Who is the author of the Book of Nahum?

Identification of the Prophet Nahum

Nahum’s name is introduced in the opening line of the book: “This is the burden against Nineveh, the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite” (Nahum 1:1). Traditional scholarship affirms that the prophet himself penned these words. His designation as “the Elkoshite” likely points to his hometown or family lineage. Although there is no unanimous agreement on the exact location of “Elkosh,” several possibilities have been proposed:

• A region in Galilee, near Capernaum (some connect “Capernaum,” meaning “Village of Nahum,” to the prophet’s name, though this remains debated).

• A potential site in Judea or near the ancient territory of Assyria.

Historical Context and Setting

The message of Nahum centers on the impending downfall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Assyria was a dominant military power in the ancient Near East, reaching its greatest expansion under rulers like Sennacherib and Ashurbanipal. Archaeological excavations have unearthed substantial ruins of Nineveh (near modern-day Mosul in Iraq), including monumental walls, palaces, and cuneiform records. These findings confirm the extent of Nineveh’s grandeur and validate the biblical depiction of its prominence.

The Book of Nahum is generally dated sometime between 663 BC (when Egypt’s capital at Thebes, or No-Amon, fell to Assyrian forces, Nahum 3:8) and 612 BC (when Nineveh was destroyed by the combined forces of Babylonians, Medes, and others). References in the text like, “The LORD has issued an oracle against you” (Nahum 2:13) fit within this historical timeframe of Assyria’s decline and eventual conquest.

Internal Evidence from the Text

1. Prophetic Style and Language. The literary style is consistent with Hebrew prophetic writings. Nahum uses vivid, poetic imagery describing destruction, especially in chapters 2 and 3, reflecting a firsthand or closely associated perspective on Assyria’s oppressive rule.

2. Specific References to Places and Events. Nahum’s allusions to Thebes (Nahum 3:8) and his detailed descriptions of Assyrian warfare support a seventh-century BC authorship. The clarity of these historical details points to eyewitness-level or near-contemporary knowledge.

3. Consistency with Other Biblical Passages. The Book of Nahum aligns with broader Old Testament themes of God’s justice against oppressive nations (compare Isaiah 10:12–19). The call to trust in God’s deliverance appears frequently in the prophets, reinforcing thematic unity throughout Scripture: “The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him” (Nahum 1:7).

Scholarly and Traditional Perspectives

1. Jewish Tradition. Early Jewish tradition recognizes Nahum as part of the “Twelve Minor Prophets,” preserving his message in the Hebrew Bible. Manuscripts such as those from the Dead Sea Scrolls era confirm the book’s antiquity and consistent content, demonstrating that its text has undergone few variations over centuries.

2. Christian Church Fathers and Councils. In subsequent Christian history, the Book of Nahum has consistently been attributed to the prophet named in its opening verse. The acceptance of the entire book into the biblical canon provides further testimony to the recognized authenticity of Nahum’s prophetic authority.

3. Corroborating Archaeological Evidence. The destruction layers discovered at the site of Nineveh correspond to a c. 612 BC destruction date. These archaeological confirmations support the historical context in which Nahum proclaimed his judgment oracle.

Conclusion

The most direct and reliable answer to the question of authorship is found in the opening statement of the biblical text itself: “the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.” Nahum’s identity as a prophet stands on the internal claims of the book, corroborated by its historical references, linguistic style, and acceptance by both Jewish and Christian traditions. While questions remain regarding the precise location of “Elkosh,” the core witness of Scripture and corroborative historical and archaeological evidence affirm that this short yet profound oracle was composed by the prophet Nahum in the late seventh century BC.