[BACK TO 4:5]
walk in the name of the L
ORD.
Confess, love, obey and rely on the Lord. Cf.
Zec 10:12
.
[BACK TO 4:4] vine and … fig tree. A reference to the peaceful security of the kingdom of God. See 1Ki 4:25 ; 2Ki 18:31 ; Zec 3:10 . no one will make them afraid. Quoted in Zep 3:13 . Fear will be a thing of the past.
[BACK TO 4:6–8] Another eschatological (“In that day,” v. 6 ) salvation message: restoration of a remnant and Zion.
[BACK TO 4:6] In that day. The Messianic period (see v. 1 ; see also notes on Isa 2:11 , 17 , 20 ; Joel 1:15 ).
[BACK TO 4:7] remnant. The people of God (see 2:12 ; see also note on Isa 1:9 ).
[BACK TO 4:8] watchtower of the flock. Jerusalem, the capital city of David, the shepherd-king. Daughter Zion … Daughter Jerusalem. See vv. 10 , 13 ; a personification of Jerusalem (see note on 2Ki 19:21 ). former dominion. The kingdom of David will be restored under the Messiah.
[BACK TO 4:9–13] In vv. 9–10 Micah foresees the collapse of the monarchy and the impending exile in 586 BC, as well as the restoration beginning in 538. Verses 11–13 are a prophecy of judgment against the gloating enemies of Jerusalem.
[BACK TO 4:11–13] A prophecy of judgment and salvation: from siege to victory (see note on vv. 9–10 ).
[BACK TO 5:1] Jerusalem will be besieged, and her kings will be seized and taken to Babylon (the last king, Zedekiah, was blinded; see 2Ki 25:7 and note).
[BACK TO 5:5–6] A salvation message of deliverance: The ideal King will “deliver” (v. 6 ) his people. Note the a–b–b/a–b–b scansion pattern at the beginning and end of this unit. Or one could analyze the structure of the entire unit as consisting of an a–b–c–d/d–a–b–c pattern (a “chiasmus”), with each d representing two lines.
[BACK TO 5:6] land of Nimrod. Assyria. See Ge 10:8–12 . He. The ruler of v. 2 .
[BACK TO 5:7–9] A salvation message of deliverance: the remnant among the nations.
[BACK TO 5:7–8] remnant. See note on 4:7 .
[BACK TO 5:7] like dew from the L ORD. See Isa 26:19 ; Hos 14:5 and notes.
[BACK TO 5:8] lion. Like the previous simile (v. 7 ), this pictures the inevitable progress of the people of God toward triumph over their enemies (v. 9 ). God’s kingdom will be victorious.
[BACK TO 5:9] Your. The remnant’s (vv. 7–8 ).
[BACK TO 5:10] In that day. See note on 4:6 .
[BACK TO 5:14] Asherah poles. See Ex 34:13 and note.
[BACK TO 6:1–7:20] The third cycle of judgment ( 6:1–7:7 ) and salvation/restoration ( 7:8–20 ; see Introduction: Literary Analysis; Outline ).
[BACK TO 6:1–16] This chapter depicts a courtroom scene in which the Lord lodges a legal complaint against Israel.
[BACK TO 6:1–8] A divine covenant lawsuit. In v. 1 the Lord instructs his prophet to present his (i.e., the Lord’s; see v. 2 ) case; in v. 2 he summons the mountains to listen as witnesses to his accusation. Then the Lord speaks to his people in vv. 3–5 , poignantly reminding them of his gracious acts in their behalf. In vv. 6–7 Israel speaks, and in v. 8 Micah responds directly to the nation, answering the questions of vv. 6–7 .
[BACK TO 6:1–2] mountains … foundations of the earth. Inanimate objects were called on as third-party witnesses because of their enduring nature and because they were witnesses to the Lord’s covenant (see Dt 32:1 ; Jos 24:27 ; Isa 1:2 and note).
[BACK TO 6:1] Listen. See note on 1:2 ; see also 3:1 .
[BACK TO 6:2] Israel. Primarily Judah here (see note on 1:5 ).
[BACK TO 6:3] , 5 My people. Covenant language (see note on v. 8 ).
[BACK TO 6:4] brought you up out of Egypt. See Ex 20:2 and note. Moses … Aaron and Miriam. See Nu 12:1–2 and note on 12:2 .
[BACK TO 6:5] Balak … Balaam. See Nu 22–24 and note on 22:8 . Shittim to Gilgal. See Nu 25:1 ; Jos 2:1 ; 3:1–4:25 ; 4:19 and notes. righteous acts of the L ORD. See 1Sa 12:7 and note.
[BACK TO 6:7] These rhetorical questions, charged with hyperbole, demand a resoundingly negative answer.
[BACK TO 6:9–16] A divine covenant lawsuit containing further indictments and the sentence (a life of futility, frustration, scorn and destruction, vv. 13–15 ). Its outline: (1) opening statement (v. 9 ), (2) a list of commercial and social sins (vv. 10–12 ), (3) announcement of divine punishment (vv. 13–15 ) and (4) summary statement (v. 16 ).
[BACK TO 6:9] city. Jerusalem.
[BACK TO 6:10] ephah. About half a bushel.
[BACK TO 6:11] See Lev 19:35 ; Pr 11:1 and notes; Hos 12:7 ; Am 8:5 .
[BACK TO 6:12] Your. Jerusalem’s.
[BACK TO 6:13] Therefore. See note on 2:3 .
[BACK TO 6:14–15] See Hag 1:6 and note.
[BACK TO 7:1–20] The speakers in this chapter are Micah (vv. 1–7 ), Zion (vv. 8–10 ), Micah (vv. 11–13 ), either Micah or Zion (v. 14 ), God (v. 15 ) and Micah (vv. 16–20 ). The chapter begins on a note of gloom but ends with a statement of hope.
