Introduction to the prophet Nahum

The 34th Book of the Bible, with 3 chapters
God will not be mocked – The Downfall of the Assyrian Empire

We do not know much about the origins of Nahum, the seventh of the “Minor” Prophets—whose name means “comfort,” “comforter,” or “God comforts”—nor do we (yet) know where his hometown, Elkosh, was located.

He ministered in the remaining Kingdom of Judah, which was subject to the Assyrian Empire.
The Northern Kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by the Assyrians over half a century earlier (722 B.C.) along with its capital, Samaria, and its population had been partially “replaced” by foreign peoples.

The prophetic ministry of the prophet Nahum, however, can be narrowed down quite precisely.
In chapter 3, verse 8, he mentions the downfall of No-Ammon, ancient Thebes, the capital of Upper Egypt at that time.
Like Samaria, Thebes was also conquered and destroyed by those very Assyrians in 663 B.C.

Nahum himself now foretells the downfall of the Assyrian capital, Nineveh—which was considered impregnable—through a flood that destroys the city walls, thereby allowing the assembled enemy armies to gain access.
In doing so, the prophet also foresees how the conquest of Nineveh will take place in a street battle—and thus lead to the replacement of the Assyrian world power.

This prophecy was fulfilled already in August of 612 B.C.E.—meaning that the prophet lived in the second half of the 7th century B.C.E.
From the 9th century B.C.E. until the fall of Nineveh, the Assyrian empire had dominated political affairs in the Levant through violence and cruelty.

Nahum’s prophetic message to us all is also that God will not let the guilty escape.
Over a century earlier, the Assyrians had responded to the call of the prophet Jonah, repented, and God was able to spare them—but they had returned to their old ways, and now Assyria too faces righteous judgment.

… only at the return of the LORD as the Judge of the world—will the whole world also have to answer for itself before His judgment—yet for those who seek God and trust in Him, He is also a stronghold on the day of distress. 🙂

In the book of the prophet Nahum, we find parallels between the flirtatious, seductive nature and the magical practices of Nineveh and the great “whore” Babylon from Revelation, the last book of the Bible.
And a connection to the book of Habakkuk, the “minor” prophet who follows Nahum, is also unmistakable.
Nahum begins with a psalm, a song of praise to God, followed by the judgment on Assyria.
Habakkuk begins with the threat of judgment against Babylon and then ends with a psalm to God’s glory 🙂

Outline of the Book of Nahum:

Structure of the prophet Nahum:

Nahum chapter 1
Nahum chapter 2
Nahum chapter 3