It has been said that the 20th century was the bloodiest in human history. With two World Wars and countless other smaller wars, millions of human beings were killed. However, history is filled with cruel empires, and Nahum was prophesying to one such kingdom – Assyria. As many would feel some level of hope in hearing of the fall of the Axis powers, likewise, those who had been victims of the Assyrians held out hope that Assyria would fall. The Assyrians were cruel and advertised freely on tablets and palace walls the different forms of torture they would inflict on their conquered. A quick internet search or visiting some of the museums that have archeological finds from this empire can show you exactly how cruel the Assyrians were. Nahum the Elkoshite delivered his message after the fall of Thebes occurred in 663 BC (Nah. 3:8) but while Assyria was still in a dominant position – so most likely, Nahum prophesied sometime between 630 – 612 BC. His poetry is quite powerful and expressive and includes a chiasm in chapters 2-3 centered on the “Woe” speech in 3:1-4.