Nahum 1

King James Version

Full text for Nahum Chapter 1

1¶ The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2¶ God [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.

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.

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.

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.

8But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

9¶ What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

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.

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.

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.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Nahum 1 introduces God as a jealous, avenging, and powerful deity who reserves wrath for His adversaries, yet is slow to anger and good to those who trust Him. The chapter declares the impending, utter destruction of Nineveh due to its wickedness and defiance against the Lord. Simultaneously, it offers a promise of deliverance and peace to Judah, assuring them that their affliction will cease and their oppressor will be cut off.

Medium Summary

Nahum 1 begins with the "burden of Nineveh," revealing the Lord as a jealous and avenging God who is furious with His enemies and will not acquit the wicked. His immense power is demonstrated through His control over natural elements like whirlwinds, storms, and the sea, causing mountains to quake at His presence. Despite His formidable wrath, the Lord is also described as good, serving as a strong hold for those who trust Him and know Him. However, for His adversaries, an utter end is promised, with Nineveh's destruction likened to dry stubble consumed by fire. The chapter condemns Nineveh for imagining evil against the Lord, declaring that affliction will not rise a second time. It concludes with a promise to Judah that their yoke of oppression will be broken, Nineveh's name and idols will be cut off, and good tidings of peace will come as the wicked oppressor is utterly removed.

Long Summary

The book of Nahum commences with a prophetic "burden" concerning Nineveh, delivered by Nahum the Elkoshite. It immediately establishes the character of God as a jealous, avenging, and furious Lord who reserves wrath for His adversaries and will by no means acquit the wicked. Yet, this powerful deity is also portrayed as slow to anger and great in power, demonstrating His dominion over creation through whirlwinds, storms, and the drying of seas and rivers. His presence causes mountains to quake, hills to melt, and the earth to burn, prompting the question of who can stand before His indignation. Amidst this depiction of formidable power and righteous judgment, the Lord is also declared good, a strong hold in the day of trouble, and one who knows those who trust in Him. However, for His enemies, an utter end is promised through an "overrunning flood," and darkness shall pursue them. The chapter challenges Nineveh's defiance, stating that any evil imagined against the Lord will result in their complete destruction, ensuring that affliction will not rise a second time. Nineveh's inhabitants, though numerous and seemingly secure, are likened to thorns and drunkards, destined to be devoured as dry stubble. The Lord specifically addresses a "wicked counsellor" from Nineveh who plots evil. A direct promise is given to Judah: despite past affliction, God will now break Nineveh's yoke and burst Judah's bonds. Furthermore, God commands that Nineveh's name shall no longer be sown, and its graven and molten images will be cut off from its temples, making its grave because it is vile. The chapter concludes with a joyful proclamation for Judah, envisioning the feet of one bringing good tidings and publishing peace upon the mountains, urging Judah to keep its feasts and vows, for the wicked oppressor is utterly cut off and will no more pass through them.

Core Concepts

  • Divine VengeanceGod is repeatedly described as a jealous and avenging Lord who will take vengeance on His adversaries and reserve wrath for His enemies, demonstrating His righteous judgment against wickedness.
  • God's Power and SovereigntyThe chapter emphasizes God's immense power over creation, manifesting in control over natural elements like whirlwinds, storms, seas, and mountains, illustrating His irresistible might.
  • God's Goodness and RefugeDespite His terrifying power and wrath, the Lord is also portrayed as good, a strong hold for those who trust Him, offering protection and knowledge to His faithful.
  • Nineveh's Utter DestructionThe central prophecy concerns the complete and irreversible end of Nineveh, described through imagery of an overrunning flood, consumption like dry stubble, and the cutting off of its name and idols.
  • Deliverance for JudahAmidst the judgment on Nineveh, there is a clear promise of liberation and peace for Judah, signifying the end of their affliction and the breaking of their oppressors' yoke.
  • Irreversible JudgmentThe statement 'affliction shall not rise up the second time' highlights the finality and completeness of God's judgment upon Nineveh, ensuring that its oppressive power will not return.