King James Version

What Does Nahum 1:3 Mean?

Nahum 1:3 in the King James Version says “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 whirl...” — study this verse from Nahum chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Nahum 1:3 · 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.

5

The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Nahum balances God's wrath with His patience: "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." The Hebrew YHWH erekh appayim ugdol-koach venaqeh lo yenaqqeh YHWH besupah uvise'arah darko ve'anan avaq raglav (יְהוָה אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם וּגְדָל־כֹּחַ וְנַקֵּה לֹא יְנַקֶּה יְהוָה בְּסוּפָה וּבִשְׂעָרָה דַּרְכּוֹ וְעָנָן אֲבַק רַגְלָיו) reveals God's character governing His justice.

"Slow to anger" (erekh appayim, אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם) literally means "long of nostrils"—the Hebrew idiom for patience (delayed breathing associated with anger). God doesn't react impulsively but waits patiently for repentance. This explains the century between Jonah's ministry (resulting in Nineveh's temporary repentance, c. 760 BC) and Nahum's announcement of irreversible judgment (c. 650 BC). God gave Nineveh time, but they returned to violence.

"Great in power" (ugdol-koach) uses koach (כֹּחַ), strength or might. God's patience isn't weakness but strength under control. "Will not at all acquit the wicked" (venaqeh lo yenaqqeh) uses emphatic Hebrew construction (infinitive absolute + finite verb) meaning "will certainly not clear the guilty." God's patience has limits; unrepentant wickedness will be punished.

"The LORD hath his way in the whirlwind and in the storm" (besupah uvise'arah darko) depicts theophany—God's visible manifestation in natural forces. Suphah (סוּפָה) is whirlwind or tempest; se'arah (שְׂעָרָה) is storm. God controls these forces, using them to accomplish His purposes. "The clouds are the dust of his feet" (ve'anan avaq raglav) presents majestic imagery: what seems vast to us (storm clouds) is merely dust kicked up by God's feet—emphasizing His transcendent greatness.

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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 1:3 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 · 15 words
יְהוָ֗ה1 of 15

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֶ֤רֶךְ2 of 15

“is slow”

H750

long

אַפַּ֙יִם֙3 of 15

“to anger”

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

וּגְדָול4 of 15

“and great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

כֹּ֔חַ5 of 15

“in power”

H3581

vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce)

יְנַקֶּ֑ה6 of 15

“acquit”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

לֹ֣א7 of 15
H3808

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

יְנַקֶּ֑ה8 of 15

“acquit”

H5352

to be (or make) clean (literally or figuratively); by implication (in an adverse sense) to be bare, i.e., extirpated

יְהוָ֗ה9 of 15

“The LORD”

H3068

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

בְּסוּפָ֤ה10 of 15

“in the whirlwind”

H5492

a hurricane

וּבִשְׂעָרָה֙11 of 15

“and in the storm”

H8183

a hurricane

דַּרְכּ֔וֹ12 of 15

“hath his way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

וְעָנָ֖ן13 of 15

“and the clouds”

H6051

a cloud (as covering the sky), i.e., the nimbus or thunder-cloud

אֲבַ֥ק14 of 15

“are the dust”

H80

light particles (as volatile)

רַגְלָֽיו׃15 of 15

“of his feet”

H7272

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

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 1:3 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 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 147:5Exodus 34:6-7Nehemiah 9:17Psalms 103:8Psalms 104:3Psalms 145:8

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