Nahum 1 8

Nahum 1:8 kjv

But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.

Nahum 1:8 nkjv

But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place, And darkness will pursue His enemies.

Nahum 1:8 niv

but with an overwhelming flood he will make an end of Nineveh; he will pursue his foes into the realm of darkness.

Nahum 1:8 esv

But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.

Nahum 1:8 nlt

But he will sweep away his enemies
in an overwhelming flood.
He will pursue his foes
into the darkness of night.

Nahum 1 verses

Nahum 1 8 Meaning

Nahum 1:8 proclaims God's decisive and inescapable judgment upon His enemies. It illustrates this divine action through two powerful images: first, an overwhelming "overflowing flood" that completely obliterates their stronghold ("its place"), and second, an inexorable "darkness" that relentlessly pursues those who stand against Him. This verse signifies total destruction and the futility of resistance against the Almighty's wrath, especially against Nineveh, the cruel Assyrian capital.

Nahum 1 8 Context

Nahum’s prophecy is singularly focused on the downfall of Nineveh, the capital of the oppressive Assyrian Empire. It provides a theological and historical backdrop for the destruction of Judah’s tormentor, promising relief and divine vindication to God’s suffering people. Nahum 1:2-8 functions as an introductory hymn (sometimes viewed as an acrostic poem), which delineates the awesome, unapproachable, and just nature of Yahweh.

Verse 8 stands in stark contrast to Nahum 1:7, which states, "The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knows those who trust in Him." This juxtaposition profoundly highlights God's dual nature: merciful and protective towards His faithful, but devastatingly destructive towards His adversaries. Chapter 1, verses 2-8, presents Yahweh as a God who is both jealous and avenging, one who has great power and will not at all acquit the wicked. The immediate historical context is Judah’s long suffering under Assyrian domination (mid-7th century BC), with Nineveh at its height of power and known for its brutality. This verse would have been a beacon of hope, reassuring Judah that God had not forgotten their plight and that their oppressor would indeed meet their end. It directly polemicizes against Assyrian boasts of invincibility, military might, and the efficacy of their numerous gods, asserting Yahweh's absolute sovereignty over all earthly powers and destinies.

Nahum 1 8 Word analysis

• But with an overflowing flood (וּבְשֶׁטֶף עֹבֵר, u·ḇə·šeṭep̄ ‘ō·ḇêr):

  • וּבְ (u·ḇə): "And with" or "But with." Introduces the divine action, linking it to the preceding description of God's character.
  • שֶׁטֶף (šeṭep̄): "Flood," "overflowing," "torrent." This term suggests an irresistible, overwhelming surge of water, often symbolizing divine judgment and military conquest. It portrays a natural disaster, yet implies divine agency. It directly challenges Nineveh's strong fortifications, which often incorporated water features or were near rivers, suggesting even these defenses would be overcome.
  • עֹבֵר (‘ō·ḇêr): "Passing over," "sweeping by," "overwhelming." Modifies šeṭep̄, emphasizing the unstoppable and sweeping nature of the judgment. It indicates the passage or arrival of this destructive force.

• He will make an utter end (כָּלָה יַעֲשֶׂה, kā·lāh ya·‘ă·śeh):

  • כָּלָה (kā·lāh): "Complete destruction," "annihilation," "utter end," "consumption." A strong term indicating totality and finality. It conveys a comprehensive, absolute cessation of existence. This is not mere defeat but obliteration.
  • יַעֲשֶׂה (ya·‘ă·śeh): "He will make," "He will do." Third person singular imperfect form of ‘āśāh, clearly attributing the action to God, emphasizing His sovereign power and initiative.

• of its place (מְקוֹמָהּ, mə·qō·w·māh):

  • מְקוֹמָהּ (mə·qō·w·māh): "Its place," referring to Nineveh, the seat of Assyrian power. This highlights not just the destruction of its inhabitants or military, but the complete effacement of its very physical existence and geographical presence. The city itself, along with its proud monuments, would cease to be recognized as a center of power.

