Nahum 2:11

THE PROPHET’S EXULTATION OVER THE FALL OF NINEVEH, Nahum 2:11-13.

11. The prophet rejoices because the wicked city, the oppressor of Judah, is no more.

Where is the dwelling of the lions He very aptly likens Nineveh to a den of lions. The point of comparison is the cruelty and rapacity of her kings and warriors. Like lions they went about, seeking whom they might devour, and with the plunder they filled their den; “and there was none that moved the wing, or that opened the mouth, or chirped” (Isaiah 10:14). The cruelty and lust of the Assyrian conquerors is further described in Nahum 2:12; but the end has come. 13. Jehovah can endure the outrages no longer. The lions, their den, and the plunder heaped up there will be destroyed.

Burn her chariots in the smoke Burn the chariots so that they will go up in smoke. LXX. and Peshitto have the pronoun of the second person, “thy,” and this is preferable; they also read “multitude” in the place of “chariots,” which involves the transposition of two consonants; but in this case the Hebrew is preferable. A slight change would give “thy den,” which would be very appropriate in this connection.

Thy prey The magnificence, splendor, and glory made possible by the prey taken in military expeditions.

The voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard The power of the empire having vanished, no more messengers will be sent to the subdued nations to issue orders or demand tribute (Ezekiel 19:9). For more than two centuries had the Hebrews suffered much from the Assyrian armies.

No wonder that with the doom of the world power so near the prophet breaks into a song of triumph.