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Nahum 1

BSB·15 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is the burdenמַשָּׂ֖אmaś·śā — burden; a load or weight; an oracle or utteranceH4853 — Full Word Study → against Ninevehנִֽינְוֵ֑הnî·nə·wêh — Capital of AssyriaH5210 — Full Word Study →, the bookסֵ֧פֶרsê·p̄er — A written document, scroll, or bookH5612 — Full Word Study → of the visionחֲז֛וֹןḥă·zō·wn — A divinely revealed vision or sightH2377 — Full Word Study → of Nahumנַח֖וּםna·ḥūm — Comfort, ConsolationH5151 — Full Word Study → the Elkoshiteהָאֶלְקֹשִֽׁי׃hā·’el·qō·šî — Of ElkoshH512 — Full Word Study →: 2The LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is a jealousקַנּ֤וֹאqan·nō·w — Jealous; zealous; ardent in protection or defenseH7072 — Full Word Study → and avengingוְנֹקֵם֙wə·nō·qêm — To avenge, take vengeance, or execute judgmentH5358 — Full Word Study → Godאֵ֣ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study →; the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is avengingנֹקֵ֥םnō·qêm — To avenge, take vengeance, or execute judgmentH5358 — Full Word Study → and fullוּבַ֣עַלū·ḇa·‘al — Master, owner, lord, husbandH1167 — Full Word Study → of wrathחֵמָ֑הḥê·māh — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study →. The LORDיְהוָה֙Yah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → takes vengeanceנֹקֵ֤םnō·qêm — To avenge, take vengeance, or execute judgmentH5358 — Full Word Study → on His foesלְצָרָ֔יוlə·ṣā·rāw — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study → and reserves wrath for His enemiesלְאֹיְבָֽיו׃lə·’ō·yə·ḇāw — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study →. 3The LORDיְהֹוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is slowאֶ֤רֶךְ’e·reḵ — Slow to anger, patient, long-sufferingH750 — Full Word Study → to angerאַפַּ֙יִם֙’ap·pa·yim — Anger, wrath, face, or noseH639 — Full Word Study → and greatוּגְדוֹלū·ḡə·ḏōl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → in powerכֹּ֔חַkō·aḥ — Strength, power, might, or abilityH3581 — Full Word Study →; the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → will by no meansלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → leave the guilty unpunishedוְנַקֵּ֖הwə·naq·qêh — to be clean, innocent, or acquittedH5352 — Full Word Study →. His pathדַּרְכּ֔וֹdar·kōw — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → is in the whirlwindבְּסוּפָ֤הbə·sū·p̄āh — storm, whirlwind, tempest, or hurricaneH5492 — Full Word Study → and stormוּבִשְׂעָרָה֙ū·ḇiś·‘ā·rāh — violent storm or tempestH8183 — Full Word Study →, and cloudsוְעָנָ֖ןwə·‘ā·nān — cloud; visual manifestation of God's presenceH6051 — Full Word Study → are the dustאֲבַ֥ק’ă·ḇaq — dust, fine powder, debrisH80 — Full Word Study → beneath His feetרַגְלָֽיו׃raḡ·lāw — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study →. 4He rebukesגּוֹעֵ֤רgō·w·‘êr — To rebuke, reprove, or speak against sternlyH1605 — Full Word Study → the seaבַּיָּם֙bay·yām — Sea, body of water; also directional (west, south)H3220 — Full Word Study → and dries it upוַֽיַּבְּשֵׁ֔הוּway·yab·bə·šê·hū — to wither, dry up, or be ashamedH3001 — Full Word Study →; He makes allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the riversהַנְּהָר֖וֹתhan·nə·hā·rō·wṯ — River, StreamH5104 — Full Word Study → run dryהֶֽחֱרִ֑יבhe·ḥĕ·rîḇ — to be desolate, wither, or be destroyedH2717 — Full Word Study →. Bashanבָּשָׁן֙bā·šān — Fertile region east of JordanH1316 — Full Word Study → and Carmelוְכַרְמֶ֔לwə·ḵar·mel — Garden or vineyardH3760 — Full Word Study → witherאֻמְלַ֤ל’um·lal — to languish, weaken, or grow feebleH535 — Full Word Study →, and the flowerוּפֶ֥רַחū·p̄e·raḥ — Flower or blossom; blooming plant partH6525 — Full Word Study → of Lebanonלְבָנ֖וֹןlə·ḇā·nō·wn — White mountainH3844 — Full Word Study → wiltsאֻמְלָֽל׃’um·lāl — to languish, weaken, or grow feebleH535 — Full Word Study →. 