King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:7 Mean?

Nahum 2:7 in the King James Version says “And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, ...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. Huzzab: or, that which was established, or, there was a stand made led: or, discovered”

Nahum 2:7 · KJV

Context

5

He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared. worthies: or, gallants defence: Heb. covering, or, coverer

6

The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved. dissolved: or, molten

7

And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts. Huzzab: or, that which was established, or, there was a stand made led: or, discovered

8

But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back. of old: or, from the days that she hath been look back: or, cause them to turn

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

Read Nahum 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And Huzzab shall be led away captive (vehuzzav guletah hu'alatah)—the identity of Huzzab (הֻצַּב) is debated: possibly a title for the queen ('the one established/stationed'), the city personified, or a specific royal woman. Regardless, the phrase depicts royal humiliation: galah (גָּלָה, led away/uncovered) and alah (עָלָה, brought up) describe deportation and exile. Queens and noblewomen would be led away as captives, the ultimate disgrace for a royal house.

Her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts (ve'amhoteyha menanhagot kekol yonim metophaphot al-libben)—female attendants (amhot, אֲמָהוֹת) moan like doves (yonim, יוֹנִים), beating their breasts (topheph, תֹּפֵף) in ritual mourning. Doves' cooing represents plaintive lamentation. This vivid imagery depicts the reversal of Nineveh's pride: from imperial arrogance to mourning captivity, from commanding nations to being led away powerless. The feminine imagery intensifies the humiliation in a patriarchal honor-shame culture.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient warfare regularly included enslavement and deportation of royal women as spoils of conquest and symbols of total victory. Assyria itself had practiced this extensively—deporting conquered peoples, enslaving royal families, parading captives before victors. Assyrian palace reliefs depict captive women being led away, prisoners in chains, royal families humiliated. Now Nineveh would experience what it had inflicted on others. The mourning rituals described—breast-beating, dove-like moaning—were standard ancient Near Eastern expressions of grief. This fulfilled the biblical principle: 'with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again' (Matthew 7:2).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the image of royal women led captive demonstrate the totality of God's judgment against Nineveh?
  2. What does this verse teach about the principle of measure-for-measure justice—experiencing what you inflicted on others?
  3. How should the mourning imagery affect our understanding of the real human cost of sin and judgment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
וְהֻצַּ֖ב1 of 10

“And Huzzab”

H5324

to station, in various applications (literally or figuratively)

גֻּלְּתָ֣ה2 of 10

“shall be led away captive”

H1540

to denude (especially in a disgraceful sense); by implication, to exile (captives being usually stripped); figuratively, to reveal

הֹֽעֲלָ֑תָה3 of 10

“she shall be brought up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

וְאַמְהֹתֶ֗יהָ4 of 10

“and her maids”

H519

a maid-servant or female slave

מְנַֽהֲגוֹת֙5 of 10

“shall lead”

H5090

to drive forth (a person, an animal or chariot), also (from the panting induced by effort), to sigh

כְּק֣וֹל6 of 10

“her as with the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יוֹנִ֔ים7 of 10

“of doves”

H3123

a dove (apparently from the warmth of their mating)

מְתֹפְפֹ֖ת8 of 10

“tabering”

H8608

to drum, i.e., play (as) on the tambourine

עַל9 of 10
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

לִבְבֵהֶֽן׃10 of 10

“upon their breasts”

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 38:14Isaiah 59:11Isaiah 32:12Luke 23:27Luke 23:48

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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