The Holy Prophet Nahum, one of the twelve minor prophets, came from Galilee, from the village of Elkosh. His book contains a prophecy about the fall of Nineveh, a prediction of the calamities that the Lord will bring upon this city, and a depiction of its ultimate destruction. Nahum predicts the destruction of Nineveh as punishment for its iniquities, including the destruction of the Kingdom of Israel and the blasphemy of Sennacherib against Jehovah. The prophet reiterates Jonah's prediction of Nineveh's doom, which, having repented for a short time, returned to evil deeds, provoking God's wrath.
The prophecy of Nahum was prompted by the fear of the Jews regarding the possible return of Sennacherib after his defeat at the walls of Jerusalem. He predicted the final demise of Nineveh, which would be destroyed by a flood of waters, and its treasures plundered and consumed by fire. The entire book presents God's decree concerning the destruction of Nineveh for its idolatry and depravity, while the Kingdom of Judah is foretold to be liberated from the yoke of Assyria.
The time of the prophet Nahum's ministry relates to the second half of the reign of the Judean king Hezekiah, from 745 to 714 B.C. Nothing is known about other circumstances of the prophet's life; according to tradition, he died at the age of 45 and was buried in his native land.