[BACK TO 7:1–7] Micah’s lament over a decadent society.
[BACK TO 7:1–2] Looking for the godly is like looking for summer fruit when the harvest has ended (see also Jer 5:1 ; 8:20 and notes).
[BACK TO 7:4] the day your watchmen sound the alarm. The day of judgment that the prophets warned about (see Eze 3:17–21 and note on 3:17 ). visits you. For punishment.
[BACK TO 7:6] The family unit was disintegrating (cf. Mt 10:21 , 34–36 ).
[BACK TO 7:7] Micah’s complaint (vv. 1–6 ) is followed by his expression of confidence. Such a hopeful element is actually quite common in laments (see, e.g., Ps 55:16–17 ).
[BACK TO 7:8] me. Zion. my enemy. Other nations (see v. 10 ). Though I have fallen. Micah foresees the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.
[BACK TO 7:10] Where is the L ORD … ? See notes on Ps 3:2 ; 10:11 ; 115:2 ; Joel 2:17 ; see also Ps 42:3 , 10 ; 79:10 .
[BACK TO 7:12] In that day. See Isa 2:11 , 17 , 20 ; 10:20 , 27 ; Joel 1:15 and notes. people will come. See 4:2 .
[BACK TO 7:14–17] It is possible that these verses constitute a prayer that God will show his wonders again as in the exodus, that the nations will see and be ashamed and that they will turn to the Lord in fear.
[BACK TO 7:14] Shepherd. Rule over (see 5:4 ; Ps 23:1 ; Jer 2:8 ; Eze 34:2 and notes). inheritance. The land and people of Israel (see v. 18 ; Ps 94:14 ; see also Ps 127:3 ; Jer 2:7 and notes). Bashan and Gilead. Fertile areas with rich pasturelands (see Ge 31:21 ; Ps 22:12 ; Eze 39:18 ; Am 4:1 and notes).
[BACK TO 7:16] When the nations see the awesome display of God’s power (v. 15 ), they will be amazed.
[BACK TO 7:17] lick dust like a snake. A picture of defeat and death (see Ge 3:14 and note).
[BACK TO 7:18–20] The conclusion to the whole book, not just to ch. 7 .
[BACK TO 7:18–19a] See Ex 34:6–7a .
[BACK TO 7:18] Who is a God like you … ? Perhaps a pun on Micah’s name (see note on 1:1 ). See Ex 15:11 and note.
Nahum
a quick look
Author:Nahum
Audience:The people of Judah
Date:Shortly before 612 BC
Theme:Nahum predicts the Lord’s judgment on Nineveh for her oppression, cruelty, idolatry and wickedness.
Author
The book contains the “vision of Nahum” (
1:1
), whose name means “comfort” and is related to the name Nehemiah, meaning “The
LORD
comforts” or “comfort of the
LORD.
” (Nineveh’s fall, which is Nahum’s theme, would bring comfort to Judah.) Nothing is known about him except his hometown (Elkosh), and even its general location is uncertain.
Date
In 3:8–10 the author speaks of the fall of Thebes, which happened in 663 BC, as already past. In all three chapters Nahum prophesied Nineveh’s fall, which was fulfilled in 612. Nahum therefore uttered this message between 663 and 612, perhaps near the end of this period since he represents the fall of Nineveh as imminent ( 2:1 ; 3:14 , 19 ). This would place him during the reign of Josiah and make him a contemporary of Zephaniah and the young Jeremiah.
Background
Assyria (represented by Nineveh,
1:1
) had already destroyed Samaria (722–721
BC
), resulting in the captivity of the northern kingdom of Israel, and posed a present threat to Judah. The Assyrians were brutally cruel, their kings often being depicted as gloating over the gruesome punishments inflicted on conquered peoples. They conducted their wars with shocking ferocity, uprooted whole populations as state policy and deported them to other parts of their empire. The leaders of conquered cities were tortured and horribly mutilated before being executed (see note on
3:3
). No wonder the dread of Assyria fell on all her neighbors!
About 700 BC King Sennacherib made Nineveh the capital of the Assyrian Empire, and it remained the capital until it was destroyed in 612. Jonah had announced its destruction earlier ( Jnh 3:4 ), but the people put on at least a show of repentance, and the destruction was temporarily averted (see Jnh 3:10 and note). Not long after that, however, Nineveh reverted to its extreme wickedness, cruelty and pride. The brutality reached its peak under Ashurbanipal (669–627), the last great ruler of the Assyrian Empire. After his death Assyria’s influence and power waned rapidly until 612, when Nineveh was overthrown (see notes on 1:14 ; 2:1 ). (Further historical information is given in notes throughout the book.)
Recipients
Some words are addressed to Judah (see 1:12–13 , 15 ), but most are addressed to Nineveh (see 1:11 , 14 ; 2:1 , 13 ; 3:5–17 , 19 ) or its king ( 3:18 ). The book, however, was meant for Israelite readers living in Judah.
Literary Style
The contents are primarily made up of judgment prophecies, with appropriate descriptions and vocabulary, expressing intense moods, sights and sounds. The language is poetic, with frequent use of metaphors and similes, vivid word pictures, repetition and many short—often staccato—phrases (see, e.g., 3:1–3 ). Rhetorical questions punctuate the flow of thought, which has a marked stress on moral indignation toward injustice (cf. note on Zec 8:16 ).
The Babylonian Chronicles describe the years 615–609 BC, including the destruction of Nineveh in 612 BC. Nahum predicts the destruction of Nineveh in great detail.
Kim Walton, courtesy of the British Museum
Theological Themes
The focal point of the entire book is the Lord’s judgment on Nineveh for her oppression, cruelty, idolatry and wickedness. The book ends with the destruction of the city.
