Nahum 1:4-5

4, 5. He rebuketh the sea By the blast of the whirlwind (Nahum 1:3) he rebukes the sea, and in terror it dries up (compare Psalms 18:15). There may be an allusion to the dividing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21; compare Psalms 106:9), and of the Jordan (Joshua 3:17).

Drieth up all the rivers Either in the same manner or, as the following clauses make probable, by means of drought, which was always considered an expression of the divine wrath (Joel 1:20; 1 Kings 17:7). For 4b compare Amos 1:2.

Bashan See on Amos 4:1.

Carmel See on Amos 1:2; Amos 9:3.

Flower of Lebanon See “his smell as Lebanon” (Hosea 14:6).

Languisheth The same word is used in Joel 1:10; Joel 1:12 (see there).

The mountains quake at him Literally, from him. The power that makes them quake proceeds from Jehovah. The imagery of Nahum 1:3 is continued; when the mountains hear the roar of the thunder they tremble in terror (Micah 1:3-4; Judges 5:4; Habakkuk 3:6).

The hills melt The thunderstorm is accompanied by heavy rainfall; the water rushes down the hills in such torrents that it looks as if the hills themselves are melting (Micah 1:4; Judges 5:5).

The earth is burned at his presence R.V., “upheaved.” The translation of A.V. follows late Jewish authorities; it derives no support from the Old Testament usage of the verb; that of the R.V. also is not without difficulties. Literally, the earth lifts up. To secure the meaning “is upheaved” or “lifts itself up,” the verb form needs to be changed. If that is done the reference will be to the terror produced by the terrible manifestation of Jehovah. The earth seems to start up and tremble when it hears the thunder (Psalms 29:8; a different picture is in Amos 9:5).

Some commentators trace the verb to a different root and give to it a different meaning; Nowack renders, “becomes waste”; Marti, “roars.”

The world The habitable portion of the earth.

All that dwell therein Man and all other living creatures. A common Old Testament expression (Psalms 24:1; Psalms 98:7).