Habakkuk Exegetical Notes

 

Habakkuk Exegetical Notes

 Introduction to Habakkuk

Title: Habakkuk may be a name derived from meaning “to embrace” but this is uncertain. Nothing is known about the author; what can be known must be gleaned from the book.

Historical References and Date: 2 Kings 23:1-24:7 and 2 Chronicles 36:1-9

• “It is generally accepted that the reference to the Babylonians (Hab. 1:6) places the book within the seventh century B.C. More precise dating of the prophecy has provoked controversy. The dates proposed fall into three time periods: the reign of Manasseh (697–642), the reign of Josiah (640–609), and the reign of Jehoiakim (609–598) . . . .  Habakkuk wrote in a time of international crisis and national corruption.” (Blue, J. R. (1985). Habakkuk, In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 1506). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.) [Hereafter as BKC])
• “All conjecture and speculation aside it is safe, and perhaps sufficient, to say that Habakkuk was an officially ordained prophet who took part in temple liturgical singing. He was well educated, deeply sensitive, and in his literary style was as much a poet as he was a prophet. [Italics mine] Above all, he was God’s choice servant who penned one of the most penetrating books of the Old Testament.” (BKC, loc. cit.)

Theme: Faith in God and His character is the key to living in times of violence and perverted justice.
 
The Syntax and Poetry Development
 
This series of blogs on the Book of Habakkuk begins with the grammatical and syntactical data essential for developing a full-blown commentary. But since the book represents Hebrew poetry, following the grammatical and syntactical data are the poetics. For a complete understanding of each section both are necessary. Also, I have sought to be consistent as much as possible with the grammatical and syntactical terminology with frequent use of Waltke, B. K., & O’Connor, M. P. (1990). An introduction to biblical Hebrew syntax. Winona Lake, IN: Eisenbrauns. [Hereafter as Waltke & O'Connor, Syntax]; Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson. [Hereafter as K&D, loc. cit.] and others. The initial source references are cited fully but subsequent references are abbreviated throughout this series. For convenience the NASB is employed in all of the translations used in the poetics. Finally, please keep in mind that this is a work in progress and occasionally I will make changes.

I.      Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
        A.     Habakkuk’s Questions, 1:1-4

1
 
הַמַּשָּׂא  
Article, Demonstrative + Noun MNS Absolute, Predicate of Noun Clause, This [is] the burden.  “Heb ‘The burden’ (so KJV, ASV). The Hebrew term מַשָּׂא (masa’), usually translated ‘oracle’ (NAB, NEB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or ‘utterance’ (BDB 672 s.v. III מַשָּׂא), in prophetic literature is a technical term introducing a message from the Lord (see Zech 9:1; 12:1; Mal 1:1). Since it derives from a verb meaning ‘to carry,’ its original nuance was that of a burdensome message, that is, one with ominous content.” (Biblical Studies Press. (2005). The NET Bible First Edition; Bible. English, NET Bible.; The NET Bible. Biblical Studies Press)  [Hereafter as NET, loc. cit.]
 
אֲשֶׁ֣ר    
Relative, Apposition to הַמַּשָּׂא, that.
 
חָזָ֔ה      
QPf 3MS, Simple Pf, he saw.
 
חֲבַקּ֖וּק  
Noun, Proper Name, Habakkuk.
 
הַנָּבִֽיא׃
Article, Particularizing + Noun MNS Absolute, N Apposition, the Prophet.  
 
2         
                       
עַד־אָ֧נָה
Preposition + Interrogative Pronoun, how long. Doing double duty in the clauses.
 
יְהוָ֛ה     
Noun MVS Absolute, Vocative Direct Address, O Yahweh.
 
שִׁוַּ֖עְתִּי  
PiPf 1CS, Perfective Pf, have I been crying out.
  
וְלֹ֣א      
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Negative Adverb, and . . . not. In this series I use paratactic and hypotactic conjunctions to distinguish between independent and dependent clauses. I have also adopted the two-fold description of the functions of the waw as copulative and relative, the latter representing some aspect of succession in the development.
 
תִשְׁמָ֑ע  
QI 2MS, Progressive I, you have . . . been listening? Disjunctive accent. In this series I refer to the accent system found in the primary text (Biblia Hebraica Westmonasteriensis with Westminster Hebrew Morphology 4.18. (2013). J. Alan Groves Center for Advanced Biblical Research). The accents are integral to both the syntax and the poetics.
 
אֶזְעַ֥ק    
QI 1CS, Progressive I, I keep crying out. עַד־אָ֧נָה is implied.
 
אֵלֶ֛יךָ 
Preposition, Datival Indirect Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = יְהוָ֛ה, to you. 
 
חָמָ֖ס     
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object as an exclamation, violence! 
 
וְלֹ֥א      
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Negative Adverb, and . . . not.
 
תוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃
HiI 2MS, Iterative I, you do . . . save?                                    
                       
3         
 
לָ֣מָּה     
Interrogative Pronoun, why [do]?
 
תַרְאֵ֤נִי   
HiI 2MS, Progressive I + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Habakkuk, you make me see. 
 
אָ֙וֶן֙      
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, iniquity.
 
וְעָמָ֣ל    
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, and trouble.
 
“The words ʾāwen and ʿāmāl are conventional parallels (Job 4:8; 5:6), sometimes coordinated (Pss 10:7; 55:11; 90:10). The word ʿāmāl describes the agony of body or mind that is humanity’s inevitable lot (Job 5:7), especially the troubled state of a person worn out by work and the cares of this life.”  (Andersen, F. I. (2008). Habakkuk: a new translation with introduction and commentary (Vol. 25, p. 113). New Haven; London: Yale University Press) [Hereafter as Anderson, Habakkuk]

תַּבִּ֔יט    
HiI 2MS, Progressive I, you cause me to look. Disjunctive accent. 
 
וְשֹׁ֥ד     
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, and destruction. Forward emphasis.
 
וְחָמָ֖ס     
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, and violence. Cp. verse 2. Forward emphasis.

 
“Shōd is violent treatment causing desolation. Châmâs is malicious conduct intended to injure another. (K&D, loc. cit.) Habakkuk reordered the words to highlight violence that begins and ends the list of sins.

לְנֶגְדִּ֑י     
Compounded Preposition, Locale (metaphorical) + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = Habakkuk), [are] before me. Disjunctive accent.
 
וַיְהִ֧י       
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Stative I, and . . . exists. 
 
רִ֦יב       
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, dispute. The S may be a collective for “disputes.”
 
וּמָד֖וֹן     
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, strife. The S may be a collective for “strifes.”
 
יִשָּֽׂא׃     
QI 3MS, Progressive I, continues to rise up. 
 
4
 
עַל־כֵּן֙    
Preposition + Adverb of Manner, therefore. On this inferential use see KB, Lexicon, 826. Also, “The consequences of this are relaxation of the law, etc. עַל־כֵּן, therefore, because God does not interpose to stop the wicked conduct.” [K&D, loc. cit.]

 
תָּפ֣וּג      
QI 3FS, Stative I, turns cold. “פּוּג, to relax, to stiffen, i.e., to lose one’s vital strength, or energy.” (K&D, loc. cit.) Also, “Heb ‘the law is numb,’ i.e., like a hand that has ‘fallen asleep’ (see Ps 77:2). Cf. NAB ‘is benumbed’; NIV ‘is paralyzed.’” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
תּוֹרָ֔ה     
Noun FNS Absolute, Subject N, the Law. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְלֹֽא־יֵצֵ֥א 
Paratactic Conjunction, Result + Negative Adverb (See below) + QI 3MS, Progressive I, and, as a result, . . . does not come forth.
 
לָנֶ֖צַח     
Preposition, Reference + Noun MGS Construct, not forever. “לָנֶ֖צַח belongs to לֹא, not for ever, i.e., never more.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט    
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, justice. Disjunctive accent.
 
“The greatest tragedy, however, was the people’s neglect of God’s Law. Habakkuk described the consequence: Therefore the Law is paralyzed (lit.,‘becomes cool, numbed’). The divine Law appeared to have suffered a knockout; also civic justice, Habakkuk said, never prevails, or never came forth to fight (cf. ‘injustice,’ v. 3). It appears that wickedness was the uncontested victor.” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
כִּ֤י         
Hypotactic Conjunction, Causal, because.
 
רָשָׁע֙      
Substantival Adjective MNS Absolute, Collective S, Subject N in a Noun Clause, the wicked men.  
 
“For godless men (רָשָׁע, without an article, is used with indefinite generality or in a collective sense) encircle the righteous man, so that the righteous cannot cause right to prevail. Therefore right comes forth perverted.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

מַכְתִּ֣יר   
HiPtc MNS, Adjectival Ptc, Predicate N, [are] those who surround. היה implied. “The use of the participle as predicate is very frequent in noun-clauses.” (Gesenius, F. W. (1910). Gesenius’ Hebrew Grammar. (E. Kautzsch & S. A. E. Cowley, Eds.) (2d English ed., p. 359). Oxford: Clarendon Press) [Hereafter as GKC, Grammar]

אֶת־הַצַּדִּ֔יק 
Particle of Direct Object + Article, Particularizing + Substantival Adjective MAS Absolute, Collective S, the righteous man. Disjunctive accent.

עַל־כֵּ֛ן    
Preposition + Adverb of Manner, therefore.
 
יֵצֵ֥א       
QI 3MS, Progressive I, comes forth.

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט    
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, justice.
 
מְעֻקָּֽל׃  
PuPtc MAS, Adverbial Ptc of Manner, twisted.
_______________

• Approximately 50% of the Hebrew OT involves poetry. It is incumbent on the interpreter to both understand and insert the results in one’s interpretation of the OT.
• Hebrew poetry is divided into lines of varying numbers and lengths. These divisions are generally based on the Hebrew accents marked in the Hebrew text. Though these accents are not “inspired” they are important interpretation concerns involving punctuation of the text that need to be considered.
• The most pervasive element in the poetry is parallelism wherein, for example, one poetic line is paralleled in another line that in some way adds to or makes sense of the first line. 
• Another common poetic device is called chiasmus, basically an ABBA pattern where the A's are logically connected as are the B's. Other patterns involving parallelism also exist such as ABA or ABAB (where the B's sequentially parallel the A's). The bullets will highlight more aspects of Hebrew poetry.
  
  

_______________

Verse 2

(A) How long, O Lord, will I call for help,
(B) And You will not hear?
(A) [How long,] I cry out to You, “Violence!”
(B) Yet You do not save.

• ABAB pattern.
• “[How long]” – Double Duty (ellipsis is common).
• Grammatical Parallelism.
• General to Specific Parallelism in bold font.

 

Verse 3

Why do You (A) make me see (B) iniquity,
And (A) cause me to look on (B) wickedness?
Yes, destruction and violence are before me;
(B) Strife (A) exists and, (B) contention (A) arises.

• Chiasmus – ABBA pattern clear in the Hebrew text.
• Dirge (funeral meter) in line 1.
• Verse 3 fleshes out verse 2 and they should be connected.

Verse 4

(A) Therefore the law is ignored
(B) And justice is never upheld.
(B) For the wicked surround the righteous;
(A) Therefore justice comes out perverted.

• Chiastic: lines 1 and 4 are logically connected as are lines 2 and 3.
• Verse 4 fleshes out verse 3 with a conclusion.
• Therefore highlights the connectedness and is repeated for emphasis.

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times
Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

 

I. Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11 

A. Habakkuk’s Questions, 1:1-4

B. Yahweh’s Responses,1:5-11 

 

5          
Disjunctive asyndeton (no conjunction) moving on to God’s responses. See Bullinger, E. W. (1898). Figures of speech used in the Bible. London; New York: Eyre & Spottiswoode; E. & J. B. Young & Co. [Hereafter as Bullinger, Figures of Speech]

רְא֤וּ       
QImv 2MP, Imv of Command, look (of mental observaton, BDB,  Lexicon, 907), “The verbs are plural. The message is not a private one for Habakkuk’s personal benefit. It is an oracle for public proclamation. But, apart from the plural verbs, there is no hint as to the identity of the intended audience.” (Anderson, Habakkuk, 139-140) Also, “רָאָה (not with one’s eyes): —a. to understand.” (Koehler, L., Baumgartner, W., Richardson, M. E. J., & Stamm, J. J. (1994–2000). The Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon of the Old Testament (electronic ed., p. 1159). Leiden: E.J. Brill.) [Hereafter as KB, Lexicon]
 
בַגּוֹיִם֙    
Preposition, Locative (metaphorically) + Article, Particularizing + Noun MP Absolute, at the nations.
 
וְֽהַבִּ֔יטוּ  
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + HiImv 2MP, Imv of Command, and observe. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְהִֽתַּמְּה֖וּ
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Hit Imv 2MP, Imv of Command, and astonish one another.
 
תְּמָ֑הוּ     
QImv 2MP, Imv of Command, be horrified. Disjunctive accent. Copulative asyndeton (See Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 138).     
 
“The Hebrew text combines the Hitpael and Qal imperatival forms of the verb תָּמַה  (tamah, ‘be amazed’). A literal translation might read, ‘Shock yourselves and be shocked!’ The repetition of sounds draws attention to the statement. The imperatives here have the force of an emphatic assertion. On this use of the imperative in Hebrew, see IBHS 572–73 GKC 324 §110.c and §34.4c.” (NET, loc. cit.)

כִּי־פֹ֙עַל֙  
Hypotactic Conjunction, Causal + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, because a deed. 

פֹּעֵ֣ל      
QAPtc MNS, Predicate N, [is] happening. The translations insert the pronoun “I” but this is not needed and the clause could be construed as the object of תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ. This would eliminate the need to insert a copula. See NET, loc. cit.
 
“The verb is a participle that can refer to present, continuous activity or the immediate future. The point is that God is already at work.” (Barker, K. L. (1999). Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (Vol. 20, pp. 301–302). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.) [Hereafter as Barker, Habakkuk]
 
בִּֽימֵיכֶ֔ם  
Preposition, Temporal + Noun MGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Specification, Antecedent = Hearers/Readers), in your days. Disjunctive accent.
 
לֹ֥א        
Negative Adverb, not. Copulative asyndeton.
 
תַאֲמִ֖ינוּ  
HiI 2MP, Future I, you will . . . believe.
 
