Reference: Nahum (2)
Fausets
consolation and "vengeance", to Israel and Israel's foe respectively. The two themes alternate in Nahum 1; as the prophecy advances, vengeance on Assyria predominates.
Country. "The Elkoshite" (Na 1:1), from Elkosh or Elkesi a village of Galilee pointed out to Jerome (Preface in Nahum). Capernaum, "village of Nahum," seemingly takes its name from Nahum having resided in the neighbourhood, though born in Elkosh. The allusions in Nahum indicate local acquaintance with Palestine (Na 1:4,15; 2:2) and only general knowledge of Nineveh (Na 2:4-6; 3:2-3). This confutes the notion that the Alkush (resembling the name Elkosh), E. of the Tigris and N. of Mosul, is Nahum's place of birth and of burial, though Jewish pilgrims visit it as such.
DATE. Hezekiah's time was that in which trust in Jehovah and the observance of the temple feasts prevailed as they did not before or after. So in Na 1:7,15, "Jehovah is a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth (with approval) them that trust in Him ... O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts." Moreover Nahum has none of the reproofs for national apostasy which abound in the other prophets. Nahum in Elkosh of Galilee was probably among those of northern Israel, after the deportation of the ten tribes, who accepted Hezekiah's earnest invitation to keep the Passover at Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 30). His graphic description of Sennacherib and his army (2Ch 1:9-12) makes it likely he was near or in Jerusalem at the time.
Hence, the number of phrases corresponding to those of Isaiah (Na 1:8-9, compare Isa 8:8; 10:23; Na 2:10 with Isa 24:1; 21:3; Na 1:15 with Isa 52:7). The prophecy in Na 1:14, "I will make it (namely, 'the house of thy gods,' i.e. Nisroch) thy grave," foretells Sennacherib's murder 20 years after his return from Palestine, "as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god" (Isa 37:38). He writes while Assyria's power was yet unbroken (Na 1:12; 2:11-13; 3:1, "the bloody city, full of lies ... the prey departeth not": Na 3:15-17). The correspondence of sentiments in Nahum with those of Isaiah and Hezekiah implies he wrote when Sennacherib was still besieging and demanding the surrender of Jerusalem (Na 1:2 ff, with 2Ki 19:14-15; Na 1:7 with 2Ki 18:22; 19:19,31; 2Ch 32:7-8; Na 1:9,11 with 2Ki 19:22,27-28; Na 1:14 with 2Ki 19:6-7; Na 1:15 and Na 2:1-2 with 2Ki 19:32-33; Na 2:13, "the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard," namely, Rabshakeh the bearer of Sennacherib's haughty message, with 2Ki 19:22-23).
The historical facts presupposed in Nahum are Judah's and Israel's humiliation by Assyria (Na 2:2); the invasion of Judah (Na 1:9-11); the conquest of No-Amon or Thebes in Upper Egypt, probably by Sargon (Isaiah 20) who, fearing lest Egypt should join Palestine against him, undertook an expedition against it, 717-715 B.C. (Na 3:8-10). Tiglath Pileser and Shalmaneser had carried away Israel. Judah was harassed by Syria, and oppressed by Ahaz's payments to Tiglath Pileser (2 Chronicles 28; Isaiah 8-9). As Nahum refers in part prophetically to Sennacherib's (Sargon's successor) last attempt on Judah ending in his host's destruction, in part as matter of history (Na 1:9-13; 2:13), he must have prophesied about 713-710 B.C., 100 years before the event foretold, namely, the overthrow of Nineveh by the joint forces of Cyaxares and Nabopolassar in the reign of Chyniladanus, 625 or else 603 B.C.
