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Nahum
The Minor Prophets · Doctrinal study

Nahum: The Fall of Nineveh

God judges cruelty and shelters those who trust Him

Theologica Editorial6 min read
At a Glance

Nahum at a Glance

Nahum is a short book with one subject: the end of Nineveh, the proud capital of Assyria. It was written to comfort Judah and to show that God does not leave cruelty unanswered.

  • Author. Nahum the Elkoshite (Nahum 1:1). His name means “comfort.” Nothing else is known about him, and the location of Elkosh is uncertain.
  • Date. Between about 663 BC and 612 BC. Nahum speaks of the fall of Thebes in Egypt as something already past (Nahum 3:8) and of the fall of Nineveh as still to come.
  • Written To. The people of Judah, who had lived under Assyria's heavy hand for generations. The message is aimed at Nineveh, and the comfort is meant for God's people.
  • Setting. Assyria was the superpower of its day. It carried the northern kingdom of Israel into exile in 722 BC and pressed Judah for tribute. About a century before Nahum, Jonah preached in Nineveh and the city repented (Jonah 3:5). That repentance did not last.
  • Key Verse. The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble (Nahum 1:7).
  • Key Word or Theme. Justice. God judges the cruel, and He shelters those who trust Him.

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Further reading

For Deeper Study

  • Be AmazedAmazon Warren W. WiersbeA warm, practical walk through several Minor Prophets, including Nahum, Habakkuk, and Malachi.
  • The Minor ProphetsAmazon Charles Lee FeinbergA careful conservative commentary from a Jewish believer in Christ who reads prophecy as we do.
  • The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and ZephaniahAmazon O. Palmer RobertsonA scholarly commentary (NICOT). Reformed; we differ on God's future for Israel and on some points of salvation doctrine.
  • Foxe's Book of MartyrsAmazon John FoxeThe classic Protestant record of those who died for the faith, from the early church to the English Reformation.

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Jonah

A prophet runs from God's call to a hated city, is swallowed by a great fish, preaches, and watches Nineveh repent, then learns that God's mercy is wider than his own heart.

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