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Nahum 2

BSB·13 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1One who scattersמֵפִ֛יץmê·p̄îṣ — to scatter, disperse, or break apartH6327 — Full Word Study → advancesעָלָ֥ה‘ā·lāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → you, O Nineveh. Guardנָצ֣וֹרnā·ṣō·wr — to guard, watch, keep, preserveH5341 — Full Word Study → the fortressמְצֻרָ֑הmə·ṣu·rāh — Fortified city or fortress; a strongholdH4694 — Full Word Study →! Watchצַפֵּה־ṣap·pêh- — to watch, keep watch, observe carefullyH6822 — Full Word Study → the roadדֶ֙רֶךְ֙ḏe·reḵ — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study →! Brace yourselvesחַזֵּ֣קḥaz·zêq — To strengthen, make firm, establishH2388 — Full Word Study →! Summonאַמֵּ֥ץ’am·mêṣ — To strengthen, make firm, or be courageousH553 — Full Word Study → allמְאֹֽד׃mə·’ōḏ — Much, greatly, very, exceedinglyH3966 — Full Word Study → your strengthכֹּ֖חַkō·aḥ — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study →! 2Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will restoreשָׁ֤בšāḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → the splendorגְּא֣וֹןgə·’ō·wn — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study → of Jacobיַעֲקֹ֔בya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → like the splendorכִּגְא֖וֹןkiḡ·’ō·wn — Pride, arrogance, majesty, or splendorH1347 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →, thoughכִּ֤יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → destroyersבֹּֽקְקִ֔יםbō·qə·qîm — to pour out, empty, depleteH1238 — Full Word Study → have laid them wasteבְקָקוּם֙ḇə·qā·qūm — to pour out, empty, depleteH1238 — Full Word Study → and ruinedשִׁחֵֽתוּ׃ši·ḥê·ṯū — to destroy, ruin, or corruptH7843 — Full Word Study → the branches of their vineוּזְמֹרֵיהֶ֖םū·zə·mō·rê·hem — A branch or shoot of a vineH2156 — Full Word Study →. 3The shieldsמָגֵ֨ןmā·ḡên — Shield; protection, defenseH4043 — Full Word Study → of his mighty menגִּבֹּרֵ֜יהוּgib·bō·rê·hū — mighty man, warrior, strong heroH1368 — Full Word Study → are redמְאָדָּ֗םmə·’ād·dām — to be red; to redden; ruddy complexionH119 — Full Word Study →; the valiant warriorsאַנְשֵׁי־’an·šê- — man, male person, husbandH376 — Full Word Study → are dressed in scarletמְתֻלָּעִ֔יםmə·ṯul·lā·‘îm — to dye or clothe in scarlet; scarlet-coloredH8529 — Full Word Study →. The fittingsפְּלָד֥וֹתpə·lā·ḏō·wṯ — Iron; a torch or lampH6393 — Full Word Study → of the chariotsהָרֶ֖כֶבhā·re·ḵeḇ — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study → flash like fireבְּאֵשׁ־bə·’êš- — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study → on the dayבְּי֣וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → they are preparedהֲכִינ֑וֹhă·ḵî·nōw — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study →, and the spears of cypressוְהַבְּרֹשִׁ֖יםwə·hab·bə·rō·šîm — Cypress tree; wood prized for buildingH1265 — Full Word Study → have been brandishedהָרְעָֽלוּ׃hā·rə·‘ā·lū — to quiver, shake, or trembleH7477 — Full Word Study →. 4The chariotsהָרֶ֔כֶבhā·re·ḵeḇ — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study → dashיִתְהוֹלְל֣וּyiṯ·hō·wl·lū — To praise, boast, or shine; to celebrate or make a displayH1984 — Full Word Study → through the streetsבַּֽחוּצוֹת֙ba·ḥū·ṣō·wṯ — Outside, exterior, or open space beyond a boundaryH2351 — Full Word Study →; they rush aroundיִֽשְׁתַּקְשְׁק֖וּןyiš·taq·šə·qūn — to rush, run, or long intenselyH8264 — Full Word Study → the plazasבָּרְחֹב֑וֹתbā·rə·ḥō·ḇō·wṯ — public square, street, plazaH7339 — Full Word Study →, appearingמַרְאֵיהֶן֙mar·’ê·hen — Appearance, sight, vision, or outward formH4758 — Full Word Study → like torchesכַּלַּפִּידִ֔םkal·lap·pî·ḏim — A torch or burning lamp; a flame-bearing objectH3940 — Full Word Study →, darting aboutיְרוֹצֵֽצוּ׃yə·rō·w·ṣê·ṣū — to run; move swiftlyH7323 — Full Word Study → like lightningכַּבְּרָקִ֖יםkab·bə·rā·qîm — Lightning; a flashing or gleaming swordH1300 — Full Word Study →. 