Reading Plan · Day 273
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Nahum
Day 273
About Nahum
The Book of Nahum was the seventh of the twelve books that made up the minor prophet section of the Old Testament. Nahum was a prophet about fifty to seventy years after Jonah. This book can be seen as a complement to the Book of Jonah. While Nineveh avoided the judgment Jonah spoke of, the judgment did come about 100 years after Jonah at the hands of Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar. Decades before this judgment, Nahum explained that Ninevites would be judged because they had returned to their sinful ways.
Day 273 Read
Where You Stopped
Nahum 1
1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Commentary · verse 1
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 2
God was Just.
Doctrines on this passage
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 3
God was longsuffering (merciful) but always remained Just.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 4-5
God was powerful. He had complete control over things without a will: inanimate objects (sea, rivers, mountains, etc.), animals, and the weather.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 6-7
God was good (Right and Just), a stronghold (place or means of safety, protection, refuge) during trouble, and He knew those that trusted 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.
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.
Commentary · verses 8-9
The Ninevites devised against God: they had returned to being in rebellion towards God.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 10-11
From within Nineveh was the source of evil which caused its ruin. In the Book of Jonah, we saw Nineveh avoided judgment by addressing three (and possibly all four) of the causes of judgment:
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pride,
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fulness of bread,
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idleness of time, and
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not strengthening the hand of the poor.
What were the causes of this judgment?
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.
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.
Commentary · verse 12
Here God was speaking to Judah. God had afflicted Judah but would no more. Judah had been afflicted by Nineveh and Nineveh was about to be judged.
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.
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.
Commentary · verses 13-15
Verse 15 referred to the Millennium.
Where You Stopped
Nahum 2
1He that dasheth in pieces is come up against thee: keep the fortress, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
2For Jehovah restoreth the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel; for the emptiers have emptied them out, and destroyed their vine-branches.
1He that dasheth in pieces is come up before thy face: keep the munition, watch the way, make thy loins strong, fortify thy power mightily.
2For the LORD hath turned away the excellency of Jacob, as the excellency of Israel: for the emptiers have emptied them out, and marred their vine branches.
Commentary · verses 1-2
God turned away from judging Israel and was at that time turning towards Nineveh.
3The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots flash with steel in the day of his preparation, and the cypress spears are brandished.
4The chariots rage in the streets; they rush to and fro in the broad ways: the appearance of them is like torches; they run like the lightnings.
3The shield of his mighty men is made red, the valiant men are in scarlet: the chariots shall be with flaming torches in the day of his preparation, and the fir trees shall be terribly shaken.
4The chariots shall rage in the streets, they shall justle one against another in the broad ways: they shall seem like torches, they shall run like the lightnings.
Commentary · verses 3-4
There would be war in the streets of Nineveh.
5He remembereth his nobles: they stumble in their march; they make haste to the wall thereof, and the mantelet is prepared.
6The gates of the rivers are opened, and the palace is dissolved.
7And it is decreed: she is uncovered, she is carried away; and her handmaids moan as with the voice of doves, beating upon their breasts.
5He shall recount his worthies: they shall stumble in their walk; they shall make haste to the wall thereof, and the defence shall be prepared.
6The gates of the rivers shall be opened, and the palace shall be dissolved.
7And Huzzab shall be led away captive, she shall be brought up, and her maids shall lead her as with the voice of doves, tabering upon their breasts.
Commentary · verses 5-7
The KJV translated verse 7 as "And Huzzab shall be led away captive…" Huzzab was the name of the Queen of Nineveh and she would be led away captive.
8But Nineveh hath been from of old like a pool of water: yet they flee away. Stand, stand, they cry; but none looketh back.
9Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold; for there is no end of the store, the glory of all goodly furniture.
10She is empty, and void, and waste; and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and anguish is in all loins, and the faces of them all are waxed pale.
8But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water: yet they shall flee away. Stand, stand, shall they cry; but none shall look back.
9Take ye the spoil of silver, take the spoil of gold: for there is none end of the store and glory out of all the pleasant furniture.
10She is empty, and void, and waste: and the heart melteth, and the knees smite together, and much pain is in all loins, and the faces of them all gather blackness.
Commentary · verses 8-10
Nineveh was empty, void, and waste: unprofitable.
11Where is the den of the lions, and the feeding-place of the young lions, where the lion and the lioness walked, the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid?
12The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his caves with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions; and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.
11Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feedingplace of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lion’s whelp, and none made them afraid?
12The lion did tear in pieces enough for his whelps, and strangled for his lionesses, and filled his holes with prey, and his dens with ravin.
13Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will burn her chariots in the smoke, and the sword shall devour thy young lions: and I will cut off thy prey from the earth, and the voice of thy messengers shall no more be heard.
Commentary · verses 11-13
God was against Nineveh.
Where You Stopped
Nahum 3
1Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and rapine; the prey departeth not.
1Woe to the bloody city! it is all full of lies and robbery; the prey departeth not;
Commentary · verse 1
Nineveh was referred to as a "bloody city."