The name "Huzzab" (Na 2:7) answers to Adiabene, from the Zab or Diab river on which that region lay; a personification of Assyria, and seems to be an Assyrian word. So the original words, minzaraik, taphsarika, for "crowned" or "princes" (Na 3:17) and "captains" or "satraps" (also in Jer 51:27); contact with Assyria brought in these words. Na 2:13, "the faces gather blackness," corresponds to Isa 13:8; Joe 2:6; Joel is probably the original. Na 1:6 with Joe 2:7; Am 2:14; Na 1:3 with Joe 2:13; the mourning dove, Na 2:7, with Isa 38:14; the first ripe figs, Na 3:12, with Isa 28:4; Na 3:13 with Isa 19:16; Na 3:4 with Isa 23:15; Na 2:4-5,13 with Isa 22:7; 36:9; Mic 1:13; 5:10.
The Assyrians, by just retribution, in turn should experience themselves what they caused to Israel and Judah (compare also Na 1:3 with Jon 4:2; Na 1:13 with Isa 10:26-27; Na 1:8 with Isa 10:21-22; 8:8; Na 1:9,11 with Isa 37:23; Na 3:10 with Isa 13:16; Na 2:2 with Isa 24:1; Na 3:5 with Isa 47:2-3; Na 3:7 with Isa 51:19). Plainly, Nahum is the last of the prophets of the Assyrian period. Jeremiah borrows from, and so stamps with inspiration, Nahum (Jer 10:19 compare Na 3:19; Jer 13:26 compare Na 3:5; Jer 50:37; 51:30, compare Na 3:13). Nahum is seventh in position in the canon, and seventh in date.
Subject matter. "The burden of Nineveh." The three chapters form one consecutive whole, remarkable for unity of aim. Nahum encourages his countrymen with the assurance that, alarming as their position seemed, assailed by the mighty foe which had already carried captive the ten tribes, yet that not only should the Assyrian fail against Jerusalem, but Nineveh and his own empire should fall; and this not by chance, but by Jehovah's judgment for their iniquities.
STYLE. Clear and forcible. Several phases of an idea are presented in the briefest sentences; as in the sublime description of God in the beginning, the overthrow of Nineveh, and that of No Amon. Melting softness and delicacy alternate with rhythmical, sonorous, and majestic diction, according as the subject requires; the very sound of the words conveys to the ear the sense (Na 2:4; 3:3). Paronomasia or verbal assonance is another feature of likeness to Isaiah, besides those already mentioned (Na 1:3,6,10; 2:2-3,11; 3:2).
See Verses Found in Dictionary
But if ye say unto me, We trust in the LORD our God: is he not the one whose high places and whose altars Hezekiah has taken away and has said to Judah and Jerusalem, Ye shall worship before this altar in Jerusalem?
And Isaiah said unto them, Thus shall ye say to your master, Thus hath the LORD said, Do not be afraid of the words which thou hast heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed me. Behold, I will send a spirit upon him, and he shall hear a rumour and shall return to his own land, and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
And Hezekiah received the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it; and Hezekiah went up into the house of the LORD and spread it before the LORD. And Hezekiah prayed before the LORD, saying, O LORD God of Israel, who dwellest above the cherubim, thou alone art the God unto all the kingdoms of the earth; thou hast made heaven and earth.
Now, therefore, O LORD our God, I beseech thee, save us now out of his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that thou alone art the LORD God.
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? And against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel.
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? And against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? Against the Holy One of Israel. By the hand of thy messengers, thou hast reproached the Lord and hast said, With the multitude of my chariots I have come up to the height of the mountains, to the sides of Lebanon, and will cut down the tall cedar trees thereof and the choice fir trees thereof; and I will enter into the habitation of his borders and into the forest of his Carmel.
But I know thy abode and thy going out and thy coming in and thy rage against me. Because thou hast raged against me and thy tumult has come up into my ears, therefore, I will put my hook in thy nose and my bridle in thy lips, and I will turn thee back by the way by which thou didst come.
For out of Jerusalem shall go forth a remnant and deliverance out of Mount Zion; the zeal of the LORD of the hosts shall do this. Therefore, thus saith the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city nor shoot an arrow there nor come before it with shield nor cast a bank against it. read more. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not enter into this city, saith the LORD.
