Nahum 1 4

Nahum 1:4 kjv

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

Nahum 1:4 nkjv

He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts.

Nahum 1:4 niv

He rebukes the sea and dries it up; he makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither and the blossoms of Lebanon fade.

Nahum 1:4 esv

He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; he dries up all the rivers; Bashan and Carmel wither; the bloom of Lebanon withers.

Nahum 1:4 nlt

At his command the oceans dry up,
and the rivers disappear.
The lush pastures of Bashan and Carmel fade,
and the green forests of Lebanon wither.

Nahum 1 verses

Nahum 1 4 Meaning

Nahum 1:4 vividly portrays the immeasurable power and terrifying majesty of the God of Israel. It asserts His absolute sovereignty over nature, demonstrating His ability to instantly control and dismantle the most formidable elements and the most verdant lands. "He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers" declares His ultimate dominion over chaotic and life-sustaining waters, revealing that nothing is beyond His command. Following this, "Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon fades" uses imagery of the most fertile and glorious regions of the ancient world to underscore that no natural strength, beauty, or human pride can stand before His divine wrath; all will decay and disappear at His word. This verse thus establishes God's unmatched capacity for judgment and desolation against anything that stands in defiance, setting the theological foundation for the imminent destruction of Nineveh.

Nahum 1 4 Context

Nahum 1:4 serves as a foundational declaration of God's fearsome power and righteous character, immediately following statements of His vengeance and anger in verses 2-3. It shifts from God's personal attributes to His cosmic authority, providing undeniable proof of His capacity to execute judgment. The verse is part of an introductory acrostic poem (or a partial acrostic, Nahum 1:2-8), building up the portrayal of a majestic and sovereign YHWH before the direct prophecy of Nineveh's destruction begins in Nahum 1:9.

Historically, Assyria, with its formidable capital Nineveh, was the dominant superpower that had conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel and threatened Judah. Nineveh itself was perceived as an impregnable fortress. For the oppressed people of Judah, God's promise to punish Nineveh (the theme of the book) was a profound source of hope. This verse ensures them that the God who controls the raw power of nature—drying mighty seas and fertile lands—can effortlessly overcome Nineveh's perceived might and pride, bringing utter desolation to what seemed unconquerable. It prepares the audience to understand that Nineveh's destruction will not be a mere political event, but a direct act of divine omnipotence and righteous judgment.