5The mountainsהָרִים֙hā·rîm — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → quakeרָעֲשׁ֣וּrā·‘ă·šū — To shake, tremble, or quake with forceH7493 — Full Word Study → before Himמִמֶּ֔נּוּmim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →, and the hillsוְהַגְּבָע֖וֹתwə·hag·gə·ḇā·‘ō·wṯ — hill, elevated terrainH1389 — Full Word Study → melt awayהִתְמֹגָ֑גוּhiṯ·mō·ḡā·ḡū — to melt, dissolve, soften, or become weakH4127 — Full Word Study →; the earthהָאָ֙רֶץ֙hā·’ā·reṣ — Land, earth, or countryH776 — Full Word Study → tremblesוַתִּשָּׂ֤אwat·tiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → at His presenceמִפָּנָ֔יוmip·pā·nāw — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study →the worldוְתֵבֵ֖לwə·ṯê·ḇêl — The inhabited earth; the worldH8398 — Full Word Study → and allוְכָל־wə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → its dwellersיֹ֥שְׁבֵיyō·šə·ḇê — to dwell, inhabit, settle, remainH3427 — Full Word Study →. 6Whoמִ֣יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can withstandלִפְנֵ֤יlip̄·nê — face; presence; beforeH6440 — Full Word Study → His indignationזַעְמוֹ֙za‘·mōw — Indignation, rage, divine angerH2195 — Full Word Study →? Whoוּמִ֥יū·mî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study → can endureיָק֖וּםyā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → His burning angerבַּחֲר֣וֹןba·ḥă·rō·wn — Burning anger, fierce wrathH2740 — Full Word Study →? His wrathחֲמָתוֹ֙ḥă·mā·ṯōw — Intense rage, burning wrath, divine angerH2534 — Full Word Study → is poured outנִתְּכָ֣הnit·tə·ḵāh — to pour out, melt, or flowH5413 — Full Word Study → like fireכָאֵ֔שׁḵā·’êš — Fire; flame; burningH784 — Full Word Study →; even rocksוְהַצֻּרִ֖יםwə·haṣ·ṣu·rîm — Rock; stone; strength; fortressH6697 — Full Word Study → are shatteredנִתְּצ֥וּnit·tə·ṣū — to tear down, demolish, destroyH5422 — Full Word Study → before Himמִמֶּֽנּוּ׃mim·men·nū — from, out of, by means ofH4480 — Full Word Study →. 7The LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is goodט֣וֹבṭō·wḇ — good, beneficial, pleasing, wellH2896 — Full Word Study →, a strongholdלְמָע֖וֹזlə·mā·‘ō·wz — Refuge, stronghold, fortress; place of security and strengthH4581 — Full Word Study → in the dayבְּי֣וֹםbə·yō·wm — day; time; period; ageH3117 — Full Word Study → of distressצָרָ֑הṣā·rāh — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study →; He cares forוְיֹדֵ֖עַwə·yō·ḏê·a‘ — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → those who trustחֹ֥סֵיḥō·sê — To take refuge; to seek shelter or safetyH2620 — Full Word Study → in Him. 8But with an overwhelmingעֹבֵ֔ר‘ō·ḇêr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → floodוּבְשֶׁ֣טֶףū·ḇə·še·ṭep̄ — A violent flood or overflowing torrentH7858 — Full Word Study → He will makeיַעֲשֶׂ֣הya·‘ă·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → an endכָּלָ֖הkā·lāh — Complete destruction; utter consumption; endH3617 — Full Word Study → of Nineveh and pursueיְרַדֶּף־yə·rad·dep̄- — to pursue, chase, or persecuteH7291 — Full Word Study → His enemiesוְאֹיְבָ֖יוwə·’ō·yə·ḇāw — Enemy; adversary; one who opposesH341 — Full Word Study → into darknessחֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ḥō·šeḵ — Darkness; absence of light; obscurityH2822 — Full Word Study →. 