Nahum 1:1

Introduction

1:1 The oracle against Nineveh;

the book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:

Nahum 1:4-5

1:4 He shouts a battle cry against the sea and makes it dry up;

he makes all the rivers run dry.

Bashan and Carmel wither;

the blossom of Lebanon withers.

1:5 The mountains tremble before him,

the hills convulse;

the earth is laid waste before him,

the world and all its inhabitants are laid waste.

Nahum 1:11

1:11 From you, O Nineveh, one has marched forth who plots evil against the Lord,

a wicked military strategist.

Nahum 1:14-15

Oracle of Judgment against the King of Nineveh

1:14 The Lord has issued a decree against you:

“Your dynasty will come to an end.

I will destroy the idols and images in the temples of your gods.

I will desecrate your grave – because you are accursed!”

Proclamation of the Deliverance of Judah

1:15 (2:1) Look! A herald is running on the mountains!

A messenger is proclaiming deliverance:

“Celebrate your sacred festivals, O Judah!

Fulfill your sacred vows to praise God!

For never again will the wicked Assyrians invade you,

they have been completely destroyed.”

Nahum 2:5

2:5 The commander orders his officers;

they stumble as they advance;

they rush to the city wall

and they set up the covered siege tower.

Nahum 3:4

Taunt against the Harlot City

3:4 “Because you have acted like a wanton prostitute –

a seductive mistress who practices sorcery,

who enslaves nations by her harlotry,

and entices peoples by her sorcery –

Nahum 3:6

3:6 I will pelt you with filth;

I will treat you with contempt;

I will make you a public spectacle.

Nahum 3:14-15

3:14 Draw yourselves water for a siege!

Strengthen your fortifications!

Trample the mud and tread the clay!

Make mud bricks to strengthen your walls!

3:15 There the fire will consume you;

the sword will cut you down;

it will devour you like the young locust would.

The Assyrian Defenders Will Flee

Multiply yourself like the young locust;

multiply yourself like the flying locust!