Editing Book of Nahum

{{Distinguish|Book of Nehemiah}}{{short description|Book of the Bible}}
{{Tanakh OT|Nevi'im|prophetic}}

The '''Book of Nahum''' is the seventh book of the 12 [[minor prophets]] of the [[Hebrew Bible]]. The book has three chapters.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Bible (online) |url=https://www.bible.com/}}</ref> It is attributed to the prophet [[Nahum]]. The most general historical setting of Nahum as a prophet was 663 BC to 612 BC, while the historical setting that produced the book of Nahum is debated, with proposed timeframes ranging from shortly after the [[Sack of Thebes|fall of Thebes]] in 663 BC to the [[Maccabean]] period around 175-165 BC.<ref> {{cite book |last=Christensen |first=Duane L. |title=Nahum: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary |year=2009 |publisher=Yale University Press |location=New Haven |series=Anchor Yale Bible |pages=53-54 |quote="The historical setting of the work of Nahum as a prophet is the fifty-year period between 663 and 612 BCE. These dates are fixed by reference to the fall of Thebes in 663 BCE, which is described as an event in the past (3:8), and by the fact that Nineveh was destroyed in 612 BC. Even with this relatively narrow window of time, however, the quest to recover the historical setting that produced the book of Nahum has produced at least six options: Soon after the fall of Thebes to Ashurbanipal in 663 BCE; Around the time of Ashurbanipal's death (ca. 630 BCE); Just before the fall of Nineveh in 612 BCE; Shortly after the fall of Assyria; After the fall of Assyria in the exilic and/or postexilic period; The Maccabean period (ca. 175-165 BCE)" |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z2BnIFlOA-kC&pg=PA53}}</ref> Another view, held by the ancient historian [[Josephus]], proposes that the book of Nahum was from the reign of [[Jotham]].<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/L326JosephusJewishAntiquitiesVIII1213|title=Vol. VI: Jewish Antiquities, Books IX–XI|last=Josephus|first=Flavius|publisher=William Heinemann|year=1958|series=Loeb Classical Library|volume=326|location=London|pages=[https://archive.org/details/L326JosephusJewishAntiquitiesVIII1213/page/n140 125]–129, XI.xi.2–3|translator-last=Marcus|translator-first=William}}</ref> This identification is supported by both the [[Greek language|Greek]] [[Septuagint]] and the [[Latin]] [[Vulgate]], both of which refer to Thebes in the present tense rather than the past tense.<ref>https://biblehub.com/sep/nahum/3.htm</ref><ref>https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum%203&version=VULGATE</ref>  Its principal theme is the destruction of the [[Assyria]]n city of [[Nineveh]].<ref>O'Brien, J. M., ''33. Nahum'', in Barton, J. and Muddiman, J. (2001), [https://b-ok.org/dl/946961/8f5f43 The Oxford Bible Commentary], p. 599</ref>

== Background ==
Scholars with a preference for [[Hebrew]] manuscripts place the writing of the book after the Assyrian king [[Ashurbanipal]]'s [[Sack of Thebes]] in 663 B.C. This view is the current majority opinion because the city of Thebes is referred to in the past tense in the Masoretic Text of Nahum 3:8-10. However, both the Septuagint and Vulgate refer to the city in the present tense, and the former opinion held by scholars was that Nahum lived about a century earlier, before both the [[Assyrian captivity|captivity of the ten lost tribes]] and the Sack of Thebes.<ref>https://biblehub.com/sep/nahum/3.htm</ref><ref>https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Nahum%203&version=VULGATE</ref> 

The first-century Jewish historian [[Flavius Josephus]]<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/L326JosephusJewishAntiquitiesVIII1213|title=Vol. VI: Jewish Antiquities, Books IX–XI|last=Josephus|first=Flavius|publisher=William Heinemann|year=1958|series=Loeb Classical Library|volume=326|location=London|pages=[https://archive.org/details/L326JosephusJewishAntiquitiesVIII1213/page/n140 125]–129, XI.xi.2–3|translator-last=Marcus|translator-first=William}}</ref> places Nahum's life during the reign of [[Jotham]]. This view was also held by the Catholic scholar [[Thomas Worthington (Douai)|Thomas Worthington]] in his notes for the original [[Douay-Rheims Bible]], writing: "Nahum prophesied about 50 years after [[Jonah]] ... 135 before the destruction of Niniveh."<ref>https://philologic.northwestern.edu/cgi-bin/philologic/getobject.pl?c.9:1:39.bie</ref> In this view, rather than Ashurbanipal, Nahum's prophecy would have been directed at [[Tiglath-Pileser III]], who revitalized the Neo-Assyrian Empire into a world power again and conquered most of the Levant, defeating and subjugating previously influential kingdoms, including [[Aram-Damascus]]. Tiglath-Pileser was contemporary with the reign of Jotham.

