Nahum 1:5

The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt, and the earth is burned at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

The mountains {H2022} quake {H7493} at him, and the hills {H1389} melt {H4127}, and the earth {H776} is burned {H5375} at his presence {H6440}, yea, the world {H8398}, and all that dwell {H3427} therein.

The mountains quake before him, and the hills dissolve; the earth collapses in his presence, the world and everyone living in it.

The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence— the world and all its dwellers.

The mountains quake at him, and the hills melt; and the earth is upheaved at his presence, yea, the world, and all that dwell therein.

Commentary

Nahum 1:5 KJV vividly portrays the overwhelming power and fearsome presence of God. This verse is part of an introductory poem in the book of Nahum, which primarily prophesies the destruction of Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, for its wickedness and cruelty.

Context

The book of Nahum is a prophetic oracle against Nineveh, known for its brutal conquests and idolatry. Chapter 1 begins with a powerful acrostic poem (though incomplete in the Hebrew text) that describes the character of God. Before detailing the specific judgment on Nineveh, Nahum establishes God's nature as a jealous and avenging God, slow to anger but great in power, who will by no means clear the guilty. Verse 5 serves to underscore this divine might, demonstrating that even the most formidable elements of creation cannot stand before Him.

Key Themes

  • God's Omnipotence and Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes that God's power is absolute and extends over all creation. Mountains, hills, and the entire earth are subject to His command, illustrating His control over the natural world. This echoes themes of God's creative and destructive power seen elsewhere, such as when He descended on Mount Sinai, causing it to quake.
  • Divine Judgment: The imagery of quaking mountains, melting hills, and a burning earth signifies the terrifying nature of God's judgment. His presence is not merely awe-inspiring but also destructive to those who oppose Him. This serves as a stark warning to Nineveh and, by extension, to all who defy God's righteous standards.
  • Cosmic Awe and Reverence: The hyperbolic language is designed to evoke a sense of profound awe and fear before the Creator. It highlights that no human power or natural barrier can withstand the divine wrath, underscoring the necessity of reverencing such a mighty God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew words used convey intense, cataclysmic events.

  • The word for "quake" (ra'ash) implies a violent shaking or trembling, often associated with earthquakes or the movement of God.
  • "Melt" (masas) suggests a dissolution or wasting away, like wax before a fire, highlighting the complete vulnerability of creation before God's heat and power. This vivid imagery is also found in Psalm 97:5, "The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD."
  • "Burned" (nasa', often in a context of being consumed or carried away by fire) points to a destructive, purifying force, indicating that the very fabric of existence is affected by His presence.
These terms collectively paint a picture of universal upheaval, emphasizing the comprehensive and inescapable nature of God's power.

Practical Application

For believers, Nahum 1:5 offers profound comfort: the God who controls the cosmos is also the one who defends His people and executes justice against their oppressors. This verse reassures that no evil or injustice will ultimately go unpunished, and that God's ultimate plan for righteousness will prevail. For those who are not in right relationship with God, it serves as a solemn warning about the inevitable and terrifying consequences of defying a sovereign and holy God. It calls all to humility, repentance, and to seek the protection found only in His presence, not against it. Understanding God's immense power should lead to deeper trust and a greater desire to live in obedience to His will, recognizing that His judgment, though terrifying, is always righteous.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 1:4

    And the mountains shall be molten under him, and the valleys shall be cleft, as wax before the fire, [and] as the waters [that are] poured down a steep place.

  • 2 Samuel 22:8

    Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.

  • Jeremiah 4:24

    I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

  • Psalms 97:4

    His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.

  • Psalms 97:5

    The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.

  • Judges 5:5

    The mountains melted from before the LORD, [even] that Sinai from before the LORD God of Israel.

  • Psalms 68:8

    The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: [even] Sinai itself [was moved] at the presence of God, the God of Israel.
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