כִּ֥י         
Hypotactic Conjunction, Temporal, when. “In this context the force of כִּי  (ki) may be ‘when,’ ‘if,’ or ‘even though.’” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
יְסֻפָּֽר׃    
PuI 3MS, Future I, it is reported. If a real conditional clause is meant it would relate to the future. “Compare Acts 13:41, where the Apostle Paul threatens the despisers of the gospel with judgment in the words of our verse.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
6
 
כִּֽי־הִנְנִ֤י  
Paratactic Conjunction, Emphatic + Interjection + Personal Pronoun MNS, Subject N in a Noun Clause,  Antecedent = Yahweh), Indeed, behold I. “הִנֵּה  before the participle always refers to the future.” K&D, loc. cit.)
 
מֵקִים֙     
HiPtc MNS, Predicate N, [am] raising up.
 
אֶת־הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים       
Particle of Direct Object + Article, Particularizing + Noun MAP Absolute, the Chaldeans.
 
הַגּ֖וֹי      
Article, Pronominal Demonstrative + Noun, MAS Absolute, A in Apposition, that . . . nation.
 
הַמַּ֣ר      
Article, Abstract + Adjective MAS, Attributive, bitter. “Heb ‘bitter.’ Other translation options for this word in this context include ‘fierce’ (NASB, NRSV); ‘savage’ (NEB); or ‘grim.’” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
וְהַנִּמְהָ֑ר  
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Article, Abstract + NiPtc MAS, Adjectival Attributive Ptc Absolute, impetuous. Disjunctive accent. “Heb ‘hasty, quick.’ Some translate here ‘impetuous’ (so NEB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or ‘rash,’ but in this context greed may very well be the idea. The Babylonians move quickly and recklessly ahead in their greedy quest to expand their empire.” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
הַֽהוֹלֵךְ֙   
Article, Pronominal Relative + QAPtc MAS Absolute, Attributive Ptc , that continues to traverse.
 
לְמֶרְחֲבֵי־אֶ֔רֶץ      
Preposition, Terminative + Noun, MGP Construct + Noun FGS Absolute, Objective G, to the breadth of the earth.
 
לָרֶ֖שֶׁת   
Preposition, Purpose + QInf Construct, to seize.
 
מִשְׁכָּנ֥וֹת
Noun FAP Absolute, A Direct Object, dwellings.
 
לֹּא־לֽוֹ׃  
Negative Adverb + Preposition, Possessive + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, not belong to it. English uses “it” for the M pronoun.
 
7
 
אָיֹ֥ם       
Adjective MAS Absolute, Attributive, terrifying. Forward emphasis.
 
וְנוֹרָ֖א    
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + NiPtc Absolute, Adjectival Attributive Ptc, and to be feared. Forward emphasis.
 
ה֑וּא       
Personal Pronoun MNS, Subject N in Noun Clause, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, it [is]. Disjunctive accent.
 
מִמֶּ֕נּוּ     
Preposition, Source + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, from it. Asyndetic clause. Disjunctive accent.
 
מִשְׁפָּט֥וֹ  
Noun MNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, its justice. Forward emphasis.
 
וּשְׂאֵת֖וֹ
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun FNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS Absolute, Possessive G, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, and its authority. Forward emphasis.
 
יֵצֵֽא׃     
QI 3MS, Progressive I, proceeds forth.
 
8      
   
וְקַלּ֨וּ      
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QPf 3CP, Persistent Pf, and they are swifter.
 
מִנְּמֵרִ֜ים
Preposition, Comparative + Noun MGP Absolute, than leopards. 
 
סוּסָ֗יו    
Noun MNP Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, its 
horses. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְחַדּוּ֙      
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QPf 3CP, Persistent Pf, and they are quicker. “Heb ‘sharper,’ in the sense of ‘keener’ or ‘more alert.’ Some translate ‘quicker’ on the basis of the parallelism with the first line” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
מִזְּאֵ֣בֵי   
Preposition, Comparative + Noun MGP Construct, than wolves of.
 
עֶ֔רֶב      
Noun MGS, Descriptive G, the evening. Disjunctive accent. Some translations emend the text with עֲרָבָה  (“desert”). “Wolves of the evening (cf. Zeph. 3:3) are wolves which go out in the evening in search of prey, after having fasted through the day.” (K&D, loc. cit.) 
 
וּפָ֖שׁוּ     
Paratactic, Conjunction, Relative + QPf 3CP, Persistent Pf, and they gallop. “Spring about” (Brown, F., Driver, S. R., & Briggs, C. A. (1977). Enhanced Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon (p. 807). Oxford: Clarendon Press) [Hereafter as BDB, Lexicon]
 
פָּֽרָשָׁ֑יו   
Noun MNP Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי, its cavalry. Disjunctive accent.
 
וּפָֽרָשָׁיו֙  
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Noun MNP Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הַגּ֖וֹי), its cavalry. Repetition for effect. Forward emphasis.
 
מֵרָח֣וֹק   
Preposition, Source + Adjective MGS, from afar.
 
יָבֹ֔אוּ      
QI 3MP Absolute, Progressive I, they come. Disjunctive accent.
 
יָעֻ֕פוּ      
QI 3MP Absolute, Progressive I, they fly. Disjunctive accent. Asyndeton.
 
כְּנֶ֖שֶׁר    
Preposition Comparative + Noun MGS Absolute, like an eagle.
 
חָ֥שׁ       
QAPtc MGS, Adjectival Attributive, hurrying. The form for the Ptc and Pf 3MS are the same but the 3CP is distinct.
 
לֶאֱכֽוֹל׃  
Preposition, Purpose + QInf Construct, Complement of חָ֥שׁ to devour. KB, Lexicon, 300.
 
9
 
כֻּלֹּה֙      
Noun MNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Partitive G, Antecedent = וּפָֽרָשָׁיו֙), every one of them. Collective S. Forward emphasis.
 
לְחָמָ֣ס    
Preposition, Purpose + Noun MGS Absolute, for violence.
 
יָב֔וֹא      
QI 3MS, Progressive I, comes. Disjunctive accent.
 
מְגַמַּ֥ת    
Noun FNS Construct, Subject N in Noun Clause, the totality of. Forward emphasis. Asyndetic.
 
פְּנֵיהֶ֖ם    
Noun MGP Construct, Partitive G + Personal Pronoun MGP, Possessive G, Collective P, Antecedent = כֻּלֹּה֙, their faces. See Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 640, Synecdoche of the part standing for the whole.
 
קָדִ֑ימָה   
Noun MNS Absolute, Predicate N + Directional ה, [are] facing towards the east. Disjunctive accent.
 
וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף   
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Progressive I, Countable S, and he gathers. The 3MS refers here to the leader of the Babylonians.
 
כַּח֖וֹל     
Preposition, Comparative + Article, Generic + Noun MGS Absolute, like the sand. Forward emphasis.
 
שֶֽׁבִי׃     
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, captives.
 
10
 
וְהוּא֙     
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Personal Pronoun MNS, Emphasis, Antecedent = Subject of וַיֶּאֱסֹ֥ף  above, and himself.
 
בַּמְּלָכִ֣ים
Preposition, Specifying + Article, Particularizing + Noun MGP Absolute, regarding kings. Forward emphasis.
 
יִתְקַלָּ֔ס   
HitI 3MS, Iterative I, he makes fun. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְרֹזְנִ֖ים   
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + QAPtc MNP Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, and rulers. Forward emphasis.
 
מִשְׂחָ֣ק   
Noun MNS Absolute, Predicate N, [are] a laughing matter.
 
ל֑וֹ         
Preposition, Reference + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הוּא֙), to him. Disjunctive accent.
 
ה֚וּא       
Personal Pronoun MNS, Emphatic, Antecedent = ל֑וֹ), himself. Explanatory asyndeton. Forward emphasis.
 
לְכָל־מִבְצָ֣ר         
Preposition, Reference + Noun MGS Construct, Adjectival Use (See KB, Lexicon, 474) + Noun MGS Absolute, at every fortified city. Forward emphasis.
 
יִשְׂחָ֔ק    
QI 3MS, Progressive I, he laughs. Disjunctive accent.
                        
וַיִּצְבֹּ֥ר    
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Progressive I, and pours . . . into a heap.
 
עָפָ֖ר      
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, earth.
 
וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Progressive I + Personal Pronoun FAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = city (עיר  feminine, sense agreement with מִבְצָ֣ר), and captures it.
 
11
 
אָ֣ז         
Adverb of Time, then.
 
חָלַ֥ף      
QPf 3MS, Iterative Pf, he passes through. “The subject to châlaph is not rūăch, but the Chaldaean (הוּא, v. 10); and rūăch is used appositionally, to denote the manner in which it passes along.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
ר֛וּחַ       
Noun FNS Appositional N to previous subject, wind. See above.
 
וַֽיַּעֲבֹ֖ר    
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Progressive I, and continues on.
 
וְאָשֵׁ֑ם    
Paratactic Conjunction, Resultative + QPf 3MS, Predicate N in Noun Clause, and [he is] a guilty person.  Disjunctive accent. “The omission [ellipsis] arises not from want of thought, or lack of care, or from accident, but from design, in order that we may not stop to think of, or lay stress on, the word omitted, but may dwell on the other words which are thus emphasised by the omission.” (Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 1)
 
ז֥וּ          
Demonstrative Pronoun MNS, Cataphoric, this. Explanatory Asyndeton. 
 
כֹח֖וֹ       
Noun MNS, Subject N in Noun Clause + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = ה֚וּא, his strength. Perhaps “this strength of his.”
 
לֵאלֹהֽוֹ׃  
Preposition, Possessive + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = ה֚וּא), [he attributes] to his god.  “Imputing this his power unto his god; more literally, this his power is his god; Revised Version, even he whose might is his god. He defies the Lord, and makes his might his god.” (Spence-Jones, H. D. M. (Ed.). (1909). Habakkuk (p. 3). London; New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company) [Hereafter as Spence-Jones, Habakkuk]

_______________

Verse 5

(A) “Look among the nations! Observe!
(B) Be astonished! Wonder!
(A) Because I am doing something in your days—
(B) You would not believe if you were told.

 

• ABAB parallelism in lines 1-2 and 3-4.
• Cp. verse 3—same words for “seeing.” 
• Repetitions—same sounds; different forms (lines 2 & 3).

Verse 6

(A) For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,
(B) That fierce and impetuous people
(A) Who march throughout the earth
(B) To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.

• ABAB Pattern.
• Sound parallels with “fierce” and “impetuous” (hamar/hanmehar).
• Verse 6 is explanatory of verse 5.

Verse 7

They are dreaded and feared;
Their justice and authority originate with themselves.

 

• Line 1 = Expansion of verse 6 line 2
• Line 2 = Expansion of verse 6 line 4

Verse 8

(A) Their horses are swifter than leopards
        And keener than wolves in the evening.
(B) Their horsemen come galloping,
(B) Their horsemen come from afar;
(A) They fly like an eagle swooping down to devour.

• Chiastic pattern where lines 1 and 4 correlate as do lines 2 and 3.
• “Keener” parallels “swifter” and means “quicker.”
• Lines 2 & 3 = Repetition of sounds and words (pashu//parshy//parshy).
• “Swooping” means “hurrying” and parallels line 1.

 

Verse 9

(A) All of them come for violence.
(B) Their horde of faces moves forward.
(A) They collect captives like sand.

 

• This verse expands verse 8.
• ABA Pattern where line 3 parallels line 1.

Verse 10

(A) They mock at kings
(B) And rulers are a laughing matter to them.
(B) They laugh at every fortress
(A) And heap up rubble to capture it.

 

• Chiastic Pattern.
• Similar sounds in “fortress” and “heap up” (mivtsar/yitsbor).
• Mockery/laughing = Repetitions.

Verse 11

Then they will sweep through like the wind and pass on.
But they will be held guilty,
They whose strength is their god.”

·        Near synonyms in line 1.

• One word conclusion in line 2.
• Line 2 represents an effect whereas line 3 is the cause.

 

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times
Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

 
I.  Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
    A. Habakkuk’s Questions, 1:1-4
    B. Yahweh’s Responses,1:5-11
    C. Habakkuk’s Theological Questions, 1:12-17

12                   
 
הֲל֧וֹא                
Interrogative Particle + Negative Adverb, [are] . . . not? The rhetorical question expects the answer “Yes!”
 
אַתָּ֣ה                 
Personal Pronoun MNS, Subject N in Noun Clause, Antecedent = Yahweh, you.
 
מִקֶּ֗דֶם               
Preposition, Source + Noun MGS Absolute, from prehistoric time. Disjunctive accent.
 
יְהוָ֧ה                 
Noun MVS, V Direct Address, O Yahweh. Conjunctive accent connecting the three divine descriptions.
 
אֱלֹהַ֛י                
Noun MVP Construct, V Direct Address, Honorific P + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = Habakkuk, O My God. Disjunctive accent.
 
קְדֹשִׁ֖י   
Adjective MVS Construct, Substantival, V of Direct Address, Antecedent = Habakkuk, O My Holy One. See the note below. Disjunctive accent.
“The three predicates applied to God have equal weight in the question. The God to whom the prophet prays is Jehovah, the absolutely constant One, who is always the same in word and work (see at Gen. 2:4); He is also Elohai, my, i.e., Israel’s, God, who from time immemorial has proved to the people whom He had chosen as His possession that He is their God; and קְדֹשִׁי, the Holy One of Israel, the absolutely Pure One, who cannot look upon evil, and therefore cannot endure that the wicked should devour the righteous (v. 13).” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
לֹ֣א       
Negative Adverb, not. Disjunctive asyndeton.
 
נָמ֑וּת    
QI 1CP, Future I, we will . . . die. NET Note, loc. cit,: “The MT reads, ‘we will not die,’ but an ancient scribal tradition has ‘you [i.e., God] will not die.’ This is preferred as a more difficult reading that can explain the rise of the other variant. Later scribes who copied the manuscripts did not want to associate the idea of death with God in any way, so they softened the statement to refer to humanity.” Also, “. . . the immutable and everlasting Lord (cf. 3:6) who will not break His covenant with Israel.” (BKC, loc. cit.) Disjunctive accent.
 
יְהוָה֙     
Noun MVS, V Direct Address, O Yahweh.
 
לְמִשְׁפָּ֣ט
Preposition, Purpose + Noun MGS Construct, for judgment.  Forward emphasis.
 
שַׂמְתּ֔וֹ   
QPf 2MS, Constative Pf + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Babylonian Nation, You appointed it. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְצ֖וּר     
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MVS Absolute, V Direct Address, and O Rock. A reference to Yahweh in the parallelism. The additional variant (1^st Personal Pronoun) can be ignored since it has no MSS for support.
 
