This essay introduces readers to the key interpretive issues in the critical study of the book of Nahum. Interpreting Nahum today requires understanding the following four topics: Nahum’s superscription; the purported acrostic in Nah 1; Nahum within the Book of the Twelve; and divine sexual violence in Nahum. Readers have been troubled by Nahum’s depiction of God’s vengeance toward Assyria, yet they have also been attracted to the book’s aesthetic qualities. The history of interpretation of Nahum reveals that the changing demographics of readers has dramatically shifted the foci of interpretation and attitudes toward the text. Because of its juxtapositions, Nahum continues to be a challenging text that oftentimes divides readers rather than unites them.
The question of which Bible to read continues to be fundamental to the exegetical and theological task. Recent research into the Twelve Prophets has demonstrated that individual books ought to be read in light of their placement within the collection. In the ancient Hebrew and Greek manuscripts, the order of the Twelve Prophets differs, resulting in varying theologies between the versions. The question for Christian interpreters is which text they should read. Scholars have largely favored the MT version of the Twelve and questioned the integrity of a LXX Twelve collection. In this essay, I argue that, as Christian Scripture, books within the Twelve ought to be read in light of their function within both Hebrew and Greek versions. This view rests on a broader theological understanding of canon, as well as recent research on the Twelve Prophets among historical critics. The books of the LXX Twelve consistently appear in the same order in the ancient manuscripts, which suggests that their sequence functioned in a normative manner. LXX Twelve possesses its own catchwords and thematic development that unify the collection and contribute to its distinct theological emphasis. If the Holy Spirit sanctifies the canonical process from composition to reception, then a more expansive canon can include both versions. In addition, if ecclesiastical tradition ought to be consulted in canonical decisions, the exegetical practices of Augustine and Jerome provide a precedent for using both versions for Christian theological interpretation.
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