9Whateverמַה־mah- — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → you plotתְּחַשְּׁבוּן֙tə·ḥaš·šə·ḇūn — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → againstאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, Heה֣וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → will bringעֹשֶׂ֑ה‘ō·śeh — to do, make, or accomplish; to act or performH6213 — Full Word Study → to an endכָּלָ֖הkā·lāh — Complete destruction; utter consumption; endH3617 — Full Word Study →. Afflictionצָרָֽה׃ṣā·rāh — Distress, trouble, adversityH6869 — Full Word Study → will notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → rise upתָק֥וּםṯā·qūm — To rise, stand, or be establishedH6965 — Full Word Study → a second timeפַּעֲמַ֖יִםpa·‘ă·ma·yim — time, occasion, or instance of occurrenceH6471 — Full Word Study →. 10Forכִּ֚יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → they will be entangledסְבֻכִ֔יםsə·ḇu·ḵîm — To interweave, entwine, or wrap togetherH5440 — Full Word Study → as withעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → thornsסִירִ֣יםsî·rîm — Cooking pot; hook; thornH5518 — Full Word Study → and consumedאֻ֨כְּל֔וּ’uk·kə·lū — to eat, consume, devourH398 — Full Word Study → like the drinkוּכְסָבְאָ֖םū·ḵə·sā·ḇə·’ām — Strong drink or fermented beverageH5435 — Full Word Study → of a drunkardסְבוּאִ֑יםsə·ḇū·’îm — to drink heavily, become drunk, tipple excessivelyH5433 — Full Word Study →like stubbleכְּקַ֥שׁkə·qaš — Stubble; remnant of grain stalksH7179 — Full Word Study → that is fullyמָלֵֽא׃mā·lê — to fill, be full, fullnessH4392 — Full Word Study → dryיָבֵ֖שׁyā·ḇêš — Dry, dried up, witheredH3002 — Full Word Study →. 11From you, O Nineveh, comes forthיָצָ֔אyā·ṣā — To go out, come forth, exitH3318 — Full Word Study → a plotterחֹשֵׁ֥בḥō·šêḇ — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → of evilרָעָ֑הrā·‘āh — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study → againstעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →, a counselorיֹעֵ֖ץyō·‘êṣ — to advise, counsel, or devise a planH3289 — Full Word Study → of wickednessבְּלִיָּֽעַל׃סbə·lî·yā·‘al — Worthlessness, WickednessH1100 — Full Word Study →. 12This is whatכֹּ֣ה׀kōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֗הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “Thoughאִם־’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → they are alliedשְׁלֵמִים֙šə·lê·mîm — Complete, whole, perfect, at peaceH8003 — Full Word Study → and numerousרַבִּ֔יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study →, yetוְכֵ֥ןwə·ḵên — so, thus, rightly, thereforeH3651 — Full Word Study → they will be cut downנָגֹ֖זּוּnā·ḡōz·zū — To shear or cut off hair/woolH1494 — Full Word Study → and pass awayוְעָבָ֑רwə·‘ā·ḇār — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study →. Though I have afflicted you, O Judah, I will afflictאֲעַנֵּ֖ךְ’ă·‘an·nêḵ — To afflict, humble, or oppress; to treat harshlyH6031 — Full Word Study → you noלֹ֥אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → longerעֽוֹד׃‘ō·wḏ — still, yet, again, continuing or additional occurrenceH5750 — Full Word Study →. 