King James Version

What Does Nahum 2:9 Mean?

Nahum 2:9 in the King James Version says “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 pleasan...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Nahum 2:9 · KJV

Context

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

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?

Read Nahum 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nahum asks rhetorically: 'Art thou better than populous No' (heteytivi miNo-Amown). No-Amon (Thebes) was Egypt's ancient capital, one of the greatest cities of antiquity, located on the Nile with sophisticated defenses. It 'sat among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea.' The Nile and surrounding waterways provided natural defenses, making Thebes seem as secure as Nineveh. Yet Assyria itself had conquered and destroyed Thebes in 663 BC (recent memory when Nahum prophesied). The question devastating: if mighty Thebes fell despite its defenses and allies, how can Nineveh expect to escape? This demonstrates a crucial principle: past victories don't guarantee future success; former glory doesn't prevent future judgment. Nineveh itself had destroyed Thebes, proving that no city is invincible. Now Nineveh will experience the same fate it inflicted on others. This is divine justice: those who live by the sword die by the sword; those who show no mercy receive none.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Thebes (No-Amon) was one of history's greatest cities, capital of Egypt's New Kingdom, home to massive temples and monuments. In 663 BC, Assyrian king Ashurbanipal conquered and sacked Thebes despite its legendary defenses, carrying away enormous plunder and destroying much of the city. This recent event would have been well-known to Nahum's audience. By pointing to Thebes' fall, Nahum argues that if that great city could not stand against Assyria, Nineveh cannot stand against God's judgment. The same empire that destroyed Thebes would itself be destroyed. Historical accounts confirm Thebes never fully recovered from Assyrian devastation, just as Nineveh would never recover from Babylonian-Median conquest. The parallel demonstrates God's sovereign control over empires—raising up and bringing down according to His purposes.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the example of Thebes falling despite its greatness warn against trusting in past glories or present strengths?
  2. What does this passage teach about the principle of divine retribution—experiencing the same judgment you inflicted on others?
  3. How should the certainty that all earthly empires eventually fall affect Christian perspectives on politics and nationalism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
בֹּ֣זּוּ1 of 11

“Take ye the spoil”

H962

to plunder

כֶ֖סֶף2 of 11

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

בֹּ֣זּוּ3 of 11

“Take ye the spoil”

H962

to plunder

זָהָ֑ב4 of 11

“of gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

וְאֵ֥ין5 of 11
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

קֵ֙צֶה֙6 of 11

“for there is none end”

H7097

an extremity

לַתְּכוּנָ֔ה7 of 11

“of the store”

H8498

adjustment, i.e., structure; by implication, equipage

כָּבֹ֕ד8 of 11

“and glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

מִכֹּ֖ל9 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

כְּלִ֥י10 of 11

“furniture”

H3627

something prepared, i.e., any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)

חֶמְדָּֽה׃11 of 11

“out of all the pleasant”

H2532

delight

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 2:9 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 2:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 26:12Nahum 2:12-13Daniel 11:8Jeremiah 51:562 Chronicles 36:10Jeremiah 25:34

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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