נחום, פרק ב׳, פסוק י״ב

With the absolute collapse of the Assyrian Empire, a sense of poetic astonishment washes over the surrounding nations. The massive city of Nineveh, which once cast a shadow of terror across the entire ancient world, has vanished as if it never existed. All that remains is a lingering question about its whereabouts and a lament for its ruins.

To capture the city's former glory, cruelty, and military might, the prophet uses the vivid imagery of a lion's den. The primary approach among commentators understands this den as the dwelling place of mighty kings, heroic ministers, and powerful warriors who ruled with the viciousness of predatory beasts. The royal hierarchy is compared to a family of lions: the adult male represents the king, the lioness is the queen, the young lions are the junior ministers, and the cubs are the royal children.

In its prime, the empire operated with ruthless efficiency. The king, queen, and their mighty warriors would march out from Nineveh to the ends of the earth to conquer and plunder. As they embarked on these military campaigns, they would leave their small children and young officials behind in the capital. The atmosphere in Nineveh was one of absolute, unshakeable security. The stronghold was so heavily protected and universally feared that the rulers could leave their young behind without the slightest worry that anyone would dare attack or frighten them.

Offering a slightly different perspective on this safety, [ביאור שטיינזלץ] notes that the adult king simply felt entirely secure bringing his young into that specific dwelling. Ultimately, the lament zeroes in on the ruins of the royal palace. As explained by [מלבי״ם], this highlights a sharp, tragic contrast between the total safety the royal family once enjoyed and the complete devastation of their present reality.