Habakkuk 3
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
A prayer of Habakkuk - upon Shigionoth - See the note on the title of Psalm 7 (note), where the meaning of Shiggaion is given. The Vulgate has, pro ignorantiis, for ignorances, or sins committed in ignorance; and so it is understood by the Chaldee. The Syriac has nothing but merely, A prayer of Habakkuk. And the Septuagint, instead of Shigionoth, have μετα ῳδης, with a hymn, which is copied by the Arabic. I suspect that the title here given is of a posterior date to the prophecy. It appears to interrupt the connection between this and the termination of the preceding verse. See them together: - Hab 2:20 : "But the Lord is in his holy temple:Be silent before him, all the earth. Hab 3:1 : O Lord, I have heard thy speech:I have feared, O Lord, thy work.As the years approach thou hast shown;As the years approach thou makest known.In wrath thou rememberest mercy." The prophet may here refer to the speech which God had communicated to him, Hab 1:1-11, 2:4-20, and the terror with which he was struck, because of the judgments denounced against Jerusalem. I have followed the version of Apb. Newcome in this first verse. The critical reader may consult his notes, and the various readings of Kennicott and De Rossi.
Open source ↗HABAKKUK'S PRAYER TO GOD: GOD'S GLORIOUS REVELATION OF HIMSELF AT SINAI AND AT GIBEON, A PLEDGE OF HIS INTERPOSING AGAIN IN BEHALF OF ISRAEL AGAINST BABYLON, AND ALL OTHER FOES; HENCE THE PROPHET'S CONFIDENCE AMID CALAMITIES. (Hab. 3:1-19) prayer--the only strictly called prayers are in Hab 3:2. But all devotional addresses to God are called "prayers" (Psa 72:20). The Hebrew is from a root "to apply to a judge for a favorable decision." Prayers in which praises to God for deliverance, anticipated in the sure confidence of faith, are especially calculated to enlist Jehovah on His people's side (Ch2 20:20-22, Ch2 20:26). upon Shigionoth--a musical phrase, "after the manner of elegies," or mournful odes, from an Arabic root [LEE]; the phrase is singular in Psa 7:1, title. More simply, from a Hebrew root to "err," "on account of sins of ignorance." Habakkuk thus teaches his countrymen to confess not only their more grievous sins, but also their errors and negligences, into which they were especially likely to fall when in exile away from the Holy Land [CALVIN]. So Vulgate and AQUILA, and SYMMACHUS. "For voluntary transgressors" [JEROME]. Probably the subject would regulate the kind of music. DELITZSCH and HENDERSON translate, "With triumphal music," from the same root "to err," implying its enthusiastic irregularity.
Open source ↗A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. Of the name, character, and office of the prophet; see Gill on Hab 1:1. This chapter is entitled a "prayer" of his, a supplicatory one, put up in an humble and earnest manner, and in the exercise of faith, and under the influence of a spirit of prophecy. He before had a vision of the coming of Christ, and of what enemies would rise up, and obstruct his kingdom and interest in the world; and here lie prays that these obstructions might be removed, and that the kingdom of Christ, in its full extent and glory, might take place in the world; and is a prayer of faith, as he prayed it might be, he believed it would be; and left this prayer behind him, for the use and instruction of the church in all ages, until the whole should be accomplished. It seems to be composed after the manner of the psalms of David, to make it the more pleasant and agreeable; and that it might be the more regarded, and be more fitted for the public use and service of the sanctuary: this appears from the style of it, which is poetical, lofty, and sublime; from the frequent use of the word "Selah", peculiar to the psalms of David, Hab 3:3 and from the direction of it to the chief singer on the stringed instruments, Hab 3:19 and from the phrase "upon", or "according to Shigionoth" here, which the Septuagint version renders "with a song"; and so the Arabic version, "after the manner of a song"; for this word seems to be the plural of Shiggaion, the title of the seventh psalm Psa 7:1; which was either the name, title, or first word of some song or songs, according to which this was to be sung; or the name of the tune with which it was to be sung; or of the instrument on which was to be sung: it very probably designs, and may called, an "erratic" or "wander…
Open source ↗The song has a special heading, after the fashion of the psalms, in which the contents, the author, and the poetical character of the ode are indicated. The contents are called tephillâh, a prayer, like Psa 17:1-15; 86; 90; 102, and Psa 142:1-7, not merely with reference to the fact that it commences with a prayer to God, but because that prayer announces the contents of the ode after the manner of a theme, and the whole of the ode is simply the lyrical unfolding of that prayer. In order, however, to point at the same time to the prophetic character of the prayer, that it may not be regarded as a lyrical effusion of the subjective emotions, wishes, and hopes of a member of the congregation, but may be recognised as a production of the prophets, enlightened by the Spirit of Jehovah, the name of the author is given with the predicate "the prophet;" and to this there is added על שׁגינות, to indicate the poetico-subjective character, through which