According to Ro 11:22 , God is not only kind but also stern. In Nahum, God is not only “slow to anger” ( 1:3 ) and “a refuge … for those who trust in him” ( 1:7 ) but also one who “will not leave the guilty unpunished” ( 1:3 ). God’s righteous and just kingdom will ultimately triumph, for kingdoms built on wickedness and tyranny must eventually fall, as Assyria did.
In addition, Nahum declares the universal sovereignty of God. God is Lord of history and of all nations; as such, he controls their destinies.
God’s righteous and just kingdom will ultimately triumph, for kingdoms built on wickedness and tyranny must eventually fall, as Assyria did.
Outline
I. Title ( 1:1 )
II. Nineveh’s Judge ( 1:2–15 )
A. The Lord’s Kindness and Sternness ( 1:2–8 )
B. Nineveh’s Overthrow and Judah’s Joy ( 1:9–15 )
III. Nineveh’s Judgment (ch. 2 )
A. Nineveh Besieged ( 2:1–10 )
B. Nineveh’s Desolation Contrasted with Her Former Glory ( 2:11–13 )
IV. Nineveh’s Total Destruction (ch. 3 )
A. Nineveh’s Sins ( 3:1–4 )
B. Nineveh’s Doom ( 3:5–19 )
1 ‡ A prophecy † concerning Nineveh. † The book of the vision † of Nahum the Elkoshite.
The LORD ’s Anger Against Nineveh
2 ‡ The LORD is a jealous † and avenging God;the LORD takes vengeance † and is filled with wrath.The LORD takes vengeance on his foesand vents his wrath against his enemies. †3 ‡ The LORD is slow to anger † but great in power;the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished. †His way is in the whirlwind † and the storm, †and clouds † are the dust of his feet.4 ‡ He rebukes † the sea and dries it up; †he makes all the rivers run dry.Bashan and Carmel † witherand the blossoms of Lebanon fade.5 ‡ The mountains quake † before himand the hills melt away. †The earth trembles † at his presence,the world and all who live in it. †6 ‡ Who can withstand † his indignation?Who can endure † his fierce anger? †His wrath is poured out like fire; †the rocks are shattered † before him.
7 ‡ The LORD is good, †a refuge in times of trouble. †He cares for † those who trust in him, †8 ‡ but with an overwhelming flood †he will make an end of Nineveh;he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.
9 ‡ Whatever they plot † against the LORDhe will bring [1] to an end;trouble will not come a second time.10 ‡ They will be entangled among thorns †and drunk † from their wine;they will be consumed like dry stubble. [2] †11 ‡ From you, Nineveh, has one come forthwho plots evil against the LORDand devises wicked plans.
12 ‡ This is what the LORD says:
“Although they have allies and are numerous,they will be destroyed † and pass away.Although I have afflicted you, Judah,I will afflict you no more. †13 ‡ Now I will break their yoke † from your neckand tear your shackles away.” †
14 ‡ The LORD has given a command concerning you, Nineveh:“You will have no descendants to bear your name. †I will destroy the images † and idolsthat are in the temple of your gods.I will prepare your grave, †for you are vile.”
15 ‡ Look, there on the mountains,the feet of one who brings good news, †who proclaims peace! †Celebrate your festivals, † Judah,and fulfill your vows.No more will the wicked invade you; †they will be completely destroyed. [3]
1 ‡ An attacker † advances against you, Nineveh.Guard the fortress,watch the road,brace yourselves,marshal all your strength!
2 ‡ The LORD will restore † the splendor † of Jacoblike the splendor of Israel,though destroyers have laid them wasteand have ruined their vines.
3 ‡ The shields of the soldiers are red;the warriors are clad in scarlet. †The metal on the chariots flasheson the day they are made ready;the spears of juniper are brandished. [5]4 ‡ The chariots † storm through the streets,rushing back and forth through the squares.They look like flaming torches;they dart about like lightning.
5 ‡ Nineveh summons her picked troops,yet they stumble † on their way.They dash to the city wall;the protective shield is put in place.6 ‡ The river gates † are thrown openand the palace collapses.7 ‡ It is decreed [6] that Ninevehbe exiled and carried away.Her female slaves moan † like dovesand beat on their breasts. †8 ‡ Nineveh is like a poolwhose water is draining away.“Stop! Stop!” they cry,but no one turns back.9 ‡ Plunder the silver!Plunder the gold!The supply is endless,the wealth from all its treasures!10 ‡ She is pillaged, plundered, stripped!Hearts melt, † knees give way,bodies tremble, every face grows pale. †
11 ‡ Where now is the lions’ den, †the place where they fed their young,where the lion and lioness went,and the cubs, with nothing to fear?12 ‡ The lion killed † enough for his cubsand strangled the prey for his mate,filling his lairs † with the killand his dens with the prey. †
13 ‡ “I am against † you,”declares the LORD Almighty.“I will burn up your chariots in smoke, †and the sword † will devour your young lions.I will leave you no prey on the earth.The voices of your messengerswill no longer be heard.” †
Woe to Nineveh
1 ‡ Woe to the city of blood, †full of lies, †full of plunder,never without victims!2 The crack of whips,the clatter of wheels,galloping horsesand jolting chariots!3 ‡ Charging cavalry,flashing swordsand glittering spears!Many casualties,piles of dead,bodies without number,people stumbling over the corpses † —4 ‡ all because of the wanton lust of a prostitute,alluring, the mistress of sorceries, †who enslaved nations by her prostitution †and peoples by her witchcraft.
