Nahum 2 – “The Downfall of Nineveh”

gold-and-silver-barsHebrew-English Text

I. Summary

Nahum encourages Judah to stay strong and describes the downfall of Nineveh.

II. Photo

Nineveh is sacked: “Plunder silver! Plunder gold! There is no limit to the treasure; It is a hoard of all precious objects.” (v. 10)

III. Select Verses

1: Behold on the hills The footsteps of a herald Announcing good fortune! “Celebrate your festivals, O Judah, Fulfill your vows. Never again shall scoundrels invade you, They have totally vanished.”

3: For the LORD has restored the Pride of Jacob As well as the Pride of Israel, Though marauders have laid them waste And ravaged their branches.

9-11: Nineveh has been like a [placid] pool of water From earliest times; Now they flee. “Stop! Stop!” — But none can turn them back.  “Plunder silver! Plunder gold!” There is no limit to the treasure; It is a hoard of all precious objects.  Desolation, devastation, and destruction! Spirits sink, Knees buckle, All loins tremble, All faces turn ashen.

12-13: What has become of that lions’ den, That pasture of great beasts, Where lion and lion’s breed walked, And lion’s cub — with none to disturb them?  [Where is] the lion that tore victims for his cubs And strangled for his lionesses, And filled his lairs with prey And his dens with mangled flesh?

14: I am going to deal with you — declares the LORD of Hosts: I will burn down her chariots in smoke, And the sword shall devour your great beasts; I will stamp out your killings from the earth, And the sound of your messengers Shall be heard no more.

IV. Outline

1-3. Encouragement for Judah

    1. Message of good fortune

    2-3.  Message of strength

4-14. The fall of Nineveh

    4-11. The sack of Nineveh described

    12-13. Insult for Nineveh

    14. Oracle regarding Nineveh’s downfall

V. Comment

No comment today. Stay tuned.

VI. Works Used

(see “Commentaries” page)

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