Nahum 1 1

Nahum 1:1 kjv

The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

Nahum 1:1 nkjv

The burden against Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

Nahum 1:1 niv

A prophecy concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

Nahum 1:1 esv

An oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum of Elkosh.

Nahum 1:1 nlt

This message concerning Nineveh came as a vision to Nahum, who lived in Elkosh.

Nahum 1 verses

Nahum 1 1 Meaning

Nahum 1:1 serves as the authoritative superscription and introduction to the book of Nahum. It reveals the prophet's identity as Nahum, his hometown as Elkosh, and the specific target and nature of his divine message: a "burden" or oracle, which is a "vision," specifically concerning the great Assyrian city of Nineveh. This verse establishes the book as a direct, God-given revelation of judgment against one of Israel's most formidable oppressors, simultaneously implying comfort and deliverance for God's covenant people.

Nahum 1 1 Context

Nahum chapter 1 verse 1 stands as the doorway to a prophetic book exclusively focused on the impending destruction of Nineveh, the capital city of the mighty Assyrian Empire. Historically, Assyria had been a ruthless superpower, known for its military might and extreme cruelty, notably responsible for the conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC and the exile of its people. Judah, the Southern Kingdom, remained under the constant threat or direct oppression of Assyria for many years. The book's setting is generally placed after the Assyrian destruction of Thebes (No-amon in Egypt, referenced in Nahum 3:8-10) in 663 BC, and before the fall of Nineveh in 612 BC to the Babylonians and Medes. For the original audience in Judah, living under Assyrian dominance, this prophecy of Nineveh's downfall offered immense hope, reassurance, and comfort (as implied by the prophet's name, Nahum, meaning "comfort"), confirming God's ultimate sovereignty over the most formidable human empires and His faithfulness to His covenant people.

Nahum 1 1 Word analysis

• The burden (מַשָּׂא, massa’): This Hebrew term signifies more than just a heavy load; it denotes an "oracle" or a "prophetic utterance," especially one concerning a grave or weighty matter, often judgment or destruction. It indicates that the message conveyed is a divine pronouncement, originating from God, not merely human opinion. Its solemnity conveys the certainty and divine authority behind the message of impending doom for Nineveh.

• of Nineveh: This precisely identifies the direct recipient and subject of the divine oracle. Nineveh was not just any city, but the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire, notorious for its brutality, idolatry, and oppressive power over the ancient Near East, including God's people.

• The book (סֵפֶר, sepher): Refers to a scroll or written document. This highlights that Nahum's message was intended to be recorded and preserved, signifying its enduring authority, permanency, and its status as an official divine revelation rather than an ephemeral spoken word.

• of the vision (חֲזוֹן, chazon): Denotes a prophetic "seeing" or revelation, specifically a supernatural disclosure of divine truth. It emphasizes that the prophet received this message through a divinely-imparted revelation, making the pronouncement accurate and unchallengeable. This wasn't human foresight but God's insight into future events.

• of Nahum (נַחוּם, nachum): "Nahum" means "comfort" or "consolation." This name stands in powerful ironic contrast to the destructive message for Nineveh. While the prophecy spells terror for Nineveh, it inherently provides comfort and solace to Judah, who longed for deliverance from their oppressive Assyrian overlords. The prophet's name perfectly encapsulates the dual outcome of God's justice: destruction for the wicked, comfort for His afflicted people.

• the Elkoshite (אֶלְקֹשִׁי, ‘elqoshî): Identifies the prophet's geographical origin. While the exact location of Elkosh is debated among scholars (possibly in Judah or in Galilee, or even in Assyria itself after the exile), its mention grounds the prophet historically and personally. It provides authenticity and establishes his identity beyond just his name, even if the location itself is not definitively known today. This is common in prophetic superscriptions to establish provenance.

• "The burden of Nineveh": This phrase directly announces the weighty and severe nature of the prophecy directed specifically against Nineveh. It immediately focuses the reader on the target and the sternness of God's message.

• "The book of the vision": This grouping emphasizes the written and divinely revealed nature of the prophecy. It's an official, authoritative document (sepher) that originates from supernatural insight (chazon).

• "of Nahum the Elkoshite": This full phrase credits the prophecy to its human vessel and confirms his identity, establishing the prophet's divine calling and validating the message as authentically from God through His chosen messenger.

Nahum 1 1 Bonus section

The structure of Nahum 1:1 is typical of prophetic superscriptions, often including the prophet's name, ancestry, time period (implicitly here by mentioning Nineveh's eventual fall), and the object of the prophecy. This concise format instantly contextualizes the reader. The repetition of "of" (לַמַּשָּׂא, חֲזוֹן, נַחוּם) linking "burden," "vision," and "Nahum" emphasizes their intimate connection, suggesting the "burden" is the "vision" which was given to Nahum. The book of Nahum presents a powerful polemic not just against Nineveh, but implicitly against the Assyrian gods and their supposed protection. By pronouncing Nineveh's destruction, Yahweh asserts His ultimate supremacy over all other deities and earthly powers, demonstrating that the future of nations rests solely in His hands.

Nahum 1 1 Commentary

Nahum 1:1, as the prophetic superscription, is pregnant with meaning. It introduces a message unique among the Minor Prophets in its singular focus on the downfall of a foreign nation, Nineveh. The term "burden" signals a heavy, divinely-imposed oracle of judgment, not merely a prediction, but a pronouncement of certain doom. The specification of Nineveh immediately brings to mind its brutal empire and the widespread fear and suffering it inflicted, particularly upon Judah. The prophet's name, Nahum ("comfort"), despite the destructive content, is central. The destruction of Judah's oppressor IS their comfort, a demonstration of God's sovereign power over human kingdoms and His faithful vindication of His suffering people. The "book of the vision" emphasizes the authoritative, written, and divinely revealed nature of this comfort-through-judgment message. The meticulous introduction establishes divine authorship and human mediation, making it clear this is God's assured decree against His enemies and a source of hope for His own.