5 ‡ “I am against † you,” declares the LORD Almighty.“I will lift your skirts † over your face.I will show the nations your nakedness †and the kingdoms your shame.6 I will pelt you with filth, †I will treat you with contempt †and make you a spectacle. †7 ‡ All who see you will flee † from you and say,‘Nineveh † is in ruins † —who will mourn for her?’ †Where can I find anyone to comfort † you?”
8 ‡ Are you better than † Thebes, †situated on the Nile, †with water around her?The river was her defense,the waters her wall.9 ‡ Cush [7] † and Egypt were her boundless strength;Put † and Libya † were among her allies.10 ‡ Yet she was taken captive †and went into exile.Her infants were dashed † to piecesat every street corner.Lots † were cast for her nobles,and all her great men were put in chains. †11 ‡ You too will become drunk; †you will go into hiding †and seek refuge from the enemy.
12 ‡ All your fortresses are like fig treeswith their first ripe fruit; †when they are shaken,the figs † fall into the mouth of the eater.13 ‡ Look at your troops—they are all weaklings. †The gates † of your landare wide open to your enemies;fire has consumed the bars of your gates. †
14 ‡ Draw water for the siege, †strengthen your defenses! †Work the clay,tread the mortar,repair the brickwork!15 ‡ There the fire † will consume you;the sword † will cut you down—they will devour you like a swarm of locusts.Multiply like grasshoppers,multiply like locusts! †16 ‡ You have increased the number of your merchantstill they are more numerous than the stars in the sky,but like locusts † they strip the landand then fly away.17 ‡ Your guards are like locusts, †your officials like swarms of locuststhat settle in the walls on a cold day—but when the sun appears they fly away,and no one knows where.
18 ‡ King of Assyria, your shepherds [8] slumber; †your nobles lie down to rest. †Your people are scattered † on the mountainswith no one to gather them.19 ‡ Nothing can heal you; †your wound is fatal.All who hear the news about youclap their hands † at your fall,for who has not feltyour endless cruelty? †
Nahum 1
[BACK TO [1]] 1:9 Or What do you foes plot against the LORD ? / He will bring it[BACK TO [2]] 1:10 The meaning of the Hebrew for this verse is uncertain.[BACK TO [3]] 1:15 In Hebrew texts this verse ( 1:15 ) is numbered 2:1.Nahum 2
[BACK TO [4]] In Hebrew texts 2:1–13 is numbered 2:2–14.Nahum 2
[BACK TO [5]] 2:3 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac ready; / the horsemen rush to and fro .[BACK TO [6]] 2:7 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.Nahum 3
[BACK TO [7]] 3:9 That is, the upper Nile region[BACK TO [8]] 3:18 That is, rulers
Nahum 1
[BACK TO †] 1:1: S Isa 13:1 ; 19:1 ; Jer 23:33–34[BACK TO †] 1:1: S Ge 10:11 ; S Jer 50:18 ; Na 2:8 ; 3:7[BACK TO †] 1:1: S Isa 1:1[BACK TO †] 1:2: S Ex 20:5[BACK TO †] 1:2: S Ge 4:24 ; S Dt 32:41 ; Ps 94:1[BACK TO †] 1:2: S Dt 7:10[BACK TO †] 1:3: S Ne 9:17[BACK TO †] 1:3: S Ex 34:7[BACK TO †] 1:3: S Ex 14:21 ; S 2Ki 2:1[BACK TO †] 1:3: S Ps 50:3[BACK TO †] 1:3: S 2Sa 22:10 ; S Ps 104:3[BACK TO †] 1:4: S 2Sa 22:16[BACK TO †] 1:4: S Ex 14:22[BACK TO †] 1:4: S Isa 33:9[BACK TO †] 1:5: S Ex 19:18 ; S Job 9:6[BACK TO †] 1:5: S Mic 1:4[BACK TO †] 1:5: S Joel 2:10[BACK TO †] 1:5: S Eze 38:20[BACK TO †] 1:6: S Ps 130:3[BACK TO †] 1:6: S Eze 22:14[BACK TO †] 1:6: S Ps 76:7[BACK TO †] 1:6: S Isa 5:24–25 ; S 42:25 ; S Jer 10:10[BACK TO †] 1:6: 1Ki 19:11[BACK TO †] 1:7: S Jer 33:11[BACK TO †] 1:7: S Jer 17:17[BACK TO †] 1:7: S Ps 1:6[BACK TO †] 1:7: S Ps 22:9[BACK TO †] 1:8: S Isa 8:7 ; S Da 9:26[BACK TO †] 1:9: S Hos 7:15[BACK TO †] 1:10: S 2Sa 23:6[BACK TO †] 1:10: S Isa 49:26[BACK TO †] 1:10: S Isa 5:24 ; Mal 4:1[BACK TO †] 1:12: S Isa 10:34[BACK TO †] 1:12: Isa 54:6–8 ; S La 3:31–32[BACK TO †] 1:13: S Isa 9:4[BACK TO †] 1:13: S Job 12:18 ; S Ps 107:14[BACK TO †] 1:14: S Isa 14:22[BACK TO †] 1:14: Mic 5:13[BACK TO †] 1:14: S Jer 28:8 ; Eze 32:22–23[BACK TO †] 1:15: Isa 40:9 ; Ro 10:15[BACK TO †] 1:15: S Isa 52:7 ; Ac 10:36[BACK TO †] 1:15: Lev 23:2–4[BACK TO †] 1:15: S Isa 52:1Nahum 2
