King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are thrown down by him.
Complete Jewish Bible:
Who can withstand his fury? Who can endure his fierce anger? His wrath is poured out like fire, the rocks broken to pieces before him.
Berean Standard Bible:
Who can withstand His indignation? Who can endure His burning anger? His wrath is poured out like fire; even rocks are shattered before Him.
American Standard Version:
Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger? his wrath is poured out like fire, and the rocks are broken asunder by him.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Who can stand{H5975} before{H6440} his indignation{H2195}? and who can abide{H6965} in the fierceness{H2740} of his anger{H639}? his fury{H2534} is poured out{H5413} like fire{H784}, and the rocks{H6697} are thrown down{H5422} by him.
Cross-References (KJV):
Jeremiah 10:10
- But the LORD [is] the true God, he [is] the living God, and an everlasting king: at his wrath the earth shall tremble, and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation.
Malachi 3:2
- But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he [is] like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Deuteronomy 32:22
- For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.
Deuteronomy 32:23
- I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.
Psalms 76:7
- ¶ Thou, [even] thou, [art] to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
Nahum 1:2
- ¶ 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.
Lamentations 4:11
- The LORD hath accomplished his fury; he hath poured out his fierce anger, and hath kindled a fire in Zion, and it hath devoured the foundations thereof.
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Commentary for Nahum 1:6
Nahum 1:6 is a verse from the book of Nahum, which is part of the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament. The book is a prophecy concerning the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian Empire. This empire was known for its ruthlessness and had previously destroyed the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The verse reflects the theme of divine retribution and the awesomeness of God's power.
In this verse, the prophet Nahum is emphasizing the terrifying nature of God's wrath. The rhetorical questions, "Who can stand before his indignation? and who can abide in the fierceness of his anger?" suggest that no one can withstand or endure the intensity of God's fury when it is unleashed. The imagery of God's fury being "poured out like fire" conveys the destructive force of His judgment, while "the rocks are thrown down by him" illustrates the physical upheaval that can occur as a result of His power.
The historical context of this verse is set against the backdrop of the impending fall of Nineveh, which actually occurred around 612 BCE at the hands of the Babylonians and Medes. Nahum's prophecy served as both a warning to Nineveh and a source of comfort to Judah, the remaining Israelite kingdom, assuring them that God would punish their oppressors. The themes present in this verse include the sovereignty of God, the certainty of divine justice, and the assurance that evil will ultimately face judgment. Nahum's message is one of hope for the oppressed and a sobering reminder of the consequences of wickedness and pride.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H5975
There are 495 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: עָמַד
Transliteration: ʻâmad
Pronunciation: aw-mad'
Description: a primitive root; to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive); abide (behind), appoint, arise, cease, confirm, continue, dwell, be employed, endure, establish, leave, make, ordain, be (over), place, (be) present (self), raise up, remain, repair, [phrase] serve, set (forth, over, -tle, up), (make to, make to be at a, with-) stand (by, fast, firm, still, up), (be at a) stay (up), tarry. - Strong's Number: H6440
There are 1890 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: פָּנִים
Transliteration: pânîym
Pronunciation: paw-neem'
Description: plural (but always as singular) of an unused noun פָּנֶה; from פָּנָה); the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.); [phrase] accept, a-(be-) fore(-time), against, anger, [idiom] as (long as), at, [phrase] battle, [phrase] because (of), [phrase] beseech, countenance, edge, [phrase] employ, endure, [phrase] enquire, face, favour, fear of, for, forefront(-part), form(-er time, -ward), from, front, heaviness, [idiom] him(-self), [phrase] honourable, [phrase] impudent, [phrase] in, it, look(-eth) (-s), [idiom] me, [phrase] meet, [idiom] more than, mouth, of, off, (of) old (time), [idiom] on, open, [phrase] out of, over against, the partial, person, [phrase] please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, [phrase] regard, right forth, [phrase] serve, [idiom] shewbread, sight, state, straight, [phrase] street, [idiom] thee, [idiom] them(-selves), through ([phrase] -out), till, time(-s) past, (un-) to(-ward), [phrase] upon, upside ([phrase] down), with(-in, [phrase] -stand), [idiom] ye, [idiom] you. - Strong's Number: H2195
There are 22 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: זַעַם
Transliteration: zaʻam
Pronunciation: zah'-am
Description: from זָעַם; strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure with sin); angry, indignation, rage. - Strong's Number: H6965
There are 596 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: קוּם
Transliteration: qûwm
Pronunciation: koom
Description: a primitive root; to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative); abide, accomplish, [idiom] be clearer, confirm, continue, decree, [idiom] be dim, endure, [idiom] enemy, enjoin, get up, make good, help, hold, (help to) lift up (again), make, [idiom] but newly, ordain, perform, pitch, raise (up), rear (up), remain, (a-) rise (up) (again, against), rouse up, set (up), (e-) stablish, (make to) stand (up), stir up, strengthen, succeed, (as-, make) sure(-ly), (be) up(-hold, -rising). - Strong's Number: H2740
There are 40 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חָרוֹן
Transliteration: chârôwn
Pronunciation: khaw-rone'
Description: or (shortened) חָרֹן; from חָרָה; a burning of anger; sore displeasure, fierce(-ness), fury, (fierce) wrath(-ful). - Strong's Number: H639
There are 306 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַף
Transliteration: ʼaph
Pronunciation: af
Description: from אָנַף; properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire; anger(-gry), [phrase] before, countenance, face, [phrase] forebearing, forehead, [phrase] (long-) suffering, nose, nostril, snout, [idiom] worthy, wrath. - Strong's Number: H2534
There are 117 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: חֵמָה
Transliteration: chêmâh
Pronunciation: khay-maw'
Description: or (Daniel 11:44) חֵמָא; from יָחַם; heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever); anger, bottles, hot displeasure, furious(-ly, -ry), heat, indignation, poison, rage, wrath(-ful). See חֶמְאָה. - Strong's Number: H5413
There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַךְ
Transliteration: nâthak
Pronunciation: naw-thak'
Description: a primitive root; to flow forth (literally or figuratively); by implication, to liquify; drop, gather (together), melt, pour (forth, out). - Strong's Number: H784
There are 549 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֵשׁ
Transliteration: ʼêsh
Pronunciation: aysh
Description: a primitive word; fire (literally or figuratively); burning, fiery, fire, flaming, hot. - Strong's Number: H6697
There are 74 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: צוּר
Transliteration: tsûwr
Pronunciation: tsoor
Description: or צֻר; from צוּר; properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous); edge, [idiom] (mighty) God (one), rock, [idiom] sharp, stone, [idiom] strength, [idiom] strong. See also בֵּית צוּר. - Strong's Number: H5422
There are 41 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָתַץ
Transliteration: nâthats
Pronunciation: naw-thats'
Description: a primitive root; to tear down; beat down, break down (out), cast down, destroy, overthrow, pull down, throw down.