Nahum 2: The Fall of Nineveh – A Coptic Orthodox Commentary on Divine Justice

Executive Summary ✨

Nahum Chapter 2 is a powerful and vivid prophecy detailing the impending destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire. This chapter, brimming with military imagery and divine pronouncements, showcases God’s justice against a city steeped in wickedness. We will delve into each verse, exploring its historical context, theological significance within the Coptic Orthodox tradition, and practical spiritual application. This commentary will examine the prophecy’s fulfillment, linking it to the broader narrative of salvation history and offering insights into themes of repentance, judgment, and the enduring nature of God’s righteousness. Through patristic interpretations and scriptural connections, we aim to understand not only the fall of a specific city but also the timeless principles of divine judgment and mercy inherent in Nahum 2: The Fall of Nineveh.

Nahum’s prophecy against Nineveh is a stark reminder that even the mightiest empires are subject to God’s judgment. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we understand this not as vindictive wrath, but as a necessary purification for the sake of justice and ultimate salvation. This chapter provides invaluable lessons in humility, repentance, and the unwavering truth that sin, no matter how deeply entrenched, will eventually face its consequences.

Commentary: Nahum Chapter 2

Verse 1 (KJV)

“He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.”

Verse 1 (NKJV)

“He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort! Watch the road! Strengthen your flanks! Fortify your power mightily.”

This verse sets the stage for the siege. “He that dasheth in pieces,” often interpreted as God himself or the invading army acting as God’s instrument, has arrived. The command to Nineveh is to prepare for war: reinforce defenses, maintain vigilance, brace yourselves, and strengthen your power. This reflects the city’s initial confidence, despite the impending doom. The call to “keep the munition” highlights their reliance on material strength rather than spiritual repentance.

Spiritual Application: We too must be vigilant against spiritual attacks. We need to fortify our faith through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Just as Nineveh was called to prepare, so too are we called to be ready for the coming of the Lord. We fortify our spirit by using reliable [munitions](https://dohost.us), which can be found at dohost.us, to defend our faith.

Verse 2 (KJV)

“For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for they have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.”

Verse 2 (NKJV)

“For the Lord will restore the excellence of Jacob Like the excellence of Israel, For the emptiers have emptied them out And ruined their vine branches.”

This verse alludes to the suffering of Israel and Judah under Assyrian oppression. It suggests that God will restore the “excellency of Jacob” (Israel) after Assyria’s destruction. The phrase “emptied them out, and marred their vine branches” speaks of the devastation Assyria inflicted upon the chosen people. This serves as a reminder that God remembers the suffering of His people and will ultimately vindicate them. God’s justice is not only about punishing the wicked but also about restoring the righteous.

Patristic Insight: St. Cyril of Alexandria comments on God’s justice, saying, “δικαιοσύνη Θεοῦ οὐκ ἀργεῖ, ἀλλὰ δι’ ἔργων φαίνεται” (dikaiosýnē Theoû ouk argeî, allà di’ érgōn phaínetai), “God’s righteousness is not idle, but it is revealed through works” (Commentary on Isaiah, PG 70:148).

Spiritual Application: Even in times of suffering, we must trust in God’s promise of restoration. He will not forget His people, and He will ultimately bring justice and healing. The promise of the restoration of Jacob echoes the promise of our own spiritual restoration through Christ.

Verse 3 (KJV)

“The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.”

Verse 3 (NKJV)

“The shields of his mighty men are made red, The valiant men are in scarlet. The chariots come with flaming torches In the day of his preparation, And the spears are brandished.”

This verse vividly paints a picture of the invading army. The red shields and scarlet uniforms suggest a fierce and disciplined force. The “chariots with flaming torches” create an image of swift and overwhelming attack. The shaking of the “fir trees” could symbolize the terror and destruction brought upon the land.

Historical Context: Assyrian armies were known for their discipline and advanced weaponry, including chariots. The mention of scarlet could relate to the dye industry of the region or specific military attire.

Spiritual Application: We must be aware of the fiery darts of the enemy. We are called to put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17) and to stand firm against the temptations and trials that come our way. The imagery of the chariots and torches reminds us of the speed and intensity of spiritual warfare.

Verse 4 (KJV)

“The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.”

Verse 4 (NKJV)

“The chariots rage in the streets, They jostle one another in the broad roads; They seem like torches, They run like lightning.”

This verse intensifies the description of the assault. The chariots, described as raging and jostling each other, create chaos and confusion in the streets of Nineveh. Their speed is likened to “torches” and “lightning,” emphasizing the sudden and overwhelming nature of the attack.

Urban Context: The “streets” and “broad ways” of Nineveh, once symbols of its power and commerce, become the scenes of its destruction. This highlights the vanity of worldly glory and the fleeting nature of earthly power.

