Read the Passage: Nahum 1-3

Authorship and Date – As with several of the other Minor Prophets, little is known about the prophet Nahum. In fact, the name Nahum occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament. Note that a man named Nahum is mentioned at Luke 6:35 in the genealogy of Jesus through Mary; however, this is almost certainly not the same man as the prophet Nahum. At Rom. 10:15 it is possible that Paul references Nah. 1:15, although in this passage Nahum himself was likely citing Isa. 52:7. Nahum identifies himself as an Elkoshite, meaning that he was from the obscure town of Elkosh, a location that Josephus suggests was in Galilee, possibly near the city of Capernaum, which literally means “town of Nahum.” While Nahum does not date his prophecy, it is clear that he wrote after the destruction of the Egyptian city of Thebes in 663 BC, which is referred to as “No Amon” in Nah. 3:8–10, and before the destruction of Nineveh in 612 BC. Some scholars suggest an early date of writing around 660 BC, while others suggest that Nah. 1:15 refers to the reforms of Josiah in 621 BC. If true, this would lead to a date of writing between 621 BC and 612 BC.

Theme and Purpose – The city against which Nahum was prophesying, Nineveh, was the capital city of the Assyrian empire. Nahum’s message, that Nineveh would soon be destroyed, was actually given to Judah in order to comfort them in light of Assyrian persecution. Because of the dramatic events that surrounded his ministry, many people are familiar with the prophet Jonah who preached against Nineveh around 760 BC. The inhabitants of Nineveh had repented under Jonah’s preaching, yet had later returned to their sins. In 722 BC Assyria defeated the northern tribes of Israel, which resulted in Assyria being a threat to Judah. Ninevah was one of the most advanced cities of its time, and its citizens believed it to be impregnable. Historically speaking, and in fulfillment of Nahum’s prophecy, Nineveh was defeated in 612 BC by Babylon when the Tigris River overflowed, destroyed some of the city wall, and allowed the Babylonians to enter into the city (cf. Nah. 1:8). After it was plundered, the city of Nineveh disappeared from world history until its ruins were rediscovered in 1842 AD (cf. Nah. 3:11). Today the city of Mosul, Iraq occupies the site of ancient Nineveh. Nahum is essentially a sequel to the book of Jonah.

Structure and Outline – The book of Nahum is logical in both content and structure, thus the book may be thematically outlined as follows:

• God’s Wrath (1:1–20)
• Nineveh’s Destruction (2:1–32)
• Assyrians’ Sins (3:1–21)

Destruction Declared (1:1–15)

Nahum begins by noting that his visions were contained in a “book” (Nah. 1:1), which was likely meant to signify the enduring nature of his prophecies. Nahum’s message, that Nineveh would soon be destroyed, is unique in that it was not delivered to Nineveh; it was given to the people of Judah as a means of comfort and encouragement in the midst of Assyrian persecution. Indeed, observe that unlike Jonah, Nahum never calls Nineveh to repent. Rather, his message is that the Assyrians’ sin had reached its limit, and that God’s judgment of Nineveh was sure (cf. Nah. 1:14; 2:7; 3:19). While the flourishing of the Assyrians may have made it seem like God was powerless, Nahum explain in Nah. 1:2–11 that God is jealous, righteous, and good. Finally, in Nah. 1:12–15 God sends good news to His people: Jerusalem would soon be delivered and Nineveh would be destroyed.

Destruction Detailed (2:1–13)

While it was still perhaps fifty years in the future, in Nah. 2:1–13 the prophet describes the destruction of Nineveh at the hands of Nebuchadnezzar and the armies of Babylon. Nah. 2:2 again makes it clear that the book of Nahum was mainly written to encourage the Israelites. The fact that Nineveh’s destruction was assured is bolstered by the details of the city’s defeat in this chapter. History records that the Babylonian army was able to enter Nineveh on account of the destruction of part of the city wall by the overflowing Tigris River. Observe the earlier prophecy of an “overflowing flood” (Nah. 1:8), the mention here that “the gates of the rivers are opened” (Nah. 2:6), and the description, “Nineveh of old was like a pool of water” (Nah. 2:8). Nah. 2:13 is a terrifying verse for the Assyrians as God declared, “Behold, I am against you” (cf. Jer. 50:31; Ezek. 5:8; Nah. 3:5).

Destruction Demanded (3:1–19)

In Nah. 3:1–19 the prophet further describes the impending destruction of the city of Nineveh. Nahum begins in Nah. 3:1–4 by listing some of the sins for which the city would be judged, including: lies (cf. Nah. 3:1a), robbery (cf. Nah. 3:1b), harlotry (cf. Nah. 3:4a), and sorcery (cf. Nah. 3:4b). Next, in Nah. 3:5–13 the prophet again assures the Assyrians of their coming destruction, as he informs them that they were no better than Thebes, the captured capital city of Egypt, which is referred to as “No Amon” (Nah. 3:8). Finally, in Nah. 3:14–19 the prophet sarcastically challenged the inhabitants of Nineveh to prepare for their impending doom. Nahum mockingly implores the Assyrians to get rations ready for a battle and to fortify their walls (cf. Nah. 3:14–16). In conclusion, at Nah. 3:17–19 the prophet tells the Assyrians that their leaders were disorganized and incompetent.

Application Questions:

1. What do you know about the book of Nahum? From past reading and study are you familiar with any verses or passages from this book?
2. Why does God sometimes delay His judgment, which makes it appear that He is unjust or unable to help (cf. Nah. 1:3)?
3. Despite Nahum’s prophecy of judgment, could Nineveh still have repented (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 John 1:9)?
4. In what sense could Nahum describe the judgment of Nineveh as being “good tidings” (Nah. 1:15)?
5. What is the responsibility of believers when they are aware of those who are unjustly oppressed by those in power?