Prophetic Profile: Nahum

Only the name of Nahum’s town of origin is known. He was from Elkosh, however, it is unclear where this town is situated. The dating of Nahum also proves somewhat of a challenge. We know it is in the 7th century, after the destruction of Thebes in 664, and prior to the fall of Nineveh (612). Assyria is described in terms that suggest it is still a significant power, which places the book approximately before 630.

Nahum’s prophecy is against Assyria, the major authority of the day. Assyria’s power and expansion began under Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727) and peaked under Ashurbanipal (668-627?) with the capture of Thebes. Here, family politics begin to undermine Assyria’s dominance. Ashurbanipal’s father, Esarhaddon, directed that upon his death, Ashurbanipal should be king of Assyria, with his brother as king of Babylon, as a way to keep Babylonian power in check. Eventually, Samas-sum-ukin (Ashurbanipal’s brother) revolted. While Assyria won, it cost them considerably. Assyria’s weakening led to Babylon’s rise, and culminated with the capture of Nineveh, prophesied by Nahum.

No Jewish kings are mentioned in the book. If we place the date of Nahum between 664-630, Manasseh, Amon and Josiah would have ruled during his ministry. Manasseh and Amon were terrible kings. Josiah comes to power at the young age of eight, and is the last great king of Judah. He repairs the Temple and restores the observance of Passover (2 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27). His faithfulness to the Lord, and the implementation of reforms when the Book of the Law is discovered in 622/1, help postpone Judah’s impending exile.

Thematically, Nahum’s message is simple and terrible. The book describes itself as an oracle, vision and book, which is unusual for prophets. Typically their messages were orally transmitted and recorded later but the developed poetry in Nahum suggests it was simultaneously a written and oral tradition. God as Divine Warrior decrees Nineveh’s destruction, comparing it’s downfall with that of Thebes (3:8-11). Nineveh, as the enemy of God, will be destroyed, and salvation is once again promised to Judah.