Nahum
From the Greek Septuagint
About
Nahum is the record of a prophecy by the Prophet Nahum.
It was written sometime during the mid-7th Century BC, and is a proclamation against the Assyrians (the world empire of that time), who had destroyed the northern 10-tribe Kingdom of Israel in the previous century.
Nahum refers to himself as an Elkoshite, which may be a reference to the City of Alqosh in Assyria, where the Bible tells us that the 10 tribes of IsraEl had been relocated by the Assyrians in the 8th Century BC. Interestingly, Kurds live in that area today, and DNA evidence shows that Kurds are closely related to modern Jews.
Source
We’ve translated it from Greek Septuagint manuscripts dating from the 300s AD; that makes our sources about 600 years older than the traditional Hebrew text used by other Bibles. Learn why.
Translation
- Known and suspected fake words and phrases commonly included in popular translations are
[greyed-out], followed by a link to our spurious texts article. - Alternative translations and editor notes appear [like this].
- Text that’s missing from our source manuscript, but filled in from another source, is marked with [[double brackets]].
- Prophetic books often include not two, but three voices: That of the prophet, the messenger (often called the Lord), and God Himself. Most other translations do not understand this, causing confusion. Learn more.
- Where text appears to be poetry (or was translated from poetry), we’ve tried to recreate a poetic cadence. Learn more.
- All circumlocutions for God’s Name appear as '[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”'. You can change this to '[Yahweh]' or “Lord” in your settings.
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- The original texts had no chapter or verse numbers, paragraph breaks, line breaks, margins, punctuation, or capital letters. These are all added for clarity, but be aware that they can sometimes subtly alter the meaning. Learn more.
- Words [inserted] by the translator for clarity are always in [brackets]. These are not part of the original source text. Learn more.
1
1The concern over Nineveh.
This is the scroll of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite:
2‘Because He’s very zealous,
[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” won’t fail to punish.
In His rage, [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” will punish
All those who are standing against Him…
He will destroy all those who oppose Him.
3‘[Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” is patient and mighty,
And the [guilty], [He] won’t acquit.
For His ways are rumbling and final.
4‘There are clouds of dust under His feet,
And He can squeeze the seas and cause them to dry.
He also desolates rivers,
Which is how He weakened BaShan and CarMel,
And it’s why Lebanon’s blossoms have failed.
5‘Before Him, the mountains have shaken,
And [before Him], the hills have all trembled.
They rise at His presence throughout the whole earth,
As do all [the peoples] who dwell there.
6‘Before His rage, who can stand…
Yes, who can withstand His anger?
For, sovereign rulers melt at His rage,
And even the rocks split apart.
7‘Yet He’s kind to those who [put faith] in Him
In their day of affliction…
And He knows all those who respect Him.
8‘Like a downpour, He wipes away and consumes
All those who have been roused [to oppose Him],
And He chases His enemies into the dark.
9‘So against [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, what plans can you make,
For He can wipe you away.
But He won’t punish you twice,
Or punish you for the same [errors].
10‘His enemy’s [cities], He will lay bare
To their very foundations.
Like twisted yews, they’ll be burned…
As though they’re very dry stubble.
11‘Yet, against [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, you’ve made plans…
Against Him, you’ve made wicked plans.
12So [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” (who rules all the waters) says this:
‘I’ll send them away
And they’ll not be heard from again.
13For I’ll lift their whips from [your backs],
And I’ll remove all their shackles.’
14‘It was concerning [the Assyrians], that [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” said this:
‘Your name won’t be mentioned again;
For, I’ll destroy all your idols
(Those which you molded and carved),
Then a time will be set for your funeral,
Which will arrive very soon!
15‘Look! Upon the mountains, he’s coming…
The feet of the one announcing good news
And the one with reports about peace!
‘So in Judah, declare a holiday [feast],
And you must get ready to pay all your vows,
So that never again will they enter [your gates],
Nor again, should they see your corruption.’
2
1‘Now He’s finished [His work] and He’s consumed…
This One who came and breathed in your face…
This One who [brought] you affliction!
‘So, watch the roads and [wrap up] your loins…
Be very manly and strong!
2For [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” has taken away
The haughtiness of Jacob’s [tribes],
As well as IsraEl’s insolent ways.
‘And now, He’s ready to shake off
Those who have been shaking you,
And He’ll bring their branches to ruin.
3For under Him, there are men who have weapons,
And laugh at fire, because of their might.
‘Their chariots have now been prepared,
And their horsemen will make many wail.
4Their chariots will wreak havoc along all the roads,
And thereafter, they’ll meet in [Assyria’s] squares.
‘The sight of them is like burning lamps,
And lightning [is found in their wake].
