The change in Nahum 1:8 is as sudden as the change in Nahum 1:7. Even as he provides refuge for his people, the Lord makes a complete end of their enemy. The word “abar” translated here as an “overflowing flood” is the same word that is translated as “unceasing” in Nahum 3:19 where it refers to Nineveh’s evil. The tables are going to be turned. Their unceasing cruelty to others, including Judah, is going to turn into overwhelming judgment from the Lord. Darkness often signifies death, the grave, and the absence of the Lord’s favour. The Lord will pursue his enemy into darkness.1 He will destroy his enemies to the point of death. It speaks of the total removal of Assyria. This is literally what happens to Nineveh when it is finally invaded by the Medes and Babylonians—both the city and its people are removed forever.
8 But with an overflowing flood he will make a complete end of the adversaries, and will pursue his enemies into darkness.