2The noise of the whip, and the noise of the rattling of wheels, and prancing horses, and bounding chariots, 3the horseman mounting, and the flashing sword, and the glittering spear, and a multitude of slain, and a great heap of corpses, and there is no end of the bodies; they stumble upon their bodies;— 4because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the well-favored harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.
2The noise of a whip, and the noise of the rattling of the wheels, and of the pransing horses, and of the jumping chariots.
3The horseman lifteth up both the bright sword and the glittering spear: and there is a multitude of slain, and a great number of carcases; and there is none end of their corpses; they stumble upon their corpses:
4Because of the multitude of the whoredoms of the wellfavoured harlot, the mistress of witchcrafts, that selleth nations through her whoredoms, and families through her witchcrafts.
Commentary · verses 2-4
The cause of Nineveh's ruin: whoredom and witchcraft. Was there anything Nineveh could do to reverse the two causes of this judgment?
5Behold, I am against thee, saith Jehovah of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
5Behold, I am against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.
Commentary · verse 5
Again, God was against Nineveh.
6And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazing-stock.
6And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.
Commentary · verse 6
God would set Nineveh as a "gazing-stock." She would be in plain sight as an example to other people.
7And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
8Art thou better than No-amon, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about her; whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was of the sea?
9Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.
10Yet was she carried away, she went into captivity; her young children also were dashed in pieces at the head of all the streets; and they cast lots for her honorable men, and all her great men were bound in chains.
7And it shall come to pass, that all they that look upon thee shall flee from thee, and say, Nineveh is laid waste: who will bemoan her? whence shall I seek comforters for thee?
8Art thou better than populous No, that was situate among the rivers, that had the waters round about it, whose rampart was the sea, and her wall was from the sea?
9Ethiopia and Egypt were her strength, and it was infinite; Put and Lubim were thy helpers.
10Yet was she 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 great men were bound in chains.
Commentary · verses 7-10
Ethiopia and Egypt were Nineveh's strength but that was not enough for Nineveh to escape judgment from God.
11Thou also shalt be drunken; thou shalt be hid; thou also shalt seek a stronghold because of the enemy.
12All thy fortresses shall be like fig-trees with the first-ripe figs: if they be shaken, they fall into the mouth of the eater.
11Thou also shalt be drunken: thou shalt be hid, thou also shalt seek strength because of the enemy.
12All thy strong holds shall be like fig trees with the firstripe figs: if they be shaken, they shall even fall into the mouth of the eater.
Commentary · verses 11-12
Fruit of wickedness had no roots just as Nineveh's strongholds were weak and would fall.
13Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women; the gates of thy land are set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire hath devoured thy bars.
14Draw thee water for the siege; strengthen thy fortresses; go into the clay, and tread the mortar; make strong the brickkiln.
15There shall the fire devour thee; the sword shall cut thee off; it shall devour thee like the canker-worm: make thyself many as the canker-worm; make thyself many as the locust.
16Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the canker-worm ravageth, and fleeth away.
17Thy princes are as the locusts, and thy marshals as the swarms of grasshoppers, which encamp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
18Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria; thy nobles are at rest; thy people are scattered upon the mountains, and there is none to gather them.
19There is no assuaging of thy hurt; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the report of thee clap their hands over thee; for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
13Behold, thy people in the midst of thee are women: the gates of thy land shall be set wide open unto thine enemies: the fire shall devour thy bars.
14Draw thee waters for the siege, fortify thy strong holds: go into clay, and tread the morter, make strong the brickkiln.
15There 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.
16Thou hast multiplied thy merchants above the stars of heaven: the cankerworm spoileth, and flieth away.
17Thy crowned are as the locusts, and thy captains as the great grasshoppers, which camp in the hedges in the cold day, but when the sun ariseth they flee away, and their place is not known where they are.
18Thy shepherds slumber, O king of Assyria: thy nobles shall dwell in the dust: thy people is scattered upon the mountains, and no man gathereth them.
19There is no healing of thy bruise; thy wound is grievous: all that hear the bruit of thee shall clap the hands over thee: for upon whom hath not thy wickedness passed continually?
Commentary · verses 13-19
Other people would clap with gladness over Nineveh's ruin because Nineveh had been continually wicked to others. Unlike during Jonah's prophecy, this time it was too late for Nineveh, their judgment was imminent. They would not be able to reverse the two causes of this judgment: whoredom and witchcraft.
Commentary · verse 19
The Book of Nahum was the seventh of the twelve books that made up the minor prophet section of the Old Testament. Nahum was a prophet about fifty to seventy years after Jonah. This book can be seen as a complement to the Book of Jonah. While Nineveh avoided the judgment Jonah spoke of, the judgment did come about 100 years after Jonah at the hands of Nabopolassar, father of Nebuchadnezzar. Decades before this judgment, Nahum explained that Ninevites would be judged because they had returned to their sinful ways.
The burden (a weighty or mournful prophecy) of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The name "Nahum" meant "comfort."