The Holy
Prophet Naum, whose name means "God consoles," was from the village of
Elkosh (Galilee). He lived during the seventh century B.C. The Prophet Naum
prophesies the ruin of the Assyrian city of Nineveh because of its iniquity,
the destruction of the Israelite kingdom, and the blasphemy of King
Sennacherib against God. The Assyrian king Ashurbanipal died in 632 B.C.,
and over the next two decades, his empire began to crumble. Nineveh fell in
612 B.C.
Nahum differs from
most of the prophets in as much as he does not issue any call to repentance,
nor does he denounce Israel for infidelity to God.
Details of the
prophet's life are unknown. He died at the age of forty-five, and was buried
in his native region. He is the seventh of the Twelve Minor Prophets
The Prophet
Naum and St. Naum of Ochrid (December
23) are invoked for people with mental
disorders.