Now, O LORD God, let thy word unto David, my father, be established, for thou hast placed me as king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now wisdom and knowledge that I may go out and come in before this people, for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? read more. And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thy heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth or glory, nor the life of thy enemies, neither yet hast asked long life, but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou may judge my people, over whom I have placed thee as king, wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will also give thee riches and wealth and glory such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall any after thee have the like.
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
And he shall pass through Judah; he shall overflow and go over, he shall reach even to the neck; and the stretching out of his wings shall fill the breadth of thy land, O Immanuel.
The remnant shall become converted, even the remnant of Jacob, unto the mighty God. For though thy people Israel be as the sand of the sea, yet the remnant of them shall become converted; when the consumption comes to an end, righteousness shall overflow. read more. For the Lord GOD of the hosts shall make a consumption and an end in the midst of all the land.
And the LORD of the hosts shall raise up a scourge against him as the slaughter of Midian at the rock of Oreb and shall raise up his rod upon the sea, by the way of Egypt. And it shall come to pass in that day that his burden shall be taken away from off thy shoulder and his yoke from off thy neck, and the yoke shall be consumed in the presence of the anointing.
And they shall be filled with terror; anguish and pain shall take hold of them; they shall be in pain as a woman that travails: they shall be amazed one at another; their faces shall be as flames.
Their children shall also be dashed to pieces before their eyes; their houses shall be spoiled, and their wives ravished.
In that day Egypt shall be like unto women, and it shall be afraid and fear in the presence of the tall hand of the LORD of the hosts, which he shall raise up over them.
Therefore my loins are filled with pain; pangs have taken hold upon me as the pangs of a woman that travails; I was bowed down at the hearing of it; I was dismayed at the seeing of it.
And it came to pass, that thy choicest valleys were full of chariots, and the soldiers set themselves in array at the gate.
And it shall come to pass in that day that Tyre shall be forgotten seventy years according to the days of one king; after the end of seventy years Tyre shall sing as a harlot.
Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it naked and turns it upside down and scatters abroad its inhabitants.
Behold, the LORD makes the earth empty and makes it naked and turns it upside down and scatters abroad its inhabitants.
And the fading flower of the beauty of their glory, which is upon the head of the fertile valley, shall be as the early fig, which comes first before the other fruits of the summer; which when he that looks upon it sees it; as soon as he has it in his hand, he eats it up.
How, therefore, wilt thou turn away the face of one captain of the least of my master's slaves even if thou art trusting in Egypt for chariots and for horsemen?
Whom hast thou reproached and blasphemed? and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high? even against the Holy One of Israel.
And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Ararat and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Like a crane or a swallow, so did I complain; I mourned as a dove; I raised my eyes upward, O LORD, I am suffering violence; comfort me.
Take the millstones and grind meal; uncover thy locks, remove the shoes from thy feet, uncover the thigh, pass over the rivers. Thy nakedness shall be uncovered and thy shame shall be seen; I will take vengeance, and I will not help any man.
These two things are come unto thee; who shall be sorry for thee? desolation, and destruction, and the famine, and the sword. Who shall comfort thee?
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that brings good tidings, that publishes peace, that brings good tidings of good, that publishes saving health, that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigns!
Woe is me for my hurt! my wound is grievous, but I said, Truly this is my sickness, and I must bear it.
Therefore I uncovered thy skirts before thy face, and thy shame was manifested.
A sword is upon their horses and upon their chariots and upon all the mingled people that are in the midst of her; and they shall become as women; a sword is upon her treasures; and they shall be robbed.
Set ye up a banner in the land, blow the shofar among the Gentiles, prepare the nations against her, call together against her the kingdoms of Ararat, Minni, and Ashchenaz; appoint a captain against her; cause the horses to come up as raised up locusts.
The mighty men of Babylon have forborne to fight; they have remained in their holds; their might has failed; they became as women: the enemies have burned her dwellingplaces; they have broken her bars.
Before him the peoples shall fear: all faces shall go pale. They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war, and they shall march each one in his ways, and they shall not break his ranks.
and rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and great in mercy, and he does repent of chastisement.
