Nahum 1 2

Nahum 1:2 kjv

God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Nahum 1:2 nkjv

God is jealous, and the LORD avenges; The LORD avenges and is furious. The LORD will take vengeance on His adversaries, And He reserves wrath for His enemies;

Nahum 1:2 niv

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD takes vengeance and is filled with wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on his foes and vents his wrath against his enemies.

Nahum 1:2 esv

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and wrathful; the LORD takes vengeance on his adversaries and keeps wrath for his enemies.

Nahum 1:2 nlt

The LORD is a jealous God,
filled with vengeance and rage.
He takes revenge on all who oppose him
and continues to rage against his enemies!

Nahum 1 verses

Nahum 1 2 Meaning

Nahum 1:2 declares fundamental attributes of the Lord (YHWH): His holy jealousy, His active role as an avenger, and His settled, righteous wrath against His adversaries and enemies. This verse asserts God's intense zeal to protect His honor, covenant, and people, ensuring that sin, especially oppression against His chosen ones, does not go unpunished. It establishes the theological foundation for the severe judgment prophesied against Nineveh.

Nahum 1 2 Context

Nahum 1:2 serves as the theological bedrock for the entire prophecy of Nahum, which is primarily a declaration of judgment against Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. Assyria had been the oppressive imperial power, conquering the Northern Kingdom of Israel and repeatedly threatening and harassing the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This verse, coming after a title verse (Nahum 1:1), immediately establishes the character of God as the one who will act decisively against such an enemy. It is a foundational truth affirming God's justice and sovereignty over nations. It sets the stage for both the destruction of Nineveh and the restoration/comfort of Judah.

Nahum 1 2 Word analysis

• The Lord (YHWH, יְהוָה): Refers to the personal covenant God of Israel. This is the distinct name of God, emphasizing His self-existent, faithful, and relational nature, especially in His dealings with His people and the nations. His actions stem from His unchanging character.
• is a jealous God (קַנּוֹא אֵל, qannō’ ’Ēl): "Jealous" (qannō’) in God's character is not human envy but a zealous, fierce demand for exclusive devotion and worship, guarding His covenant honor and protecting His people and truth. It signifies His burning zeal for righteousness and His refusal to share His glory. "God" (’Ēl) refers to God in His supreme power and might. This phrase highlights His unyielding commitment to His unique status and His covenant relationship.
• and avenging (וְנוֹקֵם, wə-nōqēm): "Avenging" (nōqēm) means to execute justice, punish wrongdoing, or bring retribution. It emphasizes God's active role in delivering justice against those who inflict harm, particularly against His people or who defy His divine order. This is a righteous vengeance, not vindictive malice.
• The Lord is avenging and wrathful: A repetition emphasizing God's avenging nature and introducing "wrathful." The repetition intensifies the declaration, confirming the certainty of His justice.
• wrathful (בַּעַל חֵמָה, ba‘al ḥēmāh - literally, "possessor of wrath" or "master of wrath"): This powerful idiom indicates that wrath is an inherent attribute of God, one He controls and employs righteously. It signifies His righteous indignation and strong displeasure against sin and evil.
• The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries: Reinforces the specific target of His vengeance – "His adversaries" (ṣārîm). These are those who actively oppose or distress Him and, by extension, His people. They are often nations or individuals hostile to God's purposes.
• and stores up wrath for His enemies: "Stores up" (nōṭēr) implies a settled, determined disposition, not a fleeting emotion. God's wrath is deliberate and just, not capricious. It underscores that His patience is not endless and judgment will surely come. "His enemies" (’ōyḇāw) refers to those who are hostile and actively resist God's authority and dominion.
• Words-group Analysis: The repetition of "The Lord is" three times, along with the reiteration of "avenging," creates a powerful, emphatic declaration. This anaphora builds a crescendo of divine attributes, establishing God's unwavering character as a just and active judge. The parallelism emphasizes the interconnectedness of God's jealousy, vengeance, and wrath, all flowing from His holy nature. The final clause, "stores up wrath for His enemies," underscores the deliberateness and certainty of divine judgment.

Nahum 1 2 Bonus section

• The repetitive structure, especially the use of anaphora (beginning clauses with "The Lord"), serves to emphasize the attributes of God, highlighting His active and unyielding commitment to justice.
• This verse can be seen as reflecting the stern aspect of God's character as revealed in Exodus 34:6-7, which describes the Lord as "merciful and gracious" yet also one who "will by no means clear the guilty." Nahum 1:2 focuses on the latter aspect in the context of judging the wicked.
• The concepts here stand in stark contrast to the often fickle and morally ambiguous deities of pagan pantheons. The God of Israel’s "vengeance" and "wrath" are rooted in His unchanging righteousness and justice, ensuring moral accountability for all nations.

Nahum 1 2 Commentary

Nahum 1:2 powerfully articulates a fundamental truth about God's character: He is a holy, active, and just judge. This verse counters any notion of a passive or indifferent deity. His "jealousy" is a righteous zeal for His own honor and the integrity of His covenant, not a human flaw. This holy passion compels Him to be an "avenger," executing justice against those who oppress or defy Him. His "wrath" is not arbitrary anger but a settled, righteous indignation against sin, especially manifest against "adversaries" and "enemies" who stand against His purposes and people. This robust declaration serves as the bedrock for the subsequent prophecy, guaranteeing that the formidable Assyrian Empire, Nineveh, despite its perceived might, cannot escape the judgment of this just and sovereign God.