Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let's break down this verse from Nahum 2:13. It’s a really powerful and dramatic passage about God’s judgment. Here’s a simple explanation: The Basic Idea: This verse describes a devastating punishment for someone who is causing trouble or wrongdoing. Think of it as God unleashing his wrath on someone who is actively harming others or disrupting the peace. Let's unpack it word by word: "Nahum 2:13 Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts..." – “Behold” means "look!" “I am against you” means God is actively opposing someone. “The Lord of Hosts” refers to God himself – He’s the one who is judging. This is a serious declaration of God’s power and will. "...and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions:" – This describes specific acts of destruction. "Burn her chariots in the smoke" means to destroy their plans or efforts with fire. “The sword shall devour thy young lions” means to eliminate anyone who is vulnerable (like young, weak animals) with a swift and brutal attack. "...and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard." – This is the most chilling part. “Cut off thy prey from the earth” means to eliminate them completely – to destroy their lives or future. "The voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard" means that any attempts to warn or communicate with them will be silenced. Overall Meaning & Interpretation: This verse paints a picture of God’s absolute justice and unwavering commitment to protecting those who are righteous. It's a message about: Divine Justice: God is punishing wrongdoing, not out of anger for the people's sake, but because he sees it as wrong. Protection: He is actively defending those who are vulnerable. Finality: The punishment is final and complete. There’s no hope of redemption or escape. Important Note: It’s important to remember this verse comes from a time when there was great suffering in the land of Judah. God's judgment, even though severe, is ultimately about restoring justice and righteousness. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with an analogy? Discuss its historical context (when it was written)? Explore what it might mean in a spiritual sense?