The big picture
Nahum 1 opens in verse 1 with “The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.”, reaches its middle movement near verse 8 with “But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and…”, and closes in verse 15 with “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth…” Repeated or prominent terms include LORD, wicked, anger, enemies, feet. Together, those details trace this chapter’s own movement from its opening to its conclusion.
Scripture beside the summary
Nahum · King James Version · 15Nahum 1:1-8
1–8: The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
Nahum 1:1–8 opens with “The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.” and reaches “But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Storm, whirlwind, sea, mountains, and refuge expressing both judgment and protection; Nineveh’s plotting cut off and a messenger of peace approaching Judah’s mountains, with particular weight carried by LORD, anger, enemies.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.” Naming Elkoshite and Nahum keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.
“The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the…” The line’s distinctive content terms include LORD, acquit, anger. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.
Nahum 1:1-8
King James Version1The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.
3The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.
4He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.
5The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.
6Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
7The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.
8But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.
Nahum 1:9-15
9–15: What do ye imagine against the LORD ? he will make an utter end…
Nahum 1:9–15 opens with “What do ye imagine against the LORD ? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up…” and reaches “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O…” by its final verse. That movement develops the focus on Storm, whirlwind, sea, mountains, and refuge expressing both judgment and protection; Nineveh’s plotting cut off and a messenger of peace approaching Judah’s mountains, with particular weight carried by LORD, image, wicked.
Context that brings the passage to life
This block contains 1 explicit questions. They are more than punctuation: they reveal where a voice is searching, challenging, afraid, or trying to understand.
“What do ye imagine against the LORD ? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.
“For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.
Nahum 1:9-15
King James Version9What do ye imagine against the LORD ? he will make an utter end: affliction shall not rise up the second time.
10For while they be folden together as thorns, and while they are drunken as drunkards, they shall be devoured as stubble fully dry.
11There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD , a wicked counsellor.
12Thus saith the LORD ; Though they be quiet, and likewise many, yet thus shall they be cut down, when he shall pass through. Though I have afflicted thee, I will afflict thee no more.
13For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.
14And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.
15Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
Nahum 1:1 begins with “The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.”
Where the chapter turns
Nahum 1:8 forms a natural hinge: “But with an overrunning flood he will make an utter end of the place thereof, and darkness shall pursue his enemies.”
The final note
Nahum 1:15 leaves the reader with “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the…”
A word trail through the chapter
The words LORD, wicked, anger, enemies, feet, good help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
Who receives the image and the blessing?
Both male and female in verses 27-28. Human worth precedes achievement.
What limits human dominion?
The world belongs to its Creator and is already declared good. Compare the charge to tend and keep in 2:15.
KJV words made clear
- behold
- look, or pay close attention
- thee
- you
- thou
- you
- thy
- your
- hath
- has
Text first
Where readers differ
The chapter summary begins with what the passage says and how its parts fit together. It does not assume one denomination has already settled every question. Where a conclusion depends on a tradition, literary theory, or historical reconstruction, that dependence is named openly.
The KJV text is presented first. Interpretive conclusions are labeled, and differences are introduced only when they help a reader understand why serious communities do not always reach the same answer.
Comparative interpretive notes for this chapter are in preparation. Until reviewed notes are ready, this page separates the KJV text from summary and application without claiming that serious readers agree on every question.