• and darkness will pursue His enemies (וְאֹיְבָיו חֹשֶׁךְ יְרַדֵּף׃, wə·’ō·yə·ḇāw ḥō·šeḵ yə·raḏ·dêp̄):

  • וְאֹיְבָיו (wə·’ō·yə·ḇāw): "And His enemies." Identifies the target of God's judgment not merely as Nineveh, but as anyone, or any nation, in direct opposition to Yahweh. It personalizes the conflict—this is God's vengeance against His adversaries.
  • חֹשֶׁךְ (ḥō·šeḵ): "Darkness." A profound biblical symbol of calamity, judgment, despair, chaos, terror, and the absence of divine light or favor. It represents spiritual and physical doom. This "darkness" is an active, malevolent force here.
  • יְרַדֵּף (yə·raḏ·dêp̄): "He will pursue," "He will chase," "He will persecute." Imperfect form of rāḏap̄, signifying relentless and inescapable pursuit. It conveys that there is no hiding place, no escape, and no relief for those who oppose God. The darkness is not merely a consequence, but an active agent of torment that relentlessly hounds them.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "But with an overflowing flood He will make an utter end of its place": This phrase combines the method (overwhelming flood) with the outcome (total annihilation of the physical location). It speaks of God's destructive power using natural, irresistible forces to erase Nineveh from the map, ensuring no remnant or recognition of its former might. This imagery suggests Nineveh's eventual historical fate—it would be largely lost to history for centuries until archaeological discovery.
• "and darkness will pursue His enemies": This second part vividly depicts the fate of those who have set themselves against God. It signifies an inescapable, psychological, and spiritual torment—a doom so complete that even flight offers no escape. The "darkness" embodies a perpetual state of fear, judgment, and despair, demonstrating God’s wrath pursuing them even beyond initial conquest, leading to a profound, inescapable spiritual and existential darkness.

Nahum 1 8 Bonus section

• The historical fall of Nineveh in 612 BC, often recounted by historians like Diodorus Siculus, suggests that heavy rains and a resultant flood in the Tigris or its tributaries might have weakened the city's walls, allowing the Medes and Babylonians to breach them, giving historical credence to the "overflowing flood" imagery. This points to God's sovereign use of natural events in executing His judgment.
• The prophetic precision of Nahum regarding Nineveh's utter disappearance, as well as the active pursuit of its "enemies" (meaning the Assyrians themselves, including their culture and memory of dominance), is remarkable given how thoroughly Nineveh was forgotten for centuries until modern archaeology uncovered it.
• This verse provides an early, vivid picture of God's Day of Judgment, themes of which are later expanded upon throughout the prophetic books and ultimately in the New Testament concerning the final judgment and the defeat of all God's adversaries.
• The dramatic contrast between verse 7 (God's goodness and strength for His own) and verse 8 (His overwhelming judgment for enemies) encapsulates the core theological truth that God's character is not one-dimensional. He is both love and consuming fire, demonstrating His justice in protecting the righteous and punishing the wicked.

Nahum 1 8 Commentary

Nahum 1:8 functions as a critical declaration within Nahum's prophecy, articulating God's character as both righteous judge and formidable avenger. Following the tender promise of refuge in Nahum 1:7, this verse emphatically pivots to describe the wrath awaiting those who defy Him. The imagery of an "overflowing flood" is multifaceted, possibly referencing literal natural phenomena, God's use of conquering armies (like the Medes and Babylonians), or a potent metaphor for overwhelming divine force. It vividly portrays the irreversible nature of Nineveh's destruction. The Assyrian capital, famed for its massive walls and perceived invincibility, is destined to be swept away as if by an uncontrollable deluge, ensuring that its very "place" will be obliterated—a fate that historically befell Nineveh when it was destroyed in 612 BC and buried for millennia.

Furthermore, the relentless "darkness pursuing His enemies" symbolizes an inescapable judgment that extends beyond physical destruction. This darkness is not merely an absence of light, but a active force representing utter despair, chaos, and eternal separation from God's favor. It speaks to the terror and ultimate futility experienced by those who align themselves against the Most High. This verse powerfully underscores divine justice—Yahweh, who is slow to anger, does not ultimately acquit the wicked. For the suffering people of Judah, it served as a profound source of hope, affirming that God sees their affliction and will unfailingly deliver judgment upon their oppressors, bringing ultimate vindication.