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The Burden against Nineveh
Nahum 1:1-15 is a revelation about Nineveh that shows who Yahweh is. The passage moves from his anger and power to his goodness as a refuge, then to peace announced for Judah.
Understanding the passage
The setting of this message
This passage identifies itself as Nahum’s vision about Nineveh. It describes Yahweh as avenging, powerful, and present over all creation, then contrasts his judgement on enemies with his goodness toward those who take refuge in him. It ends with promises about oppression ending and peace being announced to Judah.
Nahum 1:1–15Main takeaway
Nahum 1:1-15 teaches that Yahweh judges evil and is a stronghold for those who take refuge in him.
Explore the message
01A revelation about NinevehThe opening verse names both the subject and the form of the passage. It is a revelation about Nineveh and the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Explanation
The opening verse names both the subject and the form of the passage. It is a revelation about Nineveh and the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. That prepares the reader for prophecy and teaching about Yahweh’s message, rather than a story about Nahum’s life.
02Yahweh’s anger, patience, and powerYahweh is described as jealous, avenging, slow to anger, and great in power. He will not leave the guilty unpunished.
Explanation
Yahweh is described as jealous, avenging, slow to anger, and great in power. He will not leave the guilty unpunished. The passage then speaks of whirlwind, storm, sea, rivers, mountains, hills, and the earth trembling. These words show his rule over creation and the seriousness of his judgement.
03Goodness and refuge in the day of troubleAfter the strong questions about who can endure his anger, the passage states that Yahweh is good.
04The end of opposition to YahwehThe prophecy asks what people plot against Yahweh and answers that he will make a full end.
Explanation
The prophecy asks what people plot against Yahweh and answers that he will make a full end. His enemies are pictured as overwhelmed, consumed like dry stubble, and cut down even if they are many and strong. The passage presents opposition to Yahweh as certain to fail.
05Release for Judah and news of peaceYahweh says he will break the yoke and burst the bonds apart. He also announces judgement on idols and the end of the wicked one.
Explanation
Yahweh says he will break the yoke and burst the bonds apart. He also announces judgement on idols and the end of the wicked one. The final verse turns to Judah with good news and peace, calling Judah to keep its feasts and perform its vows because the wicked one will pass through no more.
Questions to explore
01Which qualities of Yahweh are named together in this passage?
02How does the passage use creation to show Yahweh’s power?
03What change is announced for Judah near the end?
Compare the promise to break the yoke and bonds with the announcement of peace and the call to keep feasts and vows.
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Nahum 1:1–15
1A revelation about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2Yahweh is a jealous God and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.
3Yahweh is slow to anger, and great in power, and will by no means leave the guilty unpunished. Yahweh has his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel languish. The flower of Lebanon languishes.
5The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.
6Who can stand before his indignation? Who can endure the fierceness of his anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken apart by him.
7Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.
8But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.
9What do you plot against Yahweh? He will make a full end. Affliction won’t rise up the second time.
10For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.
11One has gone out of you who devises evil against Yahweh, who counsels wickedness.
12Yahweh says: “Though they are in full strength and likewise many, even so they will be cut down and pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.
13Now I will break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart.”
14Yahweh has commanded concerning you: “No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, I will cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile.”
15Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace! Keep your feasts, Judah! Perform your vows, for the wicked one will no more pass through you. He is utterly cut off.