“‘Rock’ or ‘Cliff.’ This divine epithet views God as a place where one can go to be safe from danger. The translation ‘Protector’ conveys the force of the metaphor (cf. KJV, NEB ‘O mighty God’).” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
לְהוֹכִ֥יחַ 
Preposition, Purpose + HiInf Construct, to bring punishment.
 
יְסַדְתּֽוֹ׃ 
QPf 2MS, Constative Pf + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Babylonian Nation, Collective S, you destined it.
 
13       
 
טְה֤וֹר    
Adjective MNS Construct, Substantival Predicate N in Noun Clause, [you are ethically] purer (see KB, Lexicon, 369). Forward emphasis. Disjunctive asyndeton. K&D, loc. cit., take this as a vocative; NET, NASB, ESV as a predicate.

“In v. 13, טְהֹור עֵינַיִם, with the two clauses dependent upon it, stands as a vocative, and טְהֹור followed by מִן as a comparative: purer of eyes than to be able to see. This epithet is applied to God as the pure One, whose eyes cannot bear what is morally unclean, i.e., cannot look upon evil.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
עֵינַ֙יִם֙   
Noun MGD Absolute, G of Reference, of eyes.
 
מֵרְא֣וֹת  
Preposition, Comparative + QInf Construct, than to put up with. 
 
רָ֔ע       
Adjective MAS Absolute, Substantival, A Direct Object, evil. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְהַבִּ֥יט   
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + HiInf Construct, Complementary Inf, and to look. Forward emphasis.
 
אֶל־עָמָ֖ל
Preposition, Directive + Noun MGS Absolute, at harm.
 
לֹ֣א       
Negative Adverb, not.
 
תוּכָ֑ל    
QI 2MS, I of Capability, you are . . . able. Disjunctive accent.
 
לָ֤מָּה     
Preposition, Reference + Interrogative Pronoun, why? Disjunctive asyndeton.
 
תַבִּיט֙    
HI 2MS, Customary I, do you look on.
 
בּֽוֹגְדִ֔ים  
QAPtc MAP, A Direct Object, those who continue to act treacherously. Disjunctive accent.
 
תַּחֲרִ֕ישׁ 
HiI 2MS, Progressive I, [Why] do you remain silent. The לָ֤מָּה above does double duty. Conjunctive asyndeton. Disjunctive accent.
 
בְּבַלַּ֥ע    
Preposition, Temporal + PiInf Construct, Functioning as a verb (see Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 610), when . . . swallows up.
 
רָשָׁ֖ע    
Adjective MNS Absolute, Subject N, the wicked.
 
צַדִּ֥יק    
Adjective MAS Absolute, Substantival, A Direct Object, the righteous.
 
מִמֶּֽנּוּ׃   
Preposition, Comparative + Personal Pronoun MGS, more than him? Collective S. The translations read “they/them.”
 
14
 
וַתַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה 
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 2MS, Preterite I, and you made. Does double duty for the next clause as well.

“וַתַּעֲשֶׂה is not dependent upon לָמָּה, but continues the address in a simple picture, in which the imperfect with Vav convers. represents the act as the natural consequence of the silence of God.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
אָדָ֖ם     
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, Collective S, mankind.
 
כִּדְגֵ֣י     
Preposition, Comparative + Noun MGP Construct, like fish of.
 
הַיָּ֑ם      
Article, Particularizing + Noun MGS Absolute, the sea. Disjunctive accent.
 
כְּרֶ֖מֶשׂ  
Preposition, Comparative + Noun MGS Absolute, Collective S, like creeping things. Seeוַתַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה   above.
 
לֹא־מֹשֵׁ֥ל
Negative Adverb + QAPtc MAS, Adjectival Gerundive Ptc, [that do] not have one ruling. “The point of comparison lies in the relative clause לֹא־מֹשֵׁל בֹּו, “which has no ruler” (K&D, loc. cit.) Numerous translations agree on the relative clause interpretation.
           
בּֽוֹ׃       
Preposition, Condition + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = רֶ֖מֶשׂ, Collective S, over them.
 
15
Explanatory asyndeton.
 
כֻּלֹּה֙     
Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Collective S, Antecedent = אָדָ֖ם, All of them. Forward emphasis. “כֻּלֹּה, pointing back to the collective ’âdâm, is the object, and is written first for the sake of emphasis.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
בְּחַכָּ֣ה   
Preposition, Means + Noun FGS Absolute, with a fishhook. Only OT use.
 
הֵֽעֲלָ֔ה   
HiPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, Collective S, they bring up. Disjunctive accent.
 
יְגֹרֵ֣הוּ
QI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = אָדָ֖ם, Collective S, they drag them away. Copulative asyndeton.
 
בְחֶרְמ֔וֹ  
Preposition, Means + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S, Antecedent = Subject of יְגֹרֵ֣הוּ, in their dragnet.
 
וְיַאַסְפֵ֖הוּ
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S + Personal Pronoun MAS Construct, A Direct Object, Antecedent = אָדָ֖ם, and gather them.
 
בְּמִכְמַרְתּ֑וֹ          
Preposition, Means + Noun FGS Construct, + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S,  Antecedent =  Subject of וְיַאַסְפֵ֖הוּ, in their net. Disjunctive accent.
 
עַל־כֵּ֖ן   
Preposition, Reference + Adverb, Manner, therefore. “on this account, for that reason” (KB, Lexicon, 826).
 
יִשְׂמַ֥ח   
QI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S, they rejoice.
 
וְיָגִֽיל
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S, and shout in exultation.
 
16
 
עַל־כֵּן֙   
Preposition, Reference + Adverb, Manner, therefore. See above.
 
יְזַבֵּ֣חַ     
PiI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S, they sacrifice.
           
לְחֶרְמ֔וֹ  
Preposition, Indirect Object + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S, Antecedent = Subject of יְזַבֵּ֣חַ, to their dragnet. Disjunctive accent.
 
וִֽיקַטֵּ֖ר   
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + HiI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S, and burn incense.
 
לְמִכְמַרְתּ֑וֹ          
Preposition, Indirect Object + Noun FGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S, Antecedent = Subject of וִֽיקַטֵּ֖ר, to their net. Disjunctive accent.
 
כִּ֤י        
Adverb of Manner, thus.
 
בָהֵ֙מָּה֙   
Preposition, Means + Personal Pronoun MGS, Collective S, Antecedent = nets, by them.
 
שָׁמֵ֣ן     
Adjective MS Absolute, Substantival, Predicate N in Noun Clause, Collective S, [is] fat.  Forward emphasis.
 
חֶלְק֔וֹ    
Noun MNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S, Antecedent = Subject of וִֽיקַטֵּ֖ר, their portion. Disjunctive accent.
 
וּמַאֲכָל֖וֹ 
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MNS Construct, Subject N in Noun Clause + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = Subject of וִֽיקַטֵּ֖ר, their food.
 
בְּרִאָֽה׃  
Adjective FNS Absolute, Substantival, Predicate N, Collective S, [is]rich.
 
17
 
הַ֥עַל     
Interrogative, Rhetorical (see KB, Lexicon, 236; BDB, Lexicon, 209) + Preposition, Reference, ___. Does duty for two clauses.
 
כֵּ֖ן        
Adverb, Manner, therefore. See at verse 6.
 
יָרִ֣יק     
HiI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S, they empty out.
 
חֶרְמ֑וֹ
Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S, Antecedent = Subject of יָרִ֣יק, their dragnet. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְתָמִ֛יד   
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Adverb of Time, and continually.
 
לַהֲרֹ֥ג    
Preposition, Purpose + QInf Construct, [exist] to destroy. Forward emphasis.
 
גּוֹיִ֖ם     
Noun MAP Absolute, A Direct Object, nations? Disjunctive accent.
 
לֹ֥א       
Negative Adverb, not. Copulative asyndeton. “לֹא יַחְמֹול is a subordinate clause appended in an adverbial sense: unsparingly, without sparing.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

יַחְמֽוֹל׃ 

     QI 3MS, Customary I, Collective S, they do . . . have compassion.

    _______________ 

Verse 12

Are You not from everlasting,
    O LORD, my God, my Holy One?
We will not die.
You, O LORD, have appointed them to judge;
And You, O Rock, have established them to correct.

·        Rhetorical question in line 1 expects a “Yes” answer.

·        Five vocatives.

·        The verbs “appointed” and “established” are near synonyms.

·        Line 3 and 4 are grammatically parallel.

·        Line 4 expands the meaning of line 3.

Verse 13

(A) Your eyes are too pure to approve evil,
(B) And You can not look on wickedness with favor.
(B) Why do You look with favor 

        On those who deal treacherously?
(A) Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up
        Those more righteous than they?

·        3 bold words for “seeing.”

·        Chiastic with (A)’s and (B)’s in parallel.

Verse 14
 
Why have You made men like the fish of the sea,
Like creeping things without a ruler over them?

·        “Why” is taken from verse 15 in the parallelism without another interrogative in verse 14.

·        The ESV, NET, NIV do not see a question. The NASB and NKJV do.

·        Line 2 supplements line 1.

·        In the parallelism the “creeping things” of line 2 are probably from the sea.

Verse 15

(A) The Chaldeans bring all of them up with a hook,
(B) Drag them away with their net,
(B) And gather them together in their fishing net.
(A) Therefore they rejoice and are glad.

·        Chiastic.

·        Lines 2 and 3 are cause and effect.

Verse 16
 
(A) Therefore they offer a sacrifice to their net
(B) and burn incense to their fishing net;
(A) Because through these things their catch is large,
(B) And their food is plentiful.

·        ABAB Parallelism Pattern.

·        “Therefore” repeats and connects verse 16 to verse 15 sequentially.

Verse 17

Will they therefore empty their net
And continually slay nations without sparing?

·        Line 2 interprets line 1.

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times

Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

 

I. Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
II. Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20     
    A. Habakkuk’s Role and Expectation, 2:1    
    B. The Vision and General Indictment concerning Babylon, 2-5

1

עַל־מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣י

Preposition, Locative + Noun FGS Construct Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = Habakkuk, upon my observation post. Forward emphasis.

 

אֶעֱמֹ֔דָה

QCoh 1CS, Coh of Resolve, I am determined to stand. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְאֶֽתְיַצְּבָ֖ה

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + HitCoh 1CS, Coh of Resolve, and I am determined to station myself.

 

עַל־מָצ֑וֹר

Preposition, Locative + Noun MGS Absolute, upon the watchtower. Disjunctive accent.

 

וַאֲצַפֶּ֗ה

Preposition, Relative + PiCoh 1CS, Coh of Resolve, and I am resolved to keep watch. Disjunctive accent.

 

לִרְאוֹת֙

Preposition, Purpose + QInf Absolute, to see.

 

מַה־יְדַבֶּר־בִּ֔י

Interrogative, Indirect Rhetorical Question + PiI 3MS, Future I + Preposition, Indirect Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = Habakkuk, what he will say to me. K&D, loc. cit. has an alternative interpretation.

 

וּמָ֥ה

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Interrogative, Indirect Rhetorical Question, and what.

 

אָשִׁ֖יב

HiI 1CS, Future I, I will return.

 

עַל־תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי׃

Preposition, Reference + Noun FGS Absolute + Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = Habakkuk, concerning the reproof I gave. Disjunctive accent. The translations vary between Objective G and Subjective G. “Probably Habakkuk referred to his own complaint lodged in his dialogue with God (Hab. 1:2–4, 12–17). Some translators, however, say that the ‘complaint’ (tôḵaḥaṯ, ‘correction, rebuke, or argument’) was against the prophet rather than by the prophet. Thus they render the phrase, ‘what to answer when I am rebuked’ (niv marg.).” (BKC, loc. cit.) See KB, Lexicon, 1698 for “objection” translation; Also, Holladay, W. L., & Köhler, L. (2000). A concise Hebrew and Aramaic lexicon of the Old Testament, 387. Leiden: Brill. [Hereafter as Holladay, Lexicon]

 

2

 

וַיַּעֲנֵ֤נִי

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Habakkuk, and . . . answered me.

 

יְהוָה֙

Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, Yahweh.

 

וַיֹּ֔אמֶר

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Sequential I, and said. Disjunctive accent.

 

כְּת֣וֹב

QImv 2MS, Imv of Command, write.

 

חָז֔וֹן

Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, the vision. Disjunctive accent.

 

וּבָאֵ֖ר

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + PiImv 2MS, Imv of Command, and make plain. Lewis, J. P. (1999). 194 בָּאַר. R. L. Harris, G. L. Archer Jr., & B. K. Waltke (Eds.), Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament (electronic ed., p. 87). Chicago: Moody Press. [Hereafter as TWOT, Lexicon]

 

עַל־הַלֻּח֑וֹת

Preposition, Locative + Noun FGP Absolute, upon tablets. Disjunctive accent.

 

לְמַ֥עַן

Preposition, Purpose, in order that.

 

יָר֖וּץ

QI 3MS, Modal of Possibility I, might run. “Heb ‘might run,’ which here probably means ‘run [through it quickly with one’s eyes],’ that is, read it easily. (NET, loc. cit.)

 

ק֥וֹרֵא

QAPtc MNS, Substantival Subject N, he who reads.

 

בֽוֹ׃

Preposition, Direct Object (as in most translations) + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = חָז֔וֹן, in it. Disjunctive accent. “The word bô, ‘in it,’ is admittedly difficult; the sense of the preposition is hard to establish. It could be ‘from it’ or ‘by means of it.’” (Anderson, Habakkuk, 204) Also, “[T]he point is that the messenger would read it and then run to spread the news to others.” (BKC, loc. cit.)

 

3

 

כִּ֣י

Hypotactic Conjunction, Causal, because.

 

ע֤וֹד

Adverb of Time, still. “‘For the vision is still for the appointed time.’ The Hebrew word . . . is better emended to . . . ‘witness’ in light of the parallelism.” (NET, loc. cit.) The LXX has ἔτι. Most of the translations read as the Hebrew text.

 

חָזוֹן֙

Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, the vision. There are 7 references to the vision in the following clauses.

 

לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד

Preposition, Directive + Noun MGS Absolute, [is] for an appointed time.

 

“The prophecy is לַמֹּועֵד, for the appointed time; i.e., it relates to the period fixed by God for its realization, which was then still (עֹוד) far off. לְ denotes direction towards a certain point either of place or time. The vision had a direction towards a point, which, when looked at from the present, was still in the future.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

וְיָפֵ֥חַ

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + HiI 3MS, Progressive I, and it pants. Found in the Dead Sea Scroll 1Q Hab יפיח לקץ meaning “to pant after.” See the following notes.

