Nahum

Nahum is a book of the Hebrew Bible and the Christian Old Testament. It is one of the Twelve Minor Prophets.

Traditionally it is attributed to Nahum the Elkoshite, a prophetic figure whose hometown, Elkosh, is not definitively identified.

Most scholars date the work to the late 7th century BCE, likely before the fall of Nineveh in 612 BCE, and it addresses the Assyrian capital Nineveh and its inhabitants.

Content: The book consists of three chapters focusing on the Lord's judgment against Nineveh, a dramatic account of the city's siege and downfall, and a final set of oracles denouncing Nineveh's sins and urging trust in God.

Key themes include the justice and sovereignty of God, the punishment of destructive imperial power, and the deliverance of those who rely on God.

Canonical status: Nahum is part of the Hebrew Bible's canon as one of the Twelve Minor Prophets and is included in most Christian Old Testaments.

Usage: It has been studied for its poetic imagery, its vivid battle rhetoric, and its theological emphasis on divine justice.