it is distinguished from prophecy in the narrower sense. The expression "upon Shigionoth" cannot refer to the contents or the object of the ode; for although shiggâyōn, according to its etymon shâgâh = shâgag, to transgress by mistake, to sin, might have the meaning transgression in a moral sense, and consequently might be referred to the sins of transgressors, either of the Judaeans or the Chaldaeans, such an assumption is opposed both to the use of shiggâyōn in the heading to Psalm 7, and also to the analogy between ‛al shigyōnōth, and such headings to the psalms as ‛al haggittı̄th, ‛al negı̄nōth, and other words introduced with ‛al. Whilst shiggâyōn in Psa 7:1 indicates the style of poetry in which the psalm is composed, all the notices in the headings to the psalms that are introduced with ‛al refer either to the…
Open source ↗This chapter is entitled a prayer of Habakkuk. It is a meditation with himself, an intercession for the church. Prophets were praying men; this prophet was so (He is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, Gen 20:7); and sometimes they prayed for even those whom they prophesied against. Those that were intimately acquainted with the mind of God concerning future events knew better than others how to order their prayers, and what to pray for, and, in the foresight of troublous times, could lay up a stock of prayers that might then receive a gracious answer, and so be serving the church by their prayers when their prophesying was over. This prophet had found God ready to answer his requests and complaints before, and therefore now repeats his applications to him. Because God has inclined his ear to us, we must resolve that therefore we will call upon him as long as we live. 1. The prophet owns the receipt of God's answer to his former representation, and the impression it made upon him (v. 2): "O Lord! I have heard thy speech, thy hearing" (so some read it), "that which thou wouldst have us hear, the decree that has gone forth for the afflicting of thy people. I received thine, and it is before me." Note, Those that would rightly order their speech to God must carefully observe, and lay before them, his speech to them. He had said (Hab 2:1), I will watch to see what he will say; and now he owns, Lord, I have heard thy speech; for, if we turn a deaf ear to God's word, we can expect no other than that he should turn a deaf ear to our prayers, Pro 28:9. I heard it, and was afraid. Messages immediately from heaven commonly struck even the best and boldest men into a consternation; Moses, Isaiah, and Daniel, did exceedingly fear and quake. But, besides that, the matter of this…
Open source ↗3:1-19 Habakkuk’s prophecy concludes with a psalm-like prayer.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
תְּפִלָּה (tᵉphillâh, H8605) — intercession, supplication; by implication, a hymn חֲבַקּוּק (Chăbaqqûwq, H2265) — Chabakkuk, the prophet נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man שִׁגָּיוֹן (shiggâyôwn, H7692) — properly, aberration, i.e. (technically) a dithyramb or rambling poem
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… שֵׁמַע (shêmaʻ, H8088) — something heard, i.e. a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive פֹּעַל (pôʻal, H6467) — an act or work (concretely) קֶרֶב (qereb, H7130) — properly, the nearest part, i.e. the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… רֹגֶז (rôgez, H7267) — commotion, restlessness (of a horse), crash (of thunder), disquiet, anger זָכַר (zâkar, H2142) — properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e. to remember; by implication, to mention;… רָחַם (râcham, H7355) — to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate
Open source ↗אֱלוֹהַּ (ʼĕlôwahh, H433) — a deity or the Deity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) תֵּימָן (Têymân, H8487) — Teman, the name of two Edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them קָדוֹשׁ (qâdôwsh, H6918) — sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) God (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) פָּארָן (Pâʼrân, H6290) — Paran, a desert of Arabia סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause הוֹד (hôwd, H1935) — grandeur (i.e. an imposing form and appearance) כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) תְּהִלָּה (tᵉhillâh, H8416) — laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn
Open source ↗נֹגַהּ (nôgahh, H5051) — brilliancy (literally or figuratively) אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) קֶרֶן (qeren, H7161) — a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), חֶבְיוֹן (chebyôwn, H2253) — a concealment עֹז (ʻôz, H5797) — strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise)
Open source ↗פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּבֶר (deber, H1698) — a pestilence רֶשֶׁף (resheph, H7565) — a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air);… יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… רֶגֶל (regel, H7272) — a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
