Nahum 1:4

Authorized King James Version

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

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
גּוֹעֵ֤ר
He rebuketh
to chide
#2
בַּיָּם֙
the sea
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
#3
וַֽיַּבְּשֵׁ֔הוּ
and drieth up
to be ashamed, confused or disappointed; also (as failing) to dry up (as water) or wither (as herbage)
#4
וְכָל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#5
הַנְּהָר֖וֹת
all the rivers
a stream (including the sea; expectation the nile, euphrates, etc.); figuratively, prosperity
#6
הֶֽחֱרִ֑יב
and maketh it dry
to parch (through drought) i.e., (by analogy,) to desolate, destroy, kill
#7
אֻמְלָֽל׃
languisheth
to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn
#8
בָּשָׁן֙
Bashan
bashan (often with the article), a region east of the jordan
#9
וְכַרְמֶ֔ל
and Carmel
karmel, the name of a hill and of a town in palestine
#10
וּפֶ֥רַח
and the flower
a calyx (natural or artificial); generally, bloom
#11
לְבָנ֖וֹן
of Lebanon
lebanon, a mountain range in palestine
#12
אֻמְלָֽל׃
languisheth
to droop; by implication to be sick, to mourn

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine revelation. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection