Nahum 2:12

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 ravin. THE LION ... FILLED HIS HOLES WITH PREY, AND HIS DENS WITH RAVIN - different kinds of prey. Compare , "the stay and the staff," etc....

_And filled has he with prey his dens and his recesses with ravin; _it is the same word with a different termination, טרף, _thereph_, and טרפה, _therephe _ Now the repetition, made here by the Prophet, of lion, young lion, and lioness, was not without its use; for he meant by this number of words to set forth the extreme ferocity of the Assyrians, while they were dominant. He no doubt compares their kings, their counselors, and their chief men, to lions: and he calls their wives lionesses, and their children he calls young lions or whelps of lions. The sum of the whole is, that Nineveh had so degenerated in its opulence, that all in power were like ferocious wild beasts, destitute of every kind feeling. And I wish that this could have only been said of one city and of one monarchy! But here, as in a mirror, the Prophet represents to us what we at this day observe, and what has always and...

11-13 The kings of Assyria had long been terrible and cruel to their neighbours, but the Lord would destroy their power. Many plead as an excuse for rapine and fraud, that they have families to provide for; but what is thus obtained will never do them any good. Those that fear the Lord, and get honestly what they have, shall not want for themselves and theirs. It is just with God to deprive those of children, or of comfort in them, who take sinful courses to enrich them. Those are not worthy to be heard again, that have spoken reproachfully of God. Let us then come to God upon his mercy-seat, that having peace with him through our Lord Jesus Christ, we may know that he is for us, and that all things shall work together for our everlasting good....

Verse Nahum 2:12. _THE LION DID TEAR_] This verse gives us a striking picture of the manner in which the Assyrian conquests and depredations were carried on. How many people were spoiled to enrich his _whelps_ - his sons, princes, and _nobles_! How _many women_ were _stripped_ and _slain_, whose spoils went to decorate his _lionesses_ - his _queen, concubines,_ and _mistresses_. And they had even more than they could assume; _their holes and_ _dens_ - treasure-houses, palaces, and _wardrobes_ - were filled _with_ _ravin_, the riches which they got by the plunder of _towns,_ _families_, and _individuals_. This is a very fine allegory, and admirably well supported....

EXPOSITION NAHUM 2:1 Part II. THE EXECUTION OF THE DECREE; THE DESTRUCTION OF NINEVEH DESCRIBED. NAHUM 2:1 § 1. _Nineveh shall be besieged, because God is about to exalt his people by taking vengeance on the enemy, whose defence, howsoever formidable, is of no avail._ NAHUM 2:1 Nahum addresses Nineveh, and forewarns her of the siege she was about to undergo (see Introduction, § I.). HE THAT DASHETH IN PIECES; the disperser; qui disper

THE LION DID TEAR IN PIECES ENOUGH FOR HIS WHELPS,.... The metaphor is still continued; and the kings of Assyria are compared to lions that hunt for their prey, and, having found it, tear it in pieces, and carry home a sufficiency for their whelps. It is a notion that is advanced by some writers, as Herodotus p, that the lioness, the strongest and boldest creature, brings forth but once in its life, and then but one; which Gellius q confutes by the testimonies of Homer and Aristotle; and it appears from the prophet here to be a false one, as well as from Ezekiel 19:2 thus the Assyrians made war on other nations, and pillaged and plundered them, to enlarge their dominions, provide for their posterity, and enrich their children: AND STRANGLED FOR HIS LIONESSES; that is, strangled other beasts, as the lion first does, when it seizes a creature, and then tears it in pieces, an

This is a prophecy of the destruction of Nineveh. Remember that Assyria had been one of the great powers that swayed the world, a cruel, tyrannical empire; and God at last determined to destroy Nineveh, which was its seat of government. In a high poetical strain, the prophet cries out, Nahum 2:11. _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?_ You will remember how Mr. Layard took out of the ruins at Nineveh those immense lions that now stand in the British Museum. They were the very type of this great empire, that boasted itself in its lion-like strength and ferocity. So the prophet cries, «Where is the lair of the lion?» Nahum 2:12. The lion did tear in

CHAPTER 2 The Overthrow, Plundering and Destruction Of Nineveh _ 1. The capture of Nineveh announced and described (Nahum 2:1) _ 2. The completeness of the judgment (Nahum 2:11) Nahum 2:1. This great prophecy was literally fulfilled some ninety years after Nahum had spoken. When these words were spoken Nineveh was in the zenith of her glory. Who told Nahum the Elkoshite that the proud world city would undergo such a sack and be completely wiped out? Who moved his pen to give such a vivid description of what would take place? There is but one answer--the Spirit of God. How was the prophecy fulfilled? Cyaxares of the Medes had surrounded Nineveh in the north. Nabopolassar of Babylon entered into an allianc

NAHUM 1:11; NAHUM 1:14; NAHUM 2:1; NAHUM 2:3. THE FALL OF NINEVEH. Nahum 1:11. In days gone by there went out of Nineveh one that planned villainous devices against Yahweh and His people. Now Yahweh has given commandment that his name shall be blotted out, his grave dishonoured, and the temple of his gods robbed of its images. NAHUM 1:11. The reference is clearly to Sennacherib. BELIAL (_mg.): i.e._ malicious destruction ...

DID TEAR. was tearing. Nineveh again personified in verses: Nahum 2:11; Nahum 2:12....