Some scholars hold that "the book of the vision" was written at the time of the [[fall of Nineveh]],<ref name="Kent H. Richards 2006" /> at the hands of the [[Medes]] and [[Babylon]]ians in 612 BC.<ref name="Coogan 2009">Michael D. Coogan, ''A Brief Introduction to the Old Testament'', (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009) 297–298</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Pinker|first=Aron|date=April–June 2005|title=Nahum – The Prophet and His Message|url=http://www.jbq.jewishbible.org/assets/Uploads/332/332_Nahump_4.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/http://www.jbq.jewishbible.org/assets/Uploads/332/332_Nahump_4.pdf |archive-date=2022-10-09 |url-status=live|journal=Jewish Bible Quarterly|volume=33|issue=2|pages=6}}</ref> possibly around 615 BC, before the downfall of Assyria.<ref name="Heaton, E. W. p. 35">Heaton, E. W., ''A Short Introduction to the Old Testament Prophets'', p. 35, Oneworld Publications, P.O. Box 830, 21 Broadway, Rockport, NA 01966, {{ISBN|1-85168-114-0}}</ref> The oracles must be dated after [[Sack of Thebes|the Assyrian destruction]] of [[Thebes, Egypt]] in 663&nbsp;BC, as this event is mentioned in Nahum 3:8.<ref name="Kent H. Richards 2006">Kent H. Richards, ''Nahum Introduction: The Harper Collins Study Bible'', (New York: Harper Collins, 2006) 1250</ref>

=== Author ===
{{Main|Nahum}}
Little is known about Nahum's personal history. His name means "comfort",<ref>Cook, G., [https://www.tyndalebulletin.org/article/29407.pdf Nahum's Prophetic Name], ''[[Tyndale Bulletin]]'', 67.1 (2016) 37-40, accessed on 14 September 2024</ref> and he came from the town of ''Elkosh'' or ''Alqosh'' (Nahum 1:1), which scholars have attempted to identify with several cities, including the modern [[Alqosh|`Alqush]] of [[Assyria]] and [[Capernaum]] of northern [[Galilee]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10670a.htm|title=CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Nahum|publisher=newadvent.org}}</ref> He was a very nationalistic Hebrew, and lived among the Elkoshites in peace.

=== Historical context ===
[[File:Nineveh map city walls & gates.JPG|thumb|Simplified plan of ancient [[Nineveh]], showing city wall and location of gateways.]]
The subject of Nahum's prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of Nineveh, which was the capital of the great and flourishing [[Assyria]]n empire at that time. [[Ashurbanipal]] was at the height of his glory. Nineveh was a city of vast extent, and was then the center of the civilization and commerce of the world, according to Nahum a "bloody city all full of lies and robbery",<ref>{{bibleverse|Nahum|3:1|KJV}}</ref> a reference to the Neo-Assyrian Empire's military campaigns and demand of tribute and plunder from conquered cities.

[[Jonah]] had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by [[Zephaniah]], who also predicted<ref>[[Book of Zephaniah|Zephaniah]] {{bibleverse-nb|Zephaniah|2:4–15|NKJV}}</ref> the destruction of the city.

Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire around 625 BC, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of Asia. Archaeological digs have uncovered the splendor of Nineveh in its zenith under [[Sennacherib]] (705–681 BC), [[Esarhaddon]] (681–669 BC), and [[Ashurbanipal]] (669–633 BC). Massive walls were eight miles in circumference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://members.bib-arch.org/publication.asp?PubID=BSBA&Volume=10&Issue=2&ArticleID=7|title=Destruction of Judean Fortress Portrayed in Dramatic Eighth-Century B.C. Pictures – The BAS Library|author=The Biblical Archaeology Society|date=24 August 2015 }}</ref> It had a water [[aqueduct (watercourse)|aqueduct]], palaces and a library with 20,000 clay tablets, including accounts of a creation in [[Enuma Elish]] and a flood in the [[Epic of Gilgamesh]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196202/nineveh.htm|title=Saudi Aramco World: Nineveh|publisher=saudiaramcoworld.com|access-date=2011-11-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708132641/http://www.saudiaramcoworld.com/issue/196202/nineveh.htm|archive-date=2011-07-08|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~dfalk/courses/bible/creation%20myths.htm|title=CREATION MYTHS IN THE ANCIENT NEAR EAST|publisher=uoregon.edu|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127035404/http://darkwing.uoregon.edu/~dfalk/courses/bible/creation%20myths.htm|archive-date=2011-11-27}}</ref>

