Nahum chapter 1

Introduction. The LORD God will judge Nineveh.

 


 

INTRODUCTION

 

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

about Nineveh. Like the Book of Job, Nahum is focused on Nineveh. It is a threatening message about the doom of that city.

the vision of. Or “the oracle of.

Nahum the Elkoshite. This is all we know about the identity of Nahum.

 

THE LORD GOD WILL JUDGE NINEVEH

 

VERSE 2. The LORD 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.

The LORD. When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, “LORD” or “GOD” is the translation of God’s Proper Name.

jealous. The LORD God is zealous to protect his people. In this context, the people being protected is Judah.

God. The Hebrew word rendered “God” is “אֱלֹהִ֑ים” (Elohim).

takes vengeance. That is, “avenges.”

The LORD God avenges his people. That means he champions their cause against their enemies.

 

VERSE 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.

The LORD is slow to anger. He withholds judgment for a long time.

 

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

 

VERSE 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.

The mountains quake before him. Mountains are among the most solid things we know. Yet before the awesome power of the LORD God, they will melt. And so will our troubles. Read more »

 

VERSE 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.

Who can stand … endure. No one can successfully stand against the LORD God.

Psalm 97:3. A fire goes before him, and burns up his adversaries on every side.

 

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

NAB translation. The LORD is good, a refuge on the day of distress; he takes care of those who have recourse to him.

those who have recourse to him. Do you have recourse to the LORD God?

he takes care of. What does that mean to you?

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

VERSE 11. One has gone out of you who devises evil against the LORD, who counsels wickedness.

 

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

NIV translation. This is what the Lord says: “Although they have allies and are numerous, they will be cut off and pass away. Although I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflict you no more.

Although I have afflicted you. They had gone through some very difficult times. They probably interpreted those sad events as God’s punishment for some sin or other.

In our day, many people interpret difficulties as punishment from the LORD God.

They ponder what sort of sin God is punishing them for. This likely stems from the popular mindset that God is a punisher.

Most people have a knee-jerk reaction where they automatically assume God is angry with them, and that he is punishing them.

I will afflict you no more. Those bad days of difficulty are over.

 

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

NIV translation. Now I will break their yoke from your neck and tear your shackles away.”

 

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

 

VERSE 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.

Behold. This is from the Hebrew word הִנֵּה, means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.

Chapter and verse. The Catholic Bible numbers this verse as chapter 2 verse 1.

NAB translation. At this moment on the mountains the footsteps of one bearing good news, of one announcing peace! Celebrate your feasts, Judah, fulfill your vows! For never again will destroyers invade you;they are completely cut off.

This seems like a prophecy of the Lord Jesus Christ!

 


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NAHUM

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize

Unless otherwise noted, all Bible quotations on this page are from the World English Bible and the World Messianic Edition. These translations have no copyright restrictions. They are in the Public Domain.