1. Survey of the Old Testament
Chapter 39
Nahum

2. The Writing of the Book The Background Written prior to Nineveh's fall
Literary similarities to Isaiah
 Most disputed section, psalm found in 1:2-8
The Background
Nineveh: the heart of the Assyrian Empire
Photo: The Assyrian defeat of Thebes (shown in an Assyrian relief) in 663 BC represented the successful extension of their empire into Egypt. Nahum warned that Nineveh's vaunted invulnerability was no better than that of Thebes. "Are you better than Thebes, situated on the Nile, with water around her? The river was her defense, the waters her wall" (Nah. 3:8).

3. Structure and Organization
Purpose and Message
Pronounce the doom of Nineveh
Structure and Organization
Perspective for the vision
Addresses to Nineveh and Judah
Details of Nineveh's destruction
Major Themes
Assyria and the Old Testament