1. Author and Time of Writing

We only know little of Nahum - the 7 th of the twelve Minor Prophets. His name means "comforted". Not even the exact place where he came from is known. Some researchers assume it to be the village Alkush at the river Tigris near Mossul and others suppose a place in Galilee near Capernaum. Others again think it to be Capernaum itself ( Kephar-Nahum = village of Nahum) and finally some believe it to be a village in Judea as the Fathers of the church also testify it. The facts that the kingdom of the 10 tribes (in which Galilee lies) was already in Assyrian captivity at Nahum's time and that Nahum directly speaks to the kingdom of Judah (chap. 1:15b) would speak for the last possibility.

Exact or approximate indications of time are totally missing in Nahum's book. Chapter 3:8-10 however mentions the destruction of No of Amon ( Thebes) capital of Upper Egypt. This took place in 663 BC by Assurbanipal king of Assyrians. Nineveh was destroyed by the Medes under Cyaxares and by the Babylonians under Nabopolassar in 612 BC. Nahum's time of labour would lie between these two events.

Nahum is not mentioned anywhere else in Scripture. Romans 10:15 however reads "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" This verse renders the very similar expressions of Is. 52:7 and Nahum 1:15 and links them together.

2. Purpose of Writing

The subject of Nahum's prophecy is the judgment over Nineveh. Jonah had to prophecy over Nineveh as well but he lived around 150 years earlier. The mercy of Jehovah is triumphing in the book of Jonah whereas Nahum only announces the just fury of God and the unalterable destruction of this godless city. Nahum's view is only focused on this enemy of God's people; it is striking that the sins of Israel and Judah are not mentioned at all. Yes, while the holy and just fury of God is announced to the enemies the people of God receive comforting words (chap. 1:12-15). In chapter 1 (which is similar to a psalm) we see God as jealous and revenging in His majesty. The two following chapters prophesy exactly the fall and destruction of Nineveh.

As most of the prophetical books the book of Nahum is written in poetry in the Hebrew as well. This poesy however is lost by translation. Some scientists think to find the acrostic style in chap. 1:2-8 as the verses partially begin following the Hebrew alphabet, but other scientists doubt this. In general the powerful and rich in pictures language is to emphasize for which Nahum is called a "classical author of Hebrew Poetry" (compare with "Hebrew Poetry", Book of Psalms 3. Peculiarities).

3. Peculiarities