NAHUM (Book)
(a) Theme of the prophecy; the fate of Nineveh (Nah. 1:1).
The prophet forcefully declares that Jehovah is a jealous, avenging God, but also a refuge for those who trust in Him (Nah. 1:2-8).
He exhorts the people to separate themselves from Jehovah’s detractors, who advocate abandoning his worship (Nah. 1:9-11). The prophet proclaims God’s immutable goal: the liberation of his people (Nah. 1: 12-14).
He urges Israel to remain faithful to Jehovah and to practice his worship (Nah. 1:15), and then describes the ruin of the oppressive empire. Nahum graphically represents the siege of Nineveh (Nah. 2:1-10), the abode of lions (Nah. 1:11-13); he claims that judgment falls on her because of her lawlessness (Nah. 3:1-4).
The city will receive punishment as a prostitute would (Nah. 3:5-7); she is no better than No-amon (Thebes), who was deported (Nah. 3:8-10), and will suffer the same fate as her (Nah. 3:11-19).
This prophecy is preluded by a kind of alphabetical poem (Nah. 1:2-15). This is not, however, an ordinary acrostic psalm (such as, for example, Ps. 119) in which each stanza begins with a different letter following alphabetical order.
Nahum uses a phonetic sequence to introduce the themes instead of stanzas. The sounds occur, separately, or in groups, and add to the majesty of the speech. In Hebrew, the ear becomes pleasantly aware of this sonority. Says Smith of Nahum: “The language is intense and brilliant; the rhythm, vigorous and swinging, sparkling like the chariots and horsemen he describes. ยป
(b) Division.
The book is divided into two sections: chapter 1 describes the majesty of God; Chapters 2 and 3 contain the judgment on Nineveh.
(A) The prophet makes some doctrinal statements about Jehovah. The first fundamental truth is that God, although slow to anger, nevertheless unleashes vengeance on his adversaries (Nah. 1:2-3).
The prophet then exposes the majestic power of God in nature: he is present in the midst of the whirlwind, in the storm; the clouds are the dust of his feet (Nah. 1:3). At the threat of it the sea dries up, the vegetation withers (Nah. 1: 4); mountains and hills melt at his presence (Nah. 1:5); no one would know how to resist his anger (Nah. 1:6).
The goodness of Jehovah is great toward his people, whom he knows well (Nah. 1:7); but He will know how to destroy his enemies (Nah. 1: 8).
(B) The prophet bases his prediction on the truths he has just expounded. He repeats that it is in vain to try to resist Jehovah. He has already said it at the beginning in the form of a question (Nah. 1:9), and then repeats the conclusion of verse 8.
Nahum immediately predicts the liberation of God’s people (Nah. 1:14). Finally, and within the preceding line, the prophet exhorts Judah to continue the celebration of the cult of Jehovah (Nah. 1:15). This verse 15 serves as a transition between the two sections.
The fiery word of Nahum does not contemplate Jerusalem, but Nineveh. The prophet recognizes, in the imminent annihilation of Assyria, the hand of God directing the course of history. For long centuries, Assyria had oppressed all the peoples of Western Asia.
The suffering and despair that came to the Hebrews, like their neighbors, helped them understand something of human solidarity. Amos and Hosea had told their listeners that they would be besieged and deported.
In their very inscriptions, the Assyrians gloried in their warrior exploits, their conquests and their cruelties. Nahum prophesied how the punishment and end of Nineveh would come.