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