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?

NAHUM 2:11KJV
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Nahum 2:11 (KJV)

What does Nahum 2:11 mean?

Nahum 2:11 paints a picture of a place once thought to be safe and untouchable, comparing it to a lion’s den where lions and their young roamed without fear. The verse asks where this stronghold has gone, hinting that even the mightiest can lose their security and power.

Nahum is speaking to the people of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, using the image of lions to represent their rulers and warriors. The question highlights the sudden downfall of a nation that once seemed invincible, showing that their place of strength and safety has vanished. This verse is part of a larger prophecy describing the coming destruction of Nineveh.

The Hebrew behind Nahum 2:11

  • "Dwelling" (מְעוֹן, me'on, H4583) means a home or lair, often used for animals. Here, it emphasizes how secure and established Nineveh once seemed, like a lion’s den.
  • "Lions" (אַרְיֵה, aryeh, H738) and "lion's whelp" (גּוּר, gur, H1482) both refer to different ages of lions, underlining the idea of a whole community—young and old—living without fear.
  • "Afraid" (חָתַת, chatat, H2729) means to be terrified or made fearful. The verse stresses that no one dared to threaten or disturb them, highlighting how complete their past security was.

Why Nahum 2:11 matters

  • Nahum 2:11 uses the image of lions to show how powerful and fearless Nineveh once was, making their coming downfall more striking.
  • The verse helps readers see that even the strongest empires can lose their sense of safety, challenging the idea that any nation is beyond defeat.
  • This question sets up the contrast for the following verses, where Nahum describes the destruction that will leave this “lion’s den” empty and desolate.

Where else these words appear

“whelp” Hebrew H1482 · used in 7 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Lamentations 4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.
  • Ezekiel 19:3 And she brought up one of her whelps: it became a young lion, and it learned to catch the prey; it devoured men.

“feedingplace” Hebrew H4829 · used in 11 verses

  • Genesis 47:4 They said moreover unto Pharaoh, For to sojourn in the land are we come; for thy servants have no pasture for their flocks; for the famine is sore in the land of Canaan: now therefore, we pray thee, let thy servants dwell in the land of Goshen.
  • 1 Chronicles 4:41 And these written by name came in the days of Hezekiah king of Judah, and smote their tents, and the habitations that were found there, and destroyed them utterly unto this day, and dwelt in their rooms: because there was pasture there for their flocks.
  • Lamentations 1:6 And from the daughter of Zion all her beauty is departed: her princes are become like harts that find no pasture, and they are gone without strength before the pursuer.

“lion” Hebrew H3833 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Job 4:11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
  • Isaiah 30:6 The burden of the beasts of the south: into the land of trouble and anguish, from whence come the young and old lion, the viper and fiery flying serpent, they will carry their riches upon the shoulders of young asses, and their treasures upon the bunches of camels, to a people that shall not profit them.

“dwelling” Hebrew H4583 · used in 19 verses

  • Deuteronomy 26:15 Look down from thy holy habitation, from heaven, and bless thy people Israel, and the land which thou hast given us, as thou swarest unto our fathers, a land that floweth with milk and honey.
  • Psalms 26:8 LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.