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Literary structure (chiasmus, chiasm) of Book of Nahum

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of whole text


1-1

1 The consuming wrath of God (1:1-8)
  2 Evil plot (1:9-11)
    3 Breaking the yoke (1:12-14 )
      4 Good news for Judah (2:1-3)
    5 The destruction of the wicked city (2:4-11)
  6 Ruin imminent and inevitable (2:12-3:6)
7 Judgment on Nineveh (3:7-19)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The consuming wrath of God (1:1-8)
Before his wrath, who can stand firm, and who can face his blazing anger? His fury is poured out like fire, and the rocks are rent asunder before him. (1:6)
Judgment by fire7 Judgment on Nineveh (3:7-19)
There the fire shall consume you, the sword shall cut you down. (3:15)
2 Evil plot (1:9-11)
It is he who will make an end (1:9)
The LORD come against6 Ruin imminent and inevitable (2:12-3:6)
I come against you, says the LORD of hosts (2:14)
3 Breaking the yoke (1:12-14 )
Now will I break his yoke from off you (1:13)
Captivity and liberation5 The destruction of the wicked city (2:4-11)
Its mistress is led forth captive (2:8)

1-1-1

1 The consuming wrath of God (1:1-8)
  2 Evil plot (1:9-11)
  3 Breaking the yoke (1:12-14 )
4 Good news for Judah (2:1-3)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 The consuming wrath of God (1:1-8)
a refuge on the day of distress (1:7)
To protect4 Good news for Judah (2:1-3)
guard the rampart, Keep watch on the road (2:2)
2 Evil plot (1:9-11)
when a tangle of thornbushes is set aflame, like dry stubble, they shall be utterly consumed (1:10)
Removal of obstacles3 Breaking the yoke (1:12-14 )
Now will I break his yoke from off you (1:13)

1-1-2

4 Good news for Judah (2:1-3)
  5 The destruction of the wicked city (2:4-11)
  6 Ruin imminent and inevitable (2:12-3:6)
7 Judgment on Nineveh (3:7-19)
Former halfRelationLatter half
4 Good news for Judah (2:1-3)
he is completely destroyed (2:1)
Destruction of enemies7 Judgment on Nineveh (3:7-19)
Nineveh is destroyed (3:7)
5 The destruction of the wicked city (2:4-11)
Fiery steel are the chariots on the day of his mustering (2:4)
Wars6 Ruin imminent and inevitable (2:12-3:6)
The crack of the whip, the rumbling sounds of wheels; horses a-gallop, chariots bounding (3:2)

Citations of the Bible are from New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible.

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Literary Structure of the Bible by Hajime Murai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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