נַחוּם
Nachum, an Israelite prophet
Definition
נַחוּם (Nachum) is the name of a minor prophet in the Old Testament, best known as the author of the Book of Nahum. The name itself means 'comforted' or 'comforter,' deriving from the Hebrew root for comfort. As a prophet, Nahum's ministry focused entirely on delivering a message of judgment against the Assyrian empire and its capital, Nineveh, as detailed in Nahum 1:1. His prophecy serves as a declaration of God's justice and a source of comfort for the oppressed kingdom of Judah, assuring them of their enemy's coming downfall.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun is used exclusively in the Old Testament to refer to the prophet Nahum. It appears only once, in the superscription of his book: 'The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite' (Nahum 1:1). The usage is straightforward, identifying the human author of the prophetic oracle against Assyria. No other biblical character shares this name.
Etymology
The name נַחוּם (Nachum) is a passive participle derived from the root נָחַם (nacham, H5162), which carries the core meaning 'to comfort,' 'to console,' or 'to relent.' It is related to the name Nehemiah (נְחֶמְיָה), which means 'Yahweh comforts.' The name reflects a state of being comforted, likely signifying a child born as a comfort to parents or one through whom God brings comfort.
Semantic Range
The name and book of Nahum are theologically significant for understanding God's character. While the prophet's message is one of severe judgment, his name—'comforted'—highlights a dual aspect of God's nature: He is a just judge against wickedness (Nahum 1:2-3) and a comforting refuge for those who trust in Him (Nahum 1:7). The book assures believers that God sees oppression and will ultimately execute justice, providing comfort to the afflicted. Understanding the Hebrew meaning enriches the reading by framing the entire prophecy as an act of divine comfort for God's people.
In ancient Israelite culture, names were often descriptive and carried significant meaning, reflecting circumstances of birth, parental hopes, or character. A name meaning 'comforted' like Nahum likely indicated a child who brought consolation or was seen as a gift from God following a period of hardship. As a prophet, his name ironically contrasts with his harsh message for Nineveh but aligns perfectly with its intended effect for Judah.
נְחֶמְיָה (Nechemyah, H5166) — A related name meaning 'Yahweh comforts,' borne by the post-exilic leader Nehemiah.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →