Nahum Chapter 1

From The Open Bible Project

1:1 An oracle about Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

• The Argument - As those of Nineveh showed themselves prompt and ready to receive the word of God at Jonah’s preaching, and so turned to the Lord by repentance, so after a certain time they gave themselves to worldly means to increase their dominion, rather than seeking to continue in that fear of God, and path in which they had begun. They cast off the care of religion, and so returned to their vomit and provoked God’s just judgment against them, in afflicting his people. Therefore their city Nineveh was destroyed, and Meroch-baladan, king of Babel (or as some think, Nebuchadnezzar) enjoyed the empire of the Assyrians. But because God has a continual care for his Church, he stirs up his Prophet to comfort the godly, showing that the destruction of their enemies would be for their consolation: and as it seems, he prophesies around the time of Hezekiah, and not in the time of Manasseh his son, as the Jews write.
• (a) See Geneva
• (b) The vision or revelation, which God commanded Nahum to write concerning the Ninevites.
• (c) That is, born in a poor village in the tribe of Simeon.

1:2 [1] Yahweh [See Nahum Footnotes 1] is a jealous [2] God [See Nahum Footnotes 2] and avenges. Yahweh avenges and is full of wrath. Yahweh takes vengeance on his adversaries, and he maintains wrath against his enemies.

• (d) Meaning, of his glory.
• (e) With his own he is but angry for a time, but his anger is never appeased toward the reprobate, even though he defers it for a time.

1:3 Yahweh 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.

• (f) Thus the wicked would make God’s mercy an occasion to sin, but the Prophet wishes them to consider his power and justice.

1:4 He rebukes the sea, and makes it dry, and dries up all the rivers. Bashan languishes, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languishes.

1:5 The mountains quake before him, and the hills melt away. The earth trembles at his presence, yes, the world, and all who dwell in it.

1:6 Who 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.

• (g) If all creatures are at God’s commandment, and none are able to resist his wrath, will man flatter himself, and think by any means to escape, when he provokes his God to anger?

1:7 Yahweh is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and he knows those who take refuge in him.

• (h) Lest the faithful should be discouraged by hearing the power of God, he shows them that his mercy appertains to them, and that he has care over them.

1:8 But with an overflowing flood, he will make a full end of her place, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

• (i) Signifying that God will suddenly destroy Nineveh and the Assyrians in such a way, that they will lie in perpetual darkness, and never recover their strength again.

1:9 What do you plot against Yahweh? He will make a full end. Affliction won't rise up the second time.

• (k) He shows that the undertakings of the Assyrians against Judah and the Church were against God, and therefore he would so destroy them the first time, that he would not need to return the second time.

1:10 For entangled like thorns, and drunken as with their drink, they are consumed utterly like dry stubble.

• (l) Though the Assyrians think themselves like thorns that prick on all sides, yet the Lord will set fire on them, and as drunken men are not able to stand against any force, so they will not be able to resist him at all.

1:11 There is one gone forth out of you, who devises evil against Yahweh, who counsels wickedness.

• (m) Which may be understood either of Sennacherib, or of the whole body of the people of Nineveh.

1:12 Thus says Yahweh: "Though they be in full strength, and likewise many, even so they will be cut down, and he shall pass away. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more.

• (n) Though they think themselves in most safety, and of greatest strength, yet when God will pass by, he will destroy them: nonetheless, he comforts his Church, and promises to stop punishing them by the Assyrians.

1:13 Now will I break his yoke from off you, and will burst your bonds apart."

1:14 Yahweh has commanded concerning you: "No more descendants will bear your name. Out of the house of your gods, will I cut off the engraved image and the molten image. I will make your grave, for you are vile."

• (o) Meaning, Sennacherib, who would have no more children, but be slain in the house of his gods; (2 Kings 19:36-37).

1:15 Behold, 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.

• (p) Which peace the Jews would enjoy by the death of Sennacherib.