from נָחַם; comfortable; Nachum, an Israelite prophet; Nahum.
Transliteration:Nachûwm
Pronunciation:nakh-oom'
Detailed Word Study
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### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Hebrew word "Nachûwm" (`{{H5151}}`) is a proper noun, serving as a personal name. Its meaning is derived directly from the verbal root "nāḥam" (`{{H5162}}`). The root "nāḥam" carries a rich semantic range, encompassing concepts such as "to be sorry," "to repent," "to console," "to comfort," or "to relent." As a passive participle, "Nachûwm" signifies "one who is comforted," "one who is consoled," or "comfortable." In the context of a name, it strongly implies a connection to divine comfort or a state of being divinely comforted, or even one who brings comfort.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The primary and most significant occurrence of "Nachûwm" (`{{H5151}}`) in the Hebrew Bible is as the name of the prophet Nahum, author of the prophetic book bearing his name. The book of Nahum is an oracle primarily focused on the impending destruction of Nineveh, the formidable capital of the Assyrian Empire. The only direct mention of the prophet's name within the biblical text is found in [[Nahum 1:1]]: "The oracle concerning Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite." The name "Nahum" (Comfort/Consolation) stands in stark, yet ultimately complementary, contrast to the message of severe judgment and destruction pronounced upon Nineveh. For the oppressed people of Judah, Nineveh's downfall would indeed represent a profound source of comfort, relief, and divine vindication, thereby fulfilling the implicit meaning of the prophet's name. The very name of the messenger becomes a theological statement about God's character and His redemptive action in history, bringing comfort to His elect through the righteous judgment of their adversaries.
### Related Words & Concepts
The most crucial related word is the root "nāḥam" (`{{H5162}}`), from which "Nachûwm" is derived. This root is ubiquitous in the Old Testament, expressing various nuances of comfort, compassion, repentance, and God's relenting from a course of action. Examples include Lamech's hope that Noah would "comfort" them from their toil ([[Genesis 5:29]]), and the divine command to "Comfort, comfort my people" in [[Isaiah 40:1]]. Conversely, it can describe God's "relenting" from disaster, as seen in [[Exodus 32:14]]. Other proper names also derive from this root, such as "Menahem" (`{{H4504}}`), meaning "comforter," a king of Israel mentioned in [[2 Kings 15:14]]. Theologically, "Nachûwm" connects to concepts of divine compassion, God's justice, the restoration of His people, the solace found in God's presence, and the vindication of the righteous through the judgment of their oppressors.
### Theological Significance
The name "Nahum" (`{{H5151}}`) encapsulates a profound theological truth: God's righteous judgment, while catastrophic for the wicked, is simultaneously an act of profound comfort and salvation for His suffering people. The book of Nahum, despite its vivid descriptions of divine wrath, functions primarily as a message of hope and consolation for Judah. It portrays God as "slow to anger and great in power" but also as one who "will by no means clear the guilty" ([[Nahum 1:3]]). Crucially, God "is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him" ([[Nahum 1:7]]). The prophet's name thus foreshadows the ultimate outcome of God's intervention: the comfort of deliverance from an oppressive enemy. This dual aspect underscores God's character as both a just judge and a compassionate redeemer. It points to an eschatological hope for God's people—that ultimately, all injustice will be rectified, and God will bring ultimate comfort and peace to those who trust in Him. The name "Nahum" itself serves as a miniature prophecy of the comfort that will surely come.
### Summary
"Nachûwm" (`{{H5151}}`), meaning "comfort" or "consoled," is the name of the prophet Nahum, whose book declares God's impending judgment on Nineveh. Derived from the versatile root "nāḥam" (`{{H5162}}`), which signifies comfort, repentance, or relenting, the prophet's name holds deep theological significance. It paradoxically points to the comfort God brings to His people by executing justice upon their oppressors. For Judah, Nineveh's destruction was not merely a punitive act but a divine act of consolation, underscoring God's character as a just sovereign who defends His own and brings ultimate comfort through His righteous acts. The name "Nahum" therefore embodies the profound theological truth that God's judgment, though fearsome, is a source of profound comfort and hope for the afflicted and the oppressed.
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