1:1 Introduction. This is the only OT book that begins with a “double title.” Oracle describes a prophetic proclamation (see note on Hab. 1:1). Vision indicates how God communicated the contents of the book to Nahum.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:2–8 A Psalm Descriptively Praising the Lord. These verses praise God as he has been and will be throughout world history. It presents God’s attitude toward, and action relating to, his enemies and his people.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:2–3a The Lord is jealous to protect his relationship with his people. avenging. God’s holy anger defends his word and his people. keeps wrath. . . . slow to anger (compare Ex. 34:6). God waits to display his anger until an appropriate time. great in power. If God delays his judgment, it is not due to any lack of power on his part. will by no means clear the guilty. Compare Ex. 34:7.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:4–5 Rebukes the sea . . . dries up . . . rivers recalls the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14) and the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 3–4). Bashan was famous for its rich pasturelands. Carmel was well known for its beauty and its fruitful countryside. Lebanon was noted for its forests. Hills and mountains are symbols of permanence, but even they cannot stand before God.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:6 Fire is a frequent OT image describing God’s wrath (e.g., Gen. 19:24; Ps. 11:6). Rocks, the hardest objects in nature, are easily shattered by the Lord.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:7 In contrast to his anger, God is good to his people. The Lord is the never-failing stronghold for his people (e.g., Ps. 27:1; 37:39), whom he knows with love and affection.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:8 A striking contrast to v. 7. Like an overflowing flood, God’s judgment is overwhelming; Nineveh was to be destroyed as by a flood (see 2:6, 8). complete end . . . darkness. God’s judgment will end with death and everlasting separation from him.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:9–15 The Lord’s Coming Judgment on Nineveh and Deliverance of Judah. In these verses Nahum alternates between the Lord’s coming judgment on Nineveh and his gracious deliverance of Judah.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:9 plot. Plots to harm God’s people are ultimately against the LORD himself. Trouble (see v. 7) is what Judah experienced from Assyria.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:10 Entangled thorns can be thrown all at once into the fire, just as the Assyrians as a whole will be wiped out. Like drunkards, the Assyrians will be unable to defend themselves against their attackers.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:11 Worthless counselor refers either to a particular wicked Assyrian king or to the series of kings who reigned in Nineveh after Sennacherib made that city the capital.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:12b Though I have afflicted you. Suddenly God turns his attention to Judah (as he will again in v. 15). This dramatic change in the flow of v. 12 emphasizes the announcement of good news that follows. I will afflict you no more. Since God would overthrow Nineveh, the Assyrians would never again be Judah’s oppressor.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:13 his yoke. The Assyrian monarchs’ burdensome rule over Judah (see 2 Kings 18:13). break . . . burst. Judah was controlled by Assyria from about 734/733 B.C. (during the reign of Ahaz; 2 Kings 16:7–8) until the reign of Josiah (640–609), when Assyria began to decline rapidly and finally ceased to be a nation.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:14 You is masculine singular in Hebrew. Nahum suddenly switches to directly addressing the Assyrian king(s) (see v. 11). The Assyrian monarchy would come to a decisive end. the house of your gods I will cut off. Complete defeat of the Assyrian ruler would also be marked by the defilement of his temple and the destruction or removal of his idols. These represented the gods who he believed gave him power. Archaeologists have confirmed the complete destruction of Nineveh’s temples.
The Neo-Assyrian period (935–609 B.C.) brought renewed threats from the Assyrians. God used the Assyrians to chasten wayward Israel. In Nah. 1:12 the Lord tells Judah that “Though I have afflicted you [through the Assyrians], I will afflict you no longer.”
| Assyrian Ruler | Reign | Affliction | Significance and Biblical References |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shalmaneser III | 858–824 B.C. | Exacted tribute from “Jehu, son of Omri” according to the Black Obelisk | Defeated at Qarqar in 853 B.C. by a Syrian coalition that included “Ahab the Israelite” |
| Adad-nirari III | 811–783 | Exacted tribute from Jehoash of Israel | His attacks on Damascus enabled Jehoash to recover Israelite cities lost previously to Hazael (2 Kings 13:25) |
| Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) | 745–727 | Invaded the land and exacted tribute | To avoid deportation, Menahem paid tribute to Tiglath-pileser III (Pul) (2 Kings 15:19–20); Pul deported the Transjordanian tribes (2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chron. 5:26); Pul aided Ahaz of Judah against Rezin of Damascus and Pekah of Israel (2 Kings 16:5–10; 2 Chron. 28:16–21) |
| Shalmaneser V | 727–722 | Exacted tribute from Hoshea of Israel; took the northern kingdom (Israel) into exile | Hoshea refused to pay tribute and sought Egypt for help, the Assyrians besieged Samaria (2 Kings 17:3–6; 18:9–12) |
| Sargon II | 722–705 | Took credit for the invasion and exile of the northern kingdom (Israel) that began under Shalmaneser V | Sargon II may be the unnamed king of Assyria in 2 Kings 17:6 |
| Sennacherib | 705–681 | Invaded Judah | Sennacherib besieged Lachish and forced tribute from Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:13–16); he besieged Jerusalem and demanded Hezekiah’s surrender (2 Kings 18:17–19:9); the Lord delivered Jerusalem from Sennacherib (2 Kings 19:10–37). See also 2 Chronicles 32; Isaiah 36–37 |
| Esarhaddon | 681–669 | Exacted tribute from Manasseh of Judah | Mentioned at 2 Kings 19:37 as successor to Sennacherib (see also Ezra 4:2) |
| Ashurbanipal | 669–627 | Exacted tribute | Increasing tensions from Babylonia required Assyria’s direct attention. The increased political freedom of the western city-states is reflected in the reforms instituted by Josiah |
Jonah and Nahum. During the 700s B.C., the prophet Jonah warned the people of Nineveh that God was going to destroy their city. The people repented and were spared from judgment. Over the next century, however, they returned to their sinful ways. Shortly after the warning from Nahum, Nineveh was destroyed.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 1:15 Nahum addresses Judah again, as in vv. 12b–13. Upon the mountains, a messenger brings the good news of Nineveh’s fall (compare Isa. 52:7). peace. Judah does not have to be afraid of any more military action and oppression from Assyria. Keep your feasts. These festivals would remind the people of the Lord’s past acts of deliverance and the future hope of the coming Messiah. the worthless. That is, the Assyrians (compare Nah. 1:11).