5He summonsיִזְכֹּר֙yiz·kōr — to remember, recall, or mentionH2142 — Full Word Study → his noblesאַדִּירָ֔יו’ad·dî·rāw — Mighty, noble, excellent, worthy of honorH117 — Full Word Study →; they stumbleיִכָּשְׁל֖וּyik·kā·šə·lū — to stumble, fall, or collapseH3782 — Full Word Study → as they advanceבַהֲלִכוֹתָםḇa·hă·li·ḵō·ṯå̄m — A walk, journey, or manner of conductH1979 — Full Word Study →. They raceיְמַֽהֲרוּ֙yə·ma·hă·rū — to hurry, hasten, make hasteH4116 — Full Word Study → to its wallחֽוֹמָתָ֔הּḥō·w·mā·ṯāh — A fortified wall or defensive barrierH2346 — Full Word Study →; the protective shieldהַסֹּכֵֽךְ׃has·sō·ḵêḵ — to cover, protect, fence in, shieldH5526 — Full Word Study → is set in placeוְהֻכַ֖ןwə·hu·ḵan — to establish, prepare, or make firmH3559 — Full Word Study →. 6The riverהַנְּהָר֖וֹתhan·nə·hā·rō·wṯ — River, StreamH5104 — Full Word Study → gatesשַׁעֲרֵ֥יša·‘ă·rê — Gate; entrance to a city or enclosureH8179 — Full Word Study → are thrown openנִפְתָּ֑חוּnip̄·tā·ḥū — to open, loosen, or beginH6605 — Full Word Study → and the palaceוְהַֽהֵיכָ֖לwə·ha·hê·ḵāl — Temple, palace, sanctuary structureH1964 — Full Word Study → collapsesנָמֽוֹג׃nā·mō·wḡ — to melt, dissolve, soften, or become weakH4127 — Full Word Study →. 7It is decreed thatוְהֻצַּ֖בwə·huṣ·ṣaḇ — To stand, station, or set up firmlyH5324 — Full Word Study → the city be exiled and carried awayהֹֽעֲלָ֑תָהhō·‘ă·lā·ṯāh — to ascend, rise up, go upH5927 — Full Word Study →; her maidservantsוְאַמְהֹתֶ֗יהָwə·’am·hō·ṯe·hā — Female servant or bondmaid in household or covenant serviceH519 — Full Word Study → moanמְנַֽהֲגוֹת֙mə·na·hă·ḡō·wṯ — to lead, drive, guideH5090 — Full Word Study → likeכְּק֣וֹלkə·qō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → dovesיוֹנִ֔יםyō·w·nîm — dove or pigeon; symbol of purity and innocenceH3123 — Full Word Study →, and beatמְתֹפְפֹ֖תmə·ṯō·p̄ə·p̄ōṯ — to beat or strike rhythmically, to play a percussion instrumentH8608 — Full Word Study → uponעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → their breastsלִבְבֵהֶֽן׃liḇ·ḇê·hen — The inner self; mind, will, understandingH3824 — Full Word Study →. 8Ninevehוְנִינְוֵ֥הwə·nî·nə·wêh — Capital of AssyriaH5210 — Full Word Study → has been like a poolכִבְרֵֽכַת־ḵiḇ·rê·ḵaṯ- — Pool of water; reservoirH1295 — Full Word Study → of waterמַ֖יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study → throughoutהִ֑יאhî — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → her daysמִ֣ימֵיmî·mê — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study →, but nowוְהֵ֣מָּהwə·hêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → it is draining awayנָסִ֔יםnā·sîm — to flee, escape, or run awayH5127 — Full Word Study →. “Stopעִמְד֥וּ‘im·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →! Stop!” they cryעֲמֹ֖דוּ‘ă·mō·ḏū — to stand, take a stand, be establishedH5975 — Full Word Study →, but noוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → one turns backמַפְנֶֽה׃map̄·neh — to turn, face, or direct attentionH6437 — Full Word Study →. 9Plunderבֹּ֥זּוּbōz·zū — to plunder, spoil, or seize as preyH962 — Full Word Study → the silverכֶ֖סֶףḵe·sep̄ — Silver; money; price; valueH3701 — Full Word Study →! Plunderבֹּ֣זּוּbōz·zū — to plunder, spoil, or seize as preyH962 — Full Word Study → the goldזָהָ֑בzā·hāḇ — Gold; precious metal; wealth and valueH2091 — Full Word Study →!” There is noוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → endקֵ֙צֶה֙qê·ṣeh — edge, border, extremity, endH7097 — Full Word Study → to the treasureלַתְּכוּנָ֔הlat·tə·ḵū·nāh — arrangement, order, or structureH8498 — Full Word Study →, an abundanceכָּבֹ֕דkā·ḇōḏ — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study → of everyמִכֹּ֖לmik·kōl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → preciousחֶמְדָּֽה׃ḥem·dāh — that which is desired; a precious or pleasant thingH2532 — Full Word Study → thingכְּלִ֥יkə·lî — vessel, instrument, or article of useH3627 — Full Word Study →. 10She is emptiedבּוּקָ֥הbū·qāh — emptiness, desolation, voidH950 — Full Word Study →! Yes, she is desolate and laid wasteוּמְבֻלָּקָ֑הū·mə·ḇul·lā·qāh — to lay waste, destroy, desolateH1110 — Full Word Study →! Heartsוְלֵ֨בwə·lêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study → meltנָמֵ֜סnā·mês — To melt, dissolve, or lose courageH4549 — Full Word Study →, kneesבִּרְכַּ֗יִםbir·ka·yim — Knee; the joint of the legH1290 — Full Word Study → knockוּפִ֣קū·p̄iq — to strike, smite, or beat togetherH6375 — Full Word Study →, bodiesמָתְנַ֔יִםmā·ṯə·na·yim — loins, waist, side of the bodyH4975 — Full Word Study → trembleוְחַלְחָלָה֙wə·ḥal·ḥā·lāh — severe pain, anguish, distressH2479 — Full Word Study →, and everyבְּכָל־bə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → faceוּפְנֵ֥יū·p̄ə·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → grows paleקִבְּצ֥וּqib·bə·ṣū — to gather, assemble, or collect togetherH6908 — Full Word Study →! 