Nahum — Chapter 1

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1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2God 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.

3The 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.

4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

5The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

6Who 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.

7The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

8But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

9What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

10For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

11There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.

12Thus 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.

13For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

14And 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.

15Behold 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.

1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2Jehovah is a jealous God and avengeth; Jehovah avengeth and is full of wrath; Jehovah taketh vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies.

3Jehovah is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means clear [the guilty]: Jehovah hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

5The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt; and the earth is upheaved at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him.

7Jehovah is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that take refuge in him.

8But with an over-running flood he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

9What do ye devise against Jehovah? he will make a full end; affliction shall not rise up the second time.

10For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly as dry stubble.

11There is one gone forth out of thee, that deviseth evil against Jehovah, that counselleth wickedness.

12Thus saith Jehovah: Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so shall they be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.

13And now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

14And Jehovah hath given 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.

15Behold, upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! Keep thy feasts, O Judah, perform thy vows; for the wicked one shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

1This is an oracle about Nineveh; the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

2The Lord is a zealous and avenging God; the Lord is avenging and very angry. The Lord takes vengeance against his foes; he sustains his rage against his enemies.

3The Lord is slow to anger but great in power; the Lord will certainly not allow the wicked to go unpunished. He marches out in the whirlwind and the raging storm; dark storm clouds billow like dust under his feet.

4He shouts a battle cry against the sea and makes it dry up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither; the blossom of Lebanon withers.

5The mountains tremble before him; the hills convulse; the earth is laid waste before him; the world and all its inhabitants are laid waste.

6No one can withstand his indignation! No one can resist his fierce anger! His wrath is poured out like volcanic fire, boulders are broken up as he approaches.

7The Lord is good— indeed, he is a fortress in time of distress, and he protects those who seek refuge in him.

8But with an overwhelming flood he will make a complete end of Nineveh; he will drive his enemies into darkness.

9Whatever you plot against the Lord, he will completely destroy! Distress will not arise a second time.

10Surely they will be totally consumed like entangled thornbushes, like the drink of drunkards, like very dry stubble.

11From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord, a wicked military strategist.

12This is what the Lord says: “Even though they are powerful— and what is more, even though their army is numerous— nevertheless, they will be destroyed and trickle away! Although I afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

13And now, I will break Assyria’s yoke bar from your neck; I will tear apart the shackles that are on you.”

14The Lord has issued a decree against you: “Your dynasty will come to an end. I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods. I will desecrate your grave, because you are accursed!”

15(2:1) Look! A herald is running on the mountains! A messenger is proclaiming deliverance: “Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah! Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God! For never again will the wicked Assyrians invade you; they have been completely destroyed.”

1A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.

3Yahweh is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Yahweh has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes.

5The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.

6Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.

7Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.

8But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

9What do you plot against Yahweh? He will make a full end. Affliction won’t rise up the second time.

10For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.

11There is one gone out of you, who devises evil against Yahweh, who counsels wickedness.

12Yahweh says: “Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

13Now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart.”

14Yahweh has commanded concerning you: “No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, will I cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.”

15Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.

Summary
Authorship & Background
Map & Geography
Videos
Reflection

Summary

God is slow to anger but great in power — this opening hymn declares the LORD's jealous, avenging nature against His enemies while affirming He is a stronghold for those who take refuge in Him.

Authorship & Background

Author: Nahum the Elkoshite. Prophesied approximately 663-612 BC. Key theme: God's judgment on Nineveh/Assyria — the city that repented under Jonah has returned to wickedness. God is both 'slow to anger' and one who 'will not at all acquit the wicked' (1:3).
Classification: Prophetic Oracle — The Character of the Avenging God Key Themes: God's jealous wrath against oppressors, theophanic power over nature, the goodness of God as refuge, the utter destruction of those who oppose the LORD
Historical Context: Nahum prophesied after the fall of Thebes (No-Amon) in 663 BC (referenced in 3:8) and before Nineveh's destruction in 612 BC. Assyria had been the dominant world power for over a century, terrorizing nations with unprecedented cruelty — impaling captives, skinning enemies alive, and deporting entire populations. They had destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC and besieged Jerusalem under Sennacherib in 701 BC.
About 150 years earlier, Nineveh had repented under Jonah's preaching — but that repentance was short-lived. The city returned to violence, idolatry, and oppression of God's people. Nahum's prophecy announces that God's patience has reached its end. The book is "comfort" (Nahum means "comfort/consolation") for Judah: the oppressor WILL fall.
Chapter 1 functions as the theological foundation for the entire book. Before describing HOW Nineveh will fall (chs. 2-3), Nahum establishes WHO is bringing the judgment — a God who is both terrifyingly powerful and tenderly good to those who trust Him.
Structure:
  • Superscription: The Burden Against Nineveh (v.1)
  • Hymn to the Avenging God (vv.2-6)
  • The LORD's Goodness to Those Who Trust Him (v.7)
  • Declaration of Nineveh's Complete Destruction (vv.8-11)
  • Oracle of Comfort to Judah (vv.12-13)
  • Decree Against Assyria's Dynasty (v.14)
  • The Good News of Nineveh's Fall (v.15)

Map & Geography

  • Nineveh (v.1): Capital of the Assyrian Empire; subject of Jonah and Nahum.
  • Lebanon (v.4): Region north of Israel known for its cedar forests.
  • Carmel (v.4): Mountain range along the Mediterranean coast; site of Elijah's contest with Baal.
  • Bashan (v.4): Fertile region east of the Sea of Galilee.

Videos

The Bible Project — Nahum Overview (Video)

Animated overview of the book of Nahum showing the literary structure, key themes, and how this book fits into the larger biblical narrative. Excellent visual introduction.

Reflection

  • 1. God's patience is not God's permission (v.3). Assyria's long reign of terror did not mean God approved or was powerless. When evil seems to prosper unchecked, remember: God is "slow to anger" — not unable to act. The delay between sin and judgment is mercy for repentance, not evidence of divine indifference.
  • 2. The same God is both terrifying and tender (vv.2-7). Verses 2-6 reveal a God of overwhelming fury; verse 7 reveals a God of overwhelming goodness. The question is not whether God is powerful — but whether you are His enemy or His refuge-seeker. The fire that destroys the wicked warms the righteous.
  • 3. God "reserves" wrath (v.2). He doesn't explode impulsively. He stores judgment for the appointed time. This should give both comfort (justice WILL come) and warning (accounts WILL be settled). Live accordingly.
  • 4. "He knoweth them that trust in him" (v.7). In the midst of global upheaval and the fall of empires, God has personal, intimate knowledge of every individual who takes refuge in Him. You are not lost in the crowd of history. The God who topples Nineveh knows YOUR name.
  • 5. Nineveh's fall is "good tidings" (v.15). When God judges oppressors, it is GOSPEL for the oppressed. Justice is not the opposite of good news — for those who have suffered, it IS the good news. Trust that God will vindicate.