King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:12 Mean?

Nahum 2:12 in the King James Version says “The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and ...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Nahum 2:12 · KJV

Context

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps (aryeh toreph bedi gorotav, אַרְיֵה טֹרֵף בְּדֵי גֹרוֹתָיו)—continuing the lion metaphor, Nahum depicts Assyria as a predator tearing prey (taraph, טָרַף) sufficient (dei, דֵּי) for its cubs. The image is of a provider-predator hunting to feed its young, suggesting Assyria's systematic plunder of nations to enrich itself and its dependencies.

And strangled for his lionesses (umechannek lelvi'otav)—strangling (chanak, חָנַק) prey for the lionesses, depicting methodical killing beyond immediate need. And filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin (vayemale tereph chorav ume'onotav terefah)—filling caves (chor, חֹר) with prey (tereph, טֶרֶף) and dens (me'onot, מְעֹנֹת) with torn flesh (terefah, טְרֵפָה). This depicts hoarding and excess: not killing from necessity but from greed, stockpiling plunder, accumulating beyond need. Assyria didn't just conquer for security but for insatiable appetite for dominance and wealth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian imperial economy was based on systematic plunder. Annual military campaigns extracted tribute, conquered cities were stripped of treasures, populations were enslaved and deported. Assyrian annals boast of enormous quantities of gold, silver, livestock, and goods taken from conquered peoples. Nineveh itself was a showcase of plundered wealth—palaces filled with treasures from Egypt, Babylon, Israel, and dozens of other nations. The 'lion filling his den' was literal: Nineveh's storehouses overflowed with stolen goods. But as Jesus taught: 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal' (Matthew 6:19). In 612 BC, Nineveh's accumulated plunder was itself plundered by Babylon.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of excess predation (filling dens beyond need) illustrate the sinful nature of greed and imperial exploitation?
  2. What does Assyria's fate teach about the futility of accumulating wealth through injustice and violence?
  3. How should believers examine their own lives for patterns of 'hoarding' or taking more than needed at others' expense?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
אַרְיֵ֤ה1 of 11

“The lion”

H738

a lion

טֹרֵף֙2 of 11

“did tear in pieces”

H2963

to pluck off or pull to pieces; causatively to supply with food (as in morsels)

בְּדֵ֣י3 of 11

“enough”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

גֹֽרוֹתָ֔יו4 of 11

“for his whelps”

H1484

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

וּמְחַנֵּ֖ק5 of 11

“and strangled”

H2614

to be narrow; by implication, to throttle, or (reflexive) to choke oneself to death (by a rope)

לְלִבְאֹתָ֑יו6 of 11

“for his lionesses”

H3833

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

וַיְמַלֵּא7 of 11

“and filled”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

טֶ֣רֶף8 of 11

“with prey”

H2964

something torn, i.e., a fragment, e.g., a fresh leaf, prey, food

חֹרָ֔יו9 of 11

“his holes”

H2356

a cavity, socket, den

וּמְעֹֽנֹתָ֖יו10 of 11

“and his dens”

H4585

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

טְרֵפָֽה׃11 of 11

“with ravin”

H2966

prey, i.e., flocks devoured by animals

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 2:12 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 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:34Psalms 17:12Isaiah 10:6-14

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