Nahum 1 4 Word analysis

• He rebukes (גָּעַר - ga‘ar): A strong, authoritative verb signifying a command that brings an immediate cessation or subduing of an unruly force. It implies complete dominance and often carries a tone of censure or threat against that which resists. This is God's powerful voice, not a mere suggestion.
• the sea (יָם - yam): Symbolizes chaotic forces, untamed power, or mighty nations that seem uncontrollable. In the ancient Near East, the sea was often associated with cosmic chaos or monstrous deities, making God's "rebuke" a powerful statement of His unrivaled supremacy over all forces.
• and makes it dry (יַבְּשֶׁנּוּ - yabbəšennū): From the verb יָבֵשׁ (yabesh), "to be dry, withered." This signifies an instantaneous and complete desiccation, highlighting God's immediate and effective power. It recalls instances like the parting of the Red Sea.
• He dries up (יַחֲרִיב - yaḥărîḇ): From חָרֵב (charev), "to dry up, lay waste, desolate." This verb is often used for laying a land desolate, emphasizing the destructive aspect and removal of all vitality and fruitfulness. It's a stronger term than merely 'drying.'
• all the rivers (כָּל־נַהֲרוֹת - kāl-nāhărôṯ): "All" emphasizes the comprehensive nature of this divine power; no source of water, life, or sustenance is exempt from His dominion. Rivers were lifelines for agriculture and human settlements.
• Bashan (הַבָּשָׁן - haBāšān): A famously fertile plateau region east of the Jordan River, known for its rich pastures, sturdy oaks, and strong livestock. It represented robust abundance, strength, and agricultural prosperity.
• Carmel (הַכַּרְמֶל - haKarmel): A prominent mountain range known for its lush vegetation, vineyards, forests, and great beauty. It symbolized natural beauty, fruitfulness, and grandeur.
• wither (אֻמְלַל - ʾumlal): From אָמַל (amal), "to languish, droop, be weak, fade." It describes a gradual but sure process of decay and loss of vigor, moving towards death. This shows the futility of even the strongest earthly things against God.
• And the flower (וּפֶרַח - ūp̄eraḥ): The most delicate and beautiful part of a plant, signifying the pinnacle of natural glory and splendor. Its fleeting nature already hints at transience.
• of Lebanon (הַלְּבָנוֹן - haLəḇānôn): Famous for its majestic cedar trees, which symbolized loftiness, grandeur, and pride, even in architectural achievements. Lebanon embodied peak earthly glory.
• fades (נָבַל - nāḇal): From נָבַל (naval), "to drop off, fall down, decay." While similar to "wither," naval often implies a more sudden falling away, or even disgrace, particularly fitting for a beautiful flower losing its form and falling to the ground. It signifies a complete collapse of splendor and vital force.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "He rebukes the sea and makes it dry; He dries up all the rivers.": This clause emphatically establishes God's absolute command over nature's most powerful and life-giving elements. By drying the sea and all rivers, God demonstrates His ability to remove the very foundations of life and chaos. This served as a theological polemic against pagan deities like Baal, who were worshipped for control over rain and fertility, showing YHWH's unparalleled and ultimate power. It paints a picture of instant, comprehensive desolation at God's decree.
• "Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon fades.": This group shifts focus to land-based symbols of fertility, beauty, and grandeur. Bashan and Carmel represented agricultural prosperity and natural splendor, while Lebanon's cedars were renowned for their majesty. Their "withering" and "fading" illustrate that nothing of earthly strength, beauty, or human pride can withstand God's judgment. It implies widespread ecological collapse or the spiritual and societal equivalent of utter ruin. The imagery highlights the pervasive and unstoppable nature of God's decree against human arrogance and perceived invincibility, ultimately directed towards nations like Assyria that boasted in their power.

Nahum 1 4 Bonus section

• God's Sovereignty and Chaos: The Hebrew word for "sea" (yam) in ancient Near Eastern cosmology was often associated with primordial chaos, Tiamat, or mythical sea monsters. God's ability to "rebuke" and dry it signifies His supreme power over chaos itself, contrasting sharply with polytheistic deities often depicted as struggling with or within such forces. This emphasizes Yahweh's unique role as the unchallenged Creator.
• Echoes in Later Prophecy: The imagery of drying up rivers, particularly great ones, recurs in eschatological prophecies, such as the drying of the Euphrates in Revelation 16:12. This consistent motif across the Testaments demonstrates a recurring divine pattern of clearing obstacles or removing support systems for impending judgment or a new movement of God's purpose.
• Literary Foreshadowing: The withering of Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon, famous for their bounty and splendor, metaphorically foreshadows the complete demise of Nineveh's own might and glory, stripping it bare of all its boasts. It ensures the audience that just as easily as nature succumbs, so too will a proud human empire.

Nahum 1 4 Commentary

Nahum 1:4 powerfully introduces the character of God who stands as Judge over Nineveh. It articulates His supreme authority over creation, leaving no doubt that His power far exceeds any earthly dominion, military might, or natural barrier. The ability to command the sea, symbol of primordial chaos and often of unruly nations, and render it dry, points to past acts of redemption (Red Sea, Jordan River) and foretells future judgments where nations fall. Drying up "all the rivers" speaks to the total removal of sustenance and vitality, leading to absolute barrenness. This comprehensive control is extended to the earth itself: the lush prosperity of Bashan and Carmel and the grand beauty of Lebanon are shown to wither and fade effortlessly under His power.

This verse serves multiple crucial purposes. Theologically, it asserts monotheistic sovereignty over all aspects of existence, countering any polytheistic belief that different gods govern different spheres of nature. Prophetically, it prefigures the inevitable desolation that awaits Nineveh, an empire that, despite its grandeur and might (like Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon), would completely collapse because of its wickedness. Spiritually, it serves as a warning against trusting in earthly strength or human achievement, reminding all that only God is truly unshakeable and eternal. It is a terrifying reality for God's enemies and an enduring comfort for His people, who find their hope in the power of the One who holds all creation in His hands and who justly brings an end to oppression and evil.