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:1–13 Focus on Nineveh: The Lord’s Coming Judgment. Nahum’s prediction reads like an eyewitness account of Nineveh being attacked, overrun by the enemy, and plundered.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:1 scatterer. This description of the enemy foretells the outcome of the attack. Any Ninevites not slaughtered will flee (see 3:17–18) or will be taken into exile. Ultimately, it is God who “scatters.” has come up. A technical phrase signifying hostile military action (compare Judg. 1:1; 1 Sam. 7:7). Man the ramparts. Nineveh is told to get ready for battle.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:2 God no longer needs the Assyrians to discipline unfaithful Judah because the LORD is restoring the majesty of Jacob. Judah’s true majesty was that God had separated them from the nations to be devoted to him. With them he made his covenants; from them would come the Messiah (Rom. 9:4–5). plunderers. The Assyrians plundered Judah (see Nah. 2:13). Their branches are the individual clans, families, or members of the southern kingdom, compared to a vineyard (compare Isa. 5:1–7).
All that is known about the prophet Nahum is that he came from Elkosh, probably a town in Judah. Nahum’s name means “comfort.” The message he received from God—that Nineveh would be destroyed—indeed brought comfort to his hearers. Following Jonah’s warning, the cruel Assyrian capital had expressed repentance. That repentance was short-lived, however, and this time God’s judgment was unavoidable. Although God had used the Assyrians to punish the wayward southern kingdom, he would not allow Judah to be annihilated. God’s plan for the Messiah to come from the line of David could not be defeated. When Nineveh was destroyed in 612 B.C., the once powerful kingdom of Assyria came to an end. (Nahum 2:2)
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:3–4 shield . . . red. Perhaps their shields were permanently stained with the blood of defeated foes from previous battles. His. . . . he is a reference to the scatterer mentioned in v. 1. The attacking army was a coalition of Medes and Babylonians, and possibly Scythians. The streets and squares are those of the suburbs surrounding Nineveh, the first areas to be overrun by the attacking army.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:5 The attacking army now reaches the wall of Nineveh proper. He remembers. “He” (see v. 3) may be so eager to be involved in the attack that he almost forgets to delegate parts of the operation to his officers. These officers, eager both to join in the attack themselves and to please their superior(s), practically stumble over one another trying to rush into the action.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:6 river gates. The Khoser River flowed through Nineveh. North of the city were dams, most likely with gates to control the flow of the river. The attacking army could easily have closed the gates, waited until a large quantity of water collected, and then opened the gates. The resulting rush of water would have damaged portions of the city’s wall and internal structures, thus greatly aiding the enemy. The palace melts away because of the floodwaters.
