(630 B.C.?) [The Burden (Judgment) of Nineveh. The vision of Nahum, the Elkoshite. Israel fell to Assyria, capital Nineveh, in 721, and she and Judah were soon to fall to Babylon, now rising to world power.] The God of love shows His angry side, provoked by jealousy, at present against Assyria's evil oppression of her empire. [1:2-10, a Psalm.] God is omnipotent, good to those who trust in Him, vengeful to those who provoke Him. The evil imaginations of the high will bring a swift response from the Avenger! The evil one will be utterly cut off and his high places wasted (places of idolatrous worship). Messengers of good tidings will come to Judah bearing the good news of the wicked's end. Judah is encouraged to remain faithful.

Nineveh, prepare, your end is near! Not to be spared as before, in Jonah's time. Though Israel lays desolate from your victory and oppression, God will restore her. Nineveh's judgment will be fierce. Who can stop it? She will be emptied and laid waste. Many will experience great fear. God will be against her cruel strong men guilty of great horrors perpetrated upon the peoples of her conquests. Her messengers will cease.

"Woe to the bloody city!" Her nakedness will be exposed; her shame will be seen by all. Her sin revealed, she will be covered in filth, a gazing stock to all. As Thebes was destroyed, so too shall she. No place will be safe. Her troops will be as weak as women. She will be consumed by fire as she prepares for siege. The princes and captains will flee, her shepherds (leaders) slumbering while the people scatter. There is no healing for her. All who hear of her end will rejoice, for she was greatly despised by all because of her continual oppression of others.