Nahum 1 Background Information with Maps and Images (Picture Study Bible

Nahum 1

1 - A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2 - Yahwe h is a jealous God and avenges. the LORD avenges and is full of wrath. the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.

3 - The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. the LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4 - He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes.

5 - The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.

6 - Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.

7 - The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.

8 - But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

9 - What do you plot against The LORD? He will make a full end. Affliction won't rise up the second time.

10 - For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.

11 - There is one gone out of you, who devises evil against The LORD, who counsels wickedness.

12 - The LORD says: "Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

13 - Now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart."

14 - The LORD has commanded concerning you: "No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, will I cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile."

15 - Behold , on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.

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Nahum 1

Nahum 2

Nahum 3

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Nahum Images and Notes

The Book of Nahum

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

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. - The above text is © Rusty Russell - Bible History Online and must be sourced for use on a website.

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.

Interesting Note: In a book of utter judgement stands one verse like the eye in a hurricane. Nahum 1:7 - The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

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

Nahum Resources

The Divided Kingdom
The Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Southern Kingdom of Judah
The Assyrian Captivity
The Babylonian Captivity
The Return From Babylon
The Prophets
The Messiah

The Book of Nahum

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