Verse 1
burden. Compare Isaiah 13:1, Isaiah 27:13. See the Structure, p. 930), and Habakkuk. = A prophetic oracle: or, the prophetic doom of Nineveh, written about ninety (603-514 = B.C.) years before Nineveh"s doom; and while the Assyrian Empire was at its height. The doom of Nineveh came therefore 176 years after Jonah"s mission. The prophecy was addressed to Nahum"s own People, but as a menace to Nineveh.
Nineveh. This heading is not "undoubtedly by a later hand", as alleged. The words "the place thereof" (Nahum 1:8) would be unintelligible without it. Nineveh is not mentioned again until Nahum 2:8; and is only hinted at elsewhere (Nahum 3:1, Nahum 3:18). The Structure below is the best commentary.
vision. Like Isaiah, always one whole. Not written before or separately from, its deliverance.
Nahum = the compassionate, or consoler. The name refers back to Jehovah"s compassion connected with Jonah"s mission eighty-seven years before. Nothing is known of Nahum beyond his book.
Elkoshite. Hebrew. "Elkoshi. A village of this name exists to-day, twentyfour miles north of Nineveh (now Konyunjik). See Layard"s Nineveh and its Remains, i. p. 233.
Verse 2
GOD. Hebrew El. App-4.
jealous. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 20:5-7. Deuteronomy 4:24). App-92. See the Structure (book comments for Nahum), and note the subjects of "A" and "A"; "B" and "B"; "C" and "C".
the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4. Note the Figure of speech Epizeuxis (App-6), for great emphasis.
revengeth = avengeth.
is furious = a possessor of wrath. Hebrew "lord of wrath".
take vengeance on = be an Avenger to.
wrath. Figure of speech Ellipsis (Absolute). App-6.
for = against.
Verse 3
slow to anger = long-suffering. Reference to Pentateuch (Ex. Nahum 34:6, Nahum 34:7). App-92. Hebrew "Long of anger". The opposite of Proverbs 14:17. Compare Jonah 4:2.
great. Compare Job 9:4; and see the Structure "-3-5", above.
will not, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 34:7. Numbers 14:18).
acquit = clear, or hold guiltless.
Verse 4
He rebuketh the sea. Reference to Pentateuch (Ex. 14.) Compare Psalms 106:9.
and drieth up, &c. Compare Joshua 4:23. Psalms 74:15.
Verse 5
The mountains quake, &c. Compare Micah 1:3, Micah 1:4.
burned = upheaved.
world. Hebrew. tebel = the world as inhabited.
Verse 6
abide = stand up. Compare Jeremiah 10:10. Malachi 3:2.
Verse 7
good. See the Structure "7", above. Compare 1 Chronicles 16:34. Psalms 100:5. Jeremiah 33:11. Lamentations 3:25.
strong hold = a place of safety.
He knoweth, &c. Compare Psalms 1:6. 2 Timothy 2:12.
trust in = flee for refuge to. Hebrew. hasah. App-69.
Verse 8
But, &c. Note the transition in Nahum 1:8, which is explained by the Structure "8", above.
the place thereof. Hebrew her place: i.e. Nineveh"s. See note on title above (Nahum 1:1).
Verse 9
imagine = devise. Compare Psalms 2:1.
affliction = distress, or trouble; Hebrew. zarar, as in Nahum 1:7, i.e. the trouble that now threatens Nineveh.
the second time. Referring to the rising up after Jonah"s proclamation. Compare "rise", Jeremiah 51:64. Same word as "abide", Nahum 1:6, above.
Verse 10
folden = entangled.
thorns. The emblem of hostile armies (Isaiah 10:17; Isaiah 27:4).
Verse 11
of. Genitive of Origin. App-17.
thee: i.e. Nineveh (feminine)
evil. Hebrew. ra"a. App-44.
a wicked counsellor = a counselor of Belial. The counsellor probably = Rabshakeh; and Belial = Sennacherib. See note on p. 1261.
Verse 12
quiet = secure.
cut down = cut down (like dry stubble).
when he, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:12). Compare Isaiah 8:8. Dan 11:10.
-12 Though, &c. = And [now, O Judah], &c. Through not seeing the Structure and the change of subject at "-12-14", modern critics say "the first part of this verse is certainly more or less corrupt"; and they alter the Hebrew text to make it agree with the last clause, the subject changing there to the removal of evil from Judah.
thee: i.e. Judah (Nahum 1:13).
Verse 13
will I break, &c. Reference to Pant. (Genesis 27:40). App-92.
his yoke. Some codices read "his rod".
Verse 14
no more of thy name, &c. : i.e. the dynasty of Nineveh should end.
make = make [it]: i.e. "the house of thy gods".
grave = sepulchre. Hebrew. keber. See note on Genesis 23:4. App-35.
vile = despicable. Compare Isaiah 37:37, Isaiah 37:38.
Verse 15
Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), for emphasis, calling attention to the reference to Isaiah 52:7, the the hypotheticalsecond Isaiah, 100 years before he is supposed by modern critics to have lived.
keep thy solemn feasts. Figure of speech. Polyptoton. App-6. Hebrew "feast thy solemn feasts" : used for great emphasis. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 16:16, &c.; Nahum 23:21, &c). App-92.
the wicked. Hebrew [the man of] Belial. See note on Nahum 1:11.