[BACK TO †] 2:1: Jer 51:20[BACK TO †] 2:2: S Eze 37:23[BACK TO †] 2:2: Isa 60:15[BACK TO †] 2:3: S Eze 23:14–15[BACK TO †] 2:4: S Jer 4:13 ; S Eze 23:24[BACK TO †] 2:5: Jer 46:12[BACK TO †] 2:6: Isa 45:1 ; Na 3:13[BACK TO †] 2:7: S Ge 8:8 ; S Isa 59:11[BACK TO †] 2:7: Isa 32:12[BACK TO †] 2:10: S Jos 2:11 ; S 7:5[BACK TO †] 2:10: S Isa 29:22[BACK TO †] 2:11: Isa 5:29[BACK TO †] 2:12: S Jer 51:34[BACK TO †] 2:12: S Jer 4:7[BACK TO †] 2:12: S Isa 37:18[BACK TO †] 2:13: Isa 10:5–13 ; S Jer 21:13 ; Na 3:5[BACK TO †] 2:13: Ps 46:9[BACK TO †] 2:13: S 2Sa 2:26[BACK TO †] 2:13: S Mic 5:6Nahum 3
[BACK TO †] 3:1: S Eze 22:2 ; S Mic 3:10[BACK TO †] 3:1: Ps 12:2[BACK TO †] 3:3: 2Ki 19:35 ; Isa 34:3 ; Jer 47:3[BACK TO †] 3:4: S Isa 47:9[BACK TO †] 3:4: S Isa 23:17 ; Eze 16:25–29[BACK TO †] 3:5: S Na 2:13[BACK TO †] 3:5: S Isa 20:4 ; Jer 13:22[BACK TO †] 3:5: S Isa 47:3[BACK TO †] 3:6: S Ex 29:14 ; S Job 9:31[BACK TO †] 3:6: S 1Sa 2:30 ; S Jer 51:37[BACK TO †] 3:6: Isa 14:16[BACK TO †] 3:7: S Isa 13:14 ; S 31:9[BACK TO †] 3:7: S Na 1:1[BACK TO †] 3:7: S Job 3:14[BACK TO †] 3:7: S Jer 15:5[BACK TO †] 3:7: S Isa 51:19[BACK TO †] 3:8: Am 6:2[BACK TO †] 3:8: S Jer 46:25[BACK TO †] 3:8: Isa 19:6–9[BACK TO †] 3:9: S Ge 10:6 ; S 2Ch 12:3[BACK TO †] 3:9: S Eze 27:10[BACK TO †] 3:9: Eze 30:5[BACK TO †] 3:10: S Isa 20:4[BACK TO †] 3:10: S 2Ki 8:12 ; S Isa 13:16 ; Hos 13:16[BACK TO †] 3:10: S Job 6:27 ; S Eze 24:6[BACK TO †] 3:10: S Jer 40:1[BACK TO †] 3:11: S Isa 49:26[BACK TO †] 3:11: S Isa 2:10[BACK TO †] 3:12: S SS 2:13[BACK TO †] 3:12: S Isa 28:4[BACK TO †] 3:13: S Isa 19:16[BACK TO †] 3:13: S Na 2:6[BACK TO †] 3:13: S Isa 45:2[BACK TO †] 3:14: S 2Ch 32:4[BACK TO †] 3:14: Na 2:1[BACK TO †] 3:15: S Isa 27:1[BACK TO †] 3:15: S 2Sa 2:26[BACK TO †] 3:15: S Jer 51:14 ; S Joel 1:4[BACK TO †] 3:16: S Ex 10:13[BACK TO †] 3:17: Jer 51:27[BACK TO †] 3:18: Ps 76:5–6 ; S Jer 25:27[BACK TO †] 3:18: Isa 56:10[BACK TO †] 3:18: S 1Ki 22:17[BACK TO †] 3:19: S Jer 30:13 ; S Mic 1:9[BACK TO †] 3:19: S Job 27:23 ; S La 2:15 ; Zep 2:15[BACK TO †] 3:19: Isa 37:18
[BACK TO 1:1] The title of the book. prophecy. See Isa 13:1 ; Hab 1:1 and notes. Nineveh. See Introduction: Background ; see also notes on Jnh 1:2 ; 3:3 . Here the capital city stands for the entire Assyrian Empire. vision. See Pr 29:18 ; Isa 1:1 ; Ob 1 and notes. Nahum the Elkoshite. See Introduction: Author .
[BACK TO 1:2–3] The covenant name Yahweh (“the L ORD ”) is emphasized here (see notes on Ge 2:4 ; Ex 3:14–15 ; 6:6 ; Dt 28:58 ).
[BACK TO 1:2] jealous. See note on Ex 20:5 . avenging … vengeance … vengeance. God acts justly in judgment toward all who oppose him and his kingdom. The repetition is for emphasis (see note on Jer 7:4 ). “It is mine to avenge; I will repay” ( Dt 32:35 ; see note there), says the Lord. wrath. See notes on Ps 2:5 ; Ro 1:18 .
[BACK TO 1:3] slow to anger … not leave the guilty unpunished. See Ex 34:6–7 and note. the guilty. Such as Nineveh. whirlwind … storm … clouds. Awesome natural phenomena that display God’s majesty and power. See notes on Job 38:1 ; Ps 18:7–15 ; 68:4 ; 77:16–19 ; 104:3–4 .
[BACK TO 1:4] rebukes the sea and dries it up. As at the crossing of the “Red Sea” (see Ex 14:1–15:12 ; see also Ps 18:15 and note). makes all the rivers run dry. As at the crossing of the Jordan (see Jos 3:1–4:24 and note). Bashan … Carmel … Lebanon. See notes on Ps 22:12 ; SS 7:5 ; Isa 2:13 ; 33:9 ; 35:2 ; Eze 39:18 ; Am 4:1 . These three places were noted for their fertility, vineyards and trees, but at the Lord’s word they wither.
[BACK TO 1:5] mountains … hills … earth … world. Emblems of stability and permanence.
[BACK TO 1:7] those who trust in him. Such as Judah.