 

“יָפֵחַ is not an adjective, as in Ps. 27:12, but the third pers. imperf. hiphil of pūăch; and the contracted form (יָפֵחַ for יָפִיחַ), without a voluntative meaning, is the same as we frequently meet with in the loftier style of composition. וְלֹא יְכַזֵּב, “and does not deceive,” i.e., will assuredly take place.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

“Heb ‘and a witness to the end and it does not lie.’ The Hebrew term יָפֵחַ (yafeakh) has been traditionally understood as a verb form from the root פּוּחַ (puakh, ‘puff, blow’; cf. NEB ‘it will come in breathless haste’; NASB ‘it hastens toward the goal’) but recent scholarship has demonstrated that it is actually a noun meaning ‘witness’ (cf. NIV ‘it speaks of the end / and will not prove false’; NRSV ‘it speaks of the end, and does not lie’). See J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 106. ‘The end’ corresponds to ‘the appointed time’ of the preceding line and refers to the time when the prophecy to follow will be fulfilled. “ (NET, loc. cit.)

 

“Rudolph (Micha, Nahum, Habakuk, Zephanja, 212) notes that the Dead Sea Scroll has confirmed the reading as from a verb meaning ‘pant after,’ but he contends that such a meaning does not fit the context. He suggests that Prov 12:17 is the closest parallel, giving a meaning of to make known, to state, thus leading to a translation much like NIV. Elliger (Das Buch der zwölf kleinen Propheten II, 38) questions his own conclusion as he translates reist auf, ‘set out after,’ claiming support from the LXX, but then says perhaps we can make do with the MT and translate sie raunt vom Ende, ‘it whispers of the end.’” (Quotes from Barker, Habakkuk, 323)

 

לַקֵּ֖ץ

Preposition, Directive + Article, Particularizing, Noun MGS Absolute, to the end. Parallels לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד above.

 

וְלֹ֣א

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Negative Adverb, and [the vision] . . . not.

 

יְכַזֵּ֑ב

PiI 3MS, Future I, will . . . lie.

 

אִם־יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙

Hypotactic Conjunction, Conditional + HitI 3MS, Conditional I, if it should delay. Protasis of a real condition.

 

חַכֵּה־ל֔וֹ

PiImv 2MS, Imv of Command + Preposition, Directive + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = חָזוֹן֙ above, wait for it.

 

כִּֽי־בֹ֥א

Hypotactic Conjunction, Causal + QInf Absolute, Affirmation, because surely . . . coming.

 

יָבֹ֖א

QI 3MS, Future I, it will . . . be coming.

 

לֹ֥א

Negative Adverb, not. Conjunctive Asyndeton.

 

יְאַחֵֽר׃

PiI 3MS, Future I, it will . . . delay. Disjunctive accent.

 

4

Asyndetic and transitional to the contents of the vision. “God answered the prophet by means of a strong contrast. The first half of the verse apparently refers to the wicked described in 1:7, 11, 13 (without using the term).” (Barker, Habakkuk, 324) See the extensive notes at verses 4 and 5.

 

הִנֵּ֣ה

Interjection, look! “calls attention to the following noun” (KB, Lexicon, 252) and transitions to the Babylonian leader.

 

עֻפְּלָ֔ה

PuPf 3FS, Perfective Pf, Indefinite 3FS Subject in Noun Clause, he has been and is puffed up! Disjunctive accent. The rabia separates the clause from the following unlike many of the translations. This is seen as a general statement that is expanded in the following clause. The ellipsis brings emphasis to what is written; the NASB, NKJV, NRSV, YLT reflect this emphasis.

 

לֹא־יָשְׁרָ֥ה

Negative Adverb + QPf 3FS, Perfective Pf, Explanatory asyndeton. [נַפְשׁ֖וֹ] has been and is not upright. ‘The thought [behind עֻפְּלָ֔ה] is explained and strengthened by לֹא יָשְׁרָה, ‘his soul is not straight.’” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

נַפְשׁ֖וֹ

Noun FNS Absolute, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = the wicked indivdual of 1:7, 11, 13, his soul. “[The Soul] as the centre and transmitter of feelings and perceptions.” (KB, Lexicon, 713)

 

בּ֑וֹ

Preposition, Locative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = נַפְשׁ֖וֹ as above, in him. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְצַדִּ֖יק

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative and Adversative + Adjective MNS Absolute, Substantival, Subject N, but the righteous. Grammatically parallel toעֻפְּלָ֔ה . Disjunctive accent. Forward emphasis.

 

בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹ

Preposition, Means + Noun FGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = צַדִּ֖יק, by means of the faithfulness he exhibits.

 “Or ‘loyalty’; or ‘integrity.’ The Hebrew word אֱמוּנָה  (’emunah) has traditionally been translated ‘faith,’ but the term nowhere else refers to ‘belief’ as such. When used of human character and conduct it carries the notion of ‘honesty, integrity, reliability, faithfulness.’ The antecedent of the suffix has been understood in different ways. It could refer to God’s faithfulness, but in this case one would expect a first person suffix (the original form of the LXX has ‘my faithfulness’ here). Others understand the ‘vision’ to be the antecedent. In this case the reliability of the prophecy is in view. For a statement of this view, see J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 111–12. The present translation assumes that the preceding word ‘[the person of] integrity’ is the antecedent. In this case the Lord is assuring Habakkuk that those who are truly innocent will be preserved through the coming oppression and judgment by their godly lifestyle, for God ultimately rewards this type of conduct. In contrast to these innocent people, those with impure desires (epitomized by the greedy Babylonians; see v. 5) will not be able to withstand God’s judgment (v. 4a).” (NET, loc. cit.)

“אֱמוּנָה does not denote ‘an honourable character, or fidelity to conviction’ (Hitzig), but (from ’âman, to be firm, to last) firmness (Ex. 17:12); then, as an attribute of God, trustworthiness, unchangeable fidelity in the fulfilment of His promises (Deut. 32:4; Ps. 33:4; 89:34); and, as a personal attribute of man, fidelity in word and deed (Jer. 7:28; 9:2; Ps. 37:3); and, in his relation to God, firm attachment to God, an undisturbed confidence in the divine promises of grace, . . . .” (K&D, loc. cit.)

יִחְיֶֽה׃

QI 3MS, Stative, lives.

“A righteous Israelite who remained loyal to God’s moral precepts and was humble before the Lord enjoyed God’s abundant life. To ‘live’ meant to experience God’s blessing by enjoying a life of security, protection, and fullness. Conversely, an apparently victorious but proud and perverse Babylonian would die. Faithfulness (niv marg.) and faith are related. One who trusts in the Lord is one who relies on Him and is faithful to Him.” (BKC, loc. cit.)

“The New Testament writers quoted the verse three times (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38). Paul used this idea as the hallmark of his teaching concerning the primacy of faith in salvation. He took God’s message to Habakkuk to its final emphasis: those who are judged righteous as a result of their faith shall live. Habakkuk’s questions supplied Paul with his beginning and ending point that faith is the key. God recognizes the faithfulness (faith) of his people and gives life.” (Barker, Habakkuk, loc. cit.) See Archer & Chirichigno, Old Testament Quotations, Moody Press, 1983, para. #220.

“The translator of Habakkuk does not need to worry too much about Paul’s theology. However, he does need to see what Paul has done, so that he can understand the difference between the meaning Habakkuk intended and the meaning Paul later drew from these words. Among Christians, Paul’s teaching is much more familiar than Habakkuk’s, and translators must therefore be careful not to translate in such a way that they make Habakkuk sound like Paul! Habakkuk’s own meaning in its original context must be respected, and not changed to conform to the New Testament application of his words.” (Clark, D. J., & Hatton, H. A. (1989). A translator’s handbook on the book of Habakkuk, 9, New York: United Bible Societies) [Hereafter as Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk]

The promise looks beyond the temporal future of the Chaldeans and Israelites, and unto a reward that is eternal. We see how naturally the principle here enunciated is applied by the apostle to teach the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ.” (Spence-Jones, Ibid., loc. cit.)

“Habakkuk 2:4 is also cited three times in the New Testament: Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:37–38. Of the three, Hebrews 10 uses the text in a way closest to its original context in its call for the reader to persevere with confidence in the face of suffering and persecution and to do the will of God in order to receive the salvation which God has promised.” (Ham & Hahlen, Minor Prophets, 145). Joplin, MO: College Press Pub. Co.) [Hereafter as Ham & Hahlen, Minor Prophets]

5
“The focal assertion of verses 4–5 comprises the positive response to the vision: But the righteous will live by his faith. The noun ‘righteous’ (צַדִּיק, ṣaddîq) refers to one who conforms to an ethical standard (Gen 6:9; 15:6; Ezek 3:21); accordingly, the ‘righteous’ is one who serves Yahweh (Mal 3:18), obeys the commands of Yahweh (Deut 6:25; Ps 1:1–6; Ezek 18:9; Hos 14:9), remembers the covenant with Yahweh (Isa 51:1–8), cares for the poor and needy (Job 29:12–15; Ps 37:21; Prov 29:7), and lives according to the spirit of Yahweh (Isa 32:15–17; Ezek 36:25–27). Habakkuk’s use of ṣaddîq may reflect this general meaning of the term, or the prophet may use ṣaddîq more specifically to identify those who are mistreated and oppressed by the wicked (cf. 1:4, 13), a meaning of the word found elsewhere in the prophetic literature (Isa 29:20–21; Lam 4:13; Ezek 13:22; Amos 2:6–7; 5:12).” (Ham & Hahlen, Minor Prophets, 144)

וְאַף֙

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Adverb, Intensive, and indeed [consider]. “אַף also, besides, even, intensive clauses.” (GKC, Grammar, 483) Disjunctive accent.

“V. 5 is closely connected with v. 4a, not only developing still further the thought which is there expressed, but applying it to the Chaldaean. אַף כִּי  does not mean ‘really if’ (Hitzig and others), even in Job 9:14; 35:14, Ezek. 15:5, or 1 Sam. 21:6 (see Delitzsch on Job 35:14), but always means ‘still further,’ or ‘yea also, that;’ and different applications are given to it, so that, when used as an emphatic assurance, it signifies ‘to say nothing of the fact that,’ or when it gives emphasis to the thing itself, ‘all the more because,’ and in negative sentences ‘how much less’ (e.g., 1 Kings 8:27). In the present instance it adds a new and important feature to what is stated in v. 4a, ‘And add to this that wine is treacherous;’ i.e., to those who are addicted to it, it does not bring strength and life, but leads to the way to ruin (for the thought itself, see Prov. 23:31, 32).’ (K&D, loc. cit.)

 כִּֽי־הַיַּ֣יִן

Hypotactic Conjunction, Untranslated Object of a Nominal Clause + Article, Generic + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, wine. “Wine is probably a metaphor for imperialistic success. The more success the Babylonians experience, the more greedy they become just as a drunkard wants more and more wine to satisfy his thirst. But eventually this greed will lead to their downfall, for God will not tolerate such imperialism and will judge the Babylonians appropriately (vv. 6–20).” (NET, loc. cit.)

 בּוֹגֵ֔ד

QAPtc MNS Absolute, Predicate N, [is] treacherous. Disjunctive accent.

גֶּ֥בֶר      

Noun MNS Absolute, Rhetorical Absolute (Casus Pendens resumed by the subject of יִנְוֶ֑ה below), an . . . man. Explanatory asyndeton.

יָהִ֖יר     

Adjective MNS, Attributive, arrogant. Disjunctive accent (Tiphchah). NET, loc. cit., dramatically separates these two words.

וְלֹ֣א      

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Negative Adverb, and not.

יִנְוֶ֑ה     

QI 3MS, Progressive I, he does . . . rest. Disjunctive accent. “[T]o reach an objective, achieve a result.” (KB, Lexicon, 678)

“The meaning of the last verb, ‘dwell,’ is uncertain. Many take it as a denominative of the noun נָוָה  (navah, ‘dwelling place’). In this case it would carry the idea, ‘he does not settle down,’ and would picture the drunkard as restless (cf. NIV ‘never at rest’; NASB ‘does not stay at home’). Some relate the verb to an Arabic cognate and translate the phrase as ‘he will not succeed, reach his goal.’ The Babylonian tyrant is the proud, restless man described in this line as the last line of the verse, with its reference to the conquest of the nations, makes clear. Wine is probably a metaphor for imperialistic success. The more success the Babylonians experience, the more greedy they become just as a drunkard wants more and more wine to satisfy his thirst. But eventually this greed will lead to their downfall, for God will not tolerate such imperialism and will judge the Babylonians appropriately (vv. 6–20).” (NET, loc. cit.)

“But looking to what follows, this sentence forms a protasis to v. 6, being written first in an absolute form, ‘He, the widely opened one, etc., upon him will all take up,’ etc. Hirchībh naphshō, to widen his soul, . . . , to open the mouth (Isa. 5:14), is a figure used to denote insatiable desire.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

אֲשֶׁר֩

Hypotactic Conjunction, Pronominal Relative MNS, Subject N, Antecedent = Subject of יִנְוֶ֑ה above, who.

הִרְחִ֨יב  

HiPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, has enlarged.           

כִּשְׁא֜וֹל 

Preposition, Comparative + Noun MGS Absolute, like Sheol. Forward emphasis.

נַפְשׁ֗וֹ

Noun FAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = אֲשֶׁר֩, his appetite. Disjunctive accent. “Hereנֶפֶשׁ (nefesh) is understood in a physical sense, meaning ‘throat,’ which in turn is figurative for the appetite.” (NET, loc. cit.)

וְה֤וּא    

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Personal Pronoun MNS, Subject N, Antecedent = נַפְשׁ֗וֹ, and he.

כַמָּ֙וֶת֙    

Preposition, Comparative + Article, Particularizing + Noun MGS Absolute, like death. Forward emphasis.

וְלֹ֣א      

Hypotactic Conjunction, Relative and Adjunctive + Negative Adverb, also . . . not.       

יִשְׂבָּ֔ע   

QI 3MS, Stative I, is . . . satisfied. Disjunctive accent.

וַיֶּאֱסֹ֤ף  

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Progressive I, and gathers.

אֵלָיו֙     

Preposition, Terminative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Reflexive G, Antecedent = Subject of וַיֶּאֱסֹ֤ף, to himself.

כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם          

Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object and functions adverbially (GKC, Grammar, 415, para. 128.e; KB, Lexicon, 474) + Article, Previous Reference to 1:17 + Noun MGP Absolute, Descriptive G, all the nations. Disjunctive accent.

וַיִּקְבֹּ֥ץ   

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Progressive I, and collects.

אֵלָ֖יו     

Preposition, Terminative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Reflexive G, Antecedent = Subject of וַיִּקְבֹּ֥ץ , to himself.

