The Book of Nahum

There were two basic purposes for the prophecy Nahum delivered. 1. God used him to announce the certain destruction of the wicked and cruel Assyrian capital of Nineveh. No nation as evil as the Assyrians could expect to escape God's severe punishment. 2. At the same time, Nahum delivered a message of comfort for God's own people. That comfort would not come from seeing the bloodshed of their enemies, but from knowing that God would defend His people, uphold justice in the world and someday establish His kingdom of peace.


The book of Nahum contains a series of three different prophecies against Assyria, especially the capital city of Nineveh. Each of the three chapters of the book has a prophetic revelation. Chapter 1 contains a clear and bold description of God's character - especially His wrath, justice and power - all of which guarantee judgment on the wicked. In this case, the message declares that Nineveh is certain to receive the doom of God's judgment. Chapter 2 predicts Nineveh's approaching judgment and describes in descriptive language what the destruction would be like. Chapter 3 gives a brief overview of Nineveh's offenses against God and declares that God is justified in bringing complete judgment and destruction on the city of Nineveh.


Three major features characterize the book of Nahum. 1. Nahum is one of three Old Testament prophetic books whose message is almost exclusively addressed to a foreign nation. 2. Its prophetic message and poetic imagery are emphasized by some of the most graphic metaphors, real-to-life word pictures and forceful language found anywhere in the Bible. 3. It is most unusual that there is no prophetic message to the nation of Judah about the sins of its people. Perhaps this is because the account was written during the time of King Josiah's spiritual revival and reforms. it does contain a few words of hope and comfort for Judah.


The New Testament contains no direct quotes from this book. The only verse that may appear in the New Testament is a passage that Nahum himself borrowed from Isaiah 52:7. Paul used the imagery of "beautiful feet" to teach of the blessing of those who bring good news. The book of Nahum also addresses a message that the New Testament develops more fully: God will not allow the guilty to go unpunished.