When Was Nahum Written?
Quick Summary
The Book of Nahum was written in the late seventh century BCE, most likely between 663 and 612 BCE. Its message centers on the imminent fall of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Internal historical references indicate that Nahum was composed after the sack of Thebes in Egypt (663 BCE) but before Nineveh’s destruction in 612 BCE. Understanding when Nahum was written clarifies its tone of confidence, its focus on divine justice, and its role as prophetic comfort for a people long oppressed by Assyrian power.
Introduction
Nahum is a book of unrelenting focus. Unlike many prophets, it does not address Israel’s sins in detail, call for repentance, or wrestle openly with hope deferred. Instead, Nahum announces one thing with certainty: the downfall of Assyria.
For generations, Assyria had dominated the ancient Near East through military terror, forced deportations, and economic exploitation. Israel and Judah both lived under its shadow. Nahum’s prophecy speaks into this long season of fear, declaring that the empire which seemed unstoppable was, in fact, nearing its end.
Determining when Nahum was written is crucial for hearing the book correctly. Its message is not abstract theology. It is historical proclamation delivered at a precise moment when imperial collapse was becoming imaginable.
Historical Background: Assyria’s Dominance
By the eighth and seventh centuries BCE, Assyria was the dominant power in the ancient Near East. Its armies destroyed the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE and repeatedly threatened Judah.
Assyrian kings such as Tiglath-pileser III, Sargon II, Sennacherib, and Ashurbanipal built an empire known for brutality. Reliefs from Assyrian palaces depict mass executions, impalements, and deportations.
Nahum’s prophecy presupposes a world shaped by Assyrian violence. Its vivid imagery reflects intimate knowledge of imperial warfare and propaganda.
Internal Chronological Evidence
The clearest chronological marker in Nahum appears in Nahum 3:8, which refers to the fall of Thebes (No-Amon) in Egypt. Thebes was captured by Assyrian forces under Ashurbanipal in 663 BCE.
Because Nahum treats this event as past, the book must have been written after 663 BCE.
At the same time, Nahum speaks of Nineveh’s fall as imminent but not yet accomplished. Nineveh was destroyed by a coalition of Babylonians and Medes in 612 BCE.
These two fixed points allow scholars to date Nahum with unusual precision: sometime between 663 and 612 BCE (Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, pp. 399–401).
Nahum and the Fall of Nineveh
Nahum’s central theme is the collapse of Nineveh. The prophet describes siege warfare, flooding, panic, and total destruction.
Archaeological evidence confirms that Nineveh fell violently. Excavations show widespread burning and destruction layers dating to 612 BCE.
Nahum’s confidence suggests that Assyria’s power was already weakening. By the late seventh century BCE, Assyria faced internal instability and rising opposition from Babylon.
Nahum interprets these geopolitical shifts theologically. The empire’s fall is not merely political but the result of divine judgment.
Literary and Theological Features
Nahum’s language is vivid, poetic, and aggressive. It employs taunt songs, battle imagery, and courtroom accusation.
The book opens by declaring God slow to anger yet powerful in judgment (Nahum 1:2–3). This theological framing shapes everything that follows.
Nahum’s focus on divine vengeance may unsettle modern readers, but within its historical context it functions as comfort for the oppressed. Justice is announced against a regime that seemed beyond accountability.
Relationship to Other Prophets
Nahum stands in conversation with Jonah, though their messages differ sharply. Jonah proclaims mercy toward Nineveh, while Nahum announces its destruction.
These books are not contradictory but historically situated. Jonah reflects an earlier period when Assyria still stood. Nahum speaks when Assyria’s end is near.
Nahum also anticipates themes found in later prophetic and apocalyptic literature, particularly the vision of empire judged by divine power.
Linguistic Evidence
The Hebrew of Nahum aligns with classical prophetic language rather than postexilic Hebrew. Its vocabulary and syntax fit a late pre-exilic setting.
The book’s poetry is tightly structured, suggesting careful composition rather than spontaneous utterance.
These linguistic features support a late seventh-century BCE date rather than an exilic or postexilic origin.
Composition and Purpose
Nahum appears to be a unified prophetic composition. It does not show the layered redaction found in books such as Isaiah or Jeremiah.
Its purpose is narrowly focused: to proclaim judgment on Assyria and comfort Judah.
Nahum does not call Judah to repentance because its audience is not the primary subject of judgment. The book reassures rather than warns.
Relationship to Authorship
Little is known about Nahum beyond his name and hometown, identified as Elkoshite (Nahum 1:1). The precise location of Elkosh remains debated.
The lack of biographical detail is consistent with Nahum’s singular focus on message rather than messenger.
For a fuller discussion of authorship traditions, see Who Wrote Nahum?.
Why the Date of Nahum Matters
Dating Nahum to the late seventh century BCE reveals its message as proclamation rather than hindsight.
The book announces judgment before Nineveh falls, not after. Its confidence rests in theological conviction rather than political certainty.
Understanding when Nahum was written allows readers to hear it as resistance literature, spoken into fear and oppression with the promise that no empire is eternal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Nahum written before Nineveh fell?
Yes. The book anticipates Nineveh’s destruction but does not describe it as past.
Why does Nahum mention Thebes?
The fall of Thebes serves as historical proof that even great cities can collapse.
Is Nahum only about vengeance?
No. Its judgment language functions as comfort for the oppressed.
How does Nahum differ from Jonah?
Jonah emphasizes mercy toward Nineveh, while Nahum announces judgment at a later stage.
Does the date affect interpretation?
Yes. Nahum speaks before Assyria’s collapse, not as retrospective explanation.
Works Consulted
John J. Collins, Introduction to the Hebrew Bible, Fortress Press. O. Palmer Robertson, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah, NICOT. Walter Brueggemann, Theology of the Old Testament, Fortress Press. The New Oxford Annotated Bible, NRSV.