כָּל־הָעַמִּֽים׃       

Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object and functions adverbially (GKC, Grammar, 415, para. 128.e; KB, Lexicon, 474)+ Article, Particularizing + Noun MGP Absolute, Descriptive G, all peoples. Disjunctive accent.

_______________

Verse 1

(A) I will stand on my guard post
(B) And station myself on the rampart;
(A) And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me,
(B) And how I may reply when I am reproved.

• ABAB pattern with B adding to A.
• Habakkuk’s Role – First A/B combination
• Habakkuk’s Expectation – Second A/B combination.

Verse 2

Then the Lord answered me and said,

Record the vision
And inscribe it on tablets,
That the one who reads it may run.

• Lines 1 and 2 are semantically related.
• Line 3 represents the effect of the preceding imperatives.

Verse 3

(A) For the vision is yet for the appointed time;
(B) It hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.
(B) Though it tarries, wait for it;
(A) For it will certainly come, it will not delay.

• The verse is chiastic where A’s and B’s relate semantically.
• The “vision” (“it”) is the subject of the verse and repeated 7 times.

Verse 4    

Behold, as for the proud one,
His soul is not right within him;
But the righteous will live by his faith.

• Line 1 is explained by line 2.
• “faith” and “faithfulness” translate the same word. See the notes.
• But in line 3 provides the antithesis of lines 1 and 2.

Verse 5

Furthermore, wine betrays the haughty man,
   So that he does not stay at home.
He enlarges his appetite like Sheol,
   And he is like death, never satisfied.
He also gathers to himself all nations

   And collects to himself all peoples.

• Each line has two parts by the disjunctive accents in the notes.
• Line 3 expands line 2.

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times

Of Violence And Perverted Justice! 

I. Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
II. Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20
     A. Habakkuk’s Role and Expectation, 2:1
     B. The Vision and General Indictment concerning Babylon, 2-5
     C. Five Woes, 6-20 

 

6
“The destruction of Babylon intimated in God’s comments to Habakkuk was announced in fuller detail in a song of woe in five stanzas of three verses each (‘woe’ occurs in vv. 6, 9, 12, 15, 19).” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
הֲלוֹא־אֵ֣לֶּה
Interrogative, Rhetorical + Negative Adverb + Demonstrative Pronoun MNP Absolute, Antecedent = הָעַמִּֽים, will not these. Expects a “yes!” answer. Forward emphasis.
 
כֻלָּ֗ם
Noun MNS Construct, Appositional N + Personal Pronoun MGP, Antecedent = הָעַמִּֽים, all of them. ”Nevertheless the nations as such, or in pleno, are not meant, but simply the believers among them, who expect Jehovah to inflict judgment upon the Chaldaeans, and look forward to that judgment for the revelation of the glory of God.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
עָלָיו֙
Preposition, Disadvantage + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = אֵלָ֖יו, against him. Forward emphasis.
 
מָשָׁ֣ל
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, a taunt. Forward emphasis.
 
יִשָּׂ֔אוּ
QI 3CP, Deliberative , lift up? Disjunctive accent.
 
וּמְלִיצָ֖ה
Paratactic Conjunction, Epexegetical + Noun FAS Absolute, A Direct Object in Noun Clause with [יִשָּׂ֔אוּ] implied, that is, a proverb. Disjunctive accent making a separation from the following noun.
 
חִיד֣וֹת
Noun FAP Absolute, A Direct Object (see above), riddles. Copulative asyndeton.
 
ל֑וֹ
Preposition, Disadvantage + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = עָלָיו֙, against him.
 
וְיֹאמַ֗ר
Paratactic Conjunction, Relation + QI 3MS, Explanatory I, Indefinite S, and say.

ה֚וֹי
Exclamation, woe! ”וְיֹאמַר  serves, like לֵאמֹר  elsewhere, as a direct introduction to the speech.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
הַמַּרְבֶּ֣ה
Article, Particularizing + HiPtc MNS Absolute, Relative Ptc, Indirect Object in Noun Clause, to the one who makes plentiful.
 
לֹּא־ל֔וֹ
Negative Adverb + Preposition, Possessive + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = הַמַּרְבֶּ֣ה, [things] not belonging to him. Disjunctive accent. 
 
עַד־מָתַ֕י
Preposition, Temporal + Interrogative, Rhetorical, how long? Disjunctive accent. This question stands alone parenthetically and is a dramatic insertion. See the translations.
 
וּמַכְבִּ֥יד
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative (See note under עַבְטִֽיט  below) + HiPtc MNS Absolute, Relative Ptc, Indirect Object in Noun Clause, and to the one who amasses wealth. “Heb ‘and the one who makes himself heavy [i.e., wealthy] [by] debts.’ Though only appearing in the first line, the term הוֹי  (hoy) is to be understood as elliptical in the second line.” (NET, loc. cit.)
 
עָלָ֖יו
Preposition, Advantage+ Personal Pronoun MGS, Reflexive G, Antecedent = מַכְבִּ֥יד, for his own benefit.
 
עַבְטִֽיט׃
Noun MAS Absolute, Adverbial A of Manner, Collective S, with [other people’s] debts.
 
“This noun is also dependent upon hōi, since the defined participle which stands at the head of the cry of woe is generally followed by participles undefined, as though the former regulated the whole (cf. Isa. 5:20 and 10:1). At the same time, it might be taken as a simple declaration in itself, though still standing under the influence of the hōi; in which case הוּא  would have to be supplied in thought, like וְחֹוטֵא  in v. 10. And even in this instance the sentence is not subordinate to the preceding one, as Luther follows Rashi in assuming (‘and still only heaps much slime upon himself’); but is co-ordinate, as the parallelism of the clauses and the meaning of עַבְטִיט require. The ἁπ. λεγ. עַבְטִיט  is probably chosen on account of the resemblance in sound to מַכְבִּיד, whilst it also covers an enigma or double entendre. Being formed from עָבַט   (to give a pledge) by the repetition of the last radical,עַבְטִיט  signifies the mass of pledges (pignorum captorum copia: Ges., Maurer, Delitzsch), not the load of guilt, either in a literal or a tropico-moral sense. The quantity of foreign property which the Chaldaean has accumulated is represented as a heavy mass of pledges, which he has taken from the nations like an unmerciful usurer (Deut. 24:10), to point to the fact that he will be compelled to disgorge them in due time.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 
7
 
הֲל֣וֹא
Interrogative, Rhetorical + Negative Adverb, will not. Does double duty. Asyndetic.
 
פֶ֗תַע
Adverb of Time, suddenly. Disjunctive accent.
 
יָק֙וּמוּ֙
QI 3CP, Deliberative I, will rise up?
 
נֹשְׁכֶ֔יךָ
QAPtc MNP, Relative Ptc, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MAP, Antecedent = עָלָיו֙  above, those who bite you. The change to the 2nd person is pointed and dramatic. Disjunctive accent. Play upon words two words with same sounds, “creditors”/“biters.”
 
וְיִקְצ֖וּ
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3CP, Deliberative I, and . . . will wake up? Expects “yes” answer.
 
מְזַעְזְעֶ֑יךָ
PilPtc MNP, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = נֹשְׁכֶ֔יךָ), those who cause you to tremble? Disjunctive accent.
 
וְהָיִ֥יתָ
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative, Resultative + QPf 2MS, and, as a result, you will be.
 
לִמְשִׁסּ֖וֹת
Preposition, Reference + Noun FGP Absolute, for plunder.
 
לָֽמוֹ׃
Preposition, Advantage + Personal Pronoun MGP, Reflexive, Antecedent = מְזַעְזְעֶ֑יךָ, for themselves. Disjunctive accent.
 
“Will not your debtors suddenly arise? The victimized nations would suddenly arise in revolt. The debtors (lit., ‘biters’) would unexpectedly strike back. They would not only get their bite of the stolen goods but also give their aggressors a good shakedown. Will they not wake up and make you tremble? . . . . Babylon would become their victim, the victim of the very nations she had victimized. Babylon who had attacked (cf. 1:6, 8–10) and extorted (1:6, 16) would now herself be attacked and extorted.” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
8
 
כִּֽי
Hypotactic Conjunction, Conditional Protasis (difficult to differentiate “condition” and “cause”), since. 
 
אַתָּ֤ה
Personal Pronoun, Emphasis, Antecedent = Subject of וְהָיִ֥יתָ, you.
 
שַׁלּ֙וֹתָ֙
PiPf 2MS, Constative Pf, you plundered.
 
גּוֹיִ֣ם
Noun MAP Absolute, A Direct Object, nations.
 
רַבִּ֔ים
Adjective MAP Absolute, Attributive, many. Disjunctive accent.
 
יְשָׁלּ֖וּךָ
PiI 3MP, Future I + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = אַתָּ֤ה, will plunder you. Conditional Apodosis (see above).
 
כָּל־יֶ֣תֶר
Noun MNS Construct, Subject N, functions adverbially (GKC, Grammar, 415, para. 128.e; KB, Lexicon, 474) + Noun MGS Construct, all the remainder of.
 
עַמִּ֑ים
Noun MGP Absolute, peoples. Disjunctive accent.
 
מִדְּמֵ֤י
Preposition, Causal (does double duty) + Noun MGP Construct, because of the shed blood of.
 
אָדָם֙
Noun MGS Absolute, Collective S, mankind.
 
וַחֲמַס־אֶ֔רֶץ
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MGS Construct (dependent on previous preposition) + Noun MGS Absolute, G of Disadvantage, Collective S, and [because of] the violence to the lands. Disjunctive accent.
 
קִרְיָ֖ה
Noun FGS Absolute, Appositional G and Disadvantage, Collective S, against the cities. Explanatory asyndeton.
 
וְכָל־יֹ֥שְׁבֵי
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MGS Construct, Appositional G + QAPtc MGP Construct,  and Disadvantage, and against all the dwellers.

 

פ   פבָֽהּ׃ 

Preposition, Locative + Personal Pronoun FGS, Collective S, Antecedent = קִרְיָ֖ה, in them.
 
9
Disjunctive asyndeton to continue with the second “Woe!”
 
ה֗וֹי
Exclamation, woe! Disjunctive accent.
 
בֹּצֵ֛עַ
QAPtc MNS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, Relative Ptc, the one who profits.
 
בֶּ֥צַע
Noun MAS Absolute, A of Manner, by . . . profit.
 
רָ֖ע
Adjective MAS Absolute, Attributive, unjust.
 
לְבֵית֑וֹ
Preposition, Advantage + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = בֹּצֵ֛עַ, for the benefit of his household.
 
לָשׂ֤וּם
Preposition, Purpose + QInf Construct, to set.
 
בַּמָּרוֹם֙
Preposition, Locative + Article, Particularizing + Noun MGS Absolute, on high.
 
קִנּ֔וֹ
Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = בֹּצֵ֛עַ, his nest. Disjunctive accent.
 
לְהִנָּצֵ֖ל
Preposition, Purpose + NiInf Construct, Ni Reflexive, to save himself.
 
מִכַּף־רָֽע׃
Preposition, Separation + Article, Particularizing + Noun MGS Construct + Adjective MGS Absolute, Substantival Attributive, G of Description, from the hand marked by adversity. Disjunctive accent. “רָע is not masculine, the evil man; but neuter, adversity, or 

‘the hostile fate.’”  (K&D, loc. cit.)

 
10
Explanatory asyndeton.
 
יָעַ֥צְתָּ
QPf 2MS, Perfective Pf, you have decided.
 
בֹּ֖שֶׁת
Noun FAS Absolute, A Direct Object, a shameful thing.
 
לְבֵיתֶ֑ךָ
Preposition, Disadvantage + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = Subject of יָעַ֥צְתָּ, against your household. Disjunctive accent.
 
קְצוֹת־עַמִּ֥ים
Noun FAP Absolute, A of Apposition to בֹּ֖שֶׁת  +Noun MGP Absolute, Objective G, cutting off of . . . peoples.
 
רַבִּ֖ים
Adjective MGP Absolute, Attributive, many.
 
וְחוֹטֵ֥א
Paratactic Conjunction, Resultative + QAPtc MNP Absolute, Predicate N in Noun Clause, and, as a result, [you are] sinning.
 
נַפְשֶֽׁךָ׃
Noun MGS Construct, G of Disadvantage + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = Subject of יָעַ֥צְתָּ, against yourself. Disjunctive accent.
 
11
 
כִּי־אֶ֖בֶן
Hypotactic Conjunction, Emphatic + Noun FNS Absolute, Subject N, indeed, a stone.
 
מִקִּ֣יר
Preposition, Source + Noun MGS Absolute, from the wall. Forward emphasis.
 
תִּזְעָ֑ק
QI 2FS, Future I, will cry out.
 
וְכָפִ֖יס
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, and a rafter.
 
מֵעֵ֥ץ
Preposition, Source + Noun MGS Absolute, from the wooden framework. Forward emphasis.
 
פ   יַעֲנֶֽנָּה׃
QI 3MS, Future I + Personal Pronoun FAS, A Indirect Object, Antecedent = אֶ֖בֶן, will answer it. Disjunctive accent.

_______________


Woe 1, Verses 6-8

Verse 6 — Ridicule

(A) “Will not all of these take up a taunt-song against him,
(B) Even mockery and insinuations against him
(A) And say, ‘Woe to him who increases what is not his 
(B) —For how long—And makes himself rich with loans?’

• ABAB parallelism pattern.
• “Will not” = Rhetorical question expecting “yes” answer.
• Line 2 expands line 1 and line 4 expands line 3.
• —For how long— = a dramatic interjection.

Verse 7 — Rebellion

“Will not your creditors rise up suddenly,
And those who collect from you awaken?
Indeed, you will become plunder for them.

• “Creditors” is a play on words—see the notes.
• Cause and effect pattern between verse 6, lines 3, 4 and verse 7.
• “Collect from you” changed to “make you tremble” in the notes.
• Creditors, Collectors, Plunderers = main interplay in the verse.
• Lines 1 and 2 = cause; line 3 = effect.

Verse 8 — Retaliation

(A) “Because you have looted many nations
(B) All the remainder of the peoples will loot you—
(A) Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land,
(B) To the town and all its inhabitants.”

• ABAB parallel pattern.
• “Because” in line 3 is more specific: “growing out of ” or “stemming from.”
• Habakkuk’s key word “Violence” occurs in 1:2, 3, 9; 2:8, 17 twice.

Woe 2, Verses 9-11


Verse 9 — Injustice & Intent

 

“Woe to him who gets   evil gain for his house
To put his nest on high,
To be delivered from the hand of calamity!

