Nahum
The burden of Nineveh: the city Jonah spared falls at last under the judgment of a jealous God
Nahum at a glance
The burden of Nineveh: the city Jonah spared falls at last under the judgment of a jealous God
Nahum is 'the burden of Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.' Nothing more is known of the prophet than his hometown, Elkosh. His prophecy announces the destruction of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian empire, roughly a century and a half after the city repented at Jonah's preaching. Assyria had since destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel and brutalized the nations, and Nahum prophesied between the fall of No (Thebes in Egypt, which he cites in 3:8) and Nineveh's own fall in 612 BC.
The book opens with a majestic poem about the character of God: jealous and avenging toward His adversaries, slow to anger and great in power, yet good, a stronghold in the day of trouble to those who trust Him. Chapters 2 and 3 then paint one of the most vivid battle scenes in Scripture: chariots raging in the streets, the gates of the rivers opened, the palace dissolved, Nineveh emptied like a pool of water. The 'bloody city, full of lies and robbery' falls, and all who hear clap their hands over her.
Nahum matters as the counterpart to Jonah: the same God who spared a repentant Nineveh judges an unrepentant one. Mercy is real, but so is justice; God will not acquit the wicked. For oppressed Judah, Nineveh's fall was good tidings of peace, and the LORD proves a refuge for those who trust in Him.
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.
Nahum 1:2 King James Version
Explore Nahum
How Nahum unfolds
4 sections- 1The character of God (ch. 1:1-8)God is jealous and avenging, slow to anger and great in power; mountains quake at His presence. Yet the LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, knowing those who trust in Him.
- 2Nineveh's doom, Judah's good tidings (ch. 1:9-15)God will make an utter end of Nineveh; the wicked counsellor is cut off. Upon the mountains come the feet of him that brings good tidings: Judah may keep her feasts, for the wicked shall no more pass through her.
- 3The siege and sack of Nineveh (ch. 2)The attacker comes up; chariots rage in the streets, the gates of the rivers are opened, the palace is dissolved. Nineveh is emptied like a pool; the lion's den is spoiled, for the LORD is against her.
- 4Woe to the bloody city (ch. 3)Woe to the city full of lies and robbery; her multitude of slain is because of her harlotries. She is no better than populous No, which fell; her strongholds drop like ripe figs, and all who hear of her fall clap their hands.
People to know
4 figures- NahumThe Elkoshite prophet whose vision is the burden of Nineveh.
- NinevehThe Assyrian capital, the bloody city full of lies and robbery, whose utter destruction the book announces.
- JudahThe oppressed people told to keep their solemn feasts, for the wicked will no more pass through them.
- The king of AssyriaAddressed at the close: his shepherds slumber, his people are scattered, and his wound is grievous.
Words worth carrying with you
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.
Nahum 1:2 · KJV
The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
Nahum 1:7 · KJV
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.
Nahum 1:15 · KJV
Think you know Nahum?
30 questions from the King James Version, all ages welcome. Keep score, then challenge a friend or your whole group.
Leading a group? Download the free printable Nahum quiz pack (PDF) - questions, answer key with verses, and a score sheet.
The whole book, on video
The full narrated quiz - timed, illustrated, and made for playing together.
Bible Quiz: Nahum - The Fall of Nineveh | 30 Questions