11Whereאַיֵּה֙’ay·yêh — where; in what placeH346 — Full Word Study → is the lions’אֲרָי֔וֹת’ă·rā·yō·wṯ — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → lairמְע֣וֹןmə·‘ō·wn — den, dwelling place, habitationH4583 — Full Word Study → or the feeding groundוּמִרְעֶ֥הū·mir·‘eh — Pasture, feeding place for livestockH4829 — Full Word Study → of the young lionsלַכְּפִרִ֑יםlak·kə·p̄i·rîm — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study →, whereאֲשֶׁ֣ר’ă·šer — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the lionאַרְיֵ֨ה’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → and lionessלָבִ֥יאlā·ḇî — Lion; symbol of strength and ferocityH3833 — Full Word Study → prowledהָלַךְ֩hā·laḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study → with their cubsגּ֥וּרgūr — young lion, whelp, cubH1482 — Full Word Study →, with nothingוְאֵ֥יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → to frighten them awayמַחֲרִֽיד׃ma·ḥă·rîḏ — to tremble, quake, or shudder with fearH2729 — Full Word Study →? 12The lionאַרְיֵ֤ה’ar·yêh — A lion; fierce predatorH738 — Full Word Study → mauledטֹרֵף֙ṭō·rêp̄ — To tear, rend, or devour preyH2963 — Full Word Study → enough forבְּדֵ֣יbə·ḏê — Sufficiency, enough, according to capacityH1767 — Full Word Study → its cubsגֹֽרוֹתָ֔יוḡō·rō·w·ṯāw — young lion; whelp; cubH1484 — Full Word Study → and strangled preyוּמְחַנֵּ֖קū·mə·ḥan·nêq — to strangle, choke, or hang oneselfH2614 — Full Word Study → for the lionessלְלִבְאֹתָ֑יוlə·liḇ·’ō·ṯāw — Lion; symbol of strength and ferocityH3833 — Full Word Study →. It filledוַיְמַלֵּא־way·mal·lê- — to fill, fulfill, completeH4390 — Full Word Study → its densחֹרָ֔יוḥō·rāw — cave, hole, or hollow openingH2356 — Full Word Study → with the killטֶ֣רֶףṭe·rep̄ — Prey; food torn apartH2964 — Full Word Study →, and its lairsוּמְעֹֽנֹתָ֖יוū·mə·‘ō·nō·ṯāw — Dwelling place, lair, refuge, habitationH4585 — Full Word Study → with mauled preyטְרֵפָֽה׃ṭə·rê·p̄āh — Flesh torn by beasts; carrionH2966 — Full Word Study →. 13Beholdהִנְנִ֣יhin·nî — Look! Behold! — an attention-directing particleH2005 — Full Word Study →, I am against youאֵלַ֗יִךְ’ê·la·yiḵ — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →,” declaresנְאֻם֙nə·’um — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. “I will send your chariotsרִכְבָּ֔הּriḵ·bāh — chariot; war vehicleH7393 — Full Word Study → up in smoke, and the swordחָ֑רֶבḥā·reḇ — sword; blade weaponH2719 — Full Word Study → will devourתֹּ֣אכַלtō·ḵal — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → your young lionsוּכְפִירַ֖יִךְū·ḵə·p̄î·ra·yiḵ — Young lion; fierce strength and dangerH3715 — Full Word Study →. I will cut offוְהִכְרַתִּ֤יwə·hiḵ·rat·tî — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → your preyטַרְפֵּ֔ךְṭar·pêḵ — Prey; food torn apartH2964 — Full Word Study → from the earthמֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙mê·’e·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study →, and the voicesק֥וֹלqō·wl — voice, sound, or cryH6963 — Full Word Study → of your messengersמַלְאָכֵֽכֵה׃סmal·’ā·ḵê·ḵêh — messenger; angel; envoyH4397 — Full Word Study → will no longerוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → be heardיִשָּׁמַ֥עyiš·šā·ma‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study →.”
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Chapter Commentary — Nahum 2
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Nahum chapter 2 presents a vivid, dramatic account of Nineveh's impending judgment and destruction. After the warning of chapter 1, the prophet now depicts the actual siege and fall of Assyria's capital city with stunning poetic imagery. The passage alternates between describing the invading army's overwhelming assault and Nineveh's helpless collapse, emphasizing God's absolute sovereignty over the nations and His faithfulness to protect His people Israel. This chapter serves as a powerful reminder that no earthly power, no matter how vast or cruel, can stand against the purposes of the living God.