• “Him who gets” and “evil gain” = assonance (בֹּצֵ֛עַ בֶּ֥צַע).
• “Evil” and “Calamity” also are assonant and related (רָ֖ע . . . רָ֖ע).
• “His nest” illustrates by imagery “his house.”

Verse 10— Plan & Problem

“You have devised a shameful thing for your house
By cutting off many peoples;
So you are sinning against yourself.

• “Your house” repeats from verse 9.
• “Shameful thing,” “cutting off,” and “sinning” are semantically related concepts as are “your house” and “yourself /your life” and sequentially more powerful when read without the words added by the translators (underlined).
• Lines 1 and 2 = cause; line 3 = effect.

Verse 11 — Accusation & Agreement

“Surely the stone will cry out from the wall,”
And the rafter will answer it from the framework.”

• Grammatically and semantically parallel clauses.
• Cause (line 1) and effect (line 2) pattern.

 

 

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times

Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

            I.      Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
                 II.  Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20
                        A.  Habakkuk’s Role and Expectation, 1
                        B. The Vision and General Inditement concerning Babylon, 2-5
                        C. Five Woes Continued, 6-20

 

12

“The plunder mentioned in the first woe (vv. 6–8) and the pride exposed in the second woe (vv. 9–11) were both fed by the sin-sick perversity revealed in the third woe (vv. 12–14).” (BKC, loc. cit.)

 

ה֛וֹי

Interjection, Woe! The third Woe!

 

בֹּנֶ֥ה

QAPtc MNS, Relative Ptc, Predicate N in Noun Clause, [happens to] him who builds.

 

עִ֖יר

Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, a city.

 

בְּדָמִ֑ים

Preposition, Means + Noun MGP Absolute, by bloodshed. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְכוֹנֵ֥ן

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + PolPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, and he establishes. The grammatical parallelism with בֹּנֶ֥ה is broken.

 

קִרְיָ֖ה

Noun FAS Absolute, A Direct Object, a town.

 

בְּעַוְלָֽה׃

Preposition, Means + Noun FGS Absolute, by injustice. Disjunctive accent.

 

13

Probably a explanatory asyndeton.

 

הֲל֣וֹא

Interrogative, Rhetorical + Negative Adverb in a Noun Clause, [is] . . . not. The subject of the ellided copula is an implied “this” and is proleptic, pointing forward. Ellipsis often makes the sentence more powerful. The interrogative expects a “yes” answer.

 

הִנֵּ֔ה

Interjection, Emotional, Behold! “The NIV leaves out a strong word of the Hebrew text, ‘behold’ (hinnê). This word calls attention to the text and directs the reader to give special attention. Waltke and O’Conner point out the use of the word as an exclamation of vivid immediacy. (Barker, Habakkuk, 338) Also, see KB, Lexicon, 252. Disjunctive accent.

 

מֵאֵ֖ת

Preposition, Source + Particle of Proximity (See BDB, 86), from. See KB, Lexicon, 541.

 

יְהוָ֣ה

Noun MGS Construct, See the Preposition, Yahweh.

 

צְבָא֑וֹת

Noun MGP Absolute, G of Description, of hosts. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְיִֽיגְע֤וּ

Paratactic Conjunction, Epexegetical (establishing the subject for the preceding Noun Clause) + QI 3MP, Progressive I, that . . . labor. “The ו before יִיגְעוּ introduces the declaration of what it is that comes from Jehovah. הֲלֹוא הִנֵּה (is it not? behold!) are connected together, as in 2 Chron. 25:26, to point to what follows as something great that was floating before the mind of the prophet.” (K&D, loc. cit.) See NASB and ESV.

 

עַמִּים֙

Noun MNP Absolute, Subject N, peoples.

 

בְּדֵי־אֵ֔שׁ

Preposition, Specification + Noun MGS Construct + Noun MGS Absolute, G of Reference, for enough fire.

 

וּלְאֻמִּ֖ים

Paratactic Conjunction, Epexegetical (See above note) + Noun MNP Absolute, Subject N, that nations. Compare the poetic parallelism at the end.

 

בְּדֵי־רִ֥יק

Preposition, Specification + Noun MGS Construct + Noun MGS Absolute, G of Reference for nothing.

 

יִעָֽפוּ׃

QI 3MP, Progressive I, grow weary.

 

14

The thought in v. 14 is formed after Isa. 11:9, with trifling alterations, partly substantial, partly only formal. The choice of the niphal תִּמָּלֵא instead of the מָלְאָה of Isaiah refers to the actual fact, and is induced in both passages by the different turn given to the thought. In Isaiah, for example, this thought closes the description of the glory and blessedness of the Messianic kingdom in its perfected state. The earth is then full of the knowledge of the Lord, and the peace throughout all nature which has already been promised is one fruit of that knowledge. In Habakkuk, on the other hand, this knowledge is only secured through the overthrow of the kingdom of the world, and consequently only thereby will the earth be filled with it, and that not with the knowledge of Jehovah (as in Isaiah), but with the knowledge of His glory (כְּבֹוד יי׳), which is manifested in the judgment and overthrow of all ungodly powers (Isa. 2:12–21; 6:3, compared with the primary passage, Num. 14:21). כְּבֹוד יי׳ is ‘the δόξα of Jehovah, which includes His right of majesty over the whole earth.’” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

כִּ֚י

Hypotactic Conjunction, Causal, because. It may connect with line 1 of verse 13.

 

תִּמָּלֵ֣א

NI 3FS, Future I, will be filled.

 

הָאָ֔רֶץ

Article, Particularizing + Noun FAS Absolute, Subject N, the earth. Disjunctive accent.

 

לָדַ֖עַת

Preposition, Specification + QInf Construct, with respect to the knowledge of.

 

אֶת־כְּב֣וֹד

Particle of Definite Accusative + Noun MAS Construct, the glory of.

 

יְהוָ֑ה

Noun MGS Absolute, Possessive G, Yahweh.

 

כַּמַּ֖יִם

Preposition, Comparative + Article, Generic + Noun MGP Absolute, as the waters.

 

יְכַסּ֥וּ

PiI 3MP, Stative I, cover.

 

עַל־יָֽם׃ ס

Preposition, Locative + Noun MGS Absolute, over [the] sea.

 

15

 

ה֚וֹי

Interjection, Exclamatory, Woe! The fourth Woe! The 3 lines in this verse demonstrate progressive actions. See Watson, Wilfred, G.E. Classical Hebrew Poetry, Sheffield, England, Sheffield Academic Press, Ltd., pp. 173-74, 184. [Hereafter as Watson, Classical Hebrew Poetry]

 

מַשְׁקֵ֣ה

HiPtc MNS Construct, Relative Ptc, Subject N of a Noun Clause, he who causes    . . . to drink.

 

רֵעֵ֔הוּ

Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = מַשְׁקֵ֣ה, his neighbor. Disjunctive accent.

 

מְסַפֵּ֥חַ

PiPtc MNS Construct, Relative Ptc, Appositional N, Subject N of a Noun Clause, he who mixes. “The singular is used with indefinite generality, or in a collective, or speaking more correctly, a distributive sense. (K&D, loc. cit.) The pronoun on מְעוֹרֵיהֶֽם below justifies this conclusion.

 

חֲמָתְךָ֖

Noun FAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Possession, Antecedent = מַשְׁקֵ֣ה, your poison. “Through the suffix חֲמָתְךָ the woe is addressed directly to the Chaldaean himself,—a change from the third person to the second, which would be opposed to the genius of our language.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

וְאַ֣ף

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Adjunctive Adverb, and also.

 

שַׁכֵּ֑ר

PiInf Absolute, Relative and a Ptc Substitute, Appositional N, Subject N of a Noun Clause, [he] who makes drunk. Disjunctive accent.

 

לְמַ֥עַן

Preposition, Purpose, in order.

 

הַבִּ֖יט

HiInf Construct, Verbal of Purpose, to look.

 

עַל־מְעוֹרֵיהֶֽם׃

Preposition, Locative + Noun MGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGP, G of Possession, Antecedent = רֵעֵ֔הוּ, upon their nakedness. “More so than in other nations, in Israel nakedness symbolized shame.” (Barker, Habakkuk, loc. cit.) Disjunctive accent.

 

16

Resultative asyndeton.

 

שָׂבַ֤עְתָּ

QPf 2MS, Future Pf, [ so that] you will be filled.

 

קָלוֹן֙

Noun MAS Absolute, Adverbial A of Manner, with shame.

 

מִכָּב֔וֹד

Preposition, Privative (KB, Lexicon, 598) + Noun MGS Absolute, without glory. Disjunctive accent.

 

שְׁתֵ֥ה

QImv 2MS, Imv of Command, drink.

 

גַם־אַ֖תָּה

Adverb, Adjunctive + Personal Pronoun MNS, Subject N, Antecedent = ךָ- above (verse 15), also you.

 

וְהֵֽעָרֵ֑ל

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + NiImv 2MS, Ni Reflexive, Imv of Command, and show your foreskin. Disjunctive accent.

 

תִּסּ֣וֹב

QI 3FS, Future I, will return.

 

עָלֶ֗יךָ

Preposition, Terminative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = ךָ-, upon you.

 

כּ֚וֹס

Noun FNS Construct, Subject N, [the] cup of.

 

יְמִ֣ין

Noun FGS Construct, G of description, the right hand of. “The Lord’s right hand represents his military power. He will force the Babylonians to experience the same humiliating defeat they inflicted on others.” (NET, loc. cit.)

 

יְהוָ֔ה

Noun MGS Absolute, Possessive G, Yahweh. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְקִיקָל֖וֹן

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative of Result + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N of a Noun Clause, Forward emphasis, and, as a result, disgrace. “This form of the word, however, is chosen for the sake of the play upon קִיא קָלֹון, vomiting of shame, vomitus ignominiae (Vulg.; cf. קִיא צֹאָה in Isa. 28:8), and in order that, when the word was heard, it should call up the subordinate meaning, which suggests itself the more naturally, because excessive drinking is followed by vomiting (cf. Jer. 25:26, 27).” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

עַל־כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃

Preposition, Addition + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = ךָ-, will override your glory. “… will be over thine honour, i.e., will cover over thine honour or glory.” (K&D, loc. cit.) Disjunctive accent.

 

17

 

כִּ֣י

Hypotactic Conjunction, Causal, because.

 

חֲמַ֤ס

Noun MNS Construct, Subject N of a Noun Clause, [the] violence [done].

 

לְבָנוֹן֙

Noun MGS Absolute, G of Disadvantage, against Lebanon.

 

יְכַסֶּ֔ךָּ

PiI 3MS, Future I + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = ךָ-, will cover [overwhelm] you. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְשֹׁ֥ד

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MNS Construct, Subject N, and destruction.

 

בְּהֵמ֖וֹת

Noun FGP Absolute, Objective G, on the animals.

 

יְחִיתַ֑ן

HiI 3MS, Stative I + Personal Pronoun FAP, A Direct Object, Antecedent = בְּהֵמ֖וֹת, that terrified them. Disjunctive accent. “יְחִיתַן is a relative clause, and the subject, shōd, the devastation which terrified the animals.” (K&D, loc. cit.) The relative אשׁר is implied.

 

מִדְּמֵ֤י

Preposition, Causal + Noun MGP Construct, because of [the] bloodshed on. The Preposition does double duty.

 

אָדָם֙

Noun MGS Absolute, Objective G, mankind.

 

וַחֲמַס־אֶ֔רֶץ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MGS Construct, + Noun MGS Absolute, G of Disadvantage, and [because of the] violence against [the] land. Disjunctive accent.

 

קִרְיָ֖ה

Noun FGS Absolute, Asyndetic, G of Disadvantage and Apposition, against [the] cities. The S is Collective.

 

וְכָל־יֹ֥שְׁבֵי

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MGS Construct, G of Disadvantage and Apposition + QAPtc MGP Construct, Relative Ptc, Adjectival Attributive, and against all who dwell.

 

בָֽהּ׃ ס

Preposition, Locative + Personal Pronoun FGS, Antecedent = קִרְיָ֖ה, Collective S, in them. “It is also possible for prepositional phrases and even entire clauses to stand after a construct; these constituents are thus treated as a single noun (cf. 4.4.1).” (Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 155)

 

_______________

 

Woe 3, Realism

Verse 12

Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed
And founds a town with violence!

·        Grammatical Parallelism.

·        Line 2 interprets line 1.

·        “Violence” is better translated “injustice’ and not the same word as previously translated “violence.”

Verse 13 

Is it not indeed from the Lord of hosts
That peoples toil for fire,
And nations grow weary for nothing?

·        The rhetorical question expects “yes!”

·        Line 3 parallels and expands line 2.

·        Verse 12 is the cause; verse 13 the effect.

Verse 14 

For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea. A simile.

·        Parallels Isaiah 11:9 that focuses on the millennium.

·        “Glory” is a reference to God’s revealing of Himself.

·        Line 3 illustrates line 1.

Woe #4—Retribution

Verse 15

Woe to you who make your neighbors drink,
Who mix in your venom even to make them drunk
So as to look on their nakedness!

·        Verses 15 & 16 are a cause/effect unit.

·        A progressive set of 3 lines. See the notes.

Verse 16

(A) You will be filled with disgrace rather than honor.
(B) Now you yourself drink and expose your own nakedness.
(B) The cup in the Lord’s right hand will come around to you,
(A) And utter disgrace will come upon your glory.

·        Chiastic with line 4 expanding line 1 and line 3 expanding line 2.

·        “Honor” & “Glory” = Same word. See ESV.

·        “Cup” (line 3) relates to “drink” (line 2) and the lines parallel verse 15.

Verse 17

(A) For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you,
(B) And the devastation of its beasts by which you terrified them,
(A) Because of human bloodshed and violence done to the land,
(B) To the town and all its inhabitants.

·        ABAB Poetic Pattern where lines 1 and 2 as well as 3 and 4 interrelate.

·        The verb “overwhelm” and noun “cup” (v. 16) have similar sounds (Assonance) and tie verse 17 to verse 16.

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times

Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

 

I.   Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
II.  Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20

A.  Habakkuk’s Role and Expectation, 1
B. The Vision and General Indictment concerning Babylon, 2-5
C. Five Woes Continued, 6-20

18 
“Unlike the former passages, the final woe begins the taunt before the word ‘woe’ is used. While many translators and interpreters rearrange the text to place ‘Woe to him’ at the beginning of the passage, the text probably preserves the more effective arrangement. The prophet jumped right into idol worship without the pronouncement of judgment, giving the reader a sense of urgency and conveying the prophet’s indignation at the abomination of worshiping ‘lies.’” (Barker, Habakkuk, 346)
 
מָֽה־הוֹעִ֣יל
Interrogative Pronoun, Rhetorical Direct Object + HiPf 3MS, Stative Pf, profits what? “מה can fulfill any of the major case functions, but it is most common as the direct object of the verb.” (Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 322)
 
פֶּ֗סֶל
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, an idol. Disjunctive accent.
 
