This refers to the announcement of Assyria’s defeat by the Babylonians and was a word of comfort to Israel.

See note Jonah 1:2^1a. The prophecies of both Jonah and Nahum relate to the city of Nineveh. Whereas Jonah brought, or extended, God’s salvation to that sinful city, Nahum brought God’s judgment upon it. Jonah reveals that God in His salvation is the God of all the peoples of the earth, not only of the Jews but also of the Gentiles (see note Jonah 4:11¹). Nahum reveals that God is also the God of all peoples in His judgment. Thus, God is the God of all peoples both in judgment and in salvation.

Although He extended His salvation to Nineveh, God judged Nineveh because Nineveh was sinful and invaded Israel (2 Kings 15:19-20, 29; 17:3-6; 18:9-37; 19:1-37). Assyria was the first nation to devastate Israel, invading Israel more than one hundred years before the Babylonian invasion under Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings 24:1-20; 25:1-21).

I.e., the yoke that Sennacherib, the king of Assyria, had placed on Israel. First, the Assyrians came to devastate Israel. Then God used Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar to defeat the Assyrians, and this became a deliverance to Israel.

Lit., he.

I.e., Nineveh.

In vv. 8-12, 14a Jehovah, the majestic Judge, pronounces His verdict concerning the destruction of Nineveh by the Medes and the Babylonians in 612 B.C. The remainder of the book gives a full portrait of Jehovah’s judgment on this evil city. See note Nahum 2:6¹.

Meaning comfort, and similar in sound to the word for avenge. This name signifies that Jehovah God comforts His elect, Israel, and avenges Israel of her enemy, Nineveh, by judging Assyria.