1A pronouncement on Nineveh: The Book of the Prophecy of Nahum the Elkoshite.
2The ETERNAL is a passionate, avenging God; GOD is vengeful and fierce in wrath. GOD takes vengeance on opponents,And rages against foes.
3GOD is slow to anger and of great forbearance,But GOD does not remit all punishment.[God] travels in whirlwind and storm,With clouds the dust on divine feet.
4[God] rebukes the sea and dries it up,And makes all rivers fail;Bashan and Carmel languish,And the blossomsablossoms Lit. “bud.” of Lebanon wither.
5The mountains quake because of [God],And the hills melt.The earth heavesbheaves Meaning of Heb. uncertain. before [God],The world and all that dwell therein.
6Who can stand before God’s wrath?Who can resist such fury?God’s anger pours out like fire,And rocks are shattered as a result.
7GOD is good to [those who have hope],And is a haven on a day of distress—Being mindful of those seeking refuge.
8And with a sweeping flood[God] makes an end of her place,cher place Meaning of Heb. uncertain; emendation yields “those who oppose [God].” And chases enemies into the darkness.
9Why will youdyou I.e., Assyria, whose capital is Nineveh; cf. v. 1. plot against GOD ?Utter destruction is the outcome:No adversaryeadversary Cf. Ugaritic ṣrt. opposes [God] twice!
10fMeaning of verse uncertain. For like those besotted with drink,They are burned up like tangled thorns,Like straw that is thoroughly dried.
11gVerses 11–14 would read well after 2.1. The base plotterWho designed evil against GOD Has left you.hyou I.e., the kingdom of Judah.
12Thus said GOD:“Even as those daysithose days Of your affliction; Heb. “they.” were full and many,Even so are they over and gone;As surely as I afflicted you,I will afflict you no more.jEven as … no more Meaning of Heb. uncertain.
13And nowI will break off hiskhis I.e., Assyria’s. yoke bar from youAnd burst your cords apart.”
14GOD has commanded concerning him:lhim Heb. “you”; cf. v. 9. No posterity shall continue your name.mNo posterity shall continue your name Meaning of Heb. uncertain. I will do away withThe carved and graven imagesIn the temples of your gods;I will make your graveAccord with your worthlessness.nAccord with your worthlessness Meaning of Heb. uncertain.