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I. Identity of Nahum

Name and Meaning

• “Nahum” (Hebrew: נַחוּם, Naḥum)
• Root: נחם (nacham) – “to comfort,” “to console”
• Ironic tension: A prophet of “comfort” delivering judgment
• Judah is the implicit recipient of hope
• Nahum 1:7 (KJV)
• “The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.”

Only Biblical Reference

• Nahum 1:1 – “The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.”
• No genealogy, no mention elsewhere in Scripture
• One of the most obscure prophets biographically

“The Elkoshite” – Location Debate

• Unknown location of “Elkosh”
• Major proposals:
• Galilee (later tradition connects with Capernaum – “village of Nahum”)
• Judah (likely due to pro-Judah tone)
• Assyria (modern Iraq) – later Jewish tradition places Elkosh near Nineveh