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Nahum 2:13

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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.

Behold, I am against thee, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, and I will burn {H1197} her chariots {H7393} in the smoke {H6227}, and the sword {H2719} shall devour {H398} thy young lions {H3715}: and I will cut off {H3772} thy prey {H2964} from the earth {H776}, and the voice {H6963} of thy messengers {H4397} shall no more be heard {H8085}.

"I am against you," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot. "Her chariots I will send up in smoke, the sword will consume your lion cubs, I will destroy your prey from the earth, and your envoys' voices will be heard no more."

“Behold, I am against you,” declares the LORD of Hosts. “I will send your chariots up in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voices of your messengers will no longer be heard.”

Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah 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.

Commentary

Nahum 2:13 delivers a powerful and chilling declaration of divine judgment against Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire. It is a direct and personal pronouncement from God, emphasizing His sovereign intent to utterly dismantle this cruel superpower.

Context

The book of Nahum is a prophecy focused almost exclusively on the impending destruction of Nineveh. Unlike the prophet Jonah, who saw Nineveh repent and temporarily avert judgment (Jonah 3:10), Nahum prophesies a final and irreversible downfall. This verse comes after vivid descriptions of the city's siege and impending doom, highlighting God's direct opposition to Assyria's long history of brutality, idolatry, and oppression of other nations. The declaration "Behold, I am against thee" marks the culmination of their wickedness.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The repeated phrase, "Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts," underscores God's absolute authority and His active, personal involvement in executing judgment. Nineveh's fall is not merely a political or military defeat but a divinely orchestrated act.
  • Annihilation of Military Might: "I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions" vividly portrays the complete destruction of Assyria's renowned military power. Chariots were central to ancient warfare, and "young lions" symbolize their fierce, predatory warriors, indicating that their strength and ferocity would be utterly consumed.
  • End of Exploitation and Plunder: "I will cut off thy prey from the earth" signifies the cessation of Nineveh's reign of terror and its practice of plundering conquered nations. This highlights God's justice in ending their oppressive dominance and illicit gains.
  • Silencing of Influence: "And the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard" points to the complete collapse of Nineveh's communication, diplomatic power, and ability to spread fear or issue commands. It marks the end of their authority and presence on the world stage.

Linguistic Insights

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) is particularly significant here. It denotes God as the sovereign commander of all heavenly and earthly armies, emphasizing His omnipotence and His ability to bring about His will, even against the most powerful human empires. This title reinforces the certainty and irresistible nature of the judgment against Nineveh.

Practical Application

Nahum 2:13 serves as a timeless reminder of several profound truths:

  • God's Justice Prevails: This prophecy assures us that God is a just God who will ultimately hold nations and individuals accountable for their wickedness, pride, and oppression. No empire, no matter how powerful, can defy His righteous judgment indefinitely.
  • Warning Against Arrogance: Nineveh's fate is a solemn warning against relying on military strength, cruelty, or material wealth rather than righteousness. God opposes the proud (James 4:6).
  • Comfort for the Oppressed: For those suffering under tyrannical powers, this verse offers hope and comfort, affirming that God sees their plight and will act to bring justice, echoing the ultimate triumph of righteousness seen in the return of Christ as a righteous judge.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Psalms 46:9 (6 votes)

    He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.

  • Nahum 3:5 (6 votes)

    Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

  • Jeremiah 21:13 (6 votes)

    Behold, I [am] against thee, O inhabitant of the valley, [and] rock of the plain, saith the LORD; which say, Who shall come down against us? or who shall enter into our habitations?

  • 2 Kings 19:23 (5 votes)

    By thy messengers thou hast reproached the Lord, and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I am come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof, [and] the choice fir trees thereof: and I will enter into the lodgings of his borders, [and into] the forest of his Carmel.

  • Nahum 3:1 (3 votes)

    ¶ Woe to the bloody city! it [is] all full of lies [and] robbery; the prey departeth not;

  • Joshua 11:9 (3 votes)

    And Joshua did unto them as the LORD bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire.

  • Ezekiel 5:8 (3 votes)

    Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I, even I, [am] against thee, and will execute judgments in the midst of thee in the sight of the nations.