King James Version

What Does Nahum 1:15 Mean?

Nahum 1:15 in the King James Version says “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn fe... — study this verse from Nahum chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. keep: Heb. feast the wicked: Heb. Belial

Nahum 1:15 · KJV


Context

13

For now will I break his yoke from off thee, and will burst thy bonds in sunder.

14

And the LORD hath given a commandment concerning thee, that no more of thy name be sown: out of the house of thy gods will I cut off the graven image and the molten image: I will make thy grave; for thou art vile.

15

Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off. keep: Heb. feast the wicked: Heb. Belial


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Amid prophecies of Nineveh's doom, Nahum offers hope to Judah: "Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace! O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off." The Hebrew hinneh al-heharim raglei mevasser mashmia shalom chogi Yehudah chaggayikh shallemî nedarayikh ki lo-yosif od la'avor-bak beliyya'al kullo nikhrat (הִנֵּה עַל־הֶהָרִים רַגְלֵי מְבַשֵּׂר מַשְׁמִיעַ שָׁלוֹם חָגִּי יְהוּדָה חַגַּיִךְ שַׁלְּמִי נְדָרָיִךְ כִּי לֹא־יוֹסִיף עוֹד לַעֲבָר־בָּךְ בְּלִיַּעַל כֻּלֹּה נִכְרָת) announces Assyria's defeat as good news for Judah.

"Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings" (hinneh al-heharim raglei mevasser) uses mevasser (מְבַשֵּׂר), meaning herald or messenger bringing good news. The imagery of feet on mountains suggests a runner arriving with news of victory—Nineveh has fallen! Isaiah 52:7 contains nearly identical language, which Paul applies to gospel preaching in Romans 10:15: "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!"

"O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts" (chogi Yehudah chaggayikh) commands resuming normal worship. Under Assyrian threat and domination, festivals may have been disrupted or celebrated in fear. Now, with the oppressor destroyed, Judah can worship freely. "Perform thy vows" (shallemî nedarayikh) uses shalam (שָׁלַם), meaning to complete or fulfill—pay what you promised God in desperation during crisis.

"The wicked shall no more pass through thee" (lo-yosif od la'avor-bak beliyya'al) promises permanent deliverance. Beliyya'al (בְּלִיַּעַל, "wicked/worthless") characterizes Assyria's evil. "He is utterly cut off" (kullo nikhrat) announces complete destruction. This prophecy was fulfilled when Babylon destroyed Nineveh in 612 BC, ending Assyrian power forever.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Nahum prophesied between 663 BC (after Assyria's conquest of Thebes, mentioned in 3:8) and 612 BC (before Nineveh's fall). For over a century, Assyria had terrorized the ancient Near East with brutal military campaigns. They destroyed Israel's northern kingdom (722 BC) and nearly conquered Judah during Hezekiah's reign (701 BC). Assyrian inscriptions boast of horrific atrocities—impaling victims, burning cities, deporting entire populations. Nahum announces God's judgment against Nineveh for their violence and cruelty. Unlike Jonah's earlier message that brought Nineveh to temporary repentance (c. 760 BC), Nahum declares judgment is now irreversible. The prophecy was precisely fulfilled in 612 BC when Babylon and Media destroyed Nineveh so completely that its location was lost for over 2,000 years.

Nahum demonstrates God's sovereign justice over nations—He judged Israel for covenant unfaithfulness through Assyria, then judged Assyria for exceeding their mandate with excessive cruelty. The book assures God's people that He sees oppression and will vindicate them. While fierce in judgment against the wicked, God remains 'a stronghold in the day of trouble' for those who trust Him (1:7).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Nahum 1:15 deepen your understanding of God's character, particularly His holiness, justice, and mercy?
  2. What specific attitudes, thought patterns, or behaviors does this verse call you to examine and change in light of the gospel?
  3. How does this passage point forward to Christ and His redemptive work, and how should that shape your worship and obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
הִנֵּ֨ה1 of 21
H2009

lo!

עַל2 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הֶהָרִ֜ים3 of 21

Behold upon the mountains

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

רַגְלֵ֤י4 of 21

the feet

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

מְבַשֵּׂר֙5 of 21

of him that bringeth good tidings

H1319

properly, to be fresh, i.e., full (rosy, figuratively cheerful); to announce (glad news)

מַשְׁמִ֣יעַ6 of 21

that publisheth

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שָׁל֔וֹם7 of 21

peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

חָגִּ֧י8 of 21

keep

H2287

properly, to move in a circle, i.e., (specifically) to march in a sacred procession, to observe a festival; by implication, to be giddy

יְהוּדָ֛ה9 of 21

O Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

חַגַּ֖יִךְ10 of 21

thy solemn feasts

H2282

a festival, or a victim therefor

שַׁלְּמִ֣י11 of 21

perform

H7999

to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate

נְדָרָ֑יִךְ12 of 21

thy vows

H5088

a promise (to god); also (concretely) a thing promised

כִּי֩13 of 21
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

לֹ֨א14 of 21
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יוֹסִ֥יף15 of 21

shall no more

H3254

to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing)

ע֛וֹד16 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

בָּ֥ךְ17 of 21

pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בָּ֥ךְ18 of 21

pass through

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in

בְּלִיַּ֖עַל19 of 21

for the wicked

H1100

without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

כֻּלֹּ֥ה20 of 21
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

נִכְרָֽת׃21 of 21

thee he is utterly cut off

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Nahum. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Nahum 1:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Nahum 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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