1. ἰδοὺ ἐπὶ τὰ ὄρη οἱ πόδες εὐαγγελιζομένου καὶ ἀπαγγέλλοντος εἰρήνην ἑόρταζε Ιουδα τὰς ἑορτάς σου ἀπόδος τὰς εὐχάς σου διότι οὐ μὴ προσθήσωσιν ἔτι τοῦ διελθεῖν διὰ σοῦ εἰς παλαίωσιν συντετέλεσται ἐξῆρται
2. ἀνέβη ἐμφυσῶν εἰς πρόσωπόν σου ἐξαιρούμενος ἐκ θλίψεως σκόπευσον ὁδόν κράτησον ὀσφύος ἄνδρισαι τῇ ἰσχύι σφόδρα
3. διότι ἀπέστρεψεν κύριος τὴν ὕβριν Ιακωβ καθὼς ὕβριν τοῦ Ισραηλ διότι ἐκτινάσσοντες ἐξετίναξαν αὐτοὺς καὶ τὰ κλήματα αὐτῶν διέφθειραν
4. ὅπλα δυναστείας αὐτῶν ἐξ ἀνθρώπων ἄνδρας δυνατοὺς ἐμπαίζοντας ἐν πυρί αἱ ἡνίαι τῶν ἁρμάτων αὐτῶν ἐν ἡμέρᾳ ἑτοιμασίας αὐτοῦ καὶ οἱ ἱππεῖς θορυβηθήσονται
5. ἐν ταῖς ὁδοῖς καὶ συγχυθήσονται τὰ ἅρματα καὶ συμπλακήσονται ἐν ταῖς πλατείαις ἡ ὅρασις αὐτῶν ὡς λαμπάδες πυρὸς καὶ ὡς ἀστραπαὶ διατρέχουσαι
6. καὶ μνησθήσονται οἱ μεγιστᾶνες αὐτῶν καὶ φεύξονται ἡμέρας καὶ ἀσθενήσουσιν ἐν τῇ πορείᾳ αὐτῶν καὶ σπεύσουσιν ἐπὶ τὰ τείχη καὶ ἑτοιμάσουσιν τὰς προφυλακὰς αὐτῶν
7. πύλαι τῶν ποταμῶν διηνοίχθησαν καὶ τὰ βασίλεια διέπεσεν
8. καὶ ἡ ὑπόστασις ἀπεκαλύφθη καὶ αὕτη ἀνέβαινεν καὶ αἱ δοῦλαι αὐτῆς ἤγοντο καθὼς περιστεραὶ φθεγγόμεναι ἐν καρδίαις αὐτῶν
9. καὶ Νινευη ὡς κολυμβήθρα ὕδατος τὰ ὕδατα αὐτῆς καὶ αὐτοὶ φεύγοντες οὐκ ἔστησαν καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐπιβλέπων
10. διήρπαζον τὸ ἀργύριον διήρπαζον τὸ χρυσίον καὶ οὐκ ἦν πέρας τοῦ κόσμου αὐτῆς βεβάρυνται ὑπὲρ πάντα τὰ σκεύη τὰ ἐπιθυμητὰ αὐτῆς
11. ἐκτιναγμὸς καὶ ἀνατιναγμὸς καὶ ἐκβρασμὸς καὶ καρδίας θραυσμὸς καὶ ὑπόλυσις γονάτων καὶ ὠδῖνες ἐπὶ πᾶσαν ὀσφύν καὶ τὸ πρόσωπον πάντων ὡς πρόσκαυμα χύτρας
12. ποῦ ἐστιν τὸ κατοικητήριον τῶν λεόντων καὶ ἡ νομὴ ἡ οὖσα τοῖς σκύμνοις οὗ ἐπορεύθη λέων τοῦ εἰσελθεῖν ἐκεῖ σκύμνος λέοντος καὶ οὐκ ἦν ὁ ἐκφοβῶν
13. λέων ἥρπασεν τὰ ἱκανὰ τοῖς σκύμνοις αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀπέπνιξεν τοῖς λέουσιν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἔπλησεν θήρας νοσσιὰν αὐτοῦ καὶ τὸ κατοικητήριον αὐτοῦ ἁρπαγῆς
14. ἰδοὺ ἐγὼ ἐπὶ σέ λέγει κύριος παντοκράτωρ καὶ ἐκκαύσω ἐν καπνῷ πλῆθός σου καὶ τοὺς λέοντάς σου καταφάγεται ῥομφαία καὶ ἐξολεθρεύσω ἐκ τῆς γῆς τὴν θήραν σου καὶ οὐ μὴ ἀκουσθῇ οὐκέτι τὰ ἔργα σου
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 Naum, 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)
