The very first verse of the book has made it clear that this is an oracle concerning Nineveh. However, Nahum 1:2–8 have spoken in largely general terms about the Lord’s enemy.
Nineveh is not mentioned by name until Nahum 2:8. In Nahum 1:9–15 the Lord addresses his enemy directly, as the words you
and they
are now used. From the context of chapter 1 the second-person feminine pronouns (you
) almost always refer to either Judah or Nineveh.1 It becomes more and more obvious that Nineveh is the particular enemy to whom the Lord is speaking through Nahum. Nineveh was plotting against the Lord by mistreating Judah. Acting against Judah is the same as acting against the Lord.
9 What do you plot against the LORD? He will make a complete end; trouble will not rise up a second time.