King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:13 Mean?

Nahum 2:13 in the King James Version says “Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devou...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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 · KJV

Context

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
God personally addresses Nineveh: "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." The Hebrew hineni eleyka ne'um YHWH tzeva'ot vehis'atti ve'ashan rikkah vekhepirekha tokhal charev vehikratti me'eretz tarepekh velo-yishama od qol mal'akeykh (הִנְנִי אֵלַיִךְ נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת וְהִצַּתִּי בֶעָשָׁן רִכְבָּהּ וּכְפִירֶיךָ תֹּאכַל חָרֶב וְהִכְרַתִּי מֵאֶרֶץ טַרְפֵּךְ וְלֹא־יִשָּׁמַע עוֹד קוֹל מַלְאָכֵיךְ) pronounces comprehensive judgment.

"Behold, I am against thee" (hineni eleyka) is a terrifying declaration. The phrase "I am against thee" appears multiple times in Ezekiel (13:8, 21:3, 26:3, 28:22, 29:3, 10, 35:3, 38:3, 39:1) announcing divine judgment. When Almighty God opposes you, no defense avails. "Saith the LORD of hosts" (ne'um YHWH tzeva'ot) invokes God's title as commander of heavenly armies—infinite power backs this threat.

"I will burn her chariots in the smoke" (vehis'atti ve'ashan rikkah) targets Nineveh's military might. Chariots were ancient world's tanks—mobile platforms for archers, symbols of military power. God promises to burn them. "The sword shall devour thy young lions" (vekhepirekha tokhal charev) continues animal imagery (lion representing Assyria appears in verses 11-12). Kephir (כְּפִיר) means young lion, representing warriors in their prime. They'll be devoured by the sword.

"I will cut off thy prey from the earth" (vehikratti me'eretz tarepekh) uses tereph (טֶרֶף), prey or plunder. Assyria's economy depended on conquest and tribute—robbing other nations. God will end their predation. "The voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard" (velo-yishama od qol mal'akeykh) means Assyrian envoys demanding tribute and threatening nations will fall silent forever. No more arrogant messengers, no more threats—Assyria will cease to exist. This was precisely fulfilled in 612 BC and the following years.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663 BC (after Assyria's conquest of Thebes, mentioned in 3:8) and 612 BC (before Nineveh's fall). For over a century, Assyria had terrorized the ancient Near East with brutal military campaigns. They destroyed Israel's northern kingdom (722 BC) and nearly conquered Judah during Hezekiah's reign (701 BC). Assyrian inscriptions boast of horrific atrocities—impaling victims, burning cities, deporting entire populations. Nahum announces God's judgment against Nineveh for their violence and cruelty. Unlike Jonah's earlier message that brought Nineveh to temporary repentance (c. 760 BC), Nahum declares judgment is now irreversible. The prophecy was precisely fulfilled in 612 BC when Babylon and Media destroyed Nineveh so completely that its location was lost for over 2,000 years.

Nahum demonstrates God's sovereign justice over nations—He judged Israel for covenant unfaithfulness through Assyria, then judged Assyria for exceeding their mandate with excessive cruelty. The book assures God's people that He sees oppression and will vindicate them. While fierce in judgment against the wicked, God remains 'a stronghold in the day of trouble' for those who trust Him (1:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nahum 2:13 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הִנְנִ֣י1 of 19
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

אֵלַ֗יִךְ2 of 19
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

נְאֻם֙3 of 19

“Behold I am against thee saith”

H5002

an oracle

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 19

“the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֔וֹת5 of 19

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וְהִבְעַרְתִּ֤י6 of 19

“and I will burn”

H1197

to be(-come) brutish

בֶֽעָשָׁן֙7 of 19

“in the smoke”

H6227

smoke, literally or figuratively (vapor, dust, anger)

רִכְבָּ֔הּ8 of 19

“her chariots”

H7393

a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e., the upper millstone

וּכְפִירַ֖יִךְ9 of 19

“thy young lions”

H3715

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

תֹּ֣אכַל10 of 19

“shall devour”

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

חָ֑רֶב11 of 19

“and the sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וְהִכְרַתִּ֤י12 of 19

“and I will cut off”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

מֵאֶ֙רֶץ֙13 of 19

“from the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

טַרְפֵּ֔ךְ14 of 19

“thy prey”

H2964

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

וְלֹֽא15 of 19
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִשָּׁמַ֥ע16 of 19

“shall no more be heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

ע֖וֹד17 of 19
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

ק֥וֹל18 of 19

“and the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

מַלְאָכֵֽכֵה׃19 of 19

“of thy messengers”

H4397

a messenger; specifically, of god, i.e., an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher)

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 2:13 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 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 46:9Jeremiah 21:13Nahum 3:52 Kings 19:23Isaiah 49:24-252 Kings 19:9

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