Bible Commentaries
Nahum 1

Verse 1

The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

The burden — When the prophets were sent to denounce judgments against a nation or city, the word was usually called the burden of that nation or city.

The vision — As prophets were of old called seers, 1 Samuel 9:9, so their prophesies were called visions.

Nahum — His name speaks a comforter, but it is God’s people to whom he gives notice of the destruction of their oppressors.

Verse 2

God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Jealous — For his own glory.

Revengeth — As supreme governor, who by office is bound to right the oppressed, and to punish the oppressor.

Verse 3

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

Hath his way — The methods of his providence.

The whirlwind — Which beareth before it all things that stand in its way.

The dust of his feet — Though he be surrounded with darkness, yet as an army afar off is discovered by the dust that their feet raise, so wilt God appear with great power marching against his enemies.

Verse 4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

The flower — Whatever flourished thereon; the blossoms, and flowers which were wont to be the glory of it.

Verse 7

The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Knoweth — He approves, owns, and preserves them.

Verse 8

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

An over-running flood — His judgments like a mighty flood that overflows all banks, shall swallow up Assyria.

Thereof — Of Nineveh, that is Nineveh itself.

Darkness — Troubles, and desolating afflictions.

Verse 9

What do ye imagine against the LORD? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.

Against the Lord — What you imagine or design against his people, ye design against him? Make an utter end - He will bring you to utter desolation.

Verse 10

For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.

As thorns — They shall be like thorns easily burnt, and like thorns folded together which burn together, and help to destroy each other.

As drunkards — As men drunken, and unable to help themselves, so the Assyrians drunk with pleasure and pride, shall be surprised, and easily overthrown.

Verse 11

There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.

Come — Sennacherib, or Rabshekah.

Thee — From Nineveh.

Against the Lord — Against the people of the Lord, 2 Chronicles 32:1.

Verse 12

Thus saith the LORD; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.

They — The Assyrians.

Quiet — Be secure, and fear no dangers.

Yet thus — Irresistible, suddenly, and universally.

He — The angel of the Lord.

Thee — O Israel, I will no more use that rod.

Verse 14

And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

Thee — Thee, Sennacherib, and the whole kingdom of Assyria.

Be sown — None shall bear thy name, and title; but thy kingdom shall be swallowed up.

Verse 15

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.

Keep — Be careful to serve God.

Thy vows — Made in thy distress.

The wicked — That wicked oppressor, Sennacherib.