Nahum
The Prophet of Nineveh's DoomProphet who proclaimed God's judgment against Nineveh, the Assyrian capital that had earlier repented under Jonah
Nahum prophesied approximately 150 years after Jonah, when Nineveh had returned to wickedness and brutality. While Jonah preached repentance and Nineveh was spared, Nahum proclaimed inescapable doom. Assyria had been God's instrument of judgment against Israel (722 BC), but now their own judgment was declared. Nahum's vivid poetry describes Nineveh's fall with terrifying imagery. The city fell to the Babylonians and Medes in 612 BC, exactly as prophesied, and was so thoroughly destroyed it wasn't rediscovered until the 19th century.
Original Name
נַחוּם (Nachum)
Meaning
Comfort, Compassion
Etymology
Nahum comes from the Hebrew root 'nacham' meaning 'to comfort' or 'to have compassion.' Ironically, this 'Comfort' brings a message of no comfort to Nineveh, but great comfort to Judah who suffered under Assyrian brutality.
Linguistic Insights
Nahum's name ('Comfort') is ironic - he brings comfort only to the oppressed, not to the oppressor. The book begins with a partial acrostic poem (letters of the Hebrew alphabet). His description of Nineveh's fall is some of the most vivid war poetry in Scripture: 'The crack of the whip, the clatter of wheels, galloping horses, jolting chariots!' (3:2). The phrase 'slow to anger' (erekh appayim - אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם) in 1:3 echoes Exodus 34:6, but adds 'great in power' - God's patience doesn't indicate weakness. Nahum 1:15 is quoted in Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15 regarding the gospel messenger.
Translation Notes
- •Name means 'Comfort' - ironic given his message
- •Elkosh (his hometown) location unknown
- •Contains partial acrostic poem in chapter 1
- •Nahum 1:15 parallels Isaiah 52:7 (good news of peace)
Related Terms
Prophesied the LORD's vengeance on Nineveh
Nahum 1:1-8Declared good news of Nineveh's fall for Judah
Nahum 1:15Described the attack on Nineveh
Nahum 2:1-13Pronounced woe on the city of blood
Nahum 3:1-7Compared Nineveh to fallen Thebes
Nahum 3:8-10Declared Nineveh's wound incurable
Nahum 3:18-19Nahum 1:3
"The LORD is slow to anger but great in power; the LORD will not leave the guilty unpunished."
Nahum 1:7
"The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."
Nahum 1:15
"Look, there on the mountains, the feet of one who brings good news, who proclaims peace!"