Nahum 1:15

Behold vpon the mountaines the feete of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace. O Iudah keepe thy solemne feasts, performe thy vowes: for the wicked shall no more passe through thee, he is vtterly cut off. Nahum 1:15 (KJV)

Nahum is one of the minor prophets of the Old Testament, and his short book concentrates on God’s judgment against the Assyrian empire and the promised deliverance of His people, Judah. The prophet delivered his message in the late seventh century BC, a period when Assyrian power threatened the security of Israel and Judah.

The opening clause, “Behold upon the mountains the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace!” calls the listener’s attention to a messenger arriving from the high places. In the ancient world messengers ran swiftly over rugged terrain, and the sight of their feet on the mountains signified the imminent arrival of important news. The phrase therefore pictures a herald who brings joyful news of peace and restoration to a people under oppression.

Scholars note that the remainder of the quotation—“O Judah, keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows: for the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off”—is not found in the Masoretic text of Nahum 1:15 and appears to be drawn from other biblical material. This observation cautions readers that the extended wording may be a later conflation rather than the original prophetic utterance.

Nevertheless, the themes expressed in those additional lines are consistent with Nahum’s overall message. The call for Judah to observe its appointed feasts and fulfill vows encourages faithful worship even amid crisis. The promise that “the wicked shall no more pass through thee; he is utterly cut off” points to the imminent judgment on Assyria, assuring the people that their oppressor will be removed and that divine protection will be restored.

Together, the verse and its surrounding commentary invite believers to recognize the arrival of God’s peace‑bringing messenger, to maintain devoted worship, and to trust in the certainty of God’s judgment against the wicked, fostering hope for deliverance and restoration.