges our often-unconscious reliance on financial security, possessions, or worldly power. It calls us to examine where our true security lies and to recognize that the pursuit of wealth for its own sake, especially when gained through unjust means or accompanied by oppression, is a path to ultimate emptiness and divine reckoning. Instead, it encourages a posture of humility, justice, and trust in God's provision, understanding that true riches are found not in what we accumulate on earth, but in our relationship with Him and our pursuit of righteousness. It compels us to consider the eternal over the temporal, and to use any resources we have for God's glory and the good of others, rather than for self-aggrandizement.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Nineveh's vast wealth, which could not save it, teach me about the true source of security in my life?**
* **In what ways might I be tempted to accumulate "spoil" or "glory" that is ultimately transient or ill-gotten?**
* **How does the swift and complete judgment on Nineveh encourage me to prioritize eternal treasures over earthly possessions?**

### FAQ

**What was the "pleasant furniture" mentioned in Nahum 2:9?**

Answer: The "pleasant furniture" (Hebrew: _keli chemdah_) refers not to ordinary household items, but to highly desirable, valuable vessels, artifacts, and costly articles. These were typically luxurious and beautiful items, often made of precious metals, jewels, or fine materials, that Nineveh had accumulated from various conquered nations as spoils of war and tribute. They represented the peak of the city's opulence and the grandeur of its ill-gotten gains.

**Who were the "ye" commanded to "take the spoil" in this verse?**

Answer: The "ye" refers to the conquering forces that would ultimately overthrow Nineveh. Historically, this refers to the combined armies of the Babylonians and Medes, who besieged and utterly destroyed Nineveh in 612 BCE. The prophet Nahum, speaking on behalf of God, issues this prophetic command or invitation to these victorious armies, highlighting the certainty and completeness of Nineveh's impending judgment and desolation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Nahum 2:9 speaks of the physical plunder of an earthly empire, it finds its Christ-centered fulfillment in the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over all earthly powers and the vanity of worldly riches. Nineveh's immense wealth, accumulated through violence and pride, ultimately proved worthless in the face of divine judgment. This foreshadows the truth that all earthly treasures and human achievements, apart from Christ, are fleeting and will not endure the day of God's final reckoning. Jesus taught His disciples to "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal" ([Matthew 6:20](/matthew/6-20 "Matthew 6:20 - Lay Up Treasures in Heaven")), contrasting the perishable nature of earthly "spoil" with the eternal security of spiritual riches. Furthermore, Christ's victory on the cross represents the ultimate plundering of spiritual enemies, disarming principalities and powers and making a public spectacle of them ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Powers")). He, the true King, came not to accumulate earthly gold and silver, but to offer Himself as the ultimate treasure, inviting all who believe to partake in an eternal inheritance that has "none end of the store" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")), a glory that far surpasses any "pleasant furniture" of this world.

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 33:4

And your spoil shall be gathered [like] the gathering of the caterpiller: as the running to and fro of locusts shall he run upon them.

Ezekiel 26:12

And they shall make a spoil of thy riches, and make a prey of thy merchandise: and they shall break down thy walls, and destroy thy pleasant houses: and they shall lay thy stones and thy timber and thy dust in the midst of the water.

2 Chronicles 36:10

And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem.

Jeremiah 25:34

Howl, ye shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves [in the ashes], ye principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and ye shall fall like a pleasant vessel.

Daniel 11:8

And shall also carry captives into Egypt their gods, with their princes, [and] with their precious vessels of silver and of gold; and he shall continue [more] years than the king of the north.

Nahum 2:12

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.

Nahum 2:13

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.