Old Testament
Nahum 1:13
The Clear Bible Translation matches the King James Version, written at a 10th-grade reading level in plain English
At a Glance
In Nahum 1:13, God is declaring His intention to free His people from oppression.
- Author
- Nahum the prophet
- Written
- Around 650 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- Judah concerning Nineveh
For now I will snap his yoke off your neck and tear your chains apart.
For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
Verse Analysis
Plain-English insight for readers
In Nahum 1:13, God is declaring His intention to free His people from oppression. The 'yoke' symbolizes the burdens and control that their enemies, particularly the Assyrians, have placed upon them. By snapping the yoke and tearing apart the chains, God is promising liberation and relief from suffering. This verse emphasizes God's power to deliver His people from bondage and restore their freedom. It reassures the Israelites that their struggles will not last forever and that divine intervention is imminent. The imagery of breaking chains and yokes conveys a strong message of hope and redemption, highlighting God's commitment to justice and His desire to protect His people from their oppressors. This promise of deliverance serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and His ability to change circumstances, encouraging believers to trust in His timing and power.
Related Bible verses
How to apply Nahum 1:13 to your life
This verse encourages us to trust in God's power to free us from our burdens and struggles. When we feel trapped by life's challenges, we can remember that God is capable of breaking the chains that hold us back. We should seek His help and remain hopeful for our deliverance.
Curated for this public verse page. Nahum Summary
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Nahum 1:13 mean?
Nahum 1:13 means that God is promising to free His people from the oppression of their enemies, specifically the Assyrians. The verse uses the imagery of breaking a yoke and tearing chains to symbolize liberation and relief from suffering.
What is the significance of the yoke in Nahum 1:13?
In Nahum 1:13, the yoke represents the burdens and control that oppressors place on people. By snapping the yoke, God is indicating His power to remove these burdens and grant freedom to His people.
What does the phrase 'tear your chains apart' signify in Nahum 1:13?
The phrase 'tear your chains apart' in Nahum 1:13 signifies God's intention to completely remove the restrictions and limitations imposed on His people. It emphasizes His ability to deliver them from bondage and restore their freedom.
How can Nahum 1:13 be applied to our lives today?
Nahum 1:13 can be applied to our lives by reminding us to trust in God's ability to free us from our own burdens and struggles. It encourages us to seek His help and maintain hope for our deliverance from life's challenges.

The Book of Nahum
Nahum 1: The Lord's Vengeance and Good News for Judah
The burden of Nineveh comes through Nahum the Elkoshite. The Lord is jealous and takes vengeance; He is slow to anger but great in power and does not acquit the wicked. He walks in the whirlwind and storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, dries up rivers, and causes Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon to wither. The mountains quake at Him, the hills melt, and the earth burns at His presence. No one can stand before His indignation.
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