Topical Encyclopedia Nahum is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, known for his prophetic book, which bears his name. The Book of Nahum is the seventh book in the collection of the Minor Prophets and is primarily focused on the impending judgment and destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Nahum's prophecy is a continuation of the divine narrative concerning Assyria, following the earlier warnings delivered by the prophet Jonah.Historical Context Nahum's ministry is generally dated to the 7th century BC, during the reign of King Josiah of Judah. This places Nahum's prophecy after the fall of Thebes (No-Amon) in 663 BC, which he references in Nahum 3:8, and before the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC. The Assyrian Empire was at the height of its power, having previously conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and posed a significant threat to Judah. The Message of Nahum The central theme of Nahum's prophecy is the impending judgment and destruction of Nineveh. Unlike Jonah, who was sent to Nineveh with a message of repentance, Nahum's message is one of irreversible judgment. The book is structured as a series of vivid and poetic oracles that describe the downfall of Nineveh as a divine act of justice. 1. The Character of God: Nahum begins with a description of God's attributes, emphasizing His justice and power. "The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies" (Nahum 1:2). This sets the stage for understanding the divine rationale behind Nineveh's destruction. 2. The Destruction of Nineveh: Nahum vividly describes the siege and fall of Nineveh, using graphic imagery to convey the totality of its destruction. "The shields of his warriors are red; the soldiers are clothed in scarlet. The chariots flash with steel in the day of their preparation; the cypress spears are brandished" (Nahum 2:3). The prophecy details the chaos and terror that will accompany the city's downfall. 3. The Justice of God: Nahum underscores the justice of God in punishing Nineveh for its cruelty and wickedness. The city is depicted as a "city of blood, full of lies, full of plunder, never without prey" (Nahum 3:1). The judgment is portrayed as a recompense for Nineveh's sins, particularly its violence and oppression. 4. The Comfort for Judah: While Nahum's message is one of doom for Nineveh, it also serves as a message of hope and comfort for Judah. The fall of Nineveh signifies the end of Assyrian oppression and a reprieve for God's people. "Behold, on the mountains, the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace! Celebrate your feasts, O Judah; fulfill your vows. For never again will the wicked invade you; they will be completely cut off" (Nahum 1:15). Theological Significance Nahum's prophecy highlights the sovereignty of God over nations and His commitment to justice. It serves as a reminder that while God is patient and merciful, He will not tolerate sin indefinitely. The book of Nahum reassures believers of God's ultimate control over history and His ability to bring about justice in His perfect timing. Nahum's Legacy Nahum's prophecy was fulfilled with the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC, an event that marked the end of Assyrian dominance. The book remains a powerful testament to the certainty of God's word and His righteous judgment. Nahum's message continues to resonate as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the hope of deliverance for those who trust in the Lord. Torrey's Topical Textbook Nahum 1:1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library Prefaces to the Commentaries on the Minor Prophets. Christ's Connection with the Creator Shown Many Quotations Out of ... Of the Predictions Concerning the Salvation of the World in Christ ... Reference Table Nahum The Twelve Minor Prophets. Antichrist in the Minor Prophets Isaiah. The Kingdom of Judah. The Commentaries. Resources What does it mean that Saul is also among the prophets? | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Are there prophets in the church today? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) Almondiblathaim (2 Occurrences) Almon-diblathaim (2 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) |
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