כִּ֤י
Hypotactic Conjunction, Temporal, when.
 
פְסָלוֹ֙
QPf 3MS, Constative Pf + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = פֶּ֗סֶל, carved it.
 
יֹֽצְר֔וֹ
QAPtc MNS Construct, Relative Ptc, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = פְסָלוֹ֙, he who shaped it. Disjunctive accent.
 
מַסֵּכָ֖ה
Noun FAS Absolute, A in Apposition, an image.
 
וּמ֣וֹרֶה
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + HiPtc FAS Construct, Substantival Ptc, A in Apposition, and a teacher of.
 
שָּׁ֑קֶר
Noun MGS Absolute, Objective G, falsehood. Disjunctive accent.
 
כִּ֣י
Hypotactic Conjunction, Temporal, when.
 
בָטַ֞ח
QPf 3MS, Perfective Pf, puts his trust.
 
יֹצֵ֤ר
QAPtc MNS Absolute, Relative Ptc, Subject N, he who shaped.
 
יִצְרוֹ֙
Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = מַסֵּכָ֖ה, The M is agreement in sense, its shape.
 
עָלָ֔יו
Preposition, Termination + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = יִצְר, upon it. Modifies בָטַ֞ח. Disjunctive accent.
 
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת
Preposition, Result + QInf Construct, resulting in making.
 
אֱלִילִ֥ים
Noun MGP Absolute, Objective G, idols.
 
אִלְּמִֽים׃ ס
Adjective MGP, Attributive, speechless.
 
19
Fifth Woe—Ridiculousness. Explanatory asyndeton.
 
ה֣וֹי
Interjection, Exclamatory, woe! “The final woe indicates the total futility of idol worship. The entire woe is in the third person and indicates the sorrow of one crying out to a god which can neither stand nor hear.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 348)
 
אֹמֵ֤ר
QAPtc MNS, Relative Ptc, Subject N in Noun Clause, he who says.
 
לָעֵץ֙
Preposition, Indirect Object + Noun MGS Absolute, to a piece of wood.
 
הָקִ֔יצָה
HiPtc 2FS, Imv of Command, Wake up! Paragogic ה. Disjunctive accent.
 
ע֖וּרִי
QImv 2FS, Imv of Command, Arise! Disjunctive Asyndeton.
 
לְאֶ֣בֶן
Preposition, Indirect Object + Noun FGS Construct, a stone.
 
דּוּמָ֑ם
Adjective FGS, Attributive, speechless. Has an adverbial option (KB, Lexicon, 217). Disjunctive accent.
 
ה֣וּא
Personal Pronoun MNS, Emphasis, Antecedent = Subject of following verb, it. The M gender according to sense is possible since it refers to both “wood” (M) and “stone” (F). However, since both represent idols it perhaps best refers toפֶּ֗סֶל  in verse 18. The S is collective encompassing both “wood” and “stone” and could be translated with “they.”
 
יוֹרֶ֔ה
HiI 3MS, Capability I, it is able to teach?  “Though the Hebrew text has no formal interrogative marker here, the context indicates that the statement should be taken as a rhetorical question anticipating the answer, ‘Of course not!’” (so also NIV, NRSV).” (NET, loc. cit.) It also represents sarcasm (See Bullinger, Figures of Speech, 807). Disjunctive accent.
 
הִנֵּה־ה֗וּא
Interjection, Exclamatory + Personal Pronoun MNS, Functioning as a Copula in a Noun Clause, Subject N, behold! It is.
 
תָּפוּשׂ֙
QPPtc MNS Absolute, Predicate N, overlaid.
 
זָהָ֣ב
Noun MAS Absolute, A of Material, with gold.
 
וָכֶ֔סֶף
Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Noun MAS Absolute, and with silver. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְכָל־ר֖וּחַ
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative Emphatic + Noun MNS Construct, Subject N + Noun FGS Absolute, G of Reference (See KB, Lexicon, 474), indeed, . . . any breath. “‘There is no breath in it at all’ would more adequately reflect the sense.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 349)
 
אֵ֥ין
Negative Adverb, is not. A quasi-copula function. “The fact that אֵין (like אַ֫יִן) always includes the idea of a verb (is not, was not, &c.) led finally to such a predominance of the verbal element.” (GKC, Grammar, 481)
 
בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃
Preposition, Locative + Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = פֶּ֗סֶל, in its inward parts. Disjunctive accent.
 
20
“The last verse of this stanza is unique. In the other four ‘woe’ stanzas each concluding verse starts in the Hebrew with ‘for’ (kî, vv. 8, 11, 14, 17). However, verse 20 opens with but.’” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
וַֽיהוָ֖ה
Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative + Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, but Yahweh [is].
 
בְּהֵיכַ֣ל
Preposition, Locative + Noun MGS Construct, in the temple.
 
קָדְשׁ֑וֹ
Noun MGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Descriptive G, Antecedent = יהוָ֖ה, marked by His holiness. Disjunctive accent.
 
הַ֥ס
Interjection, Exclamation, keep silent!
 
מִפָּנָ֖יו
Preposition, Locative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = יהוָ֖ה, before Him.
 
כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ פ
Noun MNS Construct, Vocative N + Article, Particularizing + Noun FGS Absolute, G of Reference, all the earth. “כֹּל preceding a determinate noun expressing a unit.” (KB, Lexicon, 474)
_______________

Verse 18

(A) What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it,
(B) Or an image, a teacher of falsehood?
(A) For its maker trusts in his own handiwork
(B) When he fashions speechless idols.

• ABAB parallel pattern.
• “Or” was added in line 2 but detracts from the poetic power of the line.
• Line 2 interprets “idol” in line 1.
• Line 1--“Idol” and “carved” = Assonance, same consonants (פּסל/פסל).
• Line 3--“Maker” and “handiwork” = Assonance same consonants (יצר/יצר) but different vowels.
• Line 4 parallels line 3 with semantic parallels between “maker” and “fashions” and “speechless idols” and “handiwork.”

Verse 19

 

Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’ To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’
And that is your teacher?
Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver,
And there is no breath at all inside it.

• Line 1 has an internal chiasmus (in the Hebrew text): A (wood), B (awake), B (arise), A (stone).
• Line 2 involves sarcasm: two words “they teach?” See the notes.
• Line 3 emphasizes the external whereas line 4 the internal.
• Line 4: “No breath” explains the sarcasm of line 2.

Verse 20

But the Lord is in His holy temple.
Let all the earth be silent before Him.

• These lines are cause and effect.

 

  Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times

Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

 I.    Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11

 II.    Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20

 III.   Habakkuk’s Prayer, 3:1-19

            A.   Fear and Revival, 1-2

            B.   Theophany, 3-15

                    1.   Yahweh Appears, 3-7 

 

1

“In both form and content this prayer differs from the two previous chapters. In these Yahweh and his prophet had carried on a dialogue in the form of complaint alternating with oracle, where God’s sovereignty and judgment became apparent with a declaration through a massaʾ, ‘oracle.’ Here, in lyric verse applicable to public worship, ch. 3 describes a theophany as the prophet preaches a sermon in the shape of a hymn composed of an amalgam of elements. As such it is unparalleled; in it the prophet extols the Lord who is arriving to fight and to conquer.” (Eszenyei Széles, M. (1987). Wrath and mercy: a commentary on the books of Habakkuk and Zephaniah (pp. 42–43). Grand Rapids; Edinburgh: Eerdmans; Handsel Press. [Hereafter as Szeles, Wrath and Mercy]

 

“Despite the arguments about change of style and a separate title, the third chapter fits well in the flow of the book. The new style fits the new subject, just as the shift from the dialogue in chapter 1 to the dirge in chapter 2 indicated a changing emphasis. Furthermore, the title in 3:1 provides a clear break in the change, as “the ramparts” announced the shift at chapter 2.” (BKC, loc. cit.)

 

תְּפִלָּ֖ה

Noun FNS Absolute, N Absolute, a prayer.

 

לַחֲבַקּ֣וּק

Preposition, Agent + Noun MGS construct, by Habakkuk.

 

הַנָּבִ֑יא

Article, Particularizing + Noun MGS Absolute, G in Apposition, the prophet. Disjunctive accent.

 

עַ֖ל

Preposition, Standard, in accordance with.

 

שִׁגְיֹנֽוֹת׃

Noun FGP Absolute, See Preposition, Shigionoth. “The Hebrew text adds עַל שִׁגְיֹנוֹת (’al shigyonot, ‘upon [or, ‘according to’] shigyonot’). The meaning of this word is uncertain. It may refer to the literary genre of the prayer or to the musical style to be employed when it is sung. The NEB leaves the term untranslated; several other modern English versions transliterate the term into English, sometimes with explanatory notes (NASB, NRSV ‘according to Shigionoth’; NIV ‘On shigyonoth’).” (NET loc. cit.)

 

2

Copulative Asyndeton exhibiting the contents of the prayer.

 

יְהוָ֗ה

Noun MNS Absolute, V Direct Address, O Yahweh.

 

שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי

QPf 1CS, Pf of Past Perfect State, I have heard.

 

שִׁמְעֲךָ֮

Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object and Cognate A + Personal Pronoun MGS, Objective G, Antecedent = יְהוָ֗ה, [the] report about you. “This report about Yahweh is called ‘thy report,’ but the suffix is not the subject of the verbal root. It does not describe an account of himself given by God in an oracle; it is a report about God. It is best to identify this ‘report’ with the recital in vv 3–7.” (Anderson, Habakkuk, 276)

 

יָרֵאתִי֒

QPf 1CS, Pf of Present Perfect State, I fear. Asyndetic. Disjunctive accent. The LXX adds the conjunction (וְ) with no Hebrew MSS support indicated. The Asyndeton adds force to the verse.

 

יְהוָ֗ה

Noun MNS Absolute, V Direct Address, O Yahweh. Disjunctive accent.

 

פָּֽעָלְךָ֙

Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object, Collective S + Personal Pronoun MGS, Subjective G, Antecedent = יְהוָ֗ה, your works. Disjunctive accent but the translations differ: disjunctive (ESV, LEB, NET); conjunctive (NASB, NKJV).

 

“The ‘work’ or ‘works’ of God can describe almost anything he does—works of creation, judgment, and redemption. In Hab 1:5, this language refers to an impending deed. (Anderson, Habakkuk, 276)

  

בְּקֶ֤רֶב

Preposition, Temporal + Noun MGS Construct, in [the] midst of. Forward emphasis.

 

שָׁנִים֙

Noun MGP Absolute, Partitive G, years.

 

חַיֵּ֔יהוּ

PiImv 2MS, Imv of Request + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = פָּֽעָלְךָ֙, revive it. Disjunctive accent.

 

“Based on the work of God in the past, the prophet called on God to ‘renew’ his deeds in the present day. ‘In our day’ and ‘in our time’ translate identical Hebrew expressions that begin their respective clauses, which call on God to renew his work and to make his deeds known ‘in the midst of years,’ a reference to the prophet’s time period.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 356)

 

בְּקֶ֥רֶב

Preposition, Temporal + Noun MGS Construct, in [the] midst of. Forward emphasis. Asyndetic. Most equate this with Habakkuk’s day.

 

שָׁנִ֖ים

Noun MGP Absolute, Partitive G, years.

 

תּוֹדִ֑יעַ

HiI 2MS, I of Injunction, may you make known. Disjunctive accent. The I is a “non-perfective of injunction express[ing] the speaker’s will in a positive request or command.” (Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 509)

 

בְּרֹ֖גֶז

Preposition, Manner + Noun MGS Absolute, in anger. Forward emphasis.

 

רַחֵ֥ם

PiInf Absolute, Inf of Purpose, to show compassion. Forward emphasis.

 

תִּזְכּֽוֹר׃

QI 2MS, I of Injunction, may you remember.

 

3

“God answered the prayer in verse two with a theophany in the following verses (Hab 3:3–15). ‘The passage forms the most extensive and elaborate theophany to be found in the Old Testament.’ [quoted in Achtemeier, Nahum–Malachi, 56.] A theophany describes an appearance of God in great power and glory, often looking to the events of the exodus and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 358)

 

“In vv. 3–15 there is a mixture of eleven prefixed verbal forms (without vav [ו] consecutive or with vav conjunctive), sixteen suffixed forms, and three prefixed forms with vav consecutive. All of the forms are best taken as indicating completed action from the speaker’s standpoint (all of the prefixed forms being regarded as preterites). The forms could be translated with the past tense, but this would be misleading, for this is not a mere recital of God’s deeds in Israel’s past history. Habakkuk here describes, in terms reminiscent of past theophanies, his prophetic vision of a future theophany (see v. 7, ‘I saw’). From the prophet’s visionary standpoint the theophany is ‘as good as done.’ This translation uses the English present tense throughout these verses to avoid misunderstanding. A similar strategy is followed by the NEB; in contrast note the NIV and NRSV, which consistently use past tenses throughout the section, and the NASB, which employs present tenses in vv. 3–5 and mostly past tenses in vv. 6–15.” (NET, loc. cit.)

 

“As Moses depicts the appearance of the Lord at Sinai as a light shining from Seir and Paran, so does Habakkuk also make the Holy One appears thence in His glory; but apart from other differences, he changes the preterite בָּא (Jehovah came from Sinai) into the future יָבֹוא, He will come, or comes, to indicate at the very outset that he is about to describe not a past, but a future revelation of the glory of the Lord. This he sees in the form of a theophany, which is fulfilled before his mental eye; hence יָבֹוא does not describe what is future, as being absolutely so, but is something progressively unfolding itself from the present onwards, which we should express by the present tense.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

אֱל֙וֹהַ֙

Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, God. “The coming one is called Eloah (not Jehovah, as in Deut. 33:2, and the imitation in Judg. 5:4), a form of the name Elohim which only occurs in poetry in the earlier Hebrew writings, which we find for the first time in Deut. 32:15, where it is used of God as the Creator of Israel, and which is also used here to designate God as the Lord and Governor of the whole world. Eloah, however, comes as the Holy One (qâdōsh), who cannot tolerate sin (Hab. 1:13), and who will judge the world and destroy the sinners (vv. 12–14).” (K&D, loc. cit.) Explanatory Asyndeton and the beginning of the Epiphany of verses 3-15.

