FocusRefuge and judgment
Connection to the wholeThe opening describes the LORD's power and goodness while announcing the end of the hostile oppressor.
interpretation Nahum 1:8
KJVBut with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Read it in context
The Burden against Nineveh
Start reading at Nahum 1:1 (Nahum 1:1 to Nahum 1:15).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The opening describes the LORD's power and goodness while announcing the end of the hostile oppressor.
- 1:1 The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
- 1:2 God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
- 1:3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
- 1:4 He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
- 1:5 The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
- 1:6 Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
- 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
- 1:8 But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
- 1:9 What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
- 1:10 For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
- 1:11 There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.
- 1:12 Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
- 1:13 For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
- 1:14 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.
- 1:15 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.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Nahum the Elkoshite is the named prophet; his further biography is uncertain. Biblical references: Nahum 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Nahum 1:1–1:15): The oracle concerns Nineveh. Judah also receives words of relief from its oppressor. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Judah receives reassurance in an oracle against Nineveh. Nineveh is the city addressed in judgment; Judah is explicitly addressed with a call to keep its feasts. Biblical references: Nahum 1:1; Nahum 1:15; Nahum 3:1. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Burden against Nineveh. Read Nahum 1:1 through Nahum 1:15 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? The opening describes the LORD's power and goodness while announcing the end of the hostile oppressor. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The book does not state a royal year. Its comparison with the fall of No and announcement of Nineveh's fall provide historical reference points whose modern dates require external reconstruction. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? Nineveh is the object of the oracle, with other places used in comparison and poetic description. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Burden against Nineveh (Nahum 1:1 to Nahum 1:15). Start reading at Nahum 1:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The book's judgment on violent oppression can be read beside the New Testament's teaching that Christ judges righteously. This is a thematic connection, not an explicit naming of Jesus in Nahum. See Nahum 3:8, Acts 17:31, Revelation 19:11. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Reject security built on violence and exploitation. Read judgment oracles as announcements about their stated objects, not permission for personal vengeance. interpretation
Cited: Nahum 1:1, Nahum 1:15, Nahum 3:8, Acts 17:31, Revelation 19:11
Who wrote it, and how we know
Nahum
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book opens as the book of the vision of Nahum.
Nahum 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Nahum.
Related passages
- with Isa 8:7-8 Isa 28:17 Ezek 13:13 Dan 9:26 Dan 11:10,22,40 Amos 8:8 Amos 9:5-6 Matt 7:27
- the place Nah 1:1 Nah 2:8 Zeph 2:13
- darkness Job 30:15 Prov 4:19 Isa 8:22 Jer 13:16 Matt 8:12
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Nahum 1
Nahum presents an oracle concerning Nineveh. The announced judgment is directed toward that oppressive power; descriptions of battle are prophetic and poetic language rather than instructions for the reader to imitate violence. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Nahum
Nahum presents an oracle concerning Nineveh. The announced judgment is directed toward that oppressive power; descriptions of battle are prophetic and poetic language rather than instructions for the reader to imitate violence.
FocusRefuge and judgment
Connection to the wholeThe opening describes the LORD's power and goodness while announcing the end of the hostile oppressor.
interpretation Nineveh's fall portrayed
Nahum 2:1–13FocusAttack and desolation
Connection to the wholeThe vivid battle scene depicts the overthrow of the power confronted in the oracle.
interpretation The reason for judgment and the final taunt
Nahum 3:1–19FocusViolence, deceit, and unavoidable collapse
Connection to the wholeThe closing accusations and comparisons expose Nineveh's guilt and complete the announcement of its downfall.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.