Chronologically, Nahum is the fifth oldest book of the Minor Prophets. The writings of Jonah, Hosea, Amos and Micah are older.
Nahum contains three chapters and 47 verses total. It is tied with Joel, Habakkuk, Titus, 2Thessalonians, Zephaniah and 2Peter as the third smallest Biblical book in terms of chapters. It is tied as the seventh smallest book with 2Thessalonians in terms of total verses.
[Kingdom of Israel and Judah Map]
Date Written, Location
Nahum was written between 662 and 627 B.C. from the Kingdom of Judah.
The Author
The prophet references himself as "Nahum the Elkoshite." Unfortunately, this town is not mentioned elsewhere in the Bible and its location has long been a mystery. What is possible is that this city was one of the many within the Kingdom of Judah.
Scripture is also silent regarding the death and burial of Nahum. One tradition places his tomb in Alqosh in northern Iraq while others place his burial in Ramah of Galilee or Elcesei in Israel's West Bank area.
Nahum Chapter Outline
Chpt. 1: Nahum opening verse states the prophecies he will reveal were given him by God through a vision. His entire book is dedicated to God's judgment against Nineveh, the great capital city of the Assyrian Empire.
[What Seven Things Does God Hate?]
God reveals through Nahum that although he is slow to anger, he nevertheless executes judgment against those who oppose him. When the time comes, rather than overlooking the actions of the wicked, he promises to carry out swift and decisive punishment against the disobedient.
God fierce wrath is contrasted with his care and protectiveness for those who put their trust in him.
The Lord guarantees to carry out Nineveh's demise even to the point of preparing its grave!
And the Lord hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown . . . I will make thy grave; for thou art vile. (Nahum 1:14).
[Who Has God Personally Killed?]
God's people, the people of Judah, are promised that a time will come when the wicked will no longer have dominion over them.
Chpt. 2: God promises to restore Israel's glory since they were plundered and dominated by their enemies.
Those who oppose Nineveh (the Babylonians, Medes, etc.) will be mighty men whose shields are red and who possess swiftly moving chariots.
[Who Were King David's Mighty Men?]
Nahum 2:6, as well as what is mentioned in 3:13, reveals water will be used to break Nineveh's walls. Once the enemy enters the city its gates and bars will be set on fire.
Those who overrun Nineveh are encouraged to avail themselves of its vast store of silver and gold gained through trade and wickedness. The Lord closes the chapter by promising to be personally involved in the city's destruction.
[How Has Gold Fulfilled Prophecy?]
Chpt. 3: God now begins to detail the sins Nineveh committed to deserve the punishment it will receive.
Nineveh not only worshipped false gods, it was dedicated to promoting false information for its own advantage. Its indulgence in violence also earned it condemnation.
Nineveh was also known for enticing, like a prostitute, other nations and people to come under its rule. It may have even employed sorceries and witchcraft in order to gain influence over others!
Part of the Assyrian Empire's punishment, delineated starkly in Nahum 3:5, is that its sins would be made known to the world so that it could be shamed. Her glory would be stripped from her and she would receive what she deserved.
The chapter closes by comparing those taking Nineveh to a plague of locusts who will overrun the city and strip it clean. Those in the city, according to Nahum, will be slaughtered like sheep with their leaders unable to help because they will also be dead.