Book of Nahum

Author: The author of the Book of Nahum identifies himself as Nahum (in the Hebrew “Consoler” or “Comforter”) the Elkoshite (1:1). There are many theories as to where that city was though there is no conclusive evidence. One such theory is that it refers to the city later called Capernaum (which literally means “the village of Nahum”) at the Sea of Galilee.

Date of Writing: Given the limited amount of information that we know about Nahum the best we can do is narrow the timeframe the Book of Nahum was written to between 663 and 612 B.C. Two events are mentioned that help us to determine these dates. First Nahum mentions Thebes (No Amon) in Egypt falling to the Assyrians (663 B.C.) in past tense so it had already happened. Secondly, the remainder of Nahum's prophecies came true in 612 B.C.

Purpose of Writing: Nahum did not write this book as a warning or “call to repentance” for the people of Nineveh. God had already sent them the prophet Jonah 150 years earlier with His promise of what would happen if they continued in their evil ways. The people at that time had repented but now lived just as bad if not worse than they did before. The Assyrians had become absolutely brutal in their conquests (hanging the bodies of their victims on poles and putting their skin on the walls of their tents among other atrocities). Now Nahum was telling the people of Judah to not despair because God had pronounced judgment and the Assyrians would soon be getting just what they deserved.

Key Verses: Nahum 1:7, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him.”

Nahum 1:14a. “The Lord has given a command concerning you: 'Your name shall be perpetuated no longer.'”

Nahum 1:15a, “Behold on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace”. See also Isaiah 52:7 and Romans 10:15.

Nahum 2:13a, “'Behold I am against you,' says the Lord of hosts.”

Nahum 3:19, “Your injury has no healing, your wound is severe. All who hear news of you will clap their hands over you, for upon whom has not your wickedness passed continually?”

Brief Summary: Nineveh once had repented and served the Lord God Jehovah. That had changed over the course of 150 years. They had turned away from God and so God was judging them. The same holds true for us today. God is patient. He gives every country time to proclaim Him as their Lord. But He is not mocked. Any time a country turns away from Him to serve its own motives, He steps in with judgment. Almost 220 years ago the United States was formed as a Nation guided by principles found in the Bible. In the last 50 years that has changed and we are turning faster daily in the opposite direction. If we as a nation do not stand up and stop this liberal, God-denying, self-serving, live-for-the-moment attitude then we should not be surprised when God drops the hammer on us. As Christians it is our duty to stand up for Biblical principles and Scriptural truth. We are our country’s only hope.

Practical Application: Expect sinners to sin. Do not be offended when someone sins against you. Extend a caring arm to people whose sin makes them unbearable. Pray that your fellow Christians will stand strong in their difficult circumstances.

Recommended Resources: Nahum-Malachi, Holman Old Testament Commentary by Stephen Miller.
Nahum, Habakkuk, & Zephaniah, New International Commentary on the Old Testament by O. Palmer Robertson.
Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, New American Commentary by Kenneth Barker.

Related Topics:

Book of Obadiah

Book of Jonah

Book of Micah

Book of Habakkuk

Book of Zephaniah