Nahum 1

Nahum 1:1

THe burden] That is, a prophesie of threatnings and evils. Isaiah 13:1. Jeremiah 23:33.

of Nineveh] Zephaniah 2:13. The head of the Assyrian Empire, which was conquered by Nebuchadnezzar the great King of Chaldea, who also destroyed Nineveh. Isaiah 10:5. Ezekiel 31:3. Zephaniah 2:13.

The book of the vision of Nahum] The vision or revelation which God commanded Nahum to write of a ruine to Nineveh.

the Elkoshite] Of a City or Castle, called Elcosh; which ancient Histories have affirmed to have been within the Tribe of Simeon: but the Scripture makes no mention thereof.

Nahum 1:2

God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth] Or, The LORD is a jealous God, and a revenger, &c. Who cannot endure such injuries done to his glory, and to his children, as the Assyrians have done to them. Exodus 20:5.

is furious] Heb. that hath fury. With his he is but angry for a time, but his anger never asswageth toward the reprobate, though for a time he deferre it.

Nahum 1:3

The LORD is slow to anger] Exod. 34. 6, 7. Thus the wicked would make Gods mercy an occasion to sinne, but the Prophet willeth them to consider his force and justice.

the LORD, &c.] Psalms 18:8. Habakkuk 3:5; Habakkuk 3:11-12.

the clouds are the dust of his feet] He moveth the clouds of the air, even as a great cloud of dust would be raised by a great multitude of horsmen riding apace.

Nahum 1:4

He rebuketh the sea] Isaiah 90:2.

Bashan languisheth] The strength and beauty of creatures is destroyed, when they feel his wrath.

the flower of Lebanon languisheth] The fair and excellent Cedars, and other trees of Lebanon. Or, Lebanon, which was so prosperous and flourishing.

mountains quake] Psalms 97:5.

Nahum 1:6

who can abide] Heb. who can stand up. If all creatures be at Gods command, and none is able to resist his wrath, shall man flatter himself, and think by any means to escape when he provoketh his God to anger?

Nahum 1:7

strong hold] Or, strength.

and he knoweth them] Psalms 1:6. Lest the faithfull should be discouraged by hearing the power of God, he sheweth them, that his mercies appertain unto them, and that he approveth of, favoureth, and taketh an especiall care of them.

Nahum 1:8

an overrunning floud] Signifying, that God will suddenly destroy Nineveh, and the Assyrians, as with a floud, which shall break down all defences and banks, and shall not be kept back nor turned another way: as Isaiah 28:19.

Nahum 1:9

What do ye imagine against the LORD] He sheweth, that the enterprises of the Assyrians against Judah and the Church, were against God, and therefore he would so destroy them at once, that he should not need to return the second time.

Nahum 1:10

they be folden together] Troubled and perplexed in their counsels, and means of their defence; and also made drunken with wine, and pleasures, and with pride of their greatnesse and power.

Nahum 1:11

There is one come out of thee] He seems to point at Senacherib, who had plotted the totall ruine of Jerusalem, under Hezekiah.

a wicked counseller] Heb. a counseller of Belial.

Nahum 1:12

Though, &c.] Or, If they would have been at peace, so should they have been many, and so should they have been shorn, and he should have passed away. Though they think themselves in most safety, and of greatest strength (by reason of the height which this Empire had attained unto) yet they shall be like to ripe corn or grasse of the field; which seemeth to call upon the sickle, and sythe to cut and mow it down.

cut down] Heb. shorn.

though I have afflicted thee] God turneth his speech to the Church.

Nahum 1:14

concerning thee] Thou King or Empire of Assyria.

no more of thy name be sown] Namely, after thou art thus cut down, as vers. 12. thou shalt no more come to thy former estate; contrary to those fields, which after the corn is cut down, are sown again. Or, he intimates the totall extinguishing of the royall race of Assyria.

cut off the graven Image] This is added according to the custome of Prophets, who in the description of the ruine of States, do adde thereunto the overthrow of the idols.

I will make thy grave] He seemeth to have relation to Senacherib, being murthered in his own Temple, 2 Kings 19:36-37. after he had been shamefully forced to go out of Judea.

Nahum 1:15

Behold, &c.] A description of the Churches joy at the news of the Assyrians ruine, by means whereof she might in peace, securitie, and mirth attend upon Gods service, and give him thanks.

the mountains] Isaiah 52:7. Romans 10:15.

keep thy solemn feasts] Heb. feast.

perform thy vows] Or, pay and yeeld them up.

the wicked] Heb. Belial.