What does Nahum 2:2 mean?
"For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches." - Nahum 2:2
Nahum 2:2 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "For the Lord hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches." This verse is from the book of Nahum, which is one of the minor prophets in the Old Testament. The book of Nahum is a prophetic book that addresses the downfall of the Assyrian empire and the impending destruction of Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrians.
The verse can be broken down into several key themes and ideas. One of the central themes is the judgment of God. Throughout the book of Nahum, there is a strong emphasis on divine judgment and the consequences of sin. In this verse, the Lord is depicted as turning away the excellency of Jacob and Israel. This can be interpreted as a punishment for their disobedience and unfaithfulness. The use of the term "emptiers" further emphasizes the idea of destruction and loss. The imagery of "marred vine branches" suggests that the faith and prosperity of Jacob and Israel have been damaged and diminished.
Another important theme in this verse is the sovereignty and power of God. The language used in this verse conveys the idea that God is in control of the destinies of nations and individuals. The turning away of the excellency of Jacob and Israel is attributed to the Lord's actions. This serves as a reminder of God's authority and the consequences that result from disobedience and unfaithfulness. The imagery of vine branches being marred also symbolizes the idea of God's pruning and refining, as mentioned in John 15:2, "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."
The historical context of this verse is also significant. The prophet Nahum delivered his message during a time of great turmoil and upheaval. The Assyrian empire was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, and its capital city, Nineveh, was a symbol of power and might. However, Nahum prophesied the downfall of Nineveh and the Assyrian empire, which eventually came to pass. This verse, along with the rest of the book of Nahum, serves as a warning to the nations to heed the judgment and justice of God.
Symbolism is also present in this verse. The mention of Jacob and Israel symbolizes the entire nation of God's chosen people. The vine branches, which have been marred and emptied out, represent the destruction and devastation that has befallen the people of God. This imagery is reminiscent of the symbolism of the vine and branches used by Jesus in John 15:5, "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." In this context, the marred vine branches can be seen as a representation of the consequences of turning away from God and the need for spiritual renewal and restoration.
In conclusion, Nahum 2:2 is a verse that conveys the themes of divine judgment, the sovereignty of God, historical context, and symbolism. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of disobedience and unfaithfulness, as well as the ultimate authority of God over the destinies of nations and individuals. The verse also uses powerful imagery to convey the devastation and loss experienced by God's chosen people. As with all scripture, this verse provides valuable insights and lessons for believers today.
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Nahum 2:2 - "For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches."
"For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches." - Nahum 2:2
Nahum 2:4
Nahum 2:6 - "The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved."
Nahum 3:2 - "The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots."
Nahum 2:9 - "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."
Nahum 2:5 - "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."
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."
Nahum 1:2 - "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies."
"The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved." - Nahum 2:6
Nahum 2:8 - "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."
Nahum 2:10 - "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."
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?"
Nahum 2:7 - "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."
Nahum 2:4 - "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."
"The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots." - Nahum 3:2
Nahum 2:1 - "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."
Nahum 2:3 - "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."
Nahum 2:4 The chariots rage in the streets, They jostle one another in the broad roads; They seem like torches, They run like lightning.
"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." - Nahum 2:9
"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." - Nahum 2:5
"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." - Nahum 2:8
"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." - Nahum 2:12
"God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies." - Nahum 1:2
"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." - Nahum 2:10
"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?" - Nahum 2:11
"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." - Nahum 2:4
"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." - Nahum 2:7
"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." - Nahum 2:1
"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." - Nahum 2:3