;xNLx;I. Prophetic and Divine Judgment Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Oracle (Nahum 1:1): A divine revelation, pronouncement, or utterance, often concerning judgment or the future, delivered by a prophet. The book itself is an "oracle concerning Nineveh.";xNLx;Avenging / Avenger (Nahum 1:2): God is described as avenging, meaning He exacts just punishment or retribution for wrongdoing, sin, and the oppression of His people. This is not capricious revenge but the execution of righteous justice.;xNLx;Wrathful / Wrath (Nahum 1:2, 6): God's intense, righteous anger and indignation directed against sin, injustice, and those who oppose Him and oppress others. Nahum portrays God's wrath as powerful and consuming.;xNLx;Slow to anger (Nahum 1:3): An attribute of God signifying His patience and forbearance, His reluctance to immediately unleash His full wrath, giving opportunity for repentance (though in Nahum's context regarding Nineveh, the time for judgment has arrived).;xNLx;Whirlwind / Storm (Nahum 1:3): Powerful and destructive natural phenomena used to describe the awesome and irresistible power of God's coming in judgment.;xNLx;The LORD (Yahweh) (Nahum 1:1, and throughout): The personal covenant name of God in Israel, emphasizing His relational character even as He enacts universal justice.;xNLx;Decree / Decreed (Nahum 1:12, 14; 2:7): An official order or decision, in this context, God's determined judgment and plan for Nineveh's destruction.;xNLx;Utter end / Full end (Nahum 1:8, 9; 2:1 [ESV footnote]): Complete destruction, total annihilation, or bringing something to its final conclusion. Nahum prophesies the utter end of Nineveh.;xNLx;Plot / Devise (evil against the LORD) (Nahum 1:9, 11): To scheme, conspire, or make malevolent plans, specifically referring to Assyria's arrogant and hostile actions against God and His purposes.;xNLx;Worthless / Belial (Nahum 1:11 [ESV footnote], 15 [ESV footnote]): The Hebrew term belial (often translated "worthless" or "wicked") signifies extreme wickedness, destructiveness, and godlessness. Counselors of Belial are those who advise wicked and destructive paths.;xNLx;II. Terms Related to Nineveh and Assyria:;xNLx;;xNLx;Nineveh (Nahum 1:1; 2:8; 3:7): The great capital city of the Assyrian Empire, located on the Tigris River. It was renowned for its might, wealth, and also its cruelty and oppression. Nahum's prophecy is directed against this city.;xNLx;Assyria / Assyrian (Nahum 2:1 [ESV footnote, "the scatterer"]; 3:1, 18): The powerful and militaristic empire whose capital was Nineveh. Assyria was responsible for conquering the northern kingdom of Israel (722 BC) and oppressing Judah.;xNLx;Lion / Lioness / Lions' den (Nahum 2:11-13): A powerful metaphor for Nineveh and the Assyrian kings, depicting them as predatory, fierce, and rapacious, tearing and hoarding spoil (conquered peoples and their wealth) in their "den" (Nineveh).;xNLx;Bloodshed / City of bloodshed (Nahum 3:1): A description of Nineveh, highlighting its extreme violence, cruelty in warfare, and the murder through which it built its empire.;xNLx;Lies / Plunder (Nahum 3:1): Characteristic sins of Nineveh, indicating its deceitfulness in treaties and its insatiable appetite for an unjust gain through conquest.;xNLx;Harlot / Harlotries / Sorceries / Witchcrafts (Nahum 3:4): Metaphorical descriptions of Nineveh's seductive but treacherous political dealings, its idolatrous practices, and its use of manipulative or "magical" means to dominate and exploit other nations.;xNLx;III. Warfare and Destruction Imagery:;xNLx;;xNLx;Siege / Besiege (Nahum 3:14): The military surrounding and blockading of a fortified city to compel its surrender. Nahum calls on Nineveh to prepare for a siege.;xNLx;Fortress / Stronghold (Nahum 1:7; 2:1; 3:11-14): A fortified place, like Nineveh itself, designed for defense. Nahum declares that God is a stronghold for those who trust in Him, but Nineveh's own strongholds will fall.;xNLx;Chariots (Nahum 2:3-4, 13; 3:2): War vehicles that were a key component of the Assyrian army's might, described by Nahum in vivid, chaotic imagery during Nineveh's fall.;xNLx;Horsemen / Cavalry (Nahum 3:2-3): Soldiers fighting on horseback, another significant part of Assyria's military power.;xNLx;Shield (Nahum 2:3): A piece of defensive armor carried by soldiers. The "scarlet" shields may indicate their battle readiness or a specific unit.;xNLx;Siege works / Rampart (Nahum 2:1 [ESV footnote]; 3:14 [ESV: "strengthen your forts"]): Earthen mounds or other constructions built by an attacking army to overcome a city's defenses.;xNLx;Plunder / Spoil / Prey (Nahum 2:9-10, 12-13; 3:1): Goods, valuables, and captives taken from a conquered city or people. Nineveh, which had plundered many, would itself be plundered.;xNLx;Galloping / Rushing / Dashes (Nahum 2:3-4; 3:2): Words describing the speed, chaos, and violence of the attacking army and the ensuing battle.;xNLx;Desolate / Waste / Ruin / Empty / Void (Nahum 1:8; 2:10; 3:7, 17): Terms describing the utter destruction and abandonment that will befall Nineveh.;xNLx;Fig trees with first-ripe figs (Nahum 3:12): A metaphor for Nineveh's fortresses, which will fall as easily as ripe figs drop when the tree is shaken, indicating their vulnerability before the attackers.;xNLx;Locusts / Grasshoppers (Nahum 3:15-17): Used metaphorically to describe Nineveh's vast population of officials or soldiers who, despite their numbers, will disappear quickly when disaster strikes, like locusts spreading their wings and flying away.;xNLx;IV. Other Notable Terms:;xNLx;;xNLx;Elkoshite (Nahum 1:1): The designation of Nahum, indicating his place of origin or ancestral home, though the exact location of Elkosh is uncertain.;xNLx;Yoke (Nahum 1:13): A wooden frame joining draft animals, used metaphorically for the oppressive rule or burden imposed by Assyria upon Judah. God promises to break this yoke.;xNLx;Bonds / Fetters (Nahum 1:13): Restraints used to bind prisoners, symbolizing Assyrian oppression from which Judah will be freed.;xNLx;Counselor of Belial / Worthless counselor (Nahum 1:11): A wicked or destructive advisor who devises evil plans. (See "Worthless / Belial" under Prophetic terms).;xNLx;**Gazelles (Figurative use for speed, Nahum 2:8, where Nineveh is like a pool whose waters run away, not directly about gazelles, but the general idea of swift escape/flight is relevant to battle imagery). Self-correction: While "swiftness" is a theme, "gazelles" are not explicitly used as a direct metaphor in Nahum ESV. The focus is more on the chaotic flight.;xNLx;Sackcloth (Nahum 2:7 [ESV "covered," context of mourning, but sackcloth is a common mourning garment]): Though not explicitly "sackcloth" in 2:7, the context of capture and mourning would often involve such attire. The general concept of mourning attire is relevant. Self-correction: Direct mention of "sackcloth" is not prominent as a keyword needing definition within Nahum itself.;xNLx;This list aims to provide clarity on some of the key terms and vivid imagery in the Book of Nahum (ESV), enabling a better understanding of its powerful message of God's justice against oppressors and His ultimate sovereignty over nations.