[BACK TO 1:8] overwhelming flood. Symbolic of an invading army (see Isa 8:7–8 ; 28:17–19 ). end … darkness. In 612 BC that end came for Nineveh, and the darkness enveloped her.
[BACK TO 1:9] they plot. See note on v. 11 . trouble will not come a second time. God never permitted the Assyrians a second victory over his people; the first was the fall of Samaria (722–721 BC ) and the northern kingdom of Israel (Sennacherib’s invasion of Judah and Jerusalem in 701 was not a complete victory; see 2Ki 18:13–19:36 ).
[BACK TO 1:10] drunk from their wine. See 3:11 and note; but perhaps the line here should read: “and drenched as with their wine,/yet they …” (see NIV text note).
[BACK TO 1:12] they. The Assyrians. I have afflicted you. God had used Assyria as the rod of his anger against his covenant-breaking people in the days of Ahaz ( Isa 10:5 ) and again in the time of Manasseh.
[BACK TO 1:13] See Jer 27:2 and note. I will break their yoke. Judah was Assyria’s vassal; that yoke would be broken.
[BACK TO 1:14] I will prepare your grave. God used the Babylonians and Medes to dig Nineveh’s grave in 612 BC. For the fulfillment of this prophecy, see Eze 32:22–23 .
[BACK TO 2:1] attacker. Refers to the alliance of the Medes under Cyaxares and the Babylonians under Nabopolassar. Guard the fortress … marshal all your strength! Probably irony, touched with sarcasm. road. By which the enemies will come.
[BACK TO 2:2] restore the splendor of Jacob … Israel. The nation will be restored to its previous greatness.
[BACK TO 2:3] the soldiers. Those of the attacker (v. 1 ), or perhaps those of Nineveh itself. red. Either (1) the color of the shields, (2) a reference to blood on them or (3) the result of the reflection of the sun shining on them. brandished. Ready to use.
[BACK TO 2:4] chariots … rushing. Refers to either (1) the Assyrian war chariots, as the Assyrians take frantic but vain steps to defend themselves, or (2) the chariots of Nineveh’s invaders.
[BACK TO 2:5] Nineveh. That is, the king of Assyria. city wall. A moat 150 feet wide had to be filled in before reaching Nineveh’s wall, which was almost 8 miles long with 15 gates. Then battering rams were moved up. protective shield. A large defensive framework covered with hides to deflect stones and arrows.
[BACK TO 2:7] female slaves. Even the lowest in the social order will not escape the judgment.
[BACK TO 2:8] like a pool … water is draining away. Some think that this refers to the Tigris and the smaller rivers encircling and running through parts of the city, as well as to a system of dams to make the city more impenetrable. Others take the language less literally as a reference to Nineveh’s people fleeing, like water draining from a pool.
[BACK TO 2:9] The cry of the invaders.
[BACK TO 2:11–13] Nahum ironically contrasts the devastated and desolate city of Nineveh with its former glory and power, expressed in figurative terms.
[BACK TO 2:12] filling his lairs … with the prey. Nineveh was filled with the spoils of war from many conquered nations.
[BACK TO 2:13] I will burn up. Nineveh’s fall will be an act of divine judgment. Nineveh had been put on trial, found guilty and sentenced to destruction. voices … no longer be heard. History has confirmed this prediction.
[BACK TO 3:1–3] See note on Joel 2:3–11 .
[BACK TO 3:1] city of blood. Nineveh’s bloody massacres of her conquered rivals were well known. never without victims. The Assyrians were noted for their ruthlessness, brutality and terrible atrocities. Many of their victims were beheaded, impaled or burned.
[BACK TO 3:4] prostitute … prostitution. The lure of luxury and wealth brought multitudes to Nineveh, but like the allurements of a prostitute it did not yield life’s true pleasures. sorceries … witchcraft. Pagan practices (see Dt 18:10 and note on 18:9 ).
[BACK TO 3:5] lift your skirts over your face. A common punishment of prostitutes and adulterous women (see notes on Isa 47:3 ; Jer 13:22 ; Hos 2:3 , 10 ).
[BACK TO 3:7] who … ? Where … ? Rhetorical questions. Nineveh will receive no sympathy.
[BACK TO 3:9] Put and Libya. Perhaps better “Put (i.e., Libya)”; see notes on Ge 10:6 ; Eze 27:10 ; 30:5 .
[BACK TO 3:11] will become drunk. Probably from the cup of God’s wrath (see Isa 51:17 ; Jer 25:15 ; Eze 23:31 and notes).
[BACK TO 3:12] like fig trees with their first ripe fruit. A simile for the eagerness with which the victors gather the rich loot of Nineveh. figs fall into the mouth of the eater. Nineveh’s fortresses will finally fall just as easily.
[BACK TO 3:13] your troops … are all weaklings. They are unable to stand against the invading armies.
[BACK TO 3:14] Draw water. A normal preparation for siege. strengthen your defenses! Irony, the point being that it will do no good (see 2:1 and note).
[BACK TO 3:16] your merchants … are more numerous than the stars. Speaks of Assyria’s vast trading and commercial enterprises.
[BACK TO 3:18] King. The reigning king at the time of Nineveh’s fall was Sin-Shar-Ishkun, so these words are prophetically addressed to him. shepherds. Leaders (see Jer 2:8 and note). lie down to rest. Die. people are scattered. The age-old scene of refugees fleeing a place of destruction is repeated at Nineveh.
Habakkuk
Author:Habakkuk
Audience:The people of Judah, struggling to comprehend the ways of God
Date:About 605 BC
Theme:The prophet Habakkuk argues with God over God’s ways, which appear to him unfathomable, if not unjust; after receiving replies from God, Habakkuk responds with a beautiful confession of faith.
