NAHUM, BOOK OF

A collection of oracles exulting over the fall of nineveh, capital of Assyria, enemy of Yahweh and His people.

Division and Content. The book consists of five literary units, as follows: (1) An alphabetic psalm (1.2–10). The acrostic, however, is incomplete and the order somewhat disturbed. It describes a theophany of Yahweh, destroying His enemies and protecting those who trust in Him. The form and content of this section differ from the rest of the book. Many scholars, accordingly, hold that it is not Nahum's work; it may be earlier or later. The editor who collected Nahum's oracles and who is responsible for the present book probably inserted this psalm. As an introductory poem, it provides the proper light for viewing Nineveh's fall. (2) An oracle of doom against an Assyrian king, probably Sennacherib who invaded the land in 701 b.c. (1.11, 14). (3) An oracle of consolation for Juda (1.12–13; 2.1, 3). The theme common to these

verses is hope and comfort for Judah; she will no longer suffer from Assyria. Some scholars regard these verses as additions to Nahum's poetry. The evidence for this view is not very forceful. (4) Two poems on Nineveh's fall (2.2, 4–14:3.1–3). The first is a vivid war song that describes with great effectiveness the storming and plundering of Nineveh and the flight of her people. The second poem opens with a cry of woe for Nineveh. The description of the confusion of the stricken city is remarkably effective. (5) Two short satires on Nineveh's fall. The first (3.4–7) depicts Nineveh as a harlot; she will receive the punishment imposed on a harlot. The second satire (3.8–19) recalls the fate of Thebes (Noh), the ancient Egyptian capital. Nineveh is no better; a similar destruction awaits her. Assurbanipal, the Assyrian king, captured Thebes in 663 b.c. Nineveh fell to the Babylonians and Medes in the late summer (July-August) of 612 b.c.

Composition, Date, and Teaching. The Book of Nahum is a collection of oracles, edited like the other prophetic books of the old testament. Nahum's oral preaching probably took place during the period 626–612 b.c. Some modern authors have proposed a different view of the book; they consider Nahum a cultic work, a thanks-giving liturgy over the accomplished fall of Nineveh or a rogation liturgy praying for its fall. It is likely that Nahum was a temple prophet and perhaps associated with Josiah in the work of reform. But the textual evidence for these interpretations is scant.

Nahum is a thoroughgoing Israelite, a patriot who proclaims Yahweh's fidelity to His vine (2.3). More than once he affirms Yahweh's universal lordship of history. He always relates Nineveh's punishment to the sins of Assyria. Nahum's prophesying coincided with Josiah's reign, the period of great Deuteronomic reform. This may explain the absence of any reference to Israel's sins. Another explanation may simply be that not all of Nahum's oracles have been preserved.

Bibliography: a. george, Dictionnaire de la Bible, suppl. ed. l. pirot, et al. (Paris 1928–) 6:291–301. Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Bible, translated and adapted by l. hartman (New York 1963) 1601–02. b. vawter, The Conscience of Israel (New York 1961) 219–221. j. p. hyatt, "Nahum," Peake's Commentary on the Bible, ed. m. black and h. h. rowley (New York 1962) 635–636.

[j. moriarity]