The Babylonian chronicle of the fall of Nineveh tells the story of the end of Nineveh. [[Nabopolassar]] of Babylon joined forces with [[Cyaxares]], king of the Medes, and laid siege for three months.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.livius.org/ne-nn/nineveh/nineveh02.html|title=The fall of Nineveh Chronicle (ABC 3)|publisher=livius.org|access-date=2020-03-26|archive-date=2016-11-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161110013048/http://www.livius.org/ne-nn/nineveh/nineveh02.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Assyria lasted a few more years after the loss of its fortress, but attempts by [[Ancient Egypt|Egyptian]] [[Pharaoh]] [[Necho II]] to rally the Assyrians failed due to opposition from king [[Josiah]] of [[kingdom of Judah|Judah]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theology.edu/lec21.htm|title=ANE History: The End of Judah|publisher=theology.edu}}</ref> and it seemed to be all over by 609 BC.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/assy/hd_assy.htm|title=Assyria, 1365609 B.C.|publisher=metmuseum.org}}</ref>

== Overview ==
[[File:CodexGigas 114 MinorProphets.jpg|250px|thumb|The whole Book of Nahum in [[Latin]] as a part of [[Codex Gigas]], made around the 13th century.]]
Beyond its superscription, Nahum 1:1, the Book of Nahum consists of two parts:<ref name="Clark 1994">{{cite book | last1=Clark | first1=David J. | last2=Hatton | first2=Howard A. | year=1994 | title=The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah | location=New York | publisher=United Bible Societies | isbn=0-8267-0130-2 | page=1 }}</ref> a prelude in chapter one,<ref>[[Jerusalem Bible]] (1966), Nahum 1</ref> followed by chapters two and three, which describe the fall of Nineveh, which later took place in 612&nbsp;BC. [[Andrew B. Davidson|Davidson]] notes that there are two parts to the superscription:
*''The burden of Nineveh'', or "an oracle against Nineveh", probably an editorial addition, and 
*''The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite'', which "may ... have come from the hand of the prophet himself".<ref>Davidson, A. B. (1896), [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/cambridge/nahum/1.htm Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges] on Nahum 1, accessed on 16 September 2024</ref>

Nineveh is compared to [[Thebes (Egypt)|Thebes]],<ref>{{bibleverse||Nahum|3:8|NKJV}}: [[New King James Version]]</ref> the Egyptian city that Assyria itself [[Sack of Thebes|had destroyed]] in 663&nbsp;BC.<ref name="Kent H. Richards 2006" /> Nahum describes the siege and frenzied activity of Nineveh's troops as they try in vain to halt the invaders. Poetically, he becomes a participant in the battle, and with subtle irony, barks battle commands to the defenders. Nahum uses numerous similes and [[metaphor]] that Nineveh will become weak "like the lion hiding in its den". It concludes with a taunt song and funeral dirge of the impending destruction of Nineveh and the "sleep" or death of the Assyrian people and demise of the once great Assyrian conqueror-rulers.

== Surviving early manuscripts ==
The original text was written in [[Biblical Hebrew]].

