King James Version

What Does Nahum 1:2 Mean?

Nahum 1:2 in the King James Version says “God is jealous, and the LORD revengeth; the LORD revengeth, and is furious ; the LORD will take vengeance on his adversa...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. God: or, The LORD is a jealous God, and a revenger, etc is furious: Heb. that hath fury”

Nahum 1:2 · KJV

Context

1

The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.

2

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. God: or, The LORD is a jealous God, and a revenger, etc is furious: Heb. that hath fury

3

The LORD is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked: the LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of his feet.

4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

Read Nahum 1 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nahum opens with a fierce description of God's character: "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." The Hebrew El qanno unoqem YHWH noqem YHWH uva'al chemah noqem YHWH letzarav venoter hu le'oyevav (אֵל קַנּוֹא וְנֹקֵם יְהוָה נֹקֵם יְהוָה וּבַעַל חֵמָה נֹקֵם יְהוָה לְצָרָיו וְנוֹטֵר הוּא לְאֹיְבָיו) uses repetition to emphasize God's holy wrath.

"God is jealous" (El qanno) uses qanna (קַנָּא), meaning zealous or jealous—God's passionate commitment to His glory and His people. This isn't petty envy but righteous zeal defending what belongs to Him. Exodus 34:14 declares: "The LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God." God won't tolerate rivals or share glory with idols.

"The LORD revengeth" (noqem YHWH) appears three times, using naqam (נָקַם), meaning to avenge, take vengeance, or execute justice. Repetition emphasizes certainty and intensity. "Is furious" (uva'al chemah) uses ba'al chemah (master/possessor of wrath)—God is characterized by righteous fury against wickedness. "Reserveth wrath" (venoter... le'oyevav) uses natar (נָטַר), meaning to keep, guard, or maintain—God remembers every offense and will settle accounts.

This verse combats sentimentalized views of God that emphasize love while ignoring holiness and justice. The same God who is "slow to anger" (verse 3) is also jealous, vengeful, and furious. These aren't contradictions but complementary truths. God's love for His people demands wrath against their oppressors. His holiness requires judgment on sin. Nineveh had brutalized nations for centuries; now God announces retribution. This demonstrates that God governs morally—evil doesn't go unpunished 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 1:2 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 · 14 words
אֵ֣ל1 of 14

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

קַנּ֤וֹא2 of 14

“is jealous”

H7072

jealous or angry

נֹקֵ֤ם3 of 14

“revengeth”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

יְהוָה֙4 of 14

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נֹקֵ֤ם5 of 14

“revengeth”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

יְהוָה֙6 of 14

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וּבַ֣עַל7 of 14

“and is furious”

H1167

a master; hence, a husband, or (figuratively) owner (often used with another noun in modifications of this latter sense)

חֵמָ֑ה8 of 14
H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

נֹקֵ֤ם9 of 14

“revengeth”

H5358

to grudge, i.e., avenge or punish

יְהוָה֙10 of 14

“and the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

לְצָרָ֔יו11 of 14

“on his adversaries”

H6862

a pebble (as in h6864)

וְנוֹטֵ֥ר12 of 14

“and he reserveth”

H5201

to guard; figuratively, to cherish (anger)

ה֖וּא13 of 14
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

לְאֹיְבָֽיו׃14 of 14

“wrath for his enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

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 1:2 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 1:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 20:5Zechariah 8:2Psalms 94:1Exodus 34:14Deuteronomy 4:24Joshua 24:19

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