N a h u m.(*): means consolation, the seventh of the so called minor prophets, an Elkoshite. Written B.C.E. 713.

Concise Bible Dictionary: Nothing is known of the personal history of this prophet. He is called 'the Elkoshite', which is supposed to refer to a place named Elkosh in Galilee. Jonah the prophet was also of Galilee.

There is no reference to dates in the prophecy, but it is generally placed at about B.C.E. 714, when Sennacherib invaded Judea:.2Kings 18:13. The prophecy is against Nineveh and foretells its destruction.

All we know of him is recorded in the book of his prophecies. He was probably a native of Galilee and after the deportation of the ten tribes took up his residence in Jerusalem. Others think that Elkosh was the name of a place on the east bank of the Tigris and that Nahum dwelt there.

Nahum prophesied, according to some, in the beginning of the reign of Ahaz.(B.C. 743). Others, however, think that his prophecies are to be referred to the latter half of the reign of Hezekiah.(about B.C. 709). This is the more probable opinion, internal evidences leading to that conclusion. Probably the book was written in Jerusalem.(soon after B.C. 709), where he witnessed the invasion of Sennacherib.(King of Assyria B.C. 704 to 681).and the destruction of his host:.2Kings 19:35. 

The subject of this prophecy is the approaching complete and final destruction of Nineveh (located in northern Iraq), the capital of the great, and at that time flourishing Assyrian empire.

Assur-bani-pal was at the height of his glory. Nineveh was a city of vast extent and was then the centre of the civilization and commerce of the world, a 'bloody city all full of lies and robbery'.(Nahum 3:1), for it had robbed and plundered all the neighbouring nations. It was strongly fortified on every side, bidding defiance to every enemy; yet it was to be utterly destroyed as a punishment for the great wickedness of its inhabitants. 

Jonah had already uttered his message of warning and Nahum was followed by Zephaniah, who also predicted.(Zephaniah 2:4-15).the destruction of the city, predictions which were remarkably fulfilled.(B.C. 625).when Nineveh was destroyed apparently by fire, and the Assyrian empire came to an end, an event which changed the face of Asia.

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H a b a k k u k.(*): means embrace, the eighth of the twelve minor prophets. Habakkuk's book features a dialogue between Habakkuk and God about suffering and justice. Written B.C.E. 626.

Of his personal history we have no reliable information. He was probably a member of the Levitical choir. He was contemporary with Jeremiah and Zephaniah.

The prophecies of Habakkuk were probably written about B.C.E. 650-627 or as some think, a few years later. This book consists of three chapters, the contents of which are thus comprehensively described: "When the prophet in spirit saw the formidable power of the Chaldeans approaching and menacing his land and saw the great evils they would cause in Judea, he bore his complaints and doubts before Jehovah, the just and the pure:.Habakkuk 1:2-17.

And on this occasion the future punishment of the Chaldeans was revealed to him:.Habakkuk chapter 2.

In the third chapter a presentiment of the destruction of his country, in the inspired heart of the prophet, contends with his hope that the enemy would be chastised." The third chapter is a sublime song dedicated "to the chief musician," and therefore intended apparently to be used in the worship of God. It is "unequaled in majesty and splendor of language and imagery." 

The passage in Habakkuk 2:4."The just shall live by his faith", is quoted by the apostle in Romans 1:17..(compare Galatians 3:12; Hebrews 10:37,38)

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Z e p h a n i a h.(*): means 'Jehovah.(the Creator, the Father).has concealed', or 'Jehovah of darkness'. Written B.C.E. 630. He was the son of Cushi and great-grandson of Hezekiah and the ninth in the order of the minor prophets.

He prophesied in the days of Josiah, king of Judah.(B.C.E. 641-610), and was contemporary with Jeremiah with whom he had much in common.

The book of his prophecies consists of:.chapter 1:1-6 an introduction announcing the judgment of the world and the judgment upon Israel, because of their transgressions; chapter 1:7-18 the description of the judgment; chapter 2:1-3 an exhortation to seek God while there is still time; chapter 2:4-15 the announcement of judgment on the heathen; chapter 3:1-7 the hopeless misery of Jerusalem; chapter 3:8-20 the promise of salvation.