Some early manuscripts containing the text of this chapter in [[Biblical Hebrew|Hebrew]] are the [[Masoretic Text]], which includes the [[Codex Cairensis]] (895), [[Aleppo Codex]] (10th century), and [[Leningrad Codex|Codex Leningradensis]] (1008).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=35-37}}

Fragments of this book were found among the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]] including [[Nahum Commentary|'''4QpNah''', known as the "Nahum Commentary"]] (1st century BC);<ref name="VanderKam, James C. 1994. p. 10-11">VanderKam, James C., The Dead Sea Scrolls Today, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994. pp. 10-11.</ref>{{sfn|Fitzmyer|2008|p=49}} 4Q82 (4QXII<sup>g</sup>; 1st century BC).<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh>{{Cite web|url=https://thewaytoyahuweh.com/dead-sea-scrolls/general-info/#nahum|title=Dead Sea Scrolls - General Info|website=thewaytoyahuweh.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | editor-last = Ulrich | editor-first = Eugene | editor-link = Eugene Ulrich | title = The Biblical Qumran Scrolls: Transcriptions and Textual Variants | year = 2010 | pages = [https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls/page/n632 616] | publisher = Brill | url = https://archive.org/details/TheBiblicalQumranScrolls |access-date= May 15, 2017 | isbn= 9789004181830}}</ref>{{sfn|Fitzmyer|2008|p=39}} and [[Wadi Murabba'at]] MurXII (1st century AD).<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh />{{sfn|Fitzmyer|2008|pp=140-141}}

There is also a translation into [[Koine Greek]] known as the [[Septuagint]], made in the last few centuries BC, with extant manuscripts including [[Codex Vaticanus]] ('''B'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>B</sup>; 4th century), [[Codex Sinaiticus]] ('''S'''; [[Biblia Hebraica (Kittel)|BHK]]: <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>S</sup>; 4th century), [[Codex Alexandrinus]] ('''A'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>A</sup>; 5th century) and [[Codex Marchalianus]] ('''Q'''; <math> \mathfrak{G}</math><sup>Q</sup>; 6th century).{{sfn|Würthwein|1995|pp=73-74}} Some fragments containing parts of this chapter (a revision of the Septuagint) were found among the [[Dead Sea Scrolls]], i.e., [[Greek Minor Prophets Scroll from Nahal Hever|Naḥal Ḥever (8ḤevXII<sup>gr</sup>; 1st century AD)]].<ref name=thewaytoyahuweh />{{sfn|Fitzmyer|2008|p=127}}

== Themes ==

=== The fall of Nineveh ===
[[File:Naum e Nínive destruída (Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal ALC.455, fl.300).png|thumb|[[Nahum]] and the destruction of [[Nineveh]]; Illuminated Bible from the 1220s, [[Biblioteca Nacional de Portugal|National Library of Portugal]]]]
Nahum's prophecy carries a particular warning to the Ninevites of coming events, although he is partly in favor of the destruction.<ref name="abp">{{cite web|url=http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/p52.htm|title=Nahum|work=aboutbibleprophecy.com}}</ref> One might even say that the book of Nahum is "a celebration of the fall of Assyria".<ref name="Coogan 2009" /> And this is not just a warning or speaking positively of the destruction of Nineveh, it is also a positive encouragement and "message of comfort for Israel, Judah, and others who had experienced the "endless cruelty"<ref name="dupref">[[Nahum 3:19]]</ref> of the Assyrians."<ref name="Coogan 2009" />

The prophet [[Jonah]] shows us where God shows concern for the people of Nineveh, while Nahum's writing testifies to his belief in the righteousness/justice of God<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/nahum.html|title=Nahum|publisher=earlyjewishwritings.com}}</ref> and how God dealt with those Assyrians in punishment according to "their cruelty".<ref name="dupref" /> The Assyrians had been used as God's "rod of […] anger, and the staff in their hand [as] indignation."<ref>Isaiah 10:5</ref>

=== The nature of God ===
From its opening, Nahum affirms God to be slow to anger, but that God will by no means ignore the guilty; God will bring his vengeance and wrath to pass. God is presented as a God who will punish evil, but will protect those who trust in Him. The opening passage states: "God is jealous, and the L<small>ORD</small> revengeth; the L<small>ORD</small> revengeth, and is furious; the L<small>ORD</small> will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The L<small>ORD</small> is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked".<ref>{{bibleref2|Nahum|1:2–3|KJV}} in the [[King James Version]]</ref>

"The L<small>ORD</small> is slow to anger and Quick to love; the L<small>ORD</small> will not leave the guilty unpunished."<ref>{{bibleref2|Nahum|1:3|NIV}}: (NIV)</ref>

"The L<small>ORD</small> is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."<ref>{{bibleref2|Nahum|1:7|NIV}}: (NIV)</ref>

== Importance ==
God's judgement on Nineveh is "all because of the wanton lust of a harlot, alluring, the mistress of sorceries, who enslaved nations by her prostitution and peoples by her witchcraft."<ref>{{bibleref2|Nahum|3:4|NIV}} NIV</ref> Infidelity, according to the prophets, related to spiritual unfaithfulness.<ref>Centre Column Reference Bible, (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1994) 1262</ref> For example: "the land is guilty of the vilest adultery in departing from the L<small>ORD</small>."<ref>{{bibleref2|Hosea|1:2|NIV}} NIV</ref> John of Patmos used a similar analogy in [[Revelation 17|Revelation chapter 17]].

