Nahum 1:4

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel, and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

He rebuketh {H1605} the sea {H3220}, and maketh it dry {H2717}, and drieth up {H3001} all the rivers {H5104}: Bashan {H1316} languisheth {H535}, and Carmel {H3760}, and the flower {H6525} of Lebanon {H3844} languisheth {H535}.

He rebukes the sea and leaves it dry, he dries up all the rivers. Bashan and the Karmel languish; the flower of the L'vanon withers.

He rebukes the sea and dries it up; He makes all the rivers run dry. Bashan and Carmel wither, and the flower of Lebanon wilts.

He rebuketh the sea, and maketh it dry, and drieth up all the rivers: Bashan languisheth, and Carmel; and the flower of Lebanon languisheth.

Nahum 1:4 is a powerful declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and control over all creation, setting the stage for the prophet Nahum's message of impending judgment against the Assyrian city of Nineveh. This verse vividly portrays the Lord's immense power, capable of altering the very fabric of nature with a mere command.

Context

This verse is part of an introductory passage (Nahum 1:2-8) that describes the character of God before detailing His specific judgment on Nineveh. The prophet Nahum begins by establishing the Lord as a jealous and avenging God, slow to anger but great in power. Verse 4 serves to underscore this power, demonstrating that if God can command the elements and cause fertile lands to wither, He can certainly bring about the downfall of a mighty empire like Assyria.

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Omnipotence: The primary theme is God's unparalleled power. He doesn't just work through natural processes; He "rebuketh" (a word implying a stern, authoritative command) the sea and rivers, causing them to dry up. This echoes His miraculous acts like the parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21) and the drying of the Jordan River (Joshua 3:16).
  • Judgment and Desolation: The drying up of water sources signifies barrenness and desolation, a common biblical metaphor for judgment. The "languishing" of Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon—regions renowned for their lush vegetation, forests, and fertility—emphasizes that nothing, not even the most vibrant and seemingly secure places, is immune to God's judgment when He chooses to act.
  • God's Majesty and Awe: The description instills a sense of awe at the Lord's majesty. His power is not merely destructive but majestic, demonstrating His ultimate control over all creation.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "rebuketh" is ga'ar (גָּעַר), which implies a strong, authoritative command, often used in contexts where God silences or brings something under control (e.g., Psalm 106:9 where He "rebuked the Red sea"). This is not a passive observation of natural phenomena but an active, divine intervention.

The term "languisheth" (Hebrew: umlal, אֻמְלַל) means to wither, fade, or become feeble. Its repetition underscores the complete loss of vitality and beauty in these once-fertile regions. Bashan, Carmel, and Lebanon were proverbial for their natural beauty and agricultural richness, making their "languishing" a powerful image of utter devastation.

Practical Application

Nahum 1:4 reminds us of God's immense power and sovereign control over all things. For those who stand against Him, it serves as a solemn warning of inevitable judgment. For those who trust in Him, it offers profound comfort: the God who can dry up seas and wither mighty forests is the same God who is for His people. He is able to overcome any obstacle, fulfill His promises, and bring about His perfect will, offering a secure refuge in times of trouble (as indicated later in Nahum 1:7).

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 33:9

    The earth mourneth [and] languisheth: Lebanon is ashamed [and] hewn down: Sharon is like a wilderness; and Bashan and Carmel shake off [their fruits].

  • Psalms 106:9

    He rebuked the Red sea also, and it was dried up: so he led them through the depths, as through the wilderness.

  • Psalms 104:7

    At thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away.

  • Joshua 3:13

    And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, [that] the waters of Jordan shall be cut off [from] the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap.

  • Joshua 3:15

    And as they that bare the ark were come unto Jordan, and the feet of the priests that bare the ark were dipped in the brim of the water, (for Jordan overfloweth all his banks all the time of harvest,)

  • Isaiah 50:2

    Wherefore, when I came, [was there] no man? when I called, [was there] none to answer? Is my hand shortened at all, that it cannot redeem? or have I no power to deliver? behold, at my rebuke I dry up the sea, I make the rivers a wilderness: their fish stinketh, because [there is] no water, and dieth for thirst.

  • Isaiah 50:3

    I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

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