Nahum 1:11

Authorized King James Version

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There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD, a wicked counsellor.

Original Language Analysis

מִמֵּ֣ךְ H4480
מִמֵּ֣ךְ
Strong's: H4480
Word #: 1 of 8
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
יָצָ֔א There is one come out H3318
יָצָ֔א There is one come out
Strong's: H3318
Word #: 2 of 8
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
חֹשֵׁ֥ב of thee that imagineth H2803
חֹשֵׁ֥ב of thee that imagineth
Strong's: H2803
Word #: 3 of 8
properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou
עַל H5921
עַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 4 of 8
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
יְהוָ֖ה against the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֖ה against the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 5 of 8
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
רָעָ֑ה evil H7451
רָעָ֑ה evil
Strong's: H7451
Word #: 6 of 8
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
יֹעֵ֖ץ counsellor H3289
יֹעֵ֖ץ counsellor
Strong's: H3289
Word #: 7 of 8
to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve
בְּלִיָּֽעַל׃ a wicked H1100
בְּלִיָּֽעַל׃ a wicked
Strong's: H1100
Word #: 8 of 8
without profit, worthlessness; by extension, destruction, wickedness

Analysis & Commentary

There is one come out of thee, that imagineth evil against the LORD (mimekh yatsa choshev al-YHWH ra'ah, מִמֵּךְ יָצָא חֹשֵׁב עַל־יְהוָה רָעָה). The "one" likely refers to a specific Assyrian king, possibly Sennacherib who invaded Judah (701 BC) and blasphemed YHWH (2 Kings 18:28-35; Isaiah 36-37), or could represent Assyrian imperial policy generally. Chashav (חָשַׁב, "devise/imagine") indicates deliberate planning, not accidental opposition. Ra'ah (רָעָה, "evil/wickedness") describes plotting against God Himself—not merely attacking Judah but assaulting YHWH's honor and authority.

A wicked counsellor (yo'etz beliyya'al, יֹעֵץ בְּלִיַּעַל). Beliyya'al (בְּלִיַּעַל, "worthless/wicked") often describes those who reject God's authority and counsel wickedness. This "counsellor" gives evil advice—perhaps to kings, certainly to populations—leading them in rebellion against God. Sennacherib's Rabshakeh (chief officer) blasphemed YHWH and counseled Judah to surrender, claiming no god could deliver from Assyria (2 Kings 18:29-35)—classic beliyya'al counsel.

The verse personalizes Nineveh's guilt. It wasn't merely national policy but individuals making deliberate choices to oppose God. This establishes moral culpability—they weren't innocently following cultural norms but actively devising evil against the Creator. Such deliberate wickedness demands judgment. God doesn't capriciously destroy nations but judges those who knowingly rebel against Him and lead others astray.

Historical Context

Multiple Assyrian kings blasphemed YHWH and oppressed Judah. Tiglath-Pileser III (745-727 BC) invaded Israel. Shalmaneser V and Sargon II destroyed Samaria (722 BC). Sennacherib besieged Jerusalem (701 BC), sending messages mocking God and claiming YHWH couldn't deliver Judah (2 Kings 18:28-35). Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal continued Assyrian aggression and pride. The prophetic indictment applies to this pattern of deliberate opposition to God. Second Kings 19:10-13 records Sennacherib's letter challenging God—textbook example of 'imagining evil against the LORD.' God's miraculous deliverance of Jerusalem (2 Kings 19:35-36) demonstrated His power, but Assyria persisted in wickedness, sealing their doom.

Questions for Reflection