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.

NAHUM 1:2KJV
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Nahum 1:2 (KJV)

What does Nahum 1:2 mean?

Nahum 1:2 describes God as a jealous and avenging God who is filled with fury toward his enemies and will not let wrongdoing go unpunished. The verse emphasizes that God reserves his anger specifically for those who oppose him, making clear that he will take action against his adversaries.

Nahum, a prophet, is speaking these words as a message from God to the people of Judah about the coming judgment on Nineveh, the capital of Assyria. The verse sets the tone for the book by highlighting God’s passionate commitment to justice and his willingness to confront those who do evil, especially those who have harmed his people.

The Hebrew behind Nahum 1:2

  • "jealous" (קַנּוֹא, qannō’): This word means more than envy; it refers to a deep, protective zeal, especially for what is rightfully God’s. Here, it shows God’s intense commitment to his people and his honor.
  • "revengeth" (נָקַם, nāqām): This word is repeated for emphasis and means to avenge or bring justice. It stresses that God will actively respond to wrongdoing, not just overlook it.
  • "furious" (בַּעַל חֵמָה, ba‘al ḥēmāh): Literally “master of wrath,” this phrase means God is fully in control of his anger, not out of control. It highlights that God’s anger is purposeful and directed at injustice.
  • "adversaries" (צָרָיו, tsārāv) and "enemies" (אֹיְבָיו, ’oyevāv): These words make clear that God’s wrath is not random but aimed at those who oppose or harm him and his people.

Why Nahum 1:2 matters

  • Nahum 1:2 corrects the idea that God is indifferent or passive about evil; instead, it shows that God is personally involved and will act against injustice.
  • The verse sets up the rest of Nahum’s prophecy by making it clear that God’s coming judgment on Nineveh is not arbitrary but rooted in his character as a just and protective God.
  • Understanding the original words for “jealous” and “furious” helps avoid the mistake of thinking God’s anger is like human rage; instead, it is a controlled, righteous response to real wrongdoing.

Where else these words appear

“jealous” Hebrew H7072 · used in 2 verses

  • Joshua 24:19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.

“reserveth” Hebrew H5201 · used in 8 verses

  • Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
  • Song of Solomon 1:6 Look not upon me, because I am black, because the sun hath looked upon me: my mother's children were angry with me; they made me the keeper of the vineyards; but mine own vineyard have I not kept.
  • Song of Solomon 8:12 My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.

“revengeth” Hebrew H5358 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 4:15 And the LORD said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the LORD set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
  • Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes.
  • Jeremiah 5:9 Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: and shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this?

“furious” Hebrew H1167 · used in 78 verses

  • Genesis 14:13 And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the Hebrew; for he dwelt in the plain of Mamre the Amorite, brother of Eshcol, and brother of Aner: and these were confederate with Abram.
  • Judges 9:18 And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
  • Proverbs 12:4 A virtuous woman is a crown to her husband: but she that maketh ashamed is as rottenness in his bones.