5‘So all of [Assyria’s] mighty men
Should stop and think about this…
For in the daytime, they’ll flee.
And as they leave, they’ll be feeble,
Then between their walls, they’ll run
From the troops in the lead that arrive.
6‘Then their city gates will be opened wide,
And all their great homes will be ruined…
7Yes, all their supports will lie bare.
‘Then their [women] will appear with their servants,
And as meek as doves, they’ll be led away
To the flutter of their own beating hearts.
8‘For, Nineveh is a pool amidst waters,
And her men won’t resist, they’ll just flee
When no one is paying attention.
9‘So their silver and gold will be looted…
There are no limits to all that they’ll take.
And those looters will then be weighed down
With [the city’s] most desirable things.
10‘There’ll be thrusting, shaking, and tumult…
Hearts will be breaking and knees will be weak…
Loins will all become loose,
And their faces will look like burned pots!
11‘So, where is this great lion’s den…
Yes, where is the pasture [where she hides] her cubs…
Where has the [great] lion gone?
She’s gone away to be with her cubs
Who ran when there was nothing to fear.
12‘She is the same lion that once snatched away
All that her cubs had required.
And for her, the cubs strangled their prey,
Until their den became filled with game…
Their home was filled with the things she’d seized.
13[‘And God says:]
‘But look!
I’m the One who is coming against you,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord”, the Almighty,
‘And all of your army, I’ll burn into smoke.
‘I’ll devour your lions with the broadsword,
And I’ll take all the game from your land,
So that none of the things you’ve accomplished
Will ever be mentioned again.’
3
1‘O you city of blood
And of all that is false and unrighteous:
‘You’ll no longer be in charge of your game.
2For the sounds of whips, [you will hear],
Along with the rumble of [chariot] wheels…
The hot pursuits upon horses,
And the dust that they’ll raise with their wheels…
3The attacks of men riding steeds…
The shine of their swords and the flashing of shields.
‘Great multitudes will be slaughtered;
For a downfall is coming to you.
Unnumbered nations will come there,
And from [looting and rape], they will tire.
4‘You’re a whore who once satisfied men,
And in the making of potions, you took the lead.
Then you sold your whoring to the nations,
And your potions, you sold to their tribes.
5‘So look… I’m the One who is against you,’
‘…says [Jehovah][Yahweh]“Lord” the Almighty!
‘I will uncover your backside,
And show all the nations your shame…
Other kingdoms will see your dishonor!
6‘Because of all your uncleanness,
I’ll bring what’s disgusting upon you…
I’ll use you as an example.
7‘Then, all who see you will leave you and say:
‘O Nineveh, you great wretched one;
Who will now mourn over you?
And where can they search to send comfort?’
8‘So, tune up the strings of your lyres,
And prepare your potions for Amun
([Your god] who inhabits the rivers);
For your walls are surrounded by water,
From which you have ruled all the way to the sea.
9‘Although Ethiopia and Egypt have served as your strength,
They’ll [be no help] when you’re taken away…
There’ll just be Libya and the Sudan
That will come to your aid.
10‘Your [people] will be captured and taken to exile,
And your infant’s [heads] will be dashed on the walls.
For your honorable things, they’ll cast lots,
As your great men are tethered and bound.
11‘So, you’ll be provoked and get drunk,
As from your enemies, you seek shelter.
12But what will happen to those in your forts,
Is the same as what will happen to you.
‘For, you will then be the fruit…
And when they start shaking the [tree],
You will fall into the mouths
Of those who have come to consume you.
13‘Look! Your enemies will view you as women,
So they’ll burn the bars off your gates
And open all doors throughout your land!
14‘Then you’ll have to draw water from your rivers
To rescue all of your burning forts!
So, you should tread mortar and mix it with straw…
Then make it stronger with bricks!
15For fire and the sword will destroy you…
They will consume you like locusts,
And by grasshoppers, you’ll be oppressed.
16‘Although you once grew your trade higher
Than all the stars in the skies;
Grasshoppers are coming to spread [over you]…
17Small locusts will leap and consume,
And cover your fences like frost.
Then, as the sun rises, they’ll just hop away…
And woe, because you won’t know where they’ve gone!
18‘And you, O Assyria’s king;
All of your shepherds have fallen asleep
And all of your mighty are resting.
Your people [have fled] to the mountains,
And no one is searching for them.
19Thus there’ll be no one to heal your destruction,
And your wounds will soon be inflamed.
‘Yet, those hearing this message about you
Are all now clapping their hands…
For to them, you have done evil things.’
Public Domain
This particular version of the translated text is public domain.
It will soon be replaced with a significantly updated version which will be freely available under a Creative Commons license.