Nahum Chapter 1
1 A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2 The LORD is a jealous God and avenges. The LORD avenges and is full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.
3 The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. The LORD has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes.
5 The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.
6 Who 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.
7 The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.
8 But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9 What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a full end. Affliction won't rise up the second time.
10 For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.
11 There is one gone out of you, who devises evil against the LORD, who counsels wickedness.
12 The LORD 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.
13 Now I will break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart."
14 The LORD has commanded concerning you: "No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, I will cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile."
15 Behold, 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.
Footnotes
- Verse 2 (LORD)
- When rendered in ALL CAPITAL LETTERS, "LORD" or "GOD" is the translation of God's Proper Name.
- Verse 2 (God)
- The Hebrew word rendered "God" is Elohim.
- Verse 15 (Behold)
- "Behold" means look at, take notice, observe, see, or gaze at. It is often used as an interjection.
Version: World English Bible
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Nahum Chapter 1 Guide
The prophet preceded the announcement of a verdict of vengeance by a section dealing wholly with Jehovah Himself. As to His character, He is a God of vengeance, and yet the central fact of His nature is that He is slow to anger.
Under the figure of a storm the prophet set forth the overwhelming majesty of Jehovah. The description of the storm moves in two sections: a hurricane on the sea, a simoon over the land.
He finally described the method of God: toward His friends He is "good, a stronghold"; for His foes, "He will make a full end."
Addressing himself to Nineveh, the prophet inquired, "What do ye imagine against the Lord?" This hints at the deepest sin of Nineveh, namely, that she had set herself up wilfully against the power of God. In answer to his own question, Nahum affirmed the irresistible nature of the judgment which must fall on the city, and finally made his central charge against her, "There is one gone forth out of thee, that imagineth evil against the Lord, that counselleth wickedness." This charge, in all probability, referred to the blasphemous boasts of Sennacherib, chronicled in Isaiah 36:18-20; Isaiah 37:10-13. As other prophets had summoned the nations to attend to God's controversy with Israel, Nahum addressed himself to the chosen people, declaring that the yoke of Assyria would be broken.
The last word in this first section was addressed to Judah. The verdict of vengeance on Nineveh was an evangel to Judah.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
Nahum Chapter 1 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- The justice and power of the Lord. -- (1-8)
- The overthrow of the Assyrians. -- (9-15)
Verses 1-8
About a hundred years before, at Jonah's preaching, the Ninevites repented, and were spared, yet, soon after, they became worse than ever. Nineveh knows not that God who contends with her, but is told what a God he is. It is good for all to mix faith with what is here said concerning Him, which speaks great terror to the wicked, and comfort to believers. Let each take his portion from it: let sinners read it and tremble; and let saints read it and triumph. The anger of the Lord is contrasted with his goodness to his people. Perhaps they are obscure and little regarded in the world, but the Lord knows them. The Scripture character of Jehovah agrees not with the views of proud reasoners. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ is slow to wrath and ready to forgive, but he will by no means acquit the wicked; and there is tribulation and anguish for every soul that doeth evil: but who duly regards the power of his wrath?
Verses 9-15
There is a great deal plotted against the Lord by the gates of hell, and against his kingdom in the world; but it will prove in vain. With some sinners God makes quick despatch; and one way or other, he will make an utter end of all his enemies. Though they are quiet, and many very secure, and not in fear, they shall be cut down as grass and corn, when the destroying angel passes through. God would hereby work great deliverance for his own people. But those who make themselves vile by scandalous sins, God will make vile by shameful punishments. The tidings of this great deliverance shall be welcomed with abundant joy. These words are applied to the great redemption wrought out by our Lord Jesus and the everlasting gospel, Ro 10:15. Christ's ministers are messengers of good tidings, that preach peace by Jesus Christ. How welcome to those who see their misery and danger by sin! And the promise they made in the day of trouble must be made good. Let us be thankful for God's ordinances, and gladly attend them. Let us look forward with cheerful hope to a world where the wicked never can enter, and sin and temptation will no more be known.
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.