Therefore the flight shall perish from the swift, and the strong shall not strengthen his force, neither shall the mighty deliver his soul:
And he prayed unto the LORD and said, I pray thee, O LORD, was this not what I said when I was yet in my country? Therefore I hastened to flee unto Tarshish, for I knew that thou art a gracious God and full of compassion, slow to anger, and of great mercy, and dost repent when thou art come to take punishment.
O thou inhabitant of Lachish, hitch the chariot to dromedaries: for thou wert the beginning of the sin to the daughter of Zion, for in thee the rebellions of Israel were invented.
And it shall come to pass in that day, said the LORD, that I will cause thy horses to be killed out of the midst of thee, and I will cause thy chariots to be destroyed:
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; the LORD avenges and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserves wrath for his enemies. read more. The LORD is slow to anger and great in power and will not at all treat the guilty as though they were innocent; the LORD whose way is in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power and will not at all treat the guilty as though they were innocent; the LORD whose way is in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
The LORD is slow to anger and great in power and will not at all treat the guilty as though they were innocent; the LORD whose way is in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet. He reprehends the sea and makes it dry and dries up all the rivers; Bashan was destroyed, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon was destroyed.
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.
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. The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those that trust in him.
The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those that trust in him. But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of his place, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of his place, and darkness shall pursue his enemies. What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end; he will not hold back the tribulation the second time.
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end; he will not hold back the tribulation the second time.
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end; he will not hold back the tribulation the second time.
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end; he will not hold back the tribulation the second time.
What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end; he will not hold back the tribulation the second time. For while they are entwined together as thorns, and while the drunkards shall be drinking, they shall be devoured as stubble full of dryness.
For while they are entwined together as thorns, and while the drunkards shall be drinking, they shall be devoured as stubble full of dryness.
For while they are entwined together as thorns, and while the drunkards shall be drinking, they shall be devoured as stubble full of dryness. He has come out of thee that has imagined evil against the LORD, a counsellor of Belial.
He has come out of thee that has imagined evil against the LORD, a counsellor of Belial.
He has come out of thee that has imagined evil against the LORD, a counsellor of Belial.
He has come out of thee that has imagined evil against the LORD, a counsellor of Belial. Thus hath the LORD said: For much rest that they have, and though they are many, yet thus shall they be cut down, and he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
Thus hath the LORD said: For much rest that they have, and though they are many, yet thus shall they be cut down, and he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more. For now I will break his yoke from off thee and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
For now I will break his yoke from off thee and will burst thy bonds in sunder. And the LORD shall give a commandment concerning thee that no one else of thy name ever be sown; out of the house of thy god I will cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make it thy grave because thou wert vile.
And the LORD shall give a commandment concerning thee that no one else of thy name ever be sown; out of the house of thy god I will cut off the graven image and the molten image; I will make it thy grave because thou wert vile. Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that brings good tidings, of him that publishes peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows; for Belial shall no longer pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that brings good tidings, of him that publishes peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows; for Belial shall no longer pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that brings good tidings, of him that publishes peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows; for Belial shall no longer pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that brings good tidings, of him that publishes peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows; for Belial shall no longer pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
The destroyer is risen up against thee: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily. For the LORD shall restore the glory of Jacob as the glory of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out and marred their vine branches.
For the LORD shall restore the glory of Jacob as the glory of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out and marred their vine branches.
For the LORD shall restore the glory of Jacob as the glory of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out and marred their vine branches.
For the LORD shall restore the glory of Jacob as the glory of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out and marred their vine branches.
For the LORD shall restore the glory of Jacob as the glory of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out and marred their vine branches. The shield of his valiant ones shall be red, the men of his army are in scarlet, the chariot as fire of torches in the day which shall be made ready; the fir trees shall be terribly shaken. read more. The chariots shall rage in the streets; they shall flow through the streets, their faces like torches; they shall run like the lightnings.
The chariots shall rage in the streets; they shall flow through the streets, their faces like torches; they shall run like the lightnings.
