Nahum1
English Standard Version
1An concerning . The of the of of .
2The Lord is a and ; the Lord is and ; the Lord takes on his and wrath for his .
3The Lord is to and in , and the Lord will by the guilty. His is in and , and the are the of his .
4He the and makes it ; he up the ; and ; the of .
5The him; the ; the him, the and who in it.
6 can his ? can the of his ? His is out like , and the are into pieces by him.
7The Lord is , a in the of ; he those who take in him.
8But with an he will a end of the , and will his into .
9 do you the Lord? He will a end; will a .
10 they are , like as they ; they are like .
11 you one who the Lord, a .
12 the Lord, they are at and , they will be and away. Though I have you, I will you .
13And I will his from off you and will your .
14The Lord has given you: No shall your be ; from the of your I will the image and the image. I will your , for you .
15 , the , the of him who brings , who ! your , O ; your , for shall the you; he is .
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Nahum 1.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: The justice and power of the Lord. (1–8). The overthrow of the Assyrians. (9–15).
vv1-8
About a hundred years before, at Jonah's preaching, the Ninevites repented, and were spared, yet, soon after, they became worse than ever. Nineveh knows not that God who contends with her, but is told what a God he is. It is good for all to mix faith with what is here said concerning Him, which speaks great terror to the wicked, and comfort to believers. Let each take his portion from it: let sinners read it and tremble; and let saints read it and triumph. The anger of the Lord is contrasted with his goodness to his people. Perhaps they are obscure and little regarded in the world, but the Lord knows them. The Scripture character of Jehovah agrees not with the views of proud reasoners. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is slow to wrath and ready to forgive, but he will by no means acquit the wicked; and there is tribulation and anguish for every soul that doeth evil: but who duly regards the power of his wrath?
vv9-15
There is a great deal plotted against the Lord by the gates of hell, and against his kingdom in the world; but it will prove in vain. With some sinners God makes quick despatch; and one way or other, he will make an utter end of all his enemies. Though they are quiet, and many very secure, and not in fear, they shall be cut down as grass and corn, when the destroying angel passes through. God would hereby work great deliverance for his own people. But those who make themselves vile by scandalous sins, God will make vile by shameful punishments. The tidings of this great deliverance shall be welcomed with abundant joy. These words are applied to the great redemption wrought out by our Lord Jesus and the everlasting gospel, Ro 10:15. Christ's ministers are messengers of good tidings, that preach peace by Jesus Christ. How welcome to those who see their misery and danger by sin! And the promise they made in the day of trouble must be made good. Let us be thankful for God's ordinances, and gladly attend them. Let us look forward with cheerful hope to a world where the wicked never can enter, and sin and temptation will no more be known.
Key Words
מַשָּׂא: a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance, chiefly adoom, especially singing; mental, desire
נִינְוֵה: Nineveh, the capital of Assyria
סֵפֶר: properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
חָזוֹן: a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle
נַחוּם: Nachum, an Israelite prophet
אֶלְקֹשִׁי: an Elkoshite or native of Elkosh
קַנּוֹא: jealous or angry
נָקַם: to grudge, i.e. avenge or punish
אֵל: strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty (but used also of any deity)
צַר: narrow; (as a noun) a tight place (usually figuratively, i.e. trouble); also a pebble ; (transitive) an opponent (as crowding)
Cross References
Nahum 1Direct verbal parallel regarding 'the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
New Testament application of 'the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace'.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Verbatim source for God being 'slow to anger' and 'will not at all acquit'.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Matches Mosaic formula of God being slow to anger and not clearing the guilty.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Theological description of God being jealous for His people and Jerusalem.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Declaration that 'I the Lord thy God am a jealous God', grounding Nahum's introduction.
Supported by JFB
Contrasts God's sparing of Nineveh under Jonah with His final judgment here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the 'overrunning flood' representing the military devastation of the city.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the use of 'the burden' to introduce judgments on pagan nations.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Demonstrates Jesus exercising the same divine power over the sea and wind.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the statement that 'the Lord knoweth them that are his' / 'them that trust'.
Supported by JFB
Prophecy of breaking the Assyrian yoke and burden from off Israel's neck.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal parallel to breaking the yoke and bursting the bonds of oppressors.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Fulfillment of judgment inside 'the house of thy gods' for the Assyrian king.
Supported by JFB
Contrast: God does not keep anger forever with His people, but reserves it for enemies.
Supported by JFB