Spiritual Application: We must not be caught up in the chaos and confusion of the world. We need to focus on Christ, our anchor in the storm. The “raging chariots” symbolize the distractions and temptations that can pull us away from our spiritual path.

Verse 5 (KJV)

“He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.”

Verse 5 (NKJV)

“He remembers his nobles; They stumble in their walk; They make haste to her walls, And the defense is prepared.”

This verse speaks of the king of Nineveh’s attempt to rally his forces. He “recounts his worthies,” summoning his nobles to defend the city. However, they “stumble in their walk,” indicating their panic and disarray. They rush to the walls, desperately trying to prepare the defense. This depicts the failure of human efforts when God’s judgment is at hand.

Spiritual Application: We must not rely on our own strength or abilities. When faced with trials, we need to turn to God for guidance and support. The stumbling nobles remind us of our own human frailty and the need for divine assistance.

Verse 6 (KJV)

“The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.”

Verse 6 (NKJV)

“The gates of the rivers are opened, And the palace is dissolved.”

This verse describes a key element of Nineveh’s downfall. The “gates of the rivers” likely refer to the city’s water defenses being breached, possibly due to heavy rains or intentional sabotage. This breach leads to the collapse or “dissolving” of the palace, a symbol of Assyrian power. This indicates a catastrophic failure of Nineveh’s defenses.

Historical & Geographical Context: Nineveh was situated on the Tigris River. Historical accounts suggest the breaching of the levees protecting the city was a factor in its fall.

Spiritual Application: We must be aware of the potential weaknesses in our spiritual defenses. Just as the river breached Nineveh’s walls, so too can our vulnerabilities be exploited by the enemy. We need to strengthen our defenses through prayer, vigilance, and accountability.

Verse 7 (KJV)

“And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.”

Verse 7 (NKJV)

“And Huzzab is led away captive, She is brought up; And her maidens lead her as with the voice of doves, Beating their breasts.”

“Huzzab” is generally interpreted as either the queen of Nineveh or Nineveh itself. The verse depicts her being led away captive, symbolizing the city’s fall and humiliation. Her maids mourn her fate “as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts,” expressing deep sorrow and lamentation.

Spiritual Application: We must recognize the pain and suffering caused by sin. Repentance involves acknowledging the consequences of our actions and mourning the loss of innocence and virtue. The lamentation of the maids reminds us of the deep sorrow that sin brings.

Verse 8 (KJV)

“But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.”

Verse 8 (NKJV)

“Though Nineveh of old was like a pool of water, Now they flee away. “Halt! Halt!” they cry; But no one turns back.”

Despite Nineveh’s historical strength and abundance (“like a pool of water”), its inhabitants are now fleeing in terror. The cry “Stand, stand!” goes unheeded as no one turns back. This portrays the utter panic and disintegration of the city’s defenses and morale.

Spiritual Application: Worldly possessions and past achievements are meaningless in the face of God’s judgment. We must not be attached to material things or rely on our past successes. The fleeing Ninevites remind us of the futility of earthly security.

Verse 9 (KJV)

“Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.”

Verse 9 (NKJV)

“Take spoil of silver! Take spoil of gold! There is no end of treasure, Or wealth of every desirable prize.”

The invaders are invited to plunder the city’s vast wealth. The verse emphasizes the abundance of silver, gold, and “pleasant furniture” (valuable goods). This highlights Nineveh’s materialism and the irony of its wealth being ultimately useless in the face of destruction. Their treasures, once a source of pride, become spoils of war.

Spiritual Application: We must not set our hearts on earthly treasures. Material wealth is fleeting and can be easily lost. Our true treasure is in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy (Matthew 6:20).

Verse 10 (KJV)

“She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.”

Verse 10 (NKJV)

“She is empty, desolate, and waste! The heart melts, and the knees shake; Much pain is in all loins, And the faces of all grow pale.”

This verse describes the utter devastation and terror within Nineveh. The city is “empty, void, and waste,” stripped of its people and wealth. The inhabitants are filled with fear: “the heart melteth, and the knees smite together.” The “blackness” on their faces suggests extreme distress and despair.

Spiritual Application: Sin ultimately leads to emptiness and despair. We must turn away from sin and seek God’s forgiveness and healing. The terror of the Ninevites reminds us of the consequences of rejecting God’s grace.

Verse 11 (KJV)

“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?”

Verse 11 (NKJV)

“Where is the dwelling place of the lions, And the feeding place of the young lions, Where the lion walked, the lioness and lion’s cub, And no one made them afraid?”

This verse uses the imagery of lions to symbolize the power and ferocity of Assyria. Nineveh, once the “dwelling of the lions,” where they roamed without fear, is now desolate and vulnerable. This highlights the reversal of fortune and the fall from power.

