Nahum

Author & date

Nothing is known of Nahum except for what is recorded in the opening verses.

The date of this prophecy is uncertain but there  are some clues in Nahum and from secular history.

Nineveh fell in c.612BC . The sacking of Thebes is  mentioned in Nahum 3:11. This took place in c. 663BC.  So we have some  confidence that Nahum prophesied  before  663 BC.

Outline

A. Judgement Declared Ch.1:1-15

1. Setting Ch.1:1
   • The Prophet of Judgment
   • The Place of Judgement
2. The God of Judgement Ch.1:2-8
   • God’s Jealousy
   • God’s Vengeance
   • God’s Patience
   • God’s Power
   • God’s Outlook
3. God’s Verdict Ch.1:9-15
   • Towards Nineveh (1) — An utter end
   • Towards Judah (1)  —  The yoke broken
   • Towards Nineveh (2) — Thou art vile
   • Towards Judah (2) — Good Tidings

B. Judgement Described Ch.2:1-13

1. Judgement & restoration Ch.2:1-2
   • Judgement for Nineveh
   • Restoration for Israel
2. Nineveh’s end Ch.2:3-10
   • Vision of Conflict
   • Vision of Conquest
3. Summary of Judgement Ch.2:11-13
   • Nahum’s rhetorical question
   • God’s final verdict

C. Judgement Deserved Ch.3:1-19

1. Full of Unrighteousness Ch.3:1-3
   • Sin: Violence and Lies
   • Punishment; Violent end
2. Full of unfaithfulness Ch.3:4-7
   • Sin: Whoredoms and Witchcrafts
   • Punishment: Set as a gazing stock
3. Comparison to Thebes Ch.3:8-15
   • Sin: No better than Thebes
   • Punishment: Nineveh’s fall
4. Sinful leaders Ch.3:16-19
   • Sin: Unfaithful leaders
   • Punishment: No healing

Notes

a  Timeline

To consider the events in context here is a rough timeline. The dates given are only approximate and are open to dispute.

c. 750 BC  Jonah preaches repentance to Nineveh

c. 722 BC Northern kingdom of Israel falls to the Assyrians

c. 705-681 BC Sennacherib changes the Assyrian capital to Nineveh

c. 663 BC  Ashurbanipal sacks Thebes

??? Nahum prophesies against Nineveh

c.  654 BC Thebes rebuilt

c. 612 BC Nineveh falls to the Medes and Babylonians

b Historical background

Such was the destruction of Nineveh, once the greatest city in the known world, that it was hidden in the desert for more than 2,000 years. So much so that people doubted its existence and thus the truth of Scripture.

It was discovered in 1837 AD by the French archaeologist  Austin  Henry Layard.  Since then extensive excavations and studies have brought this ancient city back to the light.

Thus the truth of the sacred record is once more confirmed.