Nahum 1

1 This is the burden [a message from God, prophecy] against Nineveh [the capital city of Assyria], the book [scroll, written document] of the vision [revelation, divine insight] of Nahum [a prophet of God] the Elkoshite [from Elkosh, a place of divine entanglement]: word study 2 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is a jealous [zealous, having God’s intense passion] and avenging [punishing, executing justice] God; the LORD is avenging [taking revenge, executing wrath] and full of wrath [intense anger, fury]. The LORD takes vengeance [punishment, retribution] on His foes [adversaries, enemies] and reserves wrath [anger, indignation] for His enemies [those who oppose Him, haters]. word study 3 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is slow [patient, longsuffering] to anger [face, countenance, nose] and great [powerful, majestic] in power [strength, might]; the LORD will by no means [not at all, entirely] leave the guilty [wicked, unrighteous] unpunished [uncleansed, unacquitted]. His path [way, journey] is in the whirlwind [hurricane, storm] and storm [tempest, strong wind], and clouds [cloudy, atmospheric] are the dust [small particles, powder] beneath His feet [steps, tread]. word study 4 He rebukes [sharp words, reprimands] the sea [a large body of water, the Mediterranean] and dries it up [to wither, dry up completely]; He makes all [every single one, everything] the rivers [like the Nile or Euphrates] run dry [to dry up, become desolate]. Bashan [a fertile region, known for its fruitful land] and Carmel [a fruitful and plentiful field, Mount Carmel] wither [to weaken, become feeble], and the flower [a blossom] of Lebanon [a mountain range, named for its white snow or limestone peaks] wilts [to languish, become weak]. word study 5 The mountains [tremble with fear] quake before Him, and the hills [dissolve] melt away; the earth [land, ground] trembles [is shaken, quakes] at His presence [face, sight]— the world [earth, all its inhabitants] and all [everything, every person] its dwellers [those who sit, remain]. word study 6 Who can withstand His [intense, burning] indignation [fierce anger]? Who can endure His [fiery, passionate] burning anger [fierce wrath]? His wrath [intense rage] is poured out [like molten fire, flowing forth] like fire [burning, flame]; even rocks [boulders, solid masses] are shattered [broken apart, torn down] before Him. word study 7 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] is good [beneficial, pleasing], a stronghold [strong place, refuge] in the day [time of need] of distress [trouble, vexation]; He cares for [knows, takes care of] those who trust [seek refuge, have faith] in Him. word study 8 But with an overwhelming [like water overflowing, tremendous] flood [a powerful and overwhelming event] He will make [to bring about, to accomplish] an end [consumption, complete destruction] of Nineveh [the place thereof, its location] and pursue [to chase after, to follow with hostile intent] His enemies [those who oppose Him, adversaries] into [the realm of] darkness [misery, destruction, or spiritual darkness]. word study 9 Whatever [what do ye imagine, devise] you plot [contrive, plan] against the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], He [the supreme God, Elohim] will bring [make, put an end to] to an end [consumption, complete destruction]. Affliction [distress, trouble] will not [never] rise up [arise, stand up] a second time [twice, again]. word study 10 For they will be entangled [like thorns, twisted together] as with thorns [prickly, troublesome] and consumed [devoured, utterly destroyed] like the drink [liquor, intoxicating beverage] of a drunkard [one who is intoxicated, staggering]— like stubble [dry straw, worthless] that is fully [completely, totally] dry [without moisture, barren]. word study 11 From you, O Nineveh [a city of great wickedness], comes forth [has gone out, one has emerged] a plotter [deviser, one who imagines] of evil [bad, morally wrong] against the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God], a counselor [adviser, one who counsels] of wickedness [worthless, ungodly, Belial]. word study 12 This is what the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] says: “Though they are allied [strong and numerous, in full strength] and numerous [many, a great multitude], yet they will be cut down [sheared, destroyed] and pass away [be removed, come to an end]. Though I have afflicted [humbled, oppressed] you, O Judah [the people of God’s covenant], I will afflict [trouble, humble] you no longer [not again, still]. word study 13 For I will now [at this time, in this moment] break [shatter, rupture] their yoke [rod, burden] from your neck [upon you, above you] and tear [pull away, separate] away your shackles [bonds, restraints].” word study 14 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] has issued a command [to appoint or ordain] concerning you, O Nineveh: “There will be no descendants [no more of your name be sown, no legacy] to carry on your name [your identity, honor, and character]. I will cut off [destroy, eliminate] the carved image [graven image, idol] and cast idol [molten image, false god] from the house [dwelling place, temple] of your gods [Elohim, false deities]; I will prepare [set, appoint] your grave [place of burial, final rest], for you are contemptible [vile, despised, brought into contempt].” word study 15 Look [Behold, See] to the mountains [hills]— the feet of one who brings good news [tidings, glad tidings], who proclaims peace [salvation]! Celebrate [Keep, Observe] your feasts [festivals], O Judah; fulfill [perform, complete] your vows. For the wicked [worthless, evil one] will never again march [pass] through you; they will be utterly [completely, totally] cut off [destroyed, eliminated]. word study