Nahum 1:2

Translations

Modern

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.

Traditional

God is jealous, and the Lord revengeth; the Lord revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies.

Literal

A God jealous and avenging is YHWH; avenging is YHWH and owner of fury; avenging is YHWH on His adversaries, and He is watching for His enemies.

Latin

Deus æmulator, et ulciscens Dominus: ulciscens Dominus, et habens furorem: ulciscens Dominus in hostes suos, et irascens ipse inimicis suis.

Original

Hebrew

English

The LORD is a jealous and avenging God; the LORD is avenging and full of wrath. The LORD takes vengeance on His foes and reserves wrath for His enemies.

Notes

Nahum 1:2

jealous (or zealous): God jealously protects the well-being of his people and strongly desires their faithfulness (see Exodus 20:4–5; Deuteronomy 4:23–24; 6:4; Jeremiah 2:1–3:5).
God’s vengeance and anger are different from how people seek revenge or try to harm others in return. God’s actions come from his:
- holiness (Jeremiah 50:28–29),
- justice (Isaiah 63:1–9), and
- faithfulness to the covenant with his people (Leviticus 26:23–25; Isaiah 1:24–26).
His vengeance is never random or without purpose.

Nahum 1:2–6

The hymn's first stanza uses biblical texts about Israel's exodus from Egypt. It teaches that everything in creation is under God's power. God will punish those who oppose him.

Nahum 1:2–11

This short hymn (a song of praise about God) has two stanzas (1:2–6, 7–11). It speaks about God’s supreme power and authority.

Theme notes and profiles

Anger

Events

Prophecies of Nahumc. 663 BC

Related verses

Exodus 20:5
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on their children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
Zechariah 8:2
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “I am jealous for Zion with great zeal; I am jealous for her with great fervor.”
Psalm 94:1
O LORD, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth.
Exodus 34:14
For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.
Joshua 24:19
But Joshua said to the people, “You are not able to serve the LORD, for He is a holy God; He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your rebellion or your sins.
Deuteronomy 32:41–43
…when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me.
Deuteronomy 4:24
For the LORD your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.
Isaiah 42:13
The LORD goes forth like a mighty one; He stirs up His zeal like a warrior. He shouts; yes, He roars in triumph over His enemies:
2 Peter 2:9
…if all this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.
Romans 12:19
Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.”
Hebrews 10:30
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.”
Ezekiel 39:25
Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Now I will restore Jacob from captivity and will have compassion on the whole house of Israel, and I will be jealous for My holy name.

Parallels

Jonah 1:1–3

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

Acrostic Book of Nahum Wrath of God

Topics

Anger: Anger of God God is Declared to Be: Jealous God: Jealous The Anger of God: Against: The Wicked

Nahum 1:2

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