King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:11 Mean?

Nahum 2:11 in the King James Version says “Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, ...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?”

Nahum 2:11 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

9

Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture. for: or, and their infinite store, etc pleasant: Heb. vessels of desire

10

She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.

11

Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid?

12

The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.

13

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.

Read Nahum 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Where is the dwelling of the lions (ayyeh me'on arayot, אַיֵּה מְעוֹן אֲרָיוֹת)—Nahum's rhetorical question mocks Nineveh's vanished power. Assyria consistently used lion imagery to represent itself: palace walls featured carved lion hunts, kings compared themselves to lions, lions symbolized royal might. The me'on (מָעוֹן, dwelling/den) suggests a secure lair where predators rest between hunts.

And the feedingplace of the young lions (umire'eh lakkephirim)—the place where young lions (kephirim, כְּפִירִים) feed. Where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion's whelp, and none made them afraid (asher halakh aryeh lavi sham gur aryeh ve'eyn macharid)—multiple words for lion (aryeh, אַרְיֵה; lavi, לָבִיא; gur, גּוּר) emphasize the imagery: mature lions and cubs prowling fearlessly, with none to make them afraid (macharid, מַחֲרִיד). This described Assyria perfectly: predatory empire dominating without fear of reprisal, devouring nations at will. The past tense ('where IS?') implies it's gone—the lion's den is empty, the predator destroyed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian royal iconography heavily featured lions. Palace reliefs from Nineveh (now in museums) show elaborate lion hunts, symbolizing the king's power over chaos and enemies. Assyrian kings took titles like 'mighty lion' and 'ferocious wild bull.' The empire's military strategy was deliberately terroristic—creating fear to subjugate populations. For centuries, Assyria prowled the ancient Near East unchallenged, devouring nations. But in 612 BC, the lion's den fell silent. The predator became prey. Babylon and Media destroyed Nineveh so thoroughly that its location was forgotten for over 2,000 years—the ultimate answer to 'where is the dwelling of the lions?'

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nahum's use of Assyria's own lion imagery against them demonstrate God's sovereign control over empires and their symbols?
  2. What does the rhetorical question 'where is the dwelling?' teach about the transience of earthly power compared to God's eternal kingdom?
  3. How should this verse shape Christian responses to seemingly invincible oppressive powers in our own time?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
אַיֵּה֙1 of 15
H346

where?

מְע֣וֹן2 of 15

“Where is the dwelling”

H4583

an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)

אַרְיֵ֖ה3 of 15

“and the lion's”

H738

a lion

וּמִרְעֶ֥ה4 of 15

“and the feedingplace”

H4829

pasture (the place or the act); also the haunt of wild animals

ה֖וּא5 of 15
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לַכְּפִרִ֑ים6 of 15

“of the young lions”

H3715

a village (as covered in by walls); also a young lion (perhaps as covered with a mane)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר7 of 15
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הָלַךְ֩8 of 15

“walked”

H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַרְיֵ֖ה9 of 15

“and the lion's”

H738

a lion

לָבִ֥יא10 of 15

“even the old lion”

H3833

a lion (properly, a lioness as the fiercer (although not a roarer;))

שָׁ֛ם11 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

גּ֥וּר12 of 15

“whelp”

H1482

a cub (as still abiding in the lair), especially of the lion

אַרְיֵ֖ה13 of 15

“and the lion's”

H738

a lion

וְאֵ֥ין14 of 15
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מַחֲרִֽיד׃15 of 15

“and none made them afraid”

H2729

to shudder with terror; hence, to fear; also to hasten (with anxiety)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nahum. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nahum 2:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nahum 2:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 5:29Jeremiah 2:15Genesis 49:9Isaiah 31:4Ezekiel 19:2-8Jeremiah 50:17

Places in This Verse

NinevehSettlement · Modern: Nineveh · 36.36°N, 43.15°E30 verses across 8 books
View all places in Nahum 2 →

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