Nahum 3 2

Nahum 3:2 kjv

The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.

Nahum 3:2 nkjv

The noise of a whip And the noise of rattling wheels, Of galloping horses, Of clattering chariots!

Nahum 3:2 niv

The crack of whips, the clatter of wheels, galloping horses and jolting chariots!

Nahum 3:2 esv

The crack of the whip, and rumble of the wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot!

Nahum 3:2 nlt

Hear the crack of whips,
the rumble of wheels!
Horses' hooves pound,
and chariots clatter wildly.

Nahum 3 verses

Nahum 3 2 Meaning

Nahum 3:2 vividly depicts the chaotic and terrifying sounds of an approaching army. It is a prophetic portrayal of the military onslaught against Nineveh, focusing on the auditory experience of impending destruction: the cracking of whips, the rattling of wheels from chariots, the thunderous gallop of horses, and the jarring movements of leaping chariots. This verse underscores the swift, violent, and relentless nature of the judgment decreed by God against the city of blood.

Nahum 3 2 Context

Nahum chapter 3 begins with "Woe to the bloody city!" (v. 1), immediately establishing Nineveh's condemned state. This verse (v. 2) follows directly as a description of the divine instrument for that woe: a devastating military assault. The entire book of Nahum serves as a prophetic oracle of judgment against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, notorious for its brutality, idolatry, and oppression. Chapters 1 and 2 depict God's character as a just avenger and provide a preliminary vision of Nineveh's siege. Chapter 3 graphically details the violence and subsequent utter ruin awaiting the city. Historically, this prophecy was fulfilled when Nineveh fell to a coalition of Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC, demonstrating God's sovereign power over even the most formidable empires of the ancient world. The verse creates an immediate, visceral sense of impending doom, emphasizing the unstoppable force being brought against the wicked city.

Nahum 3 2 Word analysis

• The cracking/noise of whips:

  • Original Hebrew: קֹל שׁוֹט (qōl šôṭ).
  • qōl (קֹל): Meaning "sound," "voice," "noise." This is a key word, used multiple times in this verse, immediately immersing the reader in an auditory experience of battle. It can also imply a "roar" or "thunder," emphasizing the volume and intensity.
  • šôṭ (שׁוֹט): Meaning "whip," "scourge." Used here to describe the sharp, cracking sound made by whips driving horses or soldiers forward. It symbolizes coercion, speed, and painful enforcement. Its presence suggests frantic activity and discipline within the invading army.

• and the rattling of wheels:

  • Original Hebrew: וְקֹל אוֹפָן (wəqōl ôfān).
  • wəqōl (וְקֹל): "And the sound/noise of." Continues the focus on sound.
  • ôfān (אוֹפָן): Meaning "wheel." The rattling sound is characteristic of ancient chariots moving rapidly, particularly on uneven ground. It implies speed, mass, and the irresistible momentum of an army. This specific sound would have been a hallmark of ancient warfare, signifying the arrival of a major fighting force.

• galloping horses:

  • Original Hebrew: סוּס דֹּהֵר (sūs dōhēr).
  • sūs (סוּס): Meaning "horse." Horses were central to military power in the ancient Near East, symbolizing strength, speed, and cavalry.
  • dōhēr (דֹּהֵר): Meaning "galloping," "prancing," "charging furiously." This active participle conveys dynamic, forceful movement, emphasizing the power and unrestrained charge of the horses. It evokes the earth-shaking rhythm of an advancing cavalry, bringing immediate menace.

• and chariots leaping/jumping:

  • Original Hebrew: וּמֶרְכָּבָה מְקַפֶּצֶת (ûmerkāvâ məqappeṣet).
  • ûmerkāvâ (וּמֶרְכָּבָה): "And chariot." Chariots were the elite fighting vehicles of ancient armies, instruments of shock and awe. Their presence confirms the nature of the attacking force as powerful and destructive.
  • məqappeṣet (מְקַפֶּצֶת): Meaning "leaping," "jumping," "bounding," "skipping." This vivid image suggests a chaotic, rapid movement, perhaps indicating speed over difficult terrain, the jolting of battle, or even the frenzied energy of the charge itself. It contributes to the overall impression of a force utterly committed to its destructive purpose, heedless of obstacles.

Words-group analysis:

• "The cracking of whips and the rattling of wheels": These sounds are those associated with driving and locomotion. Whips drive horses; wheels indicate vehicles. Together, they create an immediate auditory image of a fast-moving, disciplined force. The repeated qol (sound) emphasizes the sheer volume and pervasiveness of the noise, creating a sense of inescapable doom.
• "galloping horses and chariots leaping": These describe the actual instruments of war and their motion. The focus shifts from the sound producers (whips, wheels) to the main elements of ancient mobile warfare (horses, chariots). The verbs chosen – "galloping" and "leaping" – portray the intense energy, speed, and even reckless abandon of the invading force. This group vividly depicts the full might and terrifying momentum of the attacking army, showcasing their agility and aggression as they overwhelm their target. The imagery of "leaping chariots" could imply they are overcoming obstacles, or perhaps bouncing violently due to the speed and terrain of battle.

Nahum 3 2 Bonus section

The Hebrew text, particularly the repetition of qol (sound/noise), amplifies the auditory effect, making the sounds almost palpable. This poetic technique engages the senses, emphasizing the terror and inescapable nature of the attack on Nineveh. Nahum's prophecy here serves not only as a warning but also as a comfort to Judah, indicating that God hears the cries of the oppressed and will act decisively against their tormentors. The vivid imagery used throughout Nahum contrasts sharply with the earlier prophecy of Jonah to Nineveh. While Jonah presented God's mercy leading to repentance, Nahum demonstrates God's unchanging justice when faced with unrepentant, prolonged wickedness, showcasing the twin attributes of divine compassion and righteous judgment.

Nahum 3 2 Commentary

Nahum 3:2 is a masterwork of onomatopoeia and auditory imagery, placing the reader directly within the soundscape of Nineveh's destruction. The prophet employs sounds—the sharp cracks of whips, the relentless rattle of wheels, the thunder of galloping hoofs, and the jarring bounce of chariots—to build an immediate and visceral sense of dread and impending doom. This concentration on sound over sight suggests an overwhelming and unstoppable force that is not merely seen from a distance but heard bearing down with terrifying immediacy.

The sequence of sounds highlights the progressive closure of the net around Nineveh: the discipline (whips), the instruments of war (wheels, chariots), and the sheer animal power (horses). These are not merely sounds of an army; they are the sounds of God's appointed agents of justice. For Nineveh, once a formidable and cruel oppressor, these very symbols of military might—which they themselves had wielded for destruction—now become the instruments of their own demise, directed by the Lord. This reversal underscores God's sovereignty over nations and military powers, revealing that He orchestrates the downfall of the wicked using the very tools they mastered. The passage is less about the technical details of a siege and more about the inevitable, chaotic, and terrifying experience of judgment.