Nahum: An Introduction and a Commentary

Author: Nahum. Little is known about this prophet other than his hometown was Elkosh, an unidentified city.

Date: ca. 630-620 B.C.

Recipients: Nineveh, the capital city of the Assyrians. Nahum addressed this city 100 years after Jonah preached to the Ninevites.

Purpose: To explain that because of God's holiness, the evil nations of the world will not escape His judgment.

I. THE LORD IS NINEVEH'S JUDGE (1:1-2:2)

• The LORD directed Nahum to write against the Ninevites. Almighty God would not tolerate wickedness forever, and no one could stand against His righteous indignation. He also is a refuge to those who trust in Him, but He will be like an overwhelming flood to the nation of Assyria (1:1-8).  

• The next section (1:9-2:2) alternates between Nineveh's upcoming judgment, and His protection of Judah:

   ▪ Nineveh has plotted evil against the LORD but will be 

      consumed like dry stubble (1:9-11).

   ▪ Judah has been afflicted in the past, but God will afflict 

      them no longer. Instead, He will break the yoke of slavery 

      off their necks (1:12-13).

   ▪ Nineveh would have no descendants, and their idols 

      would be destroyed (1:14). This would occur in 612 B.C. 

      when the Neo-Babylonian Empire overthrew Assyria.

   ▪ Judah would rejoice when the fall of Assyria was announced 

     (1:15).

   ▪ An attacker was advancing against Nineveh, so they had 

      better be prepared (2:1).

   ▪ The LORD would restore the splendor of Israel that had 

      been devastated (2:2).

II. NINEVEH'S FALL (2:2-13)

• Chapter 2 contains a graphic account of the fall of the once mighty Assyrians. God has decreed that Nineveh will experience destruction, and no one will be able to turn back the tide of God's vengeance as He channels it through the enemies of Assyria.

2:8 Though Nineveh was like a pool of water throughout here days, now they are fleeing; "Stop, stop," but no one turns back.

2:9 Plunder the silver! Plunder the gold! For there is no limit to the treasure—wealth from every kind of desirable object.

2:10 She is emptied! Yes, she is desolate and waste! Hearts are melting and knees knocking! Also anguish is in the whole body and all their faces are grown pale!

III. WOE TO NINEVEH (3:1-19)

• The bloody city of Nineveh was filled with lies, pillage, the sound of the whip,sorceries and harlotries (the city contained a temple to Ishtar, the goddess of sexual love). For this reason, the LORD was against Nineveh and would reveal her shame to the other kingdom (3:1-7).

• Just as No-amon (Thebes), the pride of Egypt had fallen, so would Nineveh (3:8-19). There is no relief for your breakdown, your wound is incurable. All who hear about you will clap their hands over you, for on who has not your evil passed continually? (3:19).