Open source ↗עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מוּד (mûwd, H4128) — to shake אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… נָתַר (nâthar, H5425) — to jump, i.e. be violently agitated; causatively, to terrify, shake off, untie גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… עַד (ʻad, H5703) — properly, a (peremptory) terminus, i.e. (by implication) duration, in the sense of… הָרָר (hârâr, H2042) — a mountain פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) עוֹלָם (ʻôwlâm, H5769) — properly, concealed, i.e. the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or… גִּבְעָה (gibʻâh, H1389) — a hillock שָׁחַח (shâchach, H7817) — to sink or depress (reflexive or causative) הֲלִיכָה (hălîykâh, H1979) — a walking; by implication, a procession or march, a caravan
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) כּוּשָׁן (Kûwshân, H3572) — Cushan, a region of Arabia אָוֶן (ʼâven, H205) — strictly nothingness; also trouble. vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol יְרִיעָה (yᵉrîyʻâh, H3407) — a hanging (as tremulous) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִדְיָן (Midyân, H4080) — Midjan, a son of Abraham; also his country and (collectively) his descendants רָגַז (râgaz, H7264) — to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God חָרָה (chârâh, H2734) — to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the… עֶבְרָה (ʻebrâh, H5678) — an outburst of passion יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… רָכַב (râkab, H7392) — to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or… סוּס (çûwç, H5483) — a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) מֶרְכָּבָה (merkâbâh, H4818) — a chariot יְשׁוּעָה (yᵉshûwʻâh, H3444) — something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity
Open source ↗קֶשֶׁת (qesheth, H7198) — a bow, forshooting (hence, figuratively, strength) or the iris עֶרְיָה (ʻeryâh, H6181) — nudity עוּר (ʻûwr, H5783) — to (be) bare שְׁבוּעָה (shᵉbûwʻâh, H7621) — properly, something sworn, i.e. an oath מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… אֹמֶר (ʼômer, H562) — {something said} סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause בָּקַע (bâqaʻ, H1234) — to cleave; generally, to rend, break, rip or open אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָהָר (nâhâr, H5104) — a stream (including the sea; expectation the Nile, Euphrates, etc.); figuratively,…
Open source ↗הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… חוּל (chûwl, H2342) — properly, to twist or whirl (in a circular or spiral manner), i.e. (specifically) to… זֶרֶם (zerem, H2230) — a gush of water מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… תְּהוֹם (tᵉhôwm, H8415) — an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) קוֹל (qôwl, H6963) — a voice or sound נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), רוֹם (rôwm, H7315) — elevation, i.e. (adverbially) aloft
Open source ↗שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh, H8121) — the sun; by implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (architectural) a notched… יָרֵחַ (yârêach, H3394) — the moon עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) זְבוּל (zᵉbûwl, H2073) — a residence אוֹר (ʼôwr, H216) — illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.) חֵץ (chêts, H2671) — properly, a piercer, i.e. an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of God)… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) נֹגַהּ (nôgahh, H5051) — brilliancy (literally or figuratively) בָּרָק (bârâq, H1300) — lightning; by analogy, a gleam; concretely, a flashing sword חֲנִית (chănîyth, H2595) — a lance (for thrusting, like pitching a tent)
Open source ↗צָעַד (tsâʻad, H6805) — to pace, i.e. step regularly; (upward) to mount; (along) to march; (down and causatively)… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) זַעַם (zaʻam, H2195) — strictly froth at the mouth, i.e. (figuratively) fury (especially of God's displeasure… דּוּשׁ (dûwsh, H1758) — to trample or thresh גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… אַף (ʼaph, H639) — properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the…
Open source ↗יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… יֶשַׁע (yeshaʻ, H3468) — liberty, deliverance, prosperity עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… מָשִׁיחַ (mâshîyach, H4899) — anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the… מָחַץ (mâchats, H4272) — to dash asunder; by implication, to crush, smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) רָשָׁע (râshâʻ, H7563) — morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person עָרָה (ʻârâh, H6168) — to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish יְסוֹד (yᵉçôwd, H3247) — a foundation (literally or figuratively) צַוָּאר (tsavvâʼr, H6677) — the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound) סֶלָה (çelâh, H5542) — suspension (of music), i.e. pause
Open source ↗נָקַב (nâqab, H5344) — to puncture, literally (to perforate, with more or less violence) or figuratively (to… מַטֶּה (maṭṭeh, H4294) — a branch (as extending); figuratively, a tribe; also a rod, whether for chastising… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… פָּרָז (pârâz, H6518) — decide; a chieftain סָעַר (çâʻar, H5590) — to rush upon; by implication, to toss (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative) פּוּץ (pûwts, H6327) — to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse) עֲלִיצוּת (ʻălîytsûwth, H5951) — exultation אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) עָנִי (ʻânîy, H6041) — depressed, in mind or circumstances מִסְתָּר (miçtâr, H4565) — properly, a concealer, i.e. a covert
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