13For I will nowוְעַתָּ֕הwə·‘at·tāh — Now; at the present timeH6258 — Full Word Study → breakאֶשְׁבֹּ֥ר’eš·bōr — to break, shatter, crushH7665 — Full Word Study → their yokeמֹטֵ֖הוּmō·ṭê·hū — Yoke; bar; wooden frame joining animalsH4132 — Full Word Study → from your neckמֵֽעָלָ֑יִךְmê·‘ā·lā·yiḵ — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → and tear awayאֲנַתֵּֽק׃’ă·nat·têq — To tear away, pull out, or uproot violentlyH5423 — Full Word Study → your shacklesוּמוֹסְרֹתַ֖יִךְū·mō·ws·rō·ṯa·yiḵ — bond, cord, or restraint; discipline or correctionH4147 — Full Word Study →.” 14The LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → has issued a commandוְצִוָּ֤הwə·ṣiw·wāh — to command, order, or appoint with authorityH6680 — Full Word Study → concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be noלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → descendantsיִזָּרַ֥עyiz·zā·ra‘ — to sow seed; to plantH2232 — Full Word Study → to carry on your nameמִשִּׁמְךָ֖miš·šim·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →. I will cut offאַכְרִ֨ית’aḵ·rîṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study → the carved imageפֶּ֧סֶלpe·sel — Carved idol or graven imageH6459 — Full Word Study → and cast idolוּמַסֵּכָ֛הū·mas·sê·ḵāh — Cast metal image; molten idolH4541 — Full Word Study → from the houseמִבֵּ֨יתmib·bêṯ — A house; dwelling place; household; familyH1004 — Full Word Study → of your godsאֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā — God, the divine beingH430 — Full Word Study →; I will prepareאָשִׂ֥ים’ā·śîm — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → your graveקִבְרֶ֖ךָqiḇ·re·ḵā — A grave or burial place; a tombH6913 — Full Word Study →, forכִּ֥יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you are contemptibleקַלּֽוֹתָ׃פqal·lō·w·ṯā — to make light; to curse; to despiseH7043 — Full Word Study →.” 15Lookהִנֵּ֨הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study → toעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the mountainsהֶהָרִ֜יםhe·hā·rîm — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study →the feetרַגְלֵ֤יraḡ·lê — Foot; by extension, journey, way, or standingH7272 — Full Word Study → of one who brings good newsמְבַשֵּׂר֙mə·ḇaś·śêr — to announce good news; to proclaim tidingsH1319 — Full Word Study →, who proclaimsמַשְׁמִ֣יעַmaš·mî·a‘ — to hear, listen, obeyH8085 — Full Word Study → peaceשָׁל֔וֹםšā·lō·wm — Peace, wholeness, well-being, prosperityH7965 — Full Word Study →! Celebrateחָגִּ֧יḥāg·gî — To celebrate, keep feast, danceH2287 — Full Word Study → your feastsחַגַּ֖יִךְḥag·ga·yiḵ — Appointed feast or festival celebrationH2282 — Full Word Study →, O Judahיְהוּדָ֛הyə·hū·ḏāh — The Lord is praisedH3063 — Full Word Study →; fulfillשַׁלְּמִ֣יšal·lə·mî — to complete, make peace, repayH7999 — Full Word Study → your vowsנְדָרָ֑יִךְnə·ḏā·rā·yiḵ — A solemn promise or vow made to GodH5088 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּי֩kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → the wickedבְּלִיַּ֖עַלbə·lî·ya·‘al — Worthlessness, WickednessH1100 — Full Word Study → will neverלֹ֨אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → againיוֹסִ֥יףyō·w·sîp̄ — to add, increase, or do againH3254 — Full Word Study → march throughלַעֲבוֹרla·ʿă·ḇōr — to cross over; to pass through or beyondH5674 — Full Word Study → you; they will be utterlyכֻּלֹּ֥הkul·lōh — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → cut offנִכְרָֽת׃niḵ·rāṯ — To cut; to make a covenantH3772 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Nahum 1
Chapter Overview

