Nahum 2
Proclamation of the Destruction of Nineveh
2:1 (2:2) The watchmen of Nineveh shout:1
“An enemy who will scatter you2 is marching out3 to attack you!”4
Watch the road!
Prepare yourselves for battle!7
Muster your mighty strength!”8
2:2 For the
as well as11 the majesty of Israel,
though12 their enemies have plundered them13
and have destroyed their fields.14
Prophetic Vision of the Fall of Nineveh
2:3 The shields of his warriors are dyed red;15
the mighty soldiers are dressed in scarlet garments.16
The metal fittings17 of the chariots18 shine
like19 fire20 on the day of battle;21
the soldiers brandish22 their spears.23
2:4 The chariots24 race madly25 through the streets,
they rush back and forth26 in the broad plazas;
they look27 like lightning bolts,28
they dash here and there29 like flashes of lightning.30
2:5 The commander31 orders32 his officers;
they stumble33 as they advance;34
they rush to the city wall35
and they set up36 the covered siege tower.37
2:6 The sluice gates38 are opened;
the royal palace is deluged39 and dissolves.40
2:7 Nineveh41 is taken into exile42 and is led away;43
her slave girls moan44 like doves45 while they beat46 their breasts.47
2:8 Nineveh was like a pool48 of water49 throughout her days,50
but now51 her people52 are running away;53
she cries out:54 “Stop! Stop!” –
but no one turns back.55
2:9 Her conquerors cry out:56
“Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold!”
There is no end to the treasure;
riches of every kind of precious thing.
2:10 Destruction, devastation, and desolation!57
Their hearts faint,58
their knees tremble,59
each stomach churns,60 each face61 turns62 pale!63
Taunt against the Once-Mighty Lion
2:11 Where now is the den of the lions,64
the feeding place65 of the young lions,
where66 the lion, lioness,67 and lion cub once prowled68
and no one disturbed them?69
2:12 The lion tore apart as much prey as his cubs needed70
and strangled prey to provide food71 for his lionesses;
he filled72 his lairs with prey
and his dens with torn flesh.
Battle Cry of the Divine Warrior
2:13 “I am against you!” declares73 the
“I will burn your chariots75 with fire;76
the sword will devour your young lions;77
you will no longer prey upon the land;78
the voices of your messengers79 will no longer be heard.”