Lexical Summary Elqoshi: Elkoshite Original Word: אֶלְקשִׁי Strong's Exhaustive Concordance Elkoshite Patrial from a name of uncertain derivation; an Elkoshite or native of Elkosh -- Elkoshite. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originof uncertain derivation Definition a native of Elkosh NASB Translation Elkoshite (1). Brown-Driver-Briggs אֶלְקוֺשִׁי adjective, of a people with article Nahum the Elkoshite Nahum 1:1 (perhaps = from Elkosh, but locality unknown; identified by JerComm. with a village Elcesi in Galilee; compare also Capernaum (= כְּפַר נַחוּם ?); others (improbably) with an Elkosh on east bank of Tigris, near Mosul). **On etymology, and site of place, see DaNahum, etc., 9 ff. GASmTwelve Proph. ii. 79f. Topical Lexicon Biblical Occurrence Nahum 1:1 is the sole occurrence: “This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite” (Berean Standard Bible). The term functions as a geographic identifier, linking the prophet to his place of origin and grounding the oracle in historical reality. Meaning within Context By describing Nahum as “the Elkoshite,” Scripture asserts that the vision arose from a real man rooted in a real community. The title authenticates the book, distinguishing Nahum from other prophets and underscoring his personal call to speak against Assyria at the height of its power (2 Kings 19:36-37; Isaiah 37:37-38). Geographical Considerations Because the Old Testament never lists Elkosh among the fortified cities of Judah or Israel, its precise location is debated: The biblical text offers no explicit confirmation, leaving the exact site unstated while affirming that God can raise a messenger from any corner of His land or even within enemy territory. Historical Background Nahum’s ministry is commonly dated between the Assyrian sack of Thebes in 663 BC (Nahum 3:8-10) and the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC. During this period Judah was a vassal of Assyria, paying tribute since the days of Manasseh. Though Judah was small and politically weak, its God proved sovereign over the world’s mightiest empire, fulfilling earlier prophetic warnings of Assyria’s downfall (Isaiah 10:12-19; Zephaniah 2:13). Relationship to Prophet Nahum’s Ministry 1. Authentic witness: Identifying Nahum as an Elkoshite stresses eyewitness credibility; the prophet is not an anonymous literary voice but a covenant believer whose life, town, and heritage were known among his contemporaries. Theological Themes Highlighted • Divine vengeance and comfort coexist (Nahum 1:2-8). Practical Lessons for Believers 1. Obscurity does not limit usefulness: a believer from an otherwise unknown Elkosh can become God’s herald to nations. Legacy in Jewish and Christian Tradition Jewish pilgrims still honor a site at Alqosh as Nahum’s tomb, reflecting centuries-long reverence. Christian commentators have long linked the fall of Nineveh with God’s ultimate triumph over oppressive powers, drawing hope for the faithful in every age (Revelation 18:1-8). Further Study Compare Nahum 1:2-3 with Exodus 34:6-7 to see continuity in God’s attributes. Trace Assyria’s fate in 2 Kings 17–19; Isaiah 10; Zephaniah 2. Review archaeological accounts of Nineveh’s destruction (Babylonian Chronicle, 612 BC) alongside Nahum 2–3. Forms and Transliterations הָאֶלְקֹשִֽׁי׃ האלקשי׃ hā’elqōšî hā·’el·qō·šî haelkoShiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Nahum 1:1 HEB: חֲז֛וֹן נַח֖וּם הָאֶלְקֹשִֽׁי׃ NAS: of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. KJV: of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. INT: of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite 1 Occurrence |
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