The palace mentioned in 2:6 was Sennacherib’s famous “palace without rival.” Built shortly after his reign began, it had more than 80 rooms, many open courts, and even fully irrigated hanging gardens. It is estimated that more than 25 athletic fields could have fit inside the palace. Yet even this great palace would “melt away” when Nineveh was destroyed.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:8 like a pool. See note on v. 6. Halt . . . they cry. Nahum places the reader in Nineveh as the city is attacked by enemy forces. The reader “sees” the fleeing inhabitants and “hears” some of the Assyrian commanders crying out, “Halt! Stand and fight,” but none turns back to do so.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:9 silver . . . gold. Nineveh had taken great wealth during Assyria’s military victories.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:10 Desolate . . . ruin is a description of Nineveh emptied of inhabitants and destroyed by the victorious invaders. Hearts melt . . . pale. The Assyrians previously had been proud of how they terrorized other peoples. Now they experience such terror themselves.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:11–12 lions. Members of the Assyrian royal house. The lion was a symbol for kingship (compare Gen. 49:9). The Assyrian kings exhibited great power in their “devouring” other lands, and even called themselves lions. none to disturb. During the time of Assyrian strength, no other nation dared to attack Nineveh. enough . . . prey . . . torn flesh. That is, the vast amounts of goods taken by the Assyrians in their conquest of numerous lands.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 2:13 Nineveh will fall because this is the will of the Lord. In vv. 1 and 13 Nineveh is addressed (“you,” “your”), and both verses express the thought “against you.” LORD of hosts. See note on Mic. 4:4. burn your chariots. A striking contrast to the conquering army’s swift chariots (Nah. 2:3–4). sword shall devour. The destructive lions (vv. 11–12) shall now be conquered by the enemy.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:1–19 Again, Focus on Nineveh: More concerning the Lord’s Coming Judgment. This last major section of the book repeats most of the themes of the previous section (2:1–13). However, it does not mention the plundering of Nineveh (compare 2:9), and it adds the comparison of Nineveh’s downfall to the destruction of Thebes (3:8–11).
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:1 bloody. The Assyrians were well known for their viciousness.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:4 This verse uses figurative language to explain the reasons for Nineveh’s destruction. graceful . . . deadly charms. Nineveh, with its power and wealth, exerted a corrupting influence throughout the Near East (compare 2 Kings 16:18). betrays. The Assyrian leaders did not hesitate to use treachery and deceit to achieve their aims (see Nah. 3:1).
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:5 Behold, I am against you. Compare 2:13; the repetition emphasizes the certainty of Nineveh’s doom.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:7 who will grieve for her? The answer to the rhetorical question is that no one will grieve for or comfort Nineveh. People will shrink back or flee in horror at the sight of what will happen to Nineveh.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:8–11 To those who think it is impossible that Nineveh would fall, Nahum reminds them of what had recently happened to the mighty city of Thebes, in Egypt (see Introduction: Author and Date).
As safe as Thebes? The people of Nineveh thought no one could destroy their city. Yet they themselves had destroyed the Egyptian city of Thebes, which was also considered indestructible. Nahum reminded the Ninevites of this (3:8–11) and warned them that it was now their turn to see their great city destroyed.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:8 Are you better than Thebes? Nineveh was no more secure than Thebes. Nile . . . water around her. This mighty river and its tributaries surrounded most of Thebes, forming a natural wall for the city. This was part of the city’s strong defense system. Rampart a sea is a poetic reference to the Nile (compare Isa. 19:5–6), which was about half a mile (0.8 km) wide at Thebes. Nineveh had no such protection.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:9 Cush was the region just south of Egypt. Egypt refers to military aid coming from northern Egypt. Put may have been on the north African coastline. While Thebes could count on military assistance from these different areas, Assyria could not rely on help from any region.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:10 Despite its strategic advantages, Thebes was conquered by the Assyrians.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:11 This verse directly applies the lesson of vv. 8–10: “Nineveh, you can expect the same!” Just as a drunken man cannot defend himself against an attacker, so Nineveh will not be able to turn back its enemies.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:12–13 Nineveh’s surrounding fortresses will be the first to be taken by the advancing enemy army. The gates of Assyria will be wide open to the enemies since the fortresses that guarded those entrances have been destroyed. The troops, that is, the soldiers within Nineveh, will be filled with fear, so that they cannot act as men. fire. See 2:13; 3:15.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:14 As the enemy draws close, Nahum tells the city to get ready for the attack (see 2:1). However, any preparations they make will be useless. Draw water. The Ninevites can assume that the enemy will shut off the city’s water supply by closing the river gates (see note on 2:6). forts. The fortresses at the walls and within the city would be strengthened or repaired with clay bricks and mortar.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:15 No matter how well supplied and fortified Nineveh is, there the inhabitants will die. fire. Archaeologists have found evidence of a devastating fire at Nineveh. sword. Compare 2:13. Multiply . . . locust . . . grasshopper. Nahum sarcastically tells the Ninevites, in preparation for the attack, to multiply themselves greatly and thus increase their strength.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:16 You increased your merchants. When Nineveh was the proud capital of a vast empire, her merchants brought enormous wealth to the city. Now, however, these merchants, and the huge treasure in Nineveh, will do the city no good. The locust . . . flies away. Compare v. 15. The enemy, having destroyed all that there was in Nineveh, will quickly leave.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:17 Like swarms of grasshoppers or locusts that quickly fly away and disappear, some of the leading men of Nineveh will flee when the enemy takes the city.
NAHUM—NOTE ON 3:18–19 king of Assyria. See 1:11. Nahum, looking at Nineveh’s wreckage, addresses its monarchy with sarcastic language. Many of Nineveh’s shepherds (leaders and officials) and nobles are dead. Many of the people are scattered. The wound Assyria has received is grievous and marks the end of the empire. unceasing evil. Assyrian emperors had continually caused terror and suffering. Nahum prophesies that the Assyrian monarchy, and Nineveh, will experience the same disasters that it inflicted on other peoples of the Near East.