Habakkuk 1
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
The burden - המשא hammassa signifies not only the burdensome prophecy, but the prophecy or revelation itself which God presented to the mind of Habakkuk, and which he saw-clearly perceived, in the light of prophecy and then faithfully declared, as this book shows. The word signifies an oracle or revelation in general; but chiefly, one relative to future calamities.
Open source ↗HABAKKUK'S EXPOSTULATION WITH JEHOVAH ON ACCOUNT OF THE PREVALENCE OF INJUSTICE: JEHOVAH SUMMONS ATTENTION TO HIS PURPOSE OF SENDING THE CHALDEANS AS THE AVENGERS. THE PROPHET COMPLAINS, THAT THESE ARE WORSE THAN THOSE ON WHOM VENGEANCE WAS TO BE TAKEN. (Hab. 1:1-17) burden--the prophetic sentence.
Open source ↗The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. This prophecy is called a "burden", or something took up and carried, being what the prophet received from the Lord, and went with to the people of the Jews, and was a heavy burdensome prophecy to them; declaring the calamities that should come upon them by the Chaldeans, who would invade their land, and carry them captive; and Habakkuk, that brought this account, is called a "prophet", to give the greater sanction to it; and it was what he had in vision from the Lord represented unto him, and therefore should be credited. Abarbinel inquires why Habakkuk should be called a prophet, when none of the lesser prophets are, excepting Haggai and Zechariah; and thinks the reason of it is, to give weight to his prophecy, since it might be suspected by some whether he was one; there being none of those phrases to be met with in this prophecy as in others, as "the word of the Lord came", &c. or "thus saith the Lord". The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see. This prophecy is called a "burden", or something took up and carried, being what the prophet received from the Lord, and went with to the people of the Jews, and was a heavy burdensome prophecy to them; declaring the calamities that should come upon them by the Chaldeans, who would invade their land, and carry them captive; and Habakkuk, that brought this account, is called a "prophet", to give the greater sanction to it; and it was what he had in vision from the Lord represented unto him, and therefore should be credited. Abarbinel inquires why Habakkuk should be called a prophet, when none of the lesser prophets are, excepting Haggai and Zechariah; and thinks the reason of it is, to give weight to his prophecy, since it might be suspected by some whether he was one; there…
Open source ↗Hab 1:1 contains the heading not only to ch. 1 and 2, but to the whole book, of which ch. 3 forms an integral part. On the special heading in Hab 3:1, see the comm. on that verse. The prophet calls his writing a massâ', or burden (see at Nah 1:1), because it announces heavy judgments upon the covenant nation and the imperial power.
Open source ↗We are told no more in the title of this book (which we have, Hab 1:1) than that the penman was a prophet, a man divinely inspired and commissioned, which is enough (if that be so, we need not ask concerning his tribe or family, or the place of his birth), and that the book itself is the burden which he saw; he was as sure of the truth of it as if he had seen it with his bodily eyes already accomplished. Here, in these verses, the prophet sadly laments the iniquity of the times, as one sensibly touched with grief for the lamentable decay of religion and righteousness. It is a very melancholy complaint which he here makes to God, 1. That no man could call what he had his own; but, in defiance of the most sacred laws of property and equity, he that had power on his side had what he had a mind to, though he had no right on his side: The land was full of violence, as the old world was, Gen 6:11. The prophet cries out of violence (Hab 1:2), iniquity and grievance, spoil and violence. In families and among relations, in neighbour-hoods and among friends, in commerce and in courts of law, every thing was carried with a high hand, and no man made any scruple of doing wrong to his neighbour, so that he could but make a good hand of it for himself. It does not appear that the prophet himself had any great wrong done him (in losing times it fared best with those that had nothing to lose), but it grieved him to see other people wronged, and he could not but mingle his tears with those of the oppressed. Note, Doing wrong to harmless people, as it is an iniquity in itself, so it is a great grievance to all that are concerned for God's Jerusalem, who sigh and cry for abominations of this kind. He complains (Hab 1:4) that the wicked doth compass about the righteous. One honest man, one…
Open source ↗1:1 The word message (or oracle) identifies the book as God’s revelation through his prophet (cp. Nah 1:1; Mal 1:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… חֲבַקּוּק (Chăbaqqûwq, H2265) — Chabakkuk, the prophet נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man חָזָה (châzâh, H2372) — to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁוַע (shâvaʻ, H7768) — properly, to be free; but used only causatively and reflexively, to halloo (for help,… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain יָשַׁע (yâshaʻ, H3467) — properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to…
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind שֹׁד (shôd, H7701) — violence, ravage חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative רִיב (rîyb, H7379) — a contest (personal or legal) מָדוֹן (mâdôwn, H4066) — a contest or quarrel
