Nahum 2 13

Nahum 2:13 kjv

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.

Nahum 2:13 nkjv

"Behold, I am against you," says the LORD of hosts, "I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more."

Nahum 2:13 niv

"I am against you," declares the LORD Almighty. "I will burn up your chariots in smoke, and the sword will devour your young lions. I will leave you no prey on the earth. The voices of your messengers will no longer be heard."

Nahum 2:13 esv

Behold, I am against you, declares the LORD of hosts, and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions. I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard.

Nahum 2:13 nlt

"I am your enemy!"
says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
"Your chariots will soon go up in smoke.
Your young men will be killed in battle.
Never again will you plunder conquered nations.
The voices of your proud messengers will be heard no more."

Nahum 2 verses

Nahum 2 13 Meaning

Nahum 2:13 is a powerful declaration of divine judgment delivered by the Lord of Hosts directly against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. It explicitly states God's unwavering opposition to the empire, predicting the utter destruction of its formidable military might (chariots, warriors) and the complete cessation of its plundering activities and oppressive political influence. The verse underscores God's sovereignty over the seemingly invincible Assyrian Empire, promising a complete reversal of its power and predatory nature.

Nahum 2 13 Context

Nahum chapter 2 vividly describes the impending, total destruction of Nineveh, the capital city of Assyria. The preceding verses (Nah 2:1-12) depict the arrival of attacking armies and the subsequent panic, flight, and plunder within the city, personified as a den of lions (Nah 2:11-12). This verse (Nah 2:13) immediately follows this portrayal, directly attributing the city's demise not merely to human forces, but to a divine decree. Historically, Assyria was a cruel, dominant empire that had ravaged many nations, including the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Nineveh, known for its military might and predatory nature, represents the embodiment of this oppressive power. The prophecy of Nahum culminates in 612 BC when a coalition of Babylonian and Median forces captured and destroyed Nineveh, fulfilling this very declaration, validating the absolute sovereignty of the Lord of Hosts over all earthly powers.

Nahum 2 13 Word analysis

• Behold (`Hinnēh`): This interjection serves as an emphatic call for attention, introducing a declaration of great significance and certainty. It demands immediate focus on the divine utterance that follows.
• I am against you (`'Ănî 'ēlēyka`): A stark and direct divine declaration of hostility. It signifies not passive opposition, but an active, personal confrontation from God Himself. The use of "you" in the second person singular targets Nineveh/Assyria specifically and directly, leaving no ambiguity about the object of God's wrath. This is a direct polemic against any notion that Assyria's power or gods could withstand the true sovereign Lord.
• declares the Lord of hosts (`Nə'um YHWH Tsəḇā'ôt`):
  • declares (`Nə'um`): A technical term indicating a formal, authoritative divine oracle, a direct word from God.
  • the Lord of hosts (`YHWH Tsəḇā'ôt`): A profound divine title, identifying God as the sovereign commander of all armies—both heavenly and earthly. This title emphasizes His ultimate power and authority over all creation and all forces, diminishing any claim of Nineveh's invincibility and highlighting that its true opponent is not merely a human army but the cosmic General.
• I will burn (`wəha'ăleh`): God's direct, personal action to utterly consume. This specific verb emphasizes a destructive, consuming fire.
• your chariots (`riḵbāh`): The primary symbols and instruments of Assyrian military might and technological superiority. Their chariots were a formidable part of their war machine. Burning them signifies total incapacitation and humiliation, stripping away their core strength.
• in smoke (`be'āshān`): Indicates complete consumption by fire, leaving only residual smoke. It emphasizes the totality of destruction and waste, showing nothing useful remains.
• the sword (`wəḥereḇ`): Represents violent conquest, warfare, and execution of judgment. It embodies the destructive means God will employ.
• shall devour (`tō'ḵal`): A vivid verb suggesting a consuming action, akin to eating, here personified for the sword. It highlights the thorough and aggressive nature of the destruction.
• your young lions (`kəphīrāk`): A powerful metaphor for Assyrian warriors, fierce leaders, and fierce fighting men. The lion was a prevalent symbol of strength, ferocity, and royal power in Assyrian culture. Calling them "young lions" also points to the vigor and potential future of their military class. This is a pointed polemic, taking Nineveh's own symbol of strength and prophesying its complete obliteration by the divine sword.
• I will cut off (`wəhiḵratī`): A strong Hebrew verb indicating decisive severance, termination, or complete extermination. It signifies bringing something to a complete end.
• your prey (`ṭarpēḵ`): Refers to the plunder, spoil, tribute, and enslaved peoples acquired by Nineveh through its predatory conquests. It symbolizes their ill-gotten gains and their entire economic and geopolitical sustenance based on aggression.
• from the earth (`mē'ereṣ`): Signifies global or complete eradication. It means an end to their widespread predatory activities and their very existence as a dominant force.
• the voice of your messengers (`qôl mal'ākāyik`): Messengers were instruments of Assyrian diplomacy, delivering terrifying ultimatums, demanding submission and tribute from other nations, and proclaiming their victories.
• shall no longer be heard (`wəlō' yiššāma` `ʿôḏ`): Signifies a complete silencing, an end to their powerful threats, diplomatic influence, intimidation, and indeed, their very existence as a political entity capable of communicating and commanding. It means their propaganda, threats, and imperial decrees will cease.

Words-group Analysis

• "Behold, I am against you, declares the Lord of hosts": This opening phrase functions as a divine war cry. It's a personal, direct confrontation from the absolute authority of the universe against a human empire, challenging Nineveh's self-perceived invincibility and directly asserting God's sovereignty over earthly powers.
• "and I will burn your chariots in smoke, and the sword shall devour your young lions": This clause targets the very heart of Assyria's military might—its elite, advanced technology (chariots) and its ferocious, feared fighting force (warriors, metaphorically "young lions"). The actions describe their utter destruction: physical consumption by fire and violent demise by the sword. This vividly illustrates the complete dismantling of their aggressive capability.
• "I will cut off your prey from the earth, and the voice of your messengers shall no longer be heard": This final segment outlines the cessation of Nineveh's defining activities and influence. "Cutting off prey" signifies the end of their rapacious plunder and imperial expansion. Silencing "the voice of your messengers" means the end of their coercive diplomacy, their intimidation tactics, and ultimately, their presence and dominion on the world stage. It is a comprehensive declaration of Nineveh's historical and political annihilation.

Nahum 2 13 Bonus section

• The repeated "I will" (three times in quick succession in this single verse) emphasizes the direct, intentional, and sovereign action of God. This destruction is not accidental, nor merely the result of human conflict; it is a meticulously planned execution of divine justice.
• This prophecy would have brought immense comfort and hope to Judah and other nations who had experienced Assyria's brutality, providing assurance that God sees and responds to the oppression of His people and the suffering of the innocent.
• The vivid imagery draws on Nineveh's own self-identity as a "lion's den" (Nah 2:11-12) to describe its downfall. God turns their own symbols of strength into instruments or metaphors of their destruction, a profound irony in divine judgment.

Nahum 2 13 Commentary

Nahum 2:13 is the climactic statement of divine judgment against Nineveh, reversing the roles from a terrifying predator to a helpless victim facing the Lord of Hosts. It encapsulates the core message of the book: God’s justice prevails against even the most formidable, cruel, and oppressive empires. Every symbol of Assyrian power—its military vehicles, its elite warriors, its spoils, and its widespread authority expressed through messengers—is destined for total annihilation. This verse provides both a vindication for the nations suffering under Assyrian tyranny and a powerful testament to God's ultimate control over history, His unyielding opposition to evil, and His ability to humble the proud.