“Nineveh Is of Old”
Historically, Nahum foretells the destruction of Nineveh, capital of the mighty Assyrian Empire. But the words of the prophecy reach much farther. Nahum 2:8 declares, “But Nineveh is of old,” opening a doctrinal trail that reaches into eternity past, through the mystery of Huzzab, and forward to the judgment surrounding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Three Chapters.
Extraordinary Depth.
Nahum is one of the Bible’s most difficult prophetic books. Although its historical setting concerns the fall of ancient Nineveh, its language reaches far beyond that event.
The book contains rapid changes in persons and places, unusual prophetic language, difficult antecedents, and words that cannot be handled casually. As a result, Nahum is often ignored or confined almost entirely to the destruction of the Assyrian capital.
But when the key words of the King James Bible are allowed to govern the interpretation, a much larger doctrinal picture begins to emerge. Nahum reaches backward into eternity past and forward to the judgment surrounding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Difficult words are not obstacles to be removed. They are often clues God placed in His Word to lead us deeper.
Words That Open the Book
Two expressions in Nahum 2 become especially important when the prophecy is allowed to interpret itself. One reaches backward into eternity past. The other introduces one of the most difficult prophetic identities in the book.
“Nineveh Is of Old”
“But Nineveh is of old like a pool of water...”
Historically, Nineveh was the capital of the Assyrian Empire. Doctrinally, however, the words “of old” demand closer attention. Throughout Scripture, this expression can reach beyond ordinary human history into events that preceded the world as we know it.
That small phrase becomes a doorway into the deeper identity of Nineveh and its place in the larger controversy that runs through Scripture.
The Mystery of Huzzab
“And Huzzab shall be led away captive...”
Who is Huzzab? The King James Bible preserves the name exactly as it stands, while modern translations disagree sharply over what should replace it.
Rather than removing the difficulty, this study follows the word, its context, its pronouns, and its biblical associations. Huzzab becomes a major key to understanding the false religious system revealed in the doctrinal setting of Nahum.
Study the Book of Nahum
Begin with the historical background of Assyria and Nineveh, then work through all three chapters verse by verse. Each study follows the key words, prophetic language, patterns, and cross-references preserved in the King James Bible.
The Assyrian
The historical world behind Nahum
Trace Assyria from its biblical beginnings through its rise as a dominant ancient empire. Explore Nineveh, the Assyrian kings, the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and Assyria’s encounters with Judah.
Read the Introduction“The LORD Revengeth, and Is Furious”
The judgment is announced
Follow the language of vengeance, wrath, whirlwind, storm, fire, mountains, and the “day of trouble” as the prophecy moves from ancient Nineveh into the doctrinal setting surrounding the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.
Study Nahum 1“Behold, I Am Against Thee”
The heart of Nahum’s doctrinal mystery
Examine the battle, the fall of the enemy’s defenses, the identity of Huzzab, and the remarkable statement, “Nineveh is of old.” Chapter 2 provides some of the most important keys to the deeper doctrinal setting of the book.
Study Nahum 2“Woe to the Bloody City”
The judgment is deserved
Follow the bloody city, its lies, robbery, spiritual corruption, and coming destruction. The study connects Nahum’s language with other prophetic passages concerning Jerusalem and the final judgment at the Lord’s return.
Study Nahum 3Every Word Matters
Nahum shows why difficult passages should not be passed over. When the words of Scripture are allowed to govern the study, a three-chapter prophecy about ancient Nineveh opens into a much larger story that reaches from “of old” to the return of Jesus Christ.