The Book of Nahum
Introduction to the Book of Nahum in the Bible

Nahum 1:7 - The LORD [is] good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Nahum 1:14-15 - And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, [that] no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

The Old Testament - A Brief Overview

Bible Survey - Nahum
Hebrew Name - Nachoum "Consulation"
Greek Name - Naoum (Greek form of the Hebrew)
Author - Nahum (According to Tradition)
Date - 713 BC Approximately
Theme - The Destruction of Assyria
Types and Shadows - In Nahum Jesus is the Avenger

Summary of The Book of Nahum

Quick Overview of Nahum. � � 1:1-10 � � Nahum prophesies about God's vengeance and judgment � �1:11-2:2 � �God threatens to Assyria and makes promises to Judah� �2:3-13� � Attack on Nineveh � � 3:1-19 � � Nineveh is sacked.

Nahum began to prophesy in about 713 BC after the destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel by the Assyrians. Nahum prophesied about God's vengeance and judgement, and the destruction that was going to come upon Nineveh for her great wickedness and cruelty. The name Nahum means "consolation" or "consoler", and this is a fitting name for the man who was chosen to comfort the oppressed people of the southern kingdom of Judah. Nahum told them to rejoice because Nineveh will be justly punished.
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There is very little known about Nahum, he is called the "Elkoshite" in Nahum 1:1, yet the location of this place is uncertain. Some scholars place it in the Galilee region, and others place it in Judah or Assyria. One  believe is that Nahum's home was Capernaum  which means "Village of Nahum", and that Elkosh was just the place of his birth. In any case Nahum's message was the final decimation and downfall of Nineveh.

In Nahum 1 God is seen as the one who triumphs over his enemies, regardless of how strong they are. The following chapters speak of the reasons for Nineveh's impending doom. There are two primary sins that the prophet mentions about Nineveh:  

1. They had no mercy with all their great strength, they just killed destroyed and plundered with no remorse.

2. Their greed and lustful pleasures cause them to be corrupt in all their dealings with the nations.

Nahum's prophecy is the cry of an oppressed and outraged people of Judah, for all the suffering that the Assyrians bring. The thought of  the Assyrian empire coming to an end brought a joyful satisfaction of a punishment that is justly due.

Outline of the Book of Nahum

Nahum 1:1 Introduction to the prophet Nahum and his "burden"

Nahum 1:2-11 God's holy judgment

Nahum 1:12-15 The fall of Nineveh is proclaimed

Nahum 2:1-12 The siege and overthrow of Nineveh

Nahum 2:13 The reason for Nineveh's destruction

Nahum 3:1-17 Nineveh was an example of sin reaping God's judgment

Nahum 3:18-19 The king of Assyria's destruction brings great joy

Read Nahum

Nahum

Select a Chapter Nahum 1 Nahum 2 Nahum 3

More About the Book of Nahum
Nahum in the Picture Study Bible
Chart of the Prophets of Israel and Judah
Timeline of the Ancient World
Back to the Old Testament
Back to Bible History Online

The Story of the Bible - Part One - The Old Testament

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