Author
Little is known about Habakkuk except that he was a contemporary of Jeremiah and a man of vigorous faith rooted deeply in the religious traditions of Israel. The account of his ministering to the needs of Daniel in the lions’ den in the Apocryphal book Bel and the Dragon is legendary rather than historical.
Date
The prediction of the coming Babylonian invasion ( 1:6 ) indicates that Habakkuk lived in Judah toward the end of Josiah’s reign (640–609 BC ) or at the beginning of Jehoiakim’s (609–598). The prophecy is generally dated a little before or after the battle of Carchemish (605), when Egyptian forces, which had earlier gone to the aid of the last Assyrian king, were routed by the Babylonians under Nabopolassar and Nebuchadnezzar and were pursued as far as the Egyptian border ( Jer 46 ). Habakkuk, like Jeremiah, probably lived to see the initial fulfillment of his prophecy when Jerusalem was attacked by the Babylonians in 597.
Assyrian officials recording the loot taken from a conquered city. Habakkuk warns the Babylonian armies, which have plundered goods from the people of Judah, that the tables will soon turn ( 2:6–8 ).
Z. Radovan/ www.BibleLandPictures.com
Theological Message
Among the prophetic writings, Habakkuk is somewhat unique in that it includes no messages addressed to Israel. It contains, rather, a dialogue between the prophet and God (see Outline). (The book of Jonah, while narrative, presents an account of conflict between the Lord and one of his prophets.) In the first two chapters, Habakkuk argues with God over God’s ways, which appear to him unfathomable, if not unjust. Having received replies, he responds with a beautiful confession of faith (ch. 3 ).
Habakkuk expresses his perplexity that wickedness, strife and oppression are rampant in Judah and yet God seemingly does nothing.
This account of wrestling with God is, however, not just a fragment from a private journal that has somehow entered the public domain. It was composed for Israel. No doubt it represented the voice of the godly in Judah, struggling to comprehend the ways of God. God’s answers therefore spoke to all who shared Habakkuk’s troubled doubts. And Habakkuk’s confession became a public expression—as indicated by its liturgical notations (see note on 3:1 ).
Habakkuk was perplexed that wickedness, strife and oppression were rampant in Judah but that God seemingly did nothing. When told that the Lord was preparing to do something about it through the “ruthless” Babylonians ( 1:6 ), his perplexity only intensified: How could God, who is “too pure to look on evil” ( 1:13 ), appoint such a nation “to execute judgment” ( 1:12 ) on a people “more righteous than themselves” ( 1:13 )?
God makes it clear, however, that eventually the corrupt destroyer will itself be destroyed. In the end, Habakkuk learns to rest in God’s sovereign appointments and await his working in a spirit of worship. He learns to wait patiently in faith ( 2:3–4 ) for God’s kingdom to be expressed universally ( 2:14 ). See note on 3:18–19 .
Literary Features
The author wrote clearly and with great feeling, and he penned many memorable phrases (
2:2
,
4
,
14
,
20
;
3:2
,
17–19
). The book was popular during the intertestamental period; a complete commentary on its first two chapters has been found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (see
this essay
).
Outline
I. Title ( 1:1 )
II. Habakkuk’s First Complaint: Why Does the Evil in Judah Go Unpunished? ( 1:2–4 )
III. God’s Answer: The Babylonians Will Punish Judah ( 1:5–11 )
IV. Habakkuk’s Second Complaint: How Can a Just God Use the Wicked Babylonians to Punish a People More Righteous Than Themselves? ( 1:12–2:1 )
V. God’s Answer: Babylonia Will Also Be Punished, and Faith Will Be Rewarded ( 2:2–20 )
VI. Habakkuk’s Prayer: After Asking for Manifestations of God’s Wrath and Mercy (as He Has Seen in the Past), He Closes with a Confession of Trust and Joy in God (ch. 3 )
1 ‡ The prophecy † that Habakkuk the prophet received.
Habakkuk’s Complaint
2 ‡ How long, † LORD , must I call for help,but you do not listen? †Or cry out to you, “Violence!”but you do not save? †3 ‡ Why do you make me look at injustice?Why do you tolerate † wrongdoing? †Destruction and violence † are before me;there is strife, † and conflict abounds.4 ‡ Therefore the law † is paralyzed,and justice never prevails.The wicked hem in the righteous,so that justice † is perverted. †
The LORD ’s Answer
5 ‡ “Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. †For I am going to do something in your daysthat you would not believe,even if you were told. †6 ‡ I am raising up the Babylonians, [1] †that ruthless and impetuous people,who sweep across the whole earth †to seize dwellings not their own. †7 ‡ They are a feared and dreaded people; †they are a law to themselvesand promote their own honor.8 ‡ Their horses are swifter † than leopards,fiercer than wolves † at dusk.Their cavalry gallops headlong;their horsemen come from afar.They fly like an eagle swooping to devour;9 ‡ they all come intent on violence.Their hordes [2] advance like a desert windand gather prisoners † like sand.10 ‡ They mock kingsand scoff at rulers. †They laugh at all fortified cities;by building earthen ramps † they capture them.11 ‡ Then they sweep past like the wind † and go on—guilty people, whose own strength is their god.” †
Habakkuk’s Second Complaint
12 ‡ LORD , are you not from everlasting? †My God, my Holy One, † you [3] will never die. †You, LORD , have appointed † them to execute judgment;you, my Rock, † have ordained them to punish.13 ‡ Your eyes are too pure † to look on evil;you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. †Why then do you tolerate † the treacherous? †Why are you silent while the wickedswallow up those more righteous than themselves? †14 You have made people like the fish in the sea,like the sea creatures that have no ruler.15 ‡ The wicked † foe pulls all of them up with hooks, †he catches them in his net, †he gathers them up in his dragnet;and so he rejoices and is glad.16 ‡ Therefore he sacrifices to his netand burns incense † to his dragnet,for by his net he lives in luxuryand enjoys the choicest food.17 Is he to keep on emptying his net,destroying nations without mercy? †
1 ‡ I will stand at my watch †and station myself on the ramparts; †I will look to see what he will say † to me,and what answer I am to give to this complaint. [4] †
The LORD ’s Answer
2 ‡ Then the LORD replied:
“Write † down the revelationand make it plain on tabletsso that a herald [5] may run with it.3 ‡ For the revelation awaits an appointed time; †it speaks of the end †and will not prove false.Though it linger, wait † for it;it [6] will certainly comeand will not delay. †
4 ‡ “See, the enemy is puffed up;his desires are not upright—but the righteous person † will live by his faithfulness [7] † —5 ‡ indeed, wine † betrays him;he is arrogant † and never at rest.Because he is as greedy as the graveand like death is never satisfied, †he gathers to himself all the nationsand takes captive † all the peoples.
