From the approximate time period of 2nd Kings 21-23
650-620 BC
Nahum is a book full of inspiration, depicting the power of God’s justice and sovereignty. The prophecy reassures us of God’s faithfulness to His promises and His endless love for His people. It addresses the pressing question of God’s justice and the oppression of the nation of Judah by Assyria. Nahum reminds us that God will always preserve His people and that evil will fall. The poetic and prophetic literary style of this book emphasizes God’s nature and the importance of putting faith in Him. The message of Nahum is relevant to all ages and warns against resisting God and encourages us to trust in Him for provision and care to experience His love.
About the Author
Limited information exists regarding Nahum, as this brief book is the only Scripture reference to him, except for Luke’s genealogical table. Nahum likely resided in Judah at Elkosh, but the location remains uncertain. Additionally, he was a contemporary of Jeremiah, and his name means “consolation,” or “full of comfort.”
Determining the book’s date is based on internal evidence and known historical information. It must be established between two fixed dates, namely, Thebes’ capture by the Assyrians in 661 B.C. and the subsequent fall of Nineveh in 612 B.C. (604 B.C. is an alternate date). The most acceptable estimate for the book’s date is around 620 B.C.