Bro. Romark S. Baynosa.
MMMP
Rev. Fr. Randy Flores. SVD
Let us meet: Prophet Nahum
When I first encountered the Book of Nahum, I was struck by its vivid imagery and powerful
message. The prophet Nahum, whose name means "comfort," delivered a message that was
anything but comforting to the Assyrians. So, the Title of book of Nahum is unusual; “An oracle
concerning of Nineveh”1 or this book is a “vision of Nahum of Elkosh”2 It directly signals the
content and focus of the prophet's message, which centers on the impending judgment and
downfall of Nineveh, “the capital of the Assyrian Empire” 3. Nahum's ministry took place during
Assyrian rule in the ancient Near East. Meaning, Nahum's ministry happened at a time when the
Assyrian Empire had tremendous power in the ancient Near East. The Assyrian Empire, known
for its great military prowess and merciless policies, dominated the region from the 9th to 7th
centuries BCE. This period of Assyrian rule was distinguished by aggressive expansion and
conquest of surrounding kingdoms, particularly the Northern Kingdom of Israel. And so, the
influence of Assyrian rule was significant and far-reaching. Both the Northern Kingdom of Israel
and the Southern Kingdom of Judah faced the harsh reality of Assyrian “meant freedom and
oppression”4. In 722 BCE, the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom, forcing its
inhabitants into exile and destroying their political sovereignty. Meanwhile, the Southern
Kingdom of Judah experienced ongoing attacks and incursions, living under the continual
shadow of Assyrian might.
1
Ausín, Santiago “Nahum” WILLIAM R. FARMER (ed.), The International Bible Commentary: A Catholic and
Ecumenical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press/ 1996). Pg. 1164
2
Ibid.,
3
Elizabeth Achtemier, Interpretation: A bible commentary for teaching and Preaching (USA: John Knox Press,1986)
5.
4
Robert B. Chisholm jr. “handbook of the Prophets”(USA:Baker Academic Publishing Group,2002) pg. 428
The Book of Nahum is a colorful and powerful work of prophetic literature, mostly comprised of
poetic oracles. Its framework is well-organized, highlighting the prophet's literary ability and
theological understanding. The book begins with a brief preface and superscription, "An oracle
concerning Nineveh.
Introduction and Superscription (1:1)
The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite. 5" This single verse establishes the
background for the entire book and identifies Nahum as the author. It focuses on Nineveh,
Assyria's capital, and prepares the reader for the subsequent judgments and prophesies.
The introductory Psalm had been composed two centuries later we would have to suppose that
a Deuteronomist writer had updated the old oracles against Nineveh, interpreting them as if they were
directed against Babylon6 (Ausín, Santiago, “Nahum” P. 1164)
Meaning. This hypothetical scenario would suggest that the writer, influenced by the
theological and historical perspectives of the Deuteronomist tradition, sought to reinterpret these
prophecies to address the contemporary context of Babylonian dominance. By doing so, the
updated texts would aim to provide relevant spiritual guidance and a sense of divine justice to the
people facing new oppressors. The focus would shift from the Assyrian threat to the Babylonian
empire, reflecting the changing political and social realities of the time.
Hymn of God’s Majesty and Wrath (1:2-15) - Following the introduction, Nahum sings a
hymn that praises God's greatness and depicts His anger on His enemies (1:2-15). “The Theme of
the “Wrath of God” reoccurs frequently in the old (cf. Exodus 20:1…) as an expression of the
5
Ausín, Santiago “Nahum” WILLIAM R. FARMER (ed.), The International Bible Commentary: A Catholic and
Ecumenical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press/ 1996). Pg. 1164
6
Ibid., pg.1164
sovereign power of God and of divine transcendent justice”.7 This part is intended to remind the
reader of God's might, justice, and sovereignty. It underlines that God is slow to anger but will
not let the guilty go unpunished. The imagery used here is powerful, with God portrayed as a
heavenly warrior who dominates nature and utilizes it to carry out His wrath. This hymn
establishes the book's theological tone, emphasizing Nineveh's unavoidable destruction as a
result of their immorality.
The Judgment and Fall of Nineveh (Chapters 2-3)- Chapters 2 and 3 are the heart of
Nahum's prophecy, chronicling the judgment and eventual collapse of Nineveh. Chapter 2
dramatically depicts the siege and destruction of the city. Nahum used dramatic and explicit
language to convey the turmoil and violence that will follow Nineveh's demise. The thorough
description not only predicts the event, but also elicits a strong emotional response from the
listener. Chapter 3 expands on this topic, citing a variety of reasons for Nineveh's destruction,
including brutality, deception, and idol worship. This portion supports the concept that Nineveh's
demise was the outcome of divine justice. Therefore, The vivid and strong language used by
Nahum in these chapters serves two purposes. On the one hand, it presents a vivid picture of
Nineveh's terrible fall, allowing the viewer to imagine the chaos and devastation that would
ensue. On the other side, it emphasizes the moral and ethical justifications for divine punishment.
By describing Nineveh's multiple crimes, such as severe violence, dishonest dealings, and idol
worship, Nahum indicates that their demise is not a random act of devastation, but a
premeditated act of divine justice. This prophetic narrative promotes the idea that activities
against God's will and
7
Ausín, Santiago “Nahum” WILLIAM R. FARMER (ed.), The International Bible Commentary: A Catholic and
Ecumenical Commentary for the Twenty-First Century (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press/ 1996). Pg. 1166
