Nahum
By Mary Jane Chaignot
Categories: Prophets
- Very little biographical information is known about any of these three prophets.
- Each wrote a book only three chapters in length.
- Nahum probably ministered first.
- His name appears once in the OT.
- His name probably means “consolation” or “comforter.”
- He is never called a prophet, but he was given an oracle or a vision.
- Some think his words aren’t prophecy at all, but liturgy – whether its festival or prophetic liturgy has yet to be determined.
- Nahum begins his book with an acrostic poem – the first letter of each line follows the Hebrew alphabet.
- His home was in Elkosh, although no one knows where that was.
- He lived during the height of the Assyrian empire.
- His message was basically an oracle against Nineveh.
- How difficult it must have been for him to predict the demise of Nineveh when the city was thriving and doing so well.
Bibliography
Craigie, Peter. "Twelve Prophets." Daily Study Bible Series. Philadelphia, PA: Westminster Press, 1984.
Gaebelein, Frank. "Nahum; Habakkuk; Zephaniah." Expositor's Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1985.
Mills, Watson and Richard Wilson. Mercer Commentary on the Bible. Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1995.
Smith, Ralph. "Micah-Malachi." Word Biblical Commentary. Dallas, TX: Word Books, 1984. |
