Translations
Modern
The lion mauled enough for its cubs and strangled prey for the lioness. It filled its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey.
Traditional
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.
Literal
The lion was tearing enough for his cubs, and strangling for his lionesses; and he filled his caves with prey, and his dens with flesh.
Latin
Leo cepit sufficienter catulis suis, et necavit leænis suis, et implevit præda speluncas suas, et cubile suum rapina.
Original
Hebrew
English
The lion mauled enough for its cubs and strangled prey for the lioness. It filled its dens with the kill, and its lairs with mauled prey.
Notes
After describing Nineveh’s fall (Nahum 2:1–10), Nahum includes the first of three taunt songs (see also 3:8–13, 14–19). Taunt songs were a common form of poetry in the ancient Near East.
In this song, Nahum uses sharp humor to compare Nineveh to a lion’s den. Sennacherib and other Assyrian kings often compared themselves to lions. They even decorated their palaces with images of lions and scenes of royal lion hunts.
However, because God had become Nineveh’s enemy, the city would no longer be a safe place for a powerful predator. Its strength and pride would not protect it.
Events
- Prophecies of Nahumc. 663 BC
Glossary
Topics
Caves were Used as Hiding Placed of Wild Beasts Lion: Instincts of, in Taking Prey The Lion: Often Carries Its Prey to Its Den