Verses 1-5: The Invader Approaches

Verse 1 opens with an urgent call to defensive action, yet this address to Nineveh is ironic—their fortifications will prove useless. "He that dasheth in pieces" refers to the Babylonian and Median forces under Nabopolassar and Cyaxares who will destroy the city. The command to "keep the munition" and "fortify thy power" is not a genuine expectation of success but a taunt: prepare yourselves as you will, your efforts are futile. Verses 2-5 shift to portraying the invading army with breathtaking intensity. The soldiers wear scarlet and crimson armor that gleams like fresh blood (verse 3). The chariots move with such speed and fury that they resemble flaming torches and lightning (verses 3-4). Even Nineveh's own nobles and warriors ("his worthies," verse 5) stumble and panic as they rush to defend their walls. The prophet paints a picture of overwhelming chaos and military superiority—no human defense can withstand what is coming. This reminds us that God's judgment, when it comes, is both certain and swift.

Verses 6-10: The City's Collapse

In verses 6-7, the city's defenses crumble with supernatural speed. The "gates of the rivers" likely refer to water channels or dams that were part of Nineveh's fortification system; these are breached or opened, allowing the invaders access. The palace itself "dissolves"—not merely damaged but fundamentally undone. "Huzzab" (verse 7), possibly the queen or a chief priestess, is led away captive with her attendants mourning like doves. By verses 8-10, the city that once seemed as stable as a permanent pool of water ("Nineveh is of old like a pool of water") suddenly empties as its inhabitants flee. The cry "Stand, stand" goes unheeded; fear paralyzes the people and scatters them. Verses 9-10 capture the bitter irony: the enemy plunders the city's legendary wealth and treasures of silver and gold—symbols of Nineveh's pride and power. Yet this wealth could not save them. Their hearts melt with terror, their knees knock together, their faces turn black with despair. Material prosperity and military might offer no protection when God withdraws His patience.

Verses 11-13: From Predator to Prey

Verses 11-12 employ powerful lion imagery to describe Nineveh's former dominance. The city was like a lion's den where strong predators hunted freely and filled their lairs with prey—a metaphor for Assyria's relentless conquest and cruelty toward subject nations. But in verse 13, the tables turn dramatically. God Himself—"the LORD of hosts"—declares, "Behold, I am against thee." This is the ultimate reversal. The mighty hunter becomes the hunted. God will burn her chariots, devour her young lions (warriors), cut off her prey (conquests), and silence her messengers. Nineveh's reign of terror ends not through gradual decline but through the direct intervention of almighty God.

Application for Today

Nahum 2 assures believers that no earthly power—no government, corporation, or ideology hostile to God's purposes—can ultimately prevail. Though wicked nations may seem invincible and righteous people may be oppressed, God's justice is certain and His timing is perfect. We are called to trust in His sovereignty, pray for His intervention, and remain faithful, knowing that He sees all wickedness and will execute His judgment in His appointed time.

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