What Does Nahum 1:1 Mean in the King James?
The burden of Nineveh. The book of the vision of Nahum the Elkoshite.
The analysis reads the King James wording.
King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.
THE KEY
Nineveh’s oracle is named as a burden brought into sight by Nahum, whose name means comfort.
THE MEANING
This line gives the weight a name: Nineveh, seen in a vision rather than left indistinct. Nahum’s name carries the sense of comfort, so the verse places consolation beside the burden while leaving the burden fully in view.
THE ROOT
מַשָּׂא
massa
GROWS FROM
נָשָׂא
nasa
To lift, carry, or bear.
“burden” in this verse is massa. The Hebrew word massa is associated with nasa, the root of lifting and carrying. In a prophetic title, the message is presented as weight to be borne; the same verb can also describe bearing crookedness, extending the image of carrying into the realm of guilt.
ALSO GROWS
nasa: To lift, carry, or bear.
נָשָׂא
This verb is the carrying-root beneath the title’s word for burden.
nōśēʾ ʿāwōn: Bearing crookedness; rendered “forgiving iniquity” in Exodus 34:7.
נֹשֵׂא עָוֹן
The same carrying verb reaches beyond physical weight into the bearing of guilt.
נַחוּם
Naḥum
GROWS FROM
נחם
n-ḥ-m
To comfort or console.
Nahum’s name carries the sense of comfort. The line holds this name beside a burden, letting consolation stand near the weight without erasing it.
ALSO GROWS
niḥūm: Consolation.
נִחוּם
This noun makes explicit the comfort carried in Nahum’s name.
menaḥem: One who comforts; a comforter.
מְנַחֵם
The name’s root can describe a person whose nature is to console.
חָזוֹן
ḥāzôn
GROWS FROM
חזה
ḥ-z-h
To see or behold.
The Hebrew keeps vision close to the act of seeing. The burden is brought into view as something witnessed, not left as an indistinct idea.
ALSO GROWS
ḥōzeh: A seer, one who sees.
חֹזֶה
This related word names the person who receives or perceives a vision.
maḥazeh: A vision or appearance.
מַחֲזֶה
This form also names something seen, as in the vision in Genesis 15:1.
THE PATTERN
A revealed word can be both seen and borne as a weight.
The burden of Babylon, which Isaiah the son of Amoz did see.Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!THE THREAD
Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.The Hebrew behind “hath borne” is nasa, the same carrying-root associated with massa, “burden.” The shared root lets Nahum’s title echo the bearing of grief: the weight is something carried.
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