Open source ↗תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch פּוּג (pûwg, H6313) — to be sluggish מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… נֶצַח (netsach, H5331) — properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at adistance travelled towards; hence… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person כָּתַר (kâthar, H3803) — to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just עָקַל (ʻâqal, H6127) — to wrest
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care תָּמַהּ (tâmahh, H8539) — to be in consternation פָּעַל (pâʻal, H6466) — to do or make (systematically and habitually), especially to practise פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… אָמַן (ʼâman, H539) — properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render… סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,…
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) כַּשְׂדִּי (Kasdîy, H3778) — a Kasdite, or descendant of Kesed; by implication, a Chaldaean (as if so descended); also… מַר (mar, H4751) — bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly מָהַר (mâhar, H4116) — properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e. (by implication); to hurry (in a good or a… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) מֶרְחָב (merchâb, H4800) — enlargement, either literally (an open space, usually in a good sense), or figuratively… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… מִשְׁכָּן (mishkân, H4908) — a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave;…
Open source ↗אָיֹם (ʼâyôm, H366) — frightful יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… שְׂאֵת (sᵉʼêth, H7613) — an elevation or leprous scab; figuratively, elation or cheerfulness; exaltation in rank… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and…
Open source ↗סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) קָלַל (qâlal, H7043) — to be (causatively, make) light, literally (swift, small, sharp, etc.) or figuratively… נָמֵר (nâmêr, H5246) — a leopard (from its stripes) חָדַד (châdad, H2300) — to be (causatively, make) sharp or (figuratively) severe עֶרֶב (ʻereb, H6153) — dusk זְאֵב (zᵉʼêb, H2061) — a wolf פָּרָשׁ (pârâsh, H6571) — a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting ); also (by… פּוּשׁ (pûwsh, H6335) — to spread; figuratively, act proudly בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָחוֹק (râchôwq, H7350) — remote, literally or figuratively, of place or time; specifically, precious; often used… עוּף (ʻûwph, H5774) — to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) נֶשֶׁר (nesher, H5404) — the eagle (or other large bird of prey) חוּשׁ (chûwsh, H2363) — to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively)
Open source ↗בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… מְגַמָּה (mᵉgammâh, H4041) — properly, accumulation, i.e. impulse or direction קָדִים (qâdîym, H6921) — the fore or front part; hence (by orientation) the East (often adverbially, eastward, for… אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… שְׁבִי (shᵉbîy, H7628) — exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by… חוֹל (chôwl, H2344) — sand (as round or whirling particles)
Open source ↗קָלַס (qâlaç, H7046) — to disparage, i.e. ridicule מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king רָזַן (râzan, H7336) — probably to be heavy, i.e. (figuratively) honorable מִשְׂחַק (mischaq, H4890) — a laughing-stock שָׂחַק (sâchaq, H7832) — to laugh (in pleasure or detraction); by implication, to play מִבְצָר (mibtsâr, H4013) — a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender צָבַר (tsâbar, H6651) — to aggregate עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud לָכַד (lâkad, H3920) — to catch (in a net, trap or pit); generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose (by…
Open source ↗רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… חָלַף (châlaph, H2498) — properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… אָשַׁם (ʼâsham, H816) — to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish זוּ (zûw, H2098) — this or that כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… אֱלוֹהַּ (ʼĕlôwahh, H433) — a deity or the Deity
Open source ↗קֶדֶם (qedem, H6924) — the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity);… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… צוּר (tsûwr, H6697) — properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder;… יָסַד (yâçad, H3245) — to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down… יָכַח (yâkach, H3198) — to be right (i.e. correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or…
Open source ↗טָהוֹר (ṭâhôwr, H2889) — pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) נָבַט (nâbaṭ, H5027) — to scan, i.e. look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care עָמָל (ʻâmâl, H5999) — toil, i.e. wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. of body or mind בָּגַד (bâgad, H898) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage חָרַשׁ (chârash, H2790) — to scratch, i.e. (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to… רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person בָּלַע (bâlaʻ, H1104) — to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just
Open source ↗עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דָּג (dâg, H1709) — a fish (often used collectively) יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… רֶמֶשׂ (remes, H7431) — a reptile or any other rapidly moving animal מָשַׁל (mâshal, H4910) — to rule
Open source ↗Cross-references
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