How to Study Nahum

• 1. If you have time, read Jonah to see what God said to the people of Nineveh 100 years earlier and how they responded.

  2. Begin your study by reading through Nahum and marking every reference to Nineveh (pronouns and synonyms such as "wicked one", or "bloody city") in a distinctive color or way. Sometimes you will find it difficult to discern who the "you" refers to-Nineveh or someone else such as Jacob in 2:1. Do not mark the text until you are sure.

  3. Study the historical chart of: The Rulers and Prophets of Nahum's time.

  4. Read Nahum chapter by chapter and do the following:

     1. 1. Mark each in its own distinctive way the following two phrases: "I am against you" and "I will."

        2. Many believe chapter 2:3 -12 is a prophetic description of Nineveh's destruction by the Babylonians under Nabopolassar in 612 B.C. The description of the warriors fits historically with the military attire of the Babylonians.

        3. Nahum tells us much about God. Carefully observe the text and then in the margin summarize what you learn about God. For instance, 1:4 tells us that God rules over nature. Write that in your list in the margin under the title "God" or the symbol ∆.  

        4. Look at every place you marked Nineveh. List in your notebook what you learn from marking these references.

  5. Record the theme or subject of each chapter on Structure of Nahum and in your Bible. Also, record the theme of the book and complete any other information requested on the chart.

Key Words in the NIV and KJV

  Key doctrines in Hanum

1. God's judgment - the sovereign God would bring vengeance upon those who violated His law (1:8, 14; 3:5-7; Ex 20:5; Deut 28:41; Job 12:23; Ezek 39:23; Joel 3:19; Amos 3:6; Acts 17:31; Rom 2:16; Rev 6:17

2. God's loving-kindness toward the faithful (1:7, 12, 13, 15; 2:2; Num 6:22-27; Ps 46:1; Is 33:2-4; 37:3-7, 29-38; Matt 11:28, 29; 19:13, 14; 2Tim 2:24; Titus 3:4; 1Jon 4:11) 

Worksheets

Studies on Nahum