Difference between revisions of "Book of Nahum" - New World Encyclopedia
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The '''Book of Nahum''' is one of the Books of the [[Minor Prophets]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]] ([[Christianity|Christian]] [[Old Testament]]), written by the eponymous prophet. | The '''Book of Nahum''' is one of the Books of the [[Minor Prophets]] in the [[Hebrew Bible]] ([[Christianity|Christian]] [[Old Testament]]), written by the eponymous prophet. | ||
| − | ==Authorship and Historical Context== | + | ==Authorship and Historical Context== |
| + | As with many of the Biblical prophets, little is known of Nahum, the author of the seventh text in the Hebrew Bible's [[Minor Prophets|minor prophetic]] corpus. | ||
[[Nahum]] prophesied, according to some, in the beginning of the reign of [[Ahaz]] ([[740s B.C.E.]]). Others, however, think that his prophecies are to be referred to the latter half of the reign of [[Hezekiah]] ([[700s B.C.E.]]). Probably the book was written in [[Jerusalem]], where he witnessed the invasion of [[Sennacherib]] and the destruction of his host ([[Books of Kings|2 Kings]] 19:35). | [[Nahum]] prophesied, according to some, in the beginning of the reign of [[Ahaz]] ([[740s B.C.E.]]). Others, however, think that his prophecies are to be referred to the latter half of the reign of [[Hezekiah]] ([[700s B.C.E.]]). Probably the book was written in [[Jerusalem]], where he witnessed the invasion of [[Sennacherib]] and the destruction of his host ([[Books of Kings|2 Kings]] 19:35). | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Overview== | ||
| + | |||
The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of [[Nineveh]], the capital of the great and at that time flourishing [[Assyria|Assyrian empire]]. [[Assur-bani-pal]] was at the height of his glory. Nineveh was a city of vast extent, and was then the center of the civilization and commerce of the world, a "bloody city all full of lies and robbery" (Nahum 3:1), for it had robbed and plundered all the neighboring nations. It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy. One popular verse is 3:5, "Behold, I am against thee, saith [[YHWH]] of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame." This is very symbolic showing that Nineveh was known for being a city full of [[prostitution|prostitutes]]. | The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of [[Nineveh]], the capital of the great and at that time flourishing [[Assyria|Assyrian empire]]. [[Assur-bani-pal]] was at the height of his glory. Nineveh was a city of vast extent, and was then the center of the civilization and commerce of the world, a "bloody city all full of lies and robbery" (Nahum 3:1), for it had robbed and plundered all the neighboring nations. It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy. One popular verse is 3:5, "Behold, I am against thee, saith [[YHWH]] of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame." This is very symbolic showing that Nineveh was known for being a city full of [[prostitution|prostitutes]]. | ||
[[Jonah]] had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by [[Zephaniah]], who also predicted ([[Book of Zephaniah|Zephaniah]] 2:4-15) the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled (625 B.C.E.) when Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of [[Asia]]. | [[Jonah]] had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by [[Zephaniah]], who also predicted ([[Book of Zephaniah|Zephaniah]] 2:4-15) the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled (625 B.C.E.) when Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of [[Asia]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Stylistic Elements== | ||
| + | <acrostic><assonance, internal rhyme, etc.> | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | ==Themes== | ||
| + | ===[[Yahweh|YHVH]] as Vengeful Warrior=== | ||
| + | |||
| + | <problematic nature of this characterization> | ||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
Revision as of 23:54, 22 November 2007
| Books of the |
| Tanakh Torah | Nevi'im | Ketuvim Books of Nevi'im |
| First Prophets |
|---|
| 1. Joshua |
| 2. Judges |
| 3. Samuel |
| 4. Kings |
| Later Prophets |
| 5. Isaiah |
| 6. Jeremiah |
| 7. Ezekiel |
| 8. 12 minor prophets |
The Book of Nahum is one of the Books of the Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible (Christian Old Testament), written by the eponymous prophet.
Authorship and Historical Context
As with many of the Biblical prophets, little is known of Nahum, the author of the seventh text in the Hebrew Bible's minor prophetic corpus.
Nahum prophesied, according to some, in the beginning of the reign of Ahaz (740s B.C.E.). Others, however, think that his prophecies are to be referred to the latter half of the reign of Hezekiah (700s B.C.E.). Probably the book was written in Jerusalem, where he witnessed the invasion of Sennacherib and the destruction of his host (2 Kings 19:35).
Overview
The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the great and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire. Assur-bani-pal was at the height of his glory. Nineveh was a city of vast extent, and was then the center of the civilization and commerce of the world, a "bloody city all full of lies and robbery" (Nahum 3:1), for it had robbed and plundered all the neighboring nations. It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy. One popular verse is 3:5, "Behold, I am against thee, saith YHWH of hosts, and I will uncover thy skirts upon thy face; and I will show the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame." This is very symbolic showing that Nineveh was known for being a city full of prostitutes.
Jonah had already uttered his message of warning, and Nahum was followed by Zephaniah, who also predicted (Zephaniah 2:4-15) the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled (625 B.C.E.) when Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of Asia.
Stylistic Elements
<acrostic><assonance, internal rhyme, etc.>
Themes
YHVH as Vengeful Warrior
<problematic nature of this characterization>
Notes
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- Davidson, A. B. (Reverend). The Books of Nahum, Habakkuk and Zephaniah. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1905.
- Garcio-Treto, Francisco O. "Nahum." The New Interpreter's Bible (Vol. VII). Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1994-2004. ISBN 0687278201.
- Hirsch, Emil G. and Price, Ira Maurice. "Book of Nahum" in The Jewish Encyclopedia. 2002.
- Koch, Klaus. The Prophets: The Assyrian Period. Philidelphia: Fortress Press, 1982. ISBN 0800617568.
- O'Brien, Julia M. "Nahum." The Oxford Bible Commentary. Edited by John Barton and John Muddiman. Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0198755007.
- Souvay, Charles L. "Nahum" in The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911.
This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897.
External links
All links retrieved November 22, 2007
- Jewish translations:
- Nachum - Nahum (Judaica Press) - Chabad.org
- Christian translations:
- Online Bible - GospelHall.org
- Nahum - BibleGateway
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