Spiritual Application: Worldly power and pride are ultimately meaningless. Even the strongest and most fearsome empires can fall. We must not be arrogant or boastful, but rather humble and reliant on God.

Verse 12 (KJV)

“The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravine.”

Verse 12 (NKJV)

“The lion tore in pieces enough for his cubs, Killed for his lionesses, Filled his caves with prey, And his dens with torn flesh.”

This verse continues the lion imagery, depicting Assyria’s violence and exploitation of other nations. The lion “did tear in pieces enough for his whelps” and “filled his holes with prey,” representing Assyria’s ruthless conquest and plunder. This further emphasizes the injustice and cruelty that led to God’s judgment.

Spiritual Application: We must not exploit or oppress others for our own gain. God values justice and compassion. The lion’s predatory behavior serves as a warning against selfishness and greed.

Verse 13 (KJV)

“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.”

Verse 13 (NKJV)

“Behold, I am against you,” says the Lord of hosts; “I will burn your chariots in smoke, And the sword shall devour your young lions; I will cut off your prey from the earth, And the voice of your messengers shall be heard no more.”

The chapter concludes with a powerful declaration of God’s judgment. “Behold, I am against thee, saith the Lord of hosts.” God will destroy Nineveh’s military might (“burn her chariots in the smoke”) and eliminate its ability to oppress other nations (“cut off thy prey from the earth”). The “voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard,” signifying the end of Assyrian dominance.

Patristic Insight: St. Athanasius teaches, “Θεὸς οὐκ ἀδικεῖ, ἀλλὰ τὰ δίκαια κρίνει” (Theòs ouk adikeî, allà tà díkaia krínei), “God does not act unjustly, but judges what is right” (Against the Heathen, PG 25: 4).

Spiritual Application: God’s judgment is just and inevitable. We must repent of our sins and turn to Him for mercy. The destruction of Nineveh serves as a warning to all nations and individuals who reject God’s authority.

Key Reflections and Teachings

Here are some key reflections derived from Nahum 2:

Divine Justice: God’s justice is not merely retributive but restorative, aiming to ultimately bring balance and righteousness to the world.
Humility: The fall of Nineveh demonstrates the futility of human pride and power in the face of divine judgment.
Repentance: While Nineveh’s destruction was prophesied, the story of Jonah illustrates that repentance could have averted this judgment.
Materialism: The abundance of wealth plundered from Nineveh highlights the dangers of materialism and the fleeting nature of earthly possessions.
Spiritual Warfare: The military imagery serves as a metaphor for the ongoing spiritual battle we face against temptation and evil.
Hope: Even in the midst of judgment, there is hope for those who turn to God in repentance and faith.

FAQ ❓

Q: Why did God choose to destroy Nineveh?

A: Nineveh’s destruction was prophesied due to the city’s extreme wickedness, violence, and oppression of other nations. While God is merciful, He is also just, and sin has consequences. The prophet Jonah had previously preached repentance, but Nineveh eventually returned to its evil ways.

Q: Does the destruction of Nineveh have any relevance to us today?

A: Absolutely. The story of Nineveh serves as a warning against pride, materialism, and injustice. It reminds us that God’s judgment is real and that we should strive to live righteous lives according to His commandments. We learn to live in humility and avoid hubris.

Q: What does the Coptic Orthodox Church teach about divine judgment?

A: The Coptic Orthodox Church teaches that God is both merciful and just. While He desires all people to be saved, He will ultimately judge the world in righteousness. We believe in the importance of repentance, forgiveness, and living a life pleasing to God in preparation for the final judgment.

Q: How can we apply the lessons of Nahum 2 to our daily lives?

A: We can apply these lessons by cultivating humility, seeking justice for the oppressed, avoiding materialism, and remaining vigilant against spiritual attacks. We should strive to live lives of repentance, prayer, and good works, always mindful of God’s presence and His ultimate judgment.

Conclusion

Nahum 2: The Fall of Nineveh is a powerful reminder of the consequences of sin and the certainty of divine justice. While the prophecy speaks of the destruction of a specific city, its message resonates throughout history and applies to our own lives. As Coptic Orthodox Christians, we understand that this chapter is not merely a historical account but a spiritual lesson. It calls us to humility, repentance, and a recognition of God’s sovereignty. The focus key phrase, Nahum 2: The Fall of Nineveh, teaches us to be always prepared, knowing that the true fortifying of our spirit lies not in earthly treasures or military might, but in faith, righteousness, and an unwavering trust in God’s love and justice. The promise of restoration echoes the hope we have in Christ.

Meta Description

Explore Nahum 2: The Fall of Nineveh with this in-depth Coptic Orthodox commentary. Discover its historical context, spiritual meaning, and practical applications for modern life.

Nahum 2 – The Fall of Nineveh: A vivid prophecy of Nineveh’s destruction described in military imagery.