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Nahum, 2

1. He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make [thy] loins strong, fortify [thy] power mightily.

1. See, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, one who proclaims peace. Judah, celebrate your feasts and carry out your vows. For the wicked have been destroyed, they will not attack you any more.

2. For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.

2. Against Nineveh a destroyer advances. Watch the road, man the fortress; brace yourselves, muster your forces.

3. The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men [are] in scarlet: the chariots [shall be] with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.

3. Yahweh will now restore Jacob's magnificence, like Israel's splendor. For they had been plundered, laid waste as a ravaged vineyard. Nineveh shall fall

4. The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.

4. The shields of his soldiers are red; his warriors are crimson-clad. His chariots gleam as if on fire when mustered in battle array, while prancing horses and frenzied horsemen wait impatiently for bloody action.

5. He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.

5. As chariots storm through the streets and dash madly through the squares, they look like flashing torches or darting lightning bolts.

6. The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.

6. The picked troops are called out; ranks break at their charge. Having set up the mantelet they rushed toward the rampart.

7. And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead [her] as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.

7. The river gates are thrown open, and the palace defense collapses.

8. But Nineveh [is] of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, [shall they cry]; but none shall look back.

8. The goddess is taken captive together with all her handmaids, moaning like doves and beating their breasts.

9. 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.

9. Nineveh looks like a pool with its waters running away: All flee: "Stop, stop!" but no one comes back.

10. 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.

10. All kinds of wealth, gold and silver - it is an endless treasure, a heap of the most precious things.

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?

11. Waste and ruin, desolation and emptiness, failing hearts and trembling knees, terror and agony on all blanched faces!

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.

12. Where now is the lion's cave, the den of the cubs where the lion would bring his prey, and the cubs lie down undisturbed?

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.

13. The lion tore to pieces for his whelps, and strangled for his mates; he filled his caves with prey and his dens with mangled flesh.

14.

14. Yahweh Sabaoth speaks: I have come against you. I will send up your chariots in smoke, give your cubs to the sword; wipe the earth clear of your plunder, and your envoys' voices will be heard no more.



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Footnotes:

2:1-2 - Nahum describes the impending destruction of Nineveh, with the promise that Israel's enemies will be defeated. The once-dominant city will be invaded and plundered, fulfilling God's justice (see also Jeremiah 50:29 and Revelation 18:8-10).

2:3-5 - The destruction of Nineveh is detailed, with descriptions of its military forces being defeated. The fall of a mighty empire is a reminder that no human power can resist God's will (see also Isaiah 37:36-38 and Revelation 17:14).

2:6-10 - The city of Nineveh will be invaded, and its inhabitants will be seized with panic and despair. The looting and destruction are details of God's punishment against those who have committed evil. The verse emphasizes the relentlessness of divine justice (see also Amos 5:24 and Matthew 7:13-14).

2:11-13 - The end of Nineveh is vividly portrayed, showing the city's complete collapse. The prophet describes Nineveh as a hunted beast, a metaphor that shows the impending destruction of a wicked city (see also Jeremiah 50:42 and Revelation 18:21-24).

2:14-15 - Nahum concludes the chapter with a statement about Nineveh's fate, with its gods rendered useless in the face of destruction. The inability of the pagan deities to save the city highlights the futility of idolatry (see also Isaiah 46:5-7 and 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

Verses related to Nahum, 2:

Naum chapter 2 vividly describes the fall of Nineveh. How does God execute His judgment on this mighty city? This dynamic text depicts the attack on the Assyrian capital with images of war, panic, and pillage. Nahum reveals God's sovereignty over the nations and His determination to avenge His people. The chapter contrasts Nineveh's ancient glory with its imminent destruction. Consider with us five biblical passages that resonate with themes of divine retribution in this graphic chapter.

Isaiah 10:12: "Therefore it will come to pass, when the Lord has finished all his work on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem, that he will punish the arrogance of the heart of the king of Assyria and the pomp of the haughty eyes of his eyes." - This verse from Isaiah aligns with Nahum's prophecy against Nineveh (capital of Assyria) in Nahum 2, showing the consistency of the prophetic message.

Jeremiah 51:30: "The mighty men of Babylon ceased to fight, they remained in the fortresses, their strength failed, they became like women; Their dwellings were set on fire, their bars were broken." - This description of the fall of Babylon in Jeremiah uses language similar to that of Nahum 2:1-10, which describes the fall of Nineveh.

Ezekiel 32:22-23: "There is Assur with all his multitude; around him are his tombs; they are all killed, slaughtered with the sword. His tombs were placed in the depths of the pit, and his multitude was around his tomb; they are all slain, slaughtered with the sword, those who had caused terror in the land of the living." - This passage from Ezekiel talks about the fall of Assyria, complementing Nahum's prophecy about the destruction of Nineveh in Nahum 2.

Zephaniah 2:13-15: "And he will stretch out his hand against the north, and will destroy Assyria; and he will make Nineveh a desolation, a dry land like the desert. And the flocks, all the animals of the people, will lie down in the midst of it; and the pelican and the hedgehog will lodge in their capitals; your singing will be heard in the windows; desolation will be at the threshold, when the cedar has been uprooted. This is the happy and careless city, which said in its heart: I am, and there is none other than me! How it became a desolation, a den of wild beasts! Everyone who passes by will whistle and wave their hand." - This prophecy of Zephaniah about the destruction of Nineveh complements and reinforces the message of Nahum 2.

Revelation 18:2: "And he cried out with a loud voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the haunt of every unclean spirit, and the haunt of every unclean and hateful bird." - Although referring to Babylon, this passage uses language similar to that in Nahum 2 to describe the fall of a great city, reflecting a recurring theme in biblical prophecy.

FAQ:

What does Nahum 2 say about the fall of Nineveh?

Nahum 2 describes in detail the fall of Nineveh, with its walls destroyed and its city sacked. It prophesies that the city will be invaded and its inhabitants defeated. (Nahum 2:1-2)

How does Nahum describe the destruction of Nineveh in chapter 2?

In chapter 2, Nahum describes the impending destruction of Nineveh with vivid imagery of destruction. The city will be overrun by invaders, and its power will be broken. (Nahum 2:3-10)

What can the inhabitants of Nineveh learn from chapter 2?

Chapter 2 teaches that although Nineveh was once powerful, arrogance and wickedness result in destruction. God executes His judgment impartially. (Nahum 2:6-8)

What does Nahum's prophecy about the end of Nineveh mean?

Nahum's prophecy is a clear warning that the empire of Nineveh, a symbol of oppression and cruelty, will be overthrown. This reflects God's justice against wickedness. (Nahum 2:13)

What is the main message of Nahum 2 about God's sovereignty?

The central message is that regardless of a nation's power, God has absolute control over history and can overthrow powerful empires to accomplish His plan. (Nahum 2:13)


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