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.

NAHUM 2:13KJV
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Nahum 2:13 (KJV)

What does Nahum 2:13 mean?

Nahum 2:13 is a declaration from God against Nineveh, saying that He is opposed to them and will destroy their power and pride—burning their chariots, killing their warriors, ending their violence, and silencing their messengers. This verse shows that God Himself is bringing judgment and that Nineveh’s strength and influence will be completely cut off.

In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Nahum to warn the city of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, that their time of conquest and cruelty is over. The language is vivid: God will burn their chariots (symbols of military might), devour their "young lions" (their strong warriors), and stop their messengers from spreading news or commands. The verse is part of a larger prophecy describing the downfall of a once-powerful empire because of its violence and arrogance.

The Hebrew behind Nahum 2:13

  • LORD (יְהוָה, Yahweh): This is the personal name of God, emphasizing that the warning comes from the highest authority, not just a human prophet.
  • hosts (צְבָאוֹת, tseva’ot): This word means "armies" or "forces," often used to highlight God’s power over all heavenly and earthly armies, showing that Nineveh’s military strength is nothing compared to God’s.
  • lions (כְּפִירִים, kephirim): The word for "young lions" refers to the Assyrian warriors or leaders, often called "lions" for their fierceness. God says even these will be devoured, meaning their best defenders will fall.
  • messengers (מַלְאָכִים, mal’akhim): This word means "messengers" or "envoys." God’s judgment will be so complete that Nineveh’s voice and influence—spread by these messengers—will disappear from the world.

Why Nahum 2:13 matters

  • Nahum 2:13 makes it clear that Nineveh’s downfall is not just due to human enemies but is a direct act of God’s judgment, stressing the seriousness of their situation.
  • The verse uses strong images—burning chariots, devoured lions, silenced messengers—to show that every part of Nineveh’s power structure will be dismantled.
  • This verse ties into the whole message of Nahum: even the mightiest empires are accountable to God and can fall when they become violent and proud.

Where else these words appear

“prey” Hebrew H2964 · used in 23 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?
  • Psalms 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God.
  • 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.

“smoke” Hebrew H6227 · used in 24 verses

  • Genesis 15:17 And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.
  • Job 41:20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
  • Isaiah 6:4 And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried, and the house was filled with smoke.

“lions” Hebrew H3715 · used in 32 verses

  • Judges 14:5 Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him.
  • Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.
  • 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.

“burn” Hebrew H1197 · used in 90 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • 2 Samuel 22:9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
  • Isaiah 30:27 Behold, the name of the LORD cometh from far, burning with his anger, and the burden thereof is heavy: his lips are full of indignation, and his tongue as a devouring fire: