I. Name

Nahum, "Full of compassion," "Comforter," is called the Elkoshite, probably from the town where he lived. There has been much discussion as to the location of this town. The various conjectures are, a town on the Tigris, north of Nineveh, where his tomb is shown; Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, because that name might mean Village of Nahum; an unknown place in northern Galilee and a town in the south of Judah. The latter has most in its favor, although none of them can be relied upon.

II. Date

From the contents the date can be fixed within certain limits. From 3:8-10 we learn that No-Amon, the Egyptian Thebes, had been destroyed. This took place about 664 B. C. On the other hand, Babylonian records show that Nineveh fell 606 B. C. The prophecy was doubtless uttered in the earlier half of this period.

III. Style

Nahum occupies a foremost place in Hebrew literature. In boldness and vigor he approaches Isaiah. His description of the onslaught of the army besieging Nineveh, of the wild confusion and helpless dismay of the people, of the sweeping desolation which marks the overthrow of the city, have few equals in literary composition. Lowth, in his Sacred Poetry of the Hebrews, Lecture XXI., says, "None of the Minor Prophets seem to equal Nahum in boldness, ardor and sublimity. His prophecy, too, forms a regular and perfect poem; the exordium is not merely magnificent, it is truly majestic; the preparation for the destruction of Nineveh, and the description of its downfall and desolation, are expressed in the most vivid colors, and are bold and luminous in the highest degree."

IV. Contents

The book is entitled "The Burden or Oracle of Nineveh." By way of introduction he presents a noble hymn descriptive of the character and doings of Jehovah, i:2ff. In the second chapter the fall of Nineveh is described in a most realistic manner. We have the siege, with a picture of the advancing army, soldiers clad in scarlet, chariots flashing with steel, brandishing of spears, 3; the streets drenched with blood, 4; the rush to defend the walls, 5; the opening of the water-gates, the panic in the palace, the frantic efforts to escape, the mad rush of the invaders to secure plunder, 9; and the fear which causes paleness on the faces of the terrified inhabitants, 10.

In the third chapter the reason is given for such a fearful overthrow. The city is full of lies and rapine, 3:1; and whoredoms, 4. There will be none to comfort her, 7; her people will be as women, 13; they will vanish like locusts, 17; they will perish amid the exulting shouts of those who have suffered from her oppression, 19.

LITERATURE

Commentaries: Orelli; G. A. Smith, The Book of the Twelve Prophets; Keil and Delitzsch; Pusey. Hengstenberg's Christology; Robertson Smith, The Prophets of Israel; Farrar, The Minor Prophets; article "Hosea" in Bible Dictionaries of Smith and Hastings; Introductions of Driver, Keil, Bleek; Stanley, History of the Jewish Church.