Nahum 1:2
The LORD’s Anger Against Nineveh
Read Nahum 1:2 Using Other Translations
What does Nahum 1:2 mean?
God [is] jealous, and the Lord revengeth
He is jealous of his own honour and glory, and for his own
worship and ordinances; and will not give his glory to another,
nor his praise to graven images; and therefore will punish all
idolaters, and particularly the idolatrous Assyrians: he is
jealous for his people, and cannot bear to see them injured; and
will avenge the affronts that are offered, and the indignities
done unto them: the Lord revengeth, and [is]
furious;
or, is "master of wrath" F21; full of it, or has it at his
command; can restrain it, and let it out as he pleases, which man
cannot do; a furious and passionate man, who has no rule over his
spirit. The Lord's revenging is repeated for the confirmation of
it; yea, it is a third time observed, as follows; which some of
the Jewish writers think has respect to the three times the king
of Assyria carried the people of Israel captive, and for which
the Lord would be revenged on him, and punish him: the Lord
will take vengeance on his adversaries;
on all his adversaries; particularly the Assyrians are here
meant, who were both the enemies of him and of his people. The
Targum explains it,
``that hate his people:''vengeance belongs to the Lord, and he will repay it sooner or later; if not immediately, he will hereafter; for it follows: and he reserveth [wrath] for his enemies:
and them for that; if not in this world, yet in the world to come; he lays it up among his treasures, and brings it forth at his pleasure. The word "wrath" is not in the text; it is not said what he reserves for the enemies of himself and church; it is inconceivable and inexpressible.
F21 (hmx leb) "dominus irae", Calvin, Vatablus, Grotius; "dominus excandescentiae", Piscator, Tarnovius; "dominus irae aestuantis, [sive] fervoris", Burkius.