6 ‡ “Will not all of them taunt † him with ridicule and scorn, saying,
“ ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goodsand makes himself wealthy by extortion! †How long must this go on?’7 Will not your creditors suddenly arise?Will they not wake up and make you tremble?Then you will become their prey. †8 ‡ Because you have plundered many nations,the peoples who are left will plunder you. †For you have shed human blood; †you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them. †
9 ‡ “Woe to him who builds † his house by unjust gain, †setting his nest † on highto escape the clutches of ruin!10 You have plotted the ruin † of many peoples,shaming † your own house and forfeiting your life.11 ‡ The stones † of the wall will cry out,and the beams of the woodwork will echo it.
12 ‡ “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed †and establishes a town by injustice!13 ‡ Has not the LORD Almighty determinedthat the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, †that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? †14 ‡ For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory † of the LORDas the waters cover the sea. †
15 ‡ “Woe to him who gives drink † to his neighbors,pouring it from the wineskin till they are drunk,so that he can gaze on their naked bodies!16 ‡ You will be filled with shame † instead of glory. †Now it is your turn! Drink † and let your nakedness be exposed [8] ! †The cup † from the LORD ’s right hand is coming around to you,and disgrace will cover your glory.17 ‡ The violence † you have done to Lebanon will overwhelm you,and your destruction of animals will terrify you. †For you have shed human blood; †you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them.
18 ‡ “Of what value † is an idol † carved by a craftsman?Or an image † that teaches lies?For the one who makes it trusts in his own creation;he makes idols that cannot speak. †19 ‡ Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ †Can it give guidance?It is covered with gold and silver; †there is no breath in it.” †
20 ‡ The LORD is in his holy temple; †let all the earth be silent † before him.
Habakkuk’s Prayer
1 ‡ A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth . [9] †
2 ‡ LORD , I have heard † of your fame;I stand in awe † of your deeds, LORD . †Repeat † them in our day,in our time make them known;in wrath remember mercy. †
3 ‡ God came from Teman, †the Holy One † from Mount Paran. [10] †His glory covered the heavens †and his praise filled the earth. †4 His splendor was like the sunrise; †rays flashed from his hand,where his power † was hidden.5 ‡ Plague † went before him;pestilence followed his steps.6 ‡ He stood, and shook the earth;he looked, and made the nations tremble.The ancient mountains crumbled †and the age-old hills † collapsed † —but he marches on forever. †7 ‡ I saw the tents of Cushan in distress,the dwellings of Midian † in anguish. †
8 ‡ Were you angry with the rivers, † LORD ?Was your wrath against the streams?Did you rage against the sea †when you rode your horsesand your chariots to victory? †9 ‡ You uncovered your bow,you called for many arrows. †You split the earth with rivers;10 the mountains saw you and writhed. †Torrents of water swept by;the deep roared †and lifted its waves † on high.
11 ‡ Sun and moon stood still † in the heavensat the glint of your flying arrows, †at the lightning † of your flashing spear.12 ‡ In wrath you strode through the earthand in anger you threshed † the nations.13 ‡ You came out † to deliver † your people,to save your anointed † one.You crushed † the leader of the land of wickedness,you stripped him from head to foot.14 ‡ With his own spear you pierced his headwhen his warriors stormed out to scatter us, †gloating as though about to devourthe wretched † who were in hiding.15 ‡ You trampled the sea † with your horses,churning the great waters. †
16 ‡ I heard and my heart pounded,my lips quivered at the sound;decay crept into my bones,and my legs trembled. †Yet I will wait patiently † for the day of calamityto come on the nation invading us.17 ‡ Though the fig tree does not budand there are no grapes on the vines,though the olive crop failsand the fields produce no food, †though there are no sheep in the penand no cattle in the stalls, †18 ‡ yet I will rejoice in the LORD , †I will be joyful in God my Savior. †
19 ‡ The Sovereign LORD is my strength; †he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,he enables me to tread on the heights. †
For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.
Habakkuk 1
[BACK TO [1]] 1:6 Or Chaldeans[BACK TO [2]] 1:9 The meaning of the Hebrew for this word is uncertain.[BACK TO [3]] 1:12 An ancient Hebrew scribal tradition; Masoretic Text weHabakkuk 2
[BACK TO [4]] 2:1 Or and what to answer when I am rebuked[BACK TO [5]] 2:2 Or so that whoever reads it[BACK TO [6]] 2:3 Or Though he linger, wait for him; / he[BACK TO [7]] 2:4 Or faith[BACK TO [8]] 2:16 Masoretic Text; Dead Sea Scrolls, Aquila, Vulgate and Syriac (see also Septuagint) and staggerHabakkuk 3
[BACK TO [9]] 3:1 Probably a literary or musical term[BACK TO [10]] 3:3 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the middle of verse 9 and at the end of verse 13 .