Overview: Nahum 1 – God's Justice Against Nineveh

The prophet Nahum opens his prophecy with a declaration of God's righteous judgment against the great city of Nineveh, capital of the Assyrian Empire. Though Assyria had long been a terror to the nations—and particularly to God's people Israel—the Lord had not forgotten their wickedness. This chapter establishes the theological foundation for Nahum's entire message: God is both perfectly just and absolutely powerful, and He will certainly execute judgment on those who oppose Him and exploit the vulnerable. For Judah, this was a word of comfort; for Nineveh, it was a word of doom.

Verses 1–2: The Burden and God's Jealous Wrath

Nahum identifies himself as "the Elkoshite," a prophet from a small town, yet he has been given a divine vision concerning mighty Nineveh. The word "burden" (Hebrew: massa) means a weighty pronouncement or oracle—something God has laid upon the prophet's heart to declare. Verses 2 begins with a powerful statement: "God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth." This jealousy is not petty or sinful; rather, it reflects God's zeal to protect His holiness and vindicate His people. The threefold repetition—"revengeth," "revengeth," "furious"—underscores the certainty and intensity of God's judgment. He "reserveth wrath for his enemies," meaning judgment is stored up and guaranteed to fall upon the wicked. This is comfort for the oppressed and a stern warning to the proud.

Verses 3–5: The Majesty and Power of God's Justice

Here we see a paradox central to the gospel itself: "The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked." God's patience is not weakness; it is the patience of a God too powerful to be threatened. Yet His forbearance has limits. He will never excuse sin or leave the guilty unpunished. Verses 3–5 paint a magnificent picture of divine power: the Lord rides upon the whirlwind and storm, clouds are the dust beneath His feet, He rebukes the sea and dries up rivers, mountains quake, hills melt, and the earth burns at His presence. This theophany (a revelation of God's character through creation) reminds us that all nature obeys Him—nothing can withstand His authority. The destruction of fertile lands like Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon symbolizes the total collapse of Assyrian strength and resources.

Verses 6–9: The Futility of Resistance

Verse 6 poses a rhetorical question: "Who can stand before his indignation?" The answer is nobody. God's fury pours out like fire, and even rocks are shattered. Yet in the midst of judgment, verse 7 offers a stunning promise: "The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him." This is the heart of biblical comfort—God's judgment falls on His enemies, but His goodness shelters those who trust Him. Verses 8–9 confirm that Nineveh's fate is sealed; God will make "an utter end" of the place, and affliction will not rise a second time. This means Nineveh's destruction will be permanent and decisive.

Verses 10–15: Judgment on Nineveh; Deliverance for Judah

Verses 10–11 describe Nineveh's leadership as foolish and intoxicated—they are easily consumed like dry stubble. Verse 12 assures Judah: though the Lord has afflicted them, He will "afflict thee no more." The "yoke" and "bonds" of Assyrian oppression will be broken. Verses 14 declares God's judgment: Nineveh's gods and idols will be destroyed, and the city will become a grave—utterly obliterated from history. Finally, verse 15 announces good news to Judah: "Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!" This magnificent verse calls Judah to celebrate, keep their feasts, and fulfill their vows, for the wicked oppressor is cut off.

Application for Today

Nahum reminds us that God's justice, though delayed, is never denied. We live in a world where injustice seems to prosper, but Scripture assures us that the Lord is both patient and ultimately just. For believers, this means we can trust God's goodness even when wickedness appears victorious. Like Judah, we are called to faithfulness and worship, resting in the assurance that our God is a strong refuge for all who trust in Him.

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