Nahum 1:13 kjv
For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
Nahum 1:13 nkjv
For now I will break off his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart."
Nahum 1:13 niv
Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away."
Nahum 1:13 esv
And now I will break his yoke from off you and will burst your bonds apart."
Nahum 1:13 nlt
Now I will break the yoke of bondage from your neck
and tear off the chains of Assyrian oppression."
Nahum 1 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 26:13 | "I broke the bars of your yoke and made you walk erect." | God breaking the yoke of slavery. |
| Ex 6:6 | "I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rescue you from their bondage..." | God's deliverance from Egyptian slavery. |
| Ps 105:20 | "The king sent and released him; The ruler of peoples set him free." | Divine release from captivity. |
| Ps 124:7 | "Our soul is escaped as a bird out of the snare of the fowlers: the snare is broken, and we are escaped." | Miraculous deliverance from entrapment. |
| Is 9:4 | "For you have broken the yoke of his burden and the staff of his shoulder, the rod of his oppressor..." | Prophecy of liberation, potentially Messianic. |
| Is 10:27 | "And in that day his burden will be removed from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck; And the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil." | God removing Assyrian oppression. |
| Is 14:25 | "That I will break the Assyrian in My land, and on My mountains tread him down..." | God's judgment and destruction of Assyria. |
| Is 30:31-32 | "For by the voice of the LORD Assyria will be terrified... And every stroke of the appointed staff..." | God's powerful destruction of Assyria. |
| Is 42:7 | "To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the dungeon, And those who dwell in darkness from the prison." | Spiritual and physical release, often linked to the Messiah. |
| Jer 2:20 | "For long ago I broke your yoke and tore off your bonds; But you said, 'I will not serve.'" | God breaking yokes, but people's rebellion. |
| Jer 28:2-4 | "I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon... I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon." | False prophecy of breaking Babylonian yoke. |
| Jer 30:8 | "For it shall come to pass in that day,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘That I will break his yoke from your neck..." | God breaking the oppressor's yoke. |
| Ez 34:27 | "Then they will know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bars of their yoke..." | God delivering His flock from bondage. |
| Zech 9:8 | "Then I will encamp at My house as a guard against the army, Lest anyone pass to and fro..." | God's protection of His dwelling place/people. |
| Mt 11:28-30 | "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me... For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." | Contrast: Christ's easy yoke vs. burdens. |
| Lk 4:18-19 | "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me... To proclaim liberty to the captives... to set at liberty those who are oppressed." | Jesus fulfilling prophecy of release. |
| Acts 15:10 | "Now therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples..." | Referring to the burden of the Law. |
| Gal 5:1 | "It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery." | Spiritual freedom from sin and law. |
| Col 2:14-15 | "He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross... disarming principalities and powers..." | Christ breaking spiritual bonds. |
| 2 Cor 3:17 | "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." | Spiritual freedom in the Spirit. |
| Rom 6:18 | "And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." | Spiritual liberation and new service. |
| Rom 8:2 | "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." | Deliverance from the bondage of sin and death. |
Nahum 1 verses
Nahum 1 13 Meaning
Nahum 1:13 declares God's solemn promise to His people, Judah, that He will personally intervene to end their oppression by the Assyrian empire. It portrays God breaking the "yoke" of servitude and shattering the "bonds" of captivity imposed upon them, signifying a complete and decisive liberation from foreign dominion and tribute. This verse underscores God's sovereignty over nations and His steadfast commitment to deliver His elect from any form of oppressive human power.
Nahum 1 13 Context
Nahum is a prophetic book primarily addressing the impending destruction of Nineveh, the formidable capital of Assyria, Judah's cruel oppressor. Chapter 1 introduces the nature of God, who is both a jealous, avenging God to His adversaries (vs. 2-8) and a good, strong refuge for those who trust Him (v. 7). This verse, Nahum 1:13, is part of a direct promise of solace and liberation specifically to Judah (referred to by "you" in verses 12-13). It contrasts the certain doom of Assyria (depicted in verses 9-11) with the guaranteed deliverance of God's covenant people, thereby providing hope amidst Assyria's apparent global dominance and brutal rule over nations, including Judah, through tribute, political control, and potential deportations.
