Interpretation of the Prophet Nahum

“Interpretation on the Prophet Nahum” is part of the “Interpretation on the 12 Minor Prophets”, written by Blessed. Theodoret of Cyrus in the 30-40s. V century at the request of friends. He uses a typological method of interpretation and pays sufficient attention to clarifying the chronology of the prophet's life. The commentary is a sequential presentation of all 3 chapters of the Book of the Prophet Nahum. Blzh. Theodoret focuses on the theme of God's judgment and justice. He explains that Nineveh's punishment is a manifestation of God's righteousness and a response to the sins of the people, including oppression and violence. Prophet Nahum, according to the blessed one. Theodoret, serves as a voice of consolation for the Israelites, promising them liberation from their oppressors and restoration of peace. The Ninevites, fearing God's threat, preached to them by the godly Jonah, resorted to fervent repentance and found salvation for themselves; Instead of the final destruction that threatened them, they were granted God’s love for mankind. But, after a little time, they forgot about this ineffable mercy, returning to their former vices, committed thousands of new iniquities, and dared to go with an army against Israel. Felgathellaser and Salamanaser, having enslaved the ten tribes, took them into captivity; and Sennacherib, taking up arms against Judea, took other cities by storm, and sent an army against Jerusalem, moving his tongue against the very God of all. But invisibly by a single Angel, many thousands were instantly put to death; and their king himself, having escaped this punishment, and having become a herald of the execution that had befallen God (for this reason God gave him to escape healthy), in his royal palaces he received a mortal blow from those born to him: and soon after the transfer of the royal throne to Babylon, the entire line of these kings died out; the city of Nineveh is devastated and abandoned to final desolation. This destruction of Nineveh is predicted by the blessed Prophet Nahum, having received the power of God's Spirit, and teaches those foretold that the Lord God does not leave anything without his care and providence, but in His just way He definitely demands from everyone an account of everything that he has done in life. Therefore, he handed over the ungodly Israel to the Assyrians; He also subjected the Assyrians, who treated Israel brutally and cruelly, to many punishments through other nations; because, not serving God’s will, they went with an army against Israel, but guided by arrogance and insolence and attempting to extend their dominion to everyone. God allowed them to carry out all sorts of undertakings, punishing Israel through them. But lest they think that they had succeeded in this by their own strength, after they had conquered all the other cities, they put many thousands to death at the very walls of Jerusalem. These predictions are contained in the prophecy of blessed Nahum. But it’s time to begin interpreting the sayings themselves.