Via Emmaus Bible Reading Plan: A Few Resources on Nahum

This month our Bible reading plan takes us to the Minor Prophets. To help us assemble these books and understand their message, here are a number of resources to Nahum, the first book of The Twelve. You can find more information about the Minor Prophets here.

Historical Context

Nahum is another Minor Prophet who lacks an historical introduction. Nevertheless, we can piece its historical context together from a number of factors. First, it comes after Jonah, which records the repentance of Nineveh (circa 760 B.C.). Second, as it foretells the judgment of Nineveh, it approaches the historical downfall of that city (612 B.C.). Yet, the city is still prospering as Nahum writes (see Nahum 1:12; 2:11–13; 3:1, 4). Therefore The ESV Study Bible places it between 660–614 B.C. and states,

Nahum likely prophesied sometime between the zenith of Assyria’s power around 664 B.C. and the fall of Nineveh in 612. During this time the Assyrian Empire was in decline as Egypt, Judah, and Babylonia (with the help of the Medes) regained autonomy and eroded the power of Assyria. Nahum foretold of the fall of Nineveh, the capital of the mighty Assyrian Empire.

An Outline of Nahum

Nahum is a dark book, but one that demonstrates the holy justice of God. It is important to read with the other Minor Prophets, especially Jonah, as it unfolds the full character of God revealed in Exodus 34:6–7. Here are a few outlines of the book’s message.

The Bible Project

God Appears . . . (ch. 1)
1. . . . to judge evil in the nations (1:1–8)
2. . . . to separate the fate of the nations from God’s remnant (1:9–15)
The Fall of Nineveh (ch. 2)
Assyria’s Downfall (ch. 3)

The ESV Study Bible

The ESV Study Bible provides a very thorough outline of Nahum. Here’s a condensed version of that outline.

Introduction (1:1)
A Psalm Descriptively Praising the Lord (1:2–8)
The Lord’s Coming Judgment on Nineveh and Deliverance of Judah (1:9–15)
Focus on Nineveh: The Lord’s Coming Judgment (2:1–13)
Again, Focus on Nineveh: More concerning the Lord’s Coming Judgment (3:1–19)

The Message of the Twelve

Providing the most careful literary structure, Fuhr and Yates demonstrate two, two-fold sections in Nahum 1 and a chiastic structure in Nahum 2–3 (see pp. 207, 214)

1. Two-fold hymn of praise celebrating God’s judgment of the guilty and salvation of the innocent (1:2–8)

2. Two-fold address condemning the oppressor and comforting the oppressed (1:9–14)

3. Chiasm centering on Nahum’s woe (3:1–4)

A Call to celebrate (1:15)

B The Prophet’s Vision (2:1–10)

C The Prophet’s Taunt (2:11–12)

D The Declaration of Yahweh (2:13)

E Woe Oracle (3:1–4)

D’ The Declaration of Yahweh (3:5–7)

C’ The Prophet’s Taunt (3:8–13)

B’ The Prophet’s Vision (3:14–17)

A’ Call to celebrate (3:18–19)