Nahum 1 13 Word analysis
- For now (כִּי־עַתָּה - ki-‘attah): The phrase signifies a firm declaration and imminence. "For" provides the reason or explanation for the preceding judgment on Assyria, directly impacting Judah. "Now" stresses the certainty and divinely appointed timing of this action, conveying an immediate divine resolve to bring about Judah's freedom.
- I will break (אֶשְׁבּוֹר - 'eshbor): Derived from the Hebrew root shavar (שָׁבַר), meaning "to shatter," "to destroy," or "to crush." The first-person singular emphasizes God as the sole and powerful actor, signifying His direct and forceful intervention, rather than relying on human effort or military might.
- his yoke (מוֹטֵהוּ - motahu): From מוֹטָה (motah), a literal or metaphorical wooden bar connecting animals for labor, or symbolizing a heavy burden or oppressive rule. Here, "his" (referring to Assyria) signifies the instruments and totality of Assyrian domination, including forced labor, heavy taxation, political subservience, and the constant threat of military action. It represents a dehumanizing servitude.
- from you (מֵעָלֶיךָ - me’alayikh): Literally "from upon you." This personal pronoun directly addresses Judah, specifically guaranteeing their relief from the oppressive load. It is a promise directed to a particular people by their covenant God.
- And burst (וּמוֹסְרוֹתֶיךָ אֲנַתֵּק - u-moterotayikh 'anattek): The verb אֲנַתֵּק ('anattek) comes from נָתַק (nataq), meaning "to tear off," "to pluck away," or "to snap." This implies a violent, swift, and complete separation, complementing and intensifying the idea of "breaking."
- your bonds apart (מוֹסֵרוֹתֶיךָ - moterotayikh): From מוֹסֵר (moser) / מוֹסֵרוֹת (moterot), literally "bindings," "chains," or "fetters." These refer to restraints and symbols of captivity or control, perhaps denoting specific treaties, decrees, or even physical chains used in deportations. "Your" again points specifically to Judah as the beneficiary of this complete release.
- "I will break his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart.": This masterful use of parallelism (synonymous or constructive) powerfully reinforces the total nature of God's intended deliverance. The "yoke" (symbolizing forced labor/tribute) and "bonds" (symbolizing captivity/restriction) represent the dual aspects of Assyria's severe control. The divine actions of "break" and "burst" vividly portray the absolute dismantling of this oppression, demonstrating God's sovereign ability to grant comprehensive freedom to His chosen people. The shift from "his yoke" (the oppressor's instrument) to "your bonds" (the oppressed's restraints) highlights the direct impact of God's action on Judah's condition.
Nahum 1 13 Bonus section
The immediate and active voice ("I will break... I will burst") profoundly emphasizes God's direct, personal, and decisive involvement in the deliverance of His people. This promise is not contingent upon Judah's strength or political maneuvering but flows solely from God's sovereign will and power, which was implicitly detailed earlier in the chapter (Nahum 1:3-7). Historically, this prophecy would find its fulfillment in the fall of Nineveh to Babylon and the Medes in 612 BC, effectively removing the Assyrian threat and allowing Judah a period of respite, though new oppressors would eventually arise. Spiritually, the imagery of a broken "yoke" and "bonds" resonates throughout Scripture, pointing to the ultimate spiritual liberation from the bondage of sin and death achieved by Christ's redemptive work, replacing heavy yokes with His light and easy one.
Nahum 1 13 Commentary
Nahum 1:13 stands as a pivotal promise in the prophecy, shifting focus from God's wrath upon Assyria to His redemptive mercy for Judah. The powerful imagery of breaking a "yoke" and bursting "bonds" vividly conveys a divine act of liberation that is absolute and complete, targeting every aspect of Assyrian subjugation—be it economic exploitation, political subservience, or physical captivity. It reminds God's people that despite the overwhelming might of human empires, no oppression is too great for the Lord. This verse acts as a balm for the afflicted, declaring that their God is fully capable of and determined to end their suffering. It establishes the Lord as the ultimate Deliverer, whose promises are guaranteed, giving hope to the covenant community against seemingly insurmountable odds.