The chariots shall rage in the streets; they shall flow through the streets, their faces like torches; they shall run like the lightnings. He shall remember his valiant ones; they shall stumble in their walk when they make haste to their wall, and the covering shall be prepared.
He shall remember his valiant ones; they shall stumble in their walk when they make haste to their wall, and the covering shall be prepared. The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be destroyed. read more. And the queen shall be taken captive; they shall order her to go up, and her maids shall take her, mourning as with the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.
And the queen shall be taken captive; they shall order her to go up, and her maids shall take her, mourning as with the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.
She is empty and worn out and is in pieces, and the heart melted, the knees smite together, and much pain is in the kidneys, and the faces of them all gather blackness. What of the dwelling of the lions and of the feeding place of the young lions where the lion and the lioness walked and the lion's whelps, and no one made them afraid?
What of the dwelling of the lions and of the feeding place of the young lions where the lion and the lioness walked and the lion's whelps, and no one made them afraid? The lion tore in pieces enough for his whelps and strangled for his lionesses and filled his holes with prey and his dens with robbery. read more. Behold, I speak unto thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will burn and reduce thy chariots into smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy robbery from the earth, and the voice of thy ambassadors shall never be heard again.
Behold, I speak unto thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will burn and reduce thy chariots into smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy robbery from the earth, and the voice of thy ambassadors shall never be heard again.
Behold, I speak unto thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will burn and reduce thy chariots into smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy robbery from the earth, and the voice of thy ambassadors shall never be heard again.
Behold, I speak unto thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will burn and reduce thy chariots into smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy robbery from the earth, and the voice of thy ambassadors shall never be heard again.
Behold, I speak unto thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will burn and reduce thy chariots into smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy robbery from the earth, and the voice of thy ambassadors shall never be heard again.
Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; stealing does not depart from her! The noise of the whip and the noise of the rattling of the wheels and of the prancing horses and of the jumping chariots shall be heard in thee.
The noise of the whip and the noise of the rattling of the wheels and of the prancing horses and of the jumping chariots shall be heard in thee. The horseman lifts up both the bright sword and the glittering spear, and there is a multitude of slain and a great number of carcasses; and there shall be no end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses,
The horseman lifts up both the bright sword and the glittering spear, and there is a multitude of slain and a great number of carcasses; and there shall be no end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses, because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the harlot of beautiful grace, the mistress of witchcrafts that sells the Gentiles into slavery through her whoredoms and peoples through her witchcrafts. read more. Here I am against thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the Gentiles thy nakedness and the kingdoms thy shame.
Here I am against thee, saith the LORD of the hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will show the Gentiles thy nakedness and the kingdoms thy shame.
And it shall come to pass, that all those that look upon thee shall flee from thee and say, Nineveh is laid waste; who will bemoan her? from where shall I seek comforters for thee? Art thou better than populous No that was situated among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea? read more. Ethiopia was thy strength and Egypt with no limit; Put and Libia went to thy aid. Yet she was carried away, she went into captivity; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her nobles were bound in chains.
Yet she was carried away, she went into captivity; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the top of all the streets: and they cast lots for her honourable men, and all her nobles were bound in chains.
All thy strongholds are like fig trees with the firstripe figs; if they are shaken, they even fall into the mouth of the eater. Behold, thy people in the midst of thee shall be like women; the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies; the fire shall devour thy bars.
Behold, thy people in the midst of thee shall be like women; the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies; the fire shall devour thy bars.
There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off; it shall eat thee up like the cankerworm: make thyself many as the cankerworm, make thyself many as the locusts. Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven; the cankerworm spoils and flies away. read more. Thy princes shall be as the locusts and thy captains as the great grasshoppers which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun arises, they flee away, and it is not known where they were.
Thy princes shall be as the locusts and thy captains as the great grasshoppers which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun arises, they flee away, and it is not known where they were.
There is no cure for thy destruction; thy wound is grievous; all that hear thy story shall clap their hands over thee; for upon whom has not thy wickedness passed continually?