The prophecy of Nahum was referenced in the [[deuterocanonical]] [[Book of Tobit]]. In Tobit 14:4 (NRSV) a dying Tobit says to his son Tobias and Tobias' sons:<ref>{{bibleref2|Tobit|14:4|NRSV}} NRSV</ref>
<blockquote>
[My son] hurry off to Media, for I believe the word of God that Nahum spoke about Nineveh, that all these things will take place and overtake Assyria and Nineveh. Indeed, everything that was spoken by the prophets of Israel, whom God sent, will occur. </blockquote>
However, some versions, such as the [[King James Version]], refer to the prophet [[Jonah]] instead.<ref>[https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Tobit-14-4/ Tobit 14:4 KJV]. Quote: ''"Go into Media my son, for I surely believe those things which '''Jonas''' the prophet spake of Nineve, that it shall be overthrown; and that for a time peace shall rather be in Media; and that our brethren shall lie scattered in the earth from that good land: and Jerusalem shall be desolate, and the house of God in it shall be burned, and shall be desolate for a time;"</ref>

== See also ==
* {{section link|Rape in the Hebrew Bible|Nahum 3}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Sources ==
* {{Cite book|title = A Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and Related Literature|last = Fitzmyer|first = Joseph A.<!--|authorlink= Joseph Fitzmyer--> |publisher = William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company| url= https://books.google.com/books?id=TILXeWJ2eNAC | year = 2008|isbn = 978-0-8028-6241-9|location = Grand Rapids, MI}}
* {{cite book | last = Würthwein | first = Ernst <!--| authorlink = Ernst Würthwein--> | title = The Text of the Old Testament | publisher = Wm. B. Eerdmans |location = Grand Rapids, MI | year=  1995 | translator-first1 = Erroll F.| translator-last1 = Rhodes |isbn = 0-8028-0788-7 | url= https://books.google.com/books?id=FSNKSBObCYwC | access-date= January 26, 2019}}
* {{eastons|Nahum}}

== External links ==
{{Wikisource|Nahum (Bible)|Nahum}}
{{Commons category|Book of Nahum}}
* [http://www.babylonjews.com/prophet-pictures/the-prophet-nahum/ Unique Pictures Of Nahum Tomb By Kobi Arami] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200909131651/http://www.babylonjews.com/prophet-pictures/the-prophet-nahum/ |date=2020-09-09 }}
* [[Judaism|Jewish]] translations:
** [http://www.chabad.org/library/archive/LibraryArchive2.asp?AID=15764 Nachum – Nahum (Judaica Press)] translation [with [[Rashi]]'s commentary] at Chabad.org
* [[Christianity|Christian]] translations:
** [http://www.gospelhall.org/bible/bible.php?passage=Nahum+1 ''Online Bible'' at GospelHall.org] (ESV, KJV, Darby, American Standard Version, Bible in Basic English)
** [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=nahum;&version=31; BibleGateway]
** [https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Nahum-Chapter-1/ Nahum – King James Version]
* {{librivox book | title=Nahum}} Various versions

'''Commentary'''
*{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Nahum}} This article also contains a section on the Book of Nahum.

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{{s-hou | [[Minor prophet]]s|||}}
{{s-bef | before= [[Book of Micah|Micah]] | rows = 2 }}
{{s-ttl | title  = [[Tanakh|Hebrew Bible]] }}
{{s-aft | after= [[Book of Habakkuk|Habakkuk]] | rows = 2 }}
{{s-ttl | title = [[Christianity|Christian]]<br />[[Old Testament]] }}
{{s-end}}
{{Book of Nahum}}
{{Books of the Bible}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nahum}}
[[Category:Book of Nahum| ]]
[[Category:7th-century BC books]]
[[Category:Twelve Minor Prophets| 07]]