 

מִתֵּימָ֣ן

Preposition, Separation + Noun MGS Absolute, from Teman. Forward emphasis.

 

יָב֔וֹא

QI 3MS, Progressive I, comes. Disjunctive accent. On this and other verbs see the above notes.

 

וְקָד֥וֹשׁ

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + Adjective MNS Absolute, Substantival, Subject N in Noun Clause, and the Holy One [comes].

 

מֵֽהַר־פָּארָ֖ן

Preposition, Separation + Noun MGS Construct + Noun MGS Absolute, from the mountain of Paran.

 

“Teman is associated with Edom (Jer 49:7–8, 20; Ezek 25:13; Amos 1:12; Obad 9), and Paran refers to a mountain range in the Sinai Peninsula to the south of Judah (Num 10:12; 13:3, 26; 1 Sam 25:1). These places represent points in the route by which Yahweh leads the covenant nation from Sinai to Canaan in the exodus. Just as Yahweh has led them into Canaan and enables them to gain possession of the land, Yahweh now is seen coming again in judgment. In view of 2:20, the coming forth from these points in the vicinity of Edom rather than from the heavenly temple is striking. Yahweh begins this approach not in heaven, but at specific sites on earth. This affirms that the manifestation of Yahweh’s character will not merely be a theoretical proposition, but will take place in time and space.” (Ham & Hahlen, Minor Prophets, 158-59)

 

סֶ֑לָה

Interjection, Exclamatory, Selah. Disjunctive accent. “The word Selâh does not form part of the subject-matter of the text, but shows that the music strikes in here when the song is used in the temple, taking up the lofty thought that God is coming, and carrying it out in a manner befitting the majestic appearance, in the prospect of the speedy help of the Lord. The word probably signified elevatio, from sâlâh = sâlal, and was intended to indicate the strengthening of the musical accompaniment, by the introduction, as is supposed, of a blast from the trumpets blown by the priests, corresponding therefore to the musical forte.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

כִּסָּ֤ה

PiPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, covers. See notes at יָב֔וֹא above.

 

שָׁמַ֙יִם֙

Noun MAP Absolute, A Direct Object, [the] heavens.

 

הוֹד֔וֹ

Noun MNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = קָד֥וֹשׁ, his majesty. Disjunctive accent.

 

וּתְהִלָּת֖וֹ

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Noun FNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = קָד֥וֹשׁ, and his praise. Forward emphasis. The translations differ as to the syntax: subject or object.

 

“Grammatically considered, תְּהִלָּתֹו is the accusative governed by מָלְאָה, and הָאָרֶץ is the subject.” (K&D, loc. cit.) The NASB, ESV, NKJV has earth as subject and praise as object; but the NET, LEB, NIV has praise as the subject. The parallelism, see below, appears to have praise as subject and earth as object.

 

מָלְאָ֥ה

QPf 3FS, Persistent Pf, fills. See notes at יָב֔וֹא above.

 

הָאָֽרֶץ׃

Article, Particularizing + Noun FAS Absolute, A Direct Object, the earth.

 

4

A direct connection with the previous verse. “The prophet indicated a progressive quality to God’s appearance by comparing His splendor to a sunrise. The heavens are first tinted with early rays of the hidden sun, then the earth is illuminated as the ball of fire appears over the horizon, and finally everything is flooded with brilliant, glorious light.” (BKC, loc. cit.) See the notes that follow.

 

וְנֹ֙גַהּ֙

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Noun FNS Absolute, See under תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה, Subject N, and brightness. Forward emphasis.

 

כָּא֣וֹר

Preposition, Comparative + Article, Particularizing + Noun FGS Absolute, like the lightning. See KB, Lexicon, 24. “Heb ‘[His] radiance is like light.’ Some see a reference to sunlight, but the Hebrew word אוֹר (’or) here refers to lightning, as the context indicates (see vv. 4b, 9, 11). The word also refers to lightning in Job 36:32 and 37:3, 11, 15.” (NET, loc. cit.)

 

תִּֽהְיֶ֔ה

QI 3FS, Progressive I, is. See notes at יָב֔וֹא above. Disjunctive accent. “The noun [וְנֹ֙גַהּ֙] is not necessarily masculine, making discord with the verb . . . ; the gender of some Hebrew nouns is indeterminate, being now masculine, now feminine; and BDB accepts Hab 3:4 as evidence that nōgah is feminine.” (Andersen, Habakkuk, 295) See BDB, Lexicon, 618.

 

קַרְנַ֥יִם

Noun FND Absolute, Appositional N to וְנֹ֙גַהּ֙, rays. KB, Lexicon, 1145. Explanatory Asyndeton and Forward emphasis.

 

מִיָּד֖וֹ

Preposition, Source + Noun FGS Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = קָד֥וֹשׁ, from his hand.

 

ל֑וֹ

Preposition, Possessive + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = קָד֥וֹשׁ verse), belonging to him. Disjunctive accent. The redundant use of the pronoun is ignored by the translations.

 

וְשָׁ֖ם

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Adverb of Place, and there [is].

 

חֶבְי֥וֹן

Noun MNS Construct, Predicate N in Noun Clause, the covering of.

 

עֻזֹּֽה׃

Noun FGS, G of Description + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, his power.

 

“God’s radiance is both emanating and concealing. It reveals His glory but veils His power. It is easy to forget that the light and warmth which showers the earth with blessing comes from a ball of fire that could consume the globe in a moment. So God’s power is hidden in His glory. His revelation is restrained lest it consume its beholders.” (BKC, loc. cit.)

 

5

Copulative Asyndeton.

 

לְפָנָ֖יו

Compounded Preposition, Locative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = קָד֥וֹשׁ, before him. Forward emphasis.

 

יֵ֣לֶךְ

QI 3MS, Progressive I, See notes at יָב֔וֹא above., goes forth.

 

דָּ֑בֶר

Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, plague. Disjunctive accent.

 

וְיֵצֵ֥א

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + QI 3MS, Progressive I, and . . . goes forth.

 

רֶ֖שֶׁף

Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, plague. See KB, Lexicon, 1297. “Because of parallelism with the previous line, the meaning ‘pestilence’ is favored for רֶשֶׁף (reshef) here, but usage elsewhere suggests a destructive bolt of fire may be in view. See BDB 958 s.v. . . .  There are mythological echoes here, for in Canaanite literature the god Resheph aids Baal in his battles. See J. Day, “New Light on the Mythological Background of the Allusion to Resheph in Habakkuk III 5,” VT 29 (1979): 353–55.” (NET, loc. cit.)

 

לְרַגְלָֽיו׃

Preposition, Locative + Noun MGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = קָד֥וֹשׁ, at his feet.

 

6

Copulative Asyndeton. “The prophet now speaks of the effect of God’s presence on the world. The description mingles language appropriate to a thunderstorm with language appropriate to an earthquake. This kind of mixture is acceptable in Hebrew poetry, which sees God’s presence in all the major events in the world of nature.” (Clark, D. J., & Hatton, H. A. (1989). A translator’s handbook on the book of Habakkuk (p. 120). New York: United Bible Societies.) [Hereafter as Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk]

 

“Earlier commentators could not accept the authenticity of all five colons in v 6. The last colon attracted the most suspicion. Wade’s (1929:210) comment is typical of the older criticism: ‘The line is isolated, and is either the addition of a copyist, or else is part of a couplet of which one line is missing.’ Nowadays it is taken for granted that the pentacolon was part of the Hebrew poets’ repertoire (Watson 1984a:187–88).” (Anderson, Habakkuk, 307).

 

 

עָמַ֣ד׀

QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, he stands. See notes at יָב֔וֹא above. On the ׀ (paseq, where 2 words are similar) see GKC, 59, footnote 2 and Scott, William R. A Simiplified Guide to BHS, 3^rd edition, 5 (category 2).

 

וַיְמֹ֣דֶד

Paratactic Conjunction, Copulative + PoelI 3MS, Progressive I, and he caused to shudder. The poel is equivalent to piel (Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, para. 21.2.3a). See KB, Lexicon, 555; NET, loc. cit.

 

“Moreover, the choice of the poel, instead of the piel, would still remain unexplained, and the parallelism of the clauses would be disregarded. We must therefore follow the Chaldee, Ges., Delitzsch, and others, who take מֹדֵד as the poel of מוּד = מוּט, to set in a reeling motion. It is only with this interpretation that the two parallel clauses correspond, in which יַתֵּר, the hiphil of נָתַר, to cause to shake or tremble, answers to יְמֹדֵד. This explanation is also required by what follows.” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

אֶ֗רֶץ

Noun FAS Absolute, A Direct Object, the earth. Disjunctive accent. First colon (rebia accent).

 

רָאָה֙

QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, he looks. See notes at יָב֔וֹא above. Copulative Asyndeton.

 

וַיַּתֵּ֣ר

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + HiI 3MS, Progressive I, and he causes . . . to jump. KB, Lexicon, 736.

 

גּוֹיִ֔ם

Noun MAP Absolute, A Direct Object, nations. Disjunctive accent. Second colon (zaqep parvum accent).

 

וַיִּתְפֹּֽצְצוּ֙

Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + HitpoelI 3MP, Progressive and Reciprocal I, See notes at יָב֔וֹא above, and . . .  shattered themselves in pieces. See Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, para. 21.2.3a.

 

הַרְרֵי־עַ֔ד

Noun MNP Construct, Subject N + Noun MGS Absolute, Attributive G, everlasting mountains. Disjunctive accent. See KB, Lexicon, 786. Third colon (zaqep parvum accent).

 

שַׁח֖וּ

QPf 3CP, Persistent Pf, See notes at יָב֔וֹא above, sink down. Copulative asyndeton.

 

גִּבְע֣וֹת

Noun FNP Construct, Subject N, hills.

 

עוֹלָ֑ם

Noun MGS Absolute, Attributive G, ancient. Disjunctive accent. Fourth colon (Athnach accent).

 

“הַרְרֵי־עַד (= הַרְרֵי קֶדֶם, Deut. 33:15) in parallelism with גִּבְעֹות עֹולָם are the primeval mountains, as being the oldest and firmest constituents of the globe, which have existed from the beginning (מִנִּי עַד, Job 20:4), and were formed at the creation of the earth (Ps. 90:2; Job 15:7; Prov. 8:25).” (K&D, loc. cit.)

 

הֲלִיכ֥וֹת

Noun FNP Construct, Subject N in Noun Clause, paths. Copulative Asyndeton.

 

עוֹלָ֖ם

Noun MGS Absolute, Attributive G, ancient.

 

לֽוֹ׃

Preposition, Possession + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = Subject of יַּתֵּ֣ר, his. Fifth colon (Silluq accent).

 

7

Copulative Asyndeton. “Verse 7 takes up the theme of the second line of verse 6 and speaks of the effect of God’s presence on specific peoples. There is no justification for starting a new paragraph at this point, as TEV does.” (Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk, 121)

 

“While v. 6 generally alludes to the shaking of the nations when the Lord manifests himself, v. 7 defines the areas more closely. It alludes to the inhabited areas of Cushan and Midian, those habitable areas nearest to Sinai on the Arabian steppes close by the Red Sea. The prophet thus sees that ‘the tents of Cushan stand under judgment’ (tahat ʾawen raʾiti ʾohole kushan), ‘and the curtains of the land of Midian tremble.’ The text is irretrievably damaged, however, leaving us with problems of interpretation. Nevertheless, seen in connection with the preceding verses, this verse means the dismay of the region’s inhabitants at the mere manifestation of the Lord as he arrives for judgment.” (Eszenyei Széles, M. (1987). Wrath and mercy: a commentary on the books of Habakkuk and Zephaniah (pp. 49–50). Grand Rapids; Edinburgh: Eerdmans; Handsel Press.) [Hereafter as Szeles, Wrath & Mercy)

 

“Witnesses to God’s appearance at the Exodus and in the wilderness wanderings were Cushan and Midian, nations that lay on either side of the Red Sea (or Cushan may be another name for Midian). God’s wondrous acts at the Red Sea (when He led His people from Egyptian captivity) threw neighboring nations into terror and they experienced distress (fear) and anguish. Other nations too heard of God’s mighty acts and were in fear (Ex. 15:14–16; Deut. 2:25; Josh. 2:9; 5:1). Reference to the people’s tents and dwellings (lit., “tent hangings”) seems to emphasize their precarious state. If the mountains melted away, what hope was there for those who huddled under canvas?” (BKC, loc. cit.)

 

תַּ֣חַת

Preposition, Locative (metaphorically), under. Forward emphasis.

 

אָ֔וֶן

Noun FGS Absolute, trouble. Disjunctive accent.

 

רָאִ֖יתִי

QPf 1CS, Certitude Pf, I see in my mind. A psychological portrayal of the future. See Arnold, Bill T. and John H. Choi, A Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax. New York: Cambridge University Press, 2003, 55 [Hereafter as Arnold & Choi, Guide to Biblical Hebrew Syntax]; Williams, Ronald J., Hebrew Syntax, 2^nd ed, para. 165 [Hereafter as Williams, Syntax]; Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 490, labeled “accidental” pf.

 

אָהֳלֵ֣י

Noun MAP Construct, A Direct Object, the tents of.

 

כוּשָׁ֑ן

Noun MGS, G of Reference, Cushan. Disjunctive accent.

 

יִרְגְּז֕וּן

QI 3MP, Progressive I, in motion. Copulative asyndeton. See notes at יָב֔וֹא above.

 

יְרִיע֖וֹת

Noun FAP Construct, A Direct Object, the tent curtains of.

 

אֶ֥רֶץ

Noun FGS Construct, G of Reference, the land of.

 

מִדְיָֽן׃ ס

Noun FGS Absolute, G of Reference, Midian.

_______________

 

Verses 1-2

 

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.

 

(A) LORD, I have heard the report about You and I fear.

(B) O LORD, revive Your work in the midst of the years,

(B) In the midst of the years make it known;

(A) In wrath remember mercy.

·        The initial line is not part of the poetic development.

·        A Chiastic development.

·        Line 1 “and” is not in the text.

·        The versions and interpretations differ at where the thoughts break.

Verses 3-4

 

(A) God comes from Teman,

(B) And the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah.

(A) His splendor covers the heavens,

(B) And the earth is full of His praise.

·        ABAB parallel lines with (B) expanding (A).

·        Lines 1 and 2 are grammatically parallel with an ellipsis.

·        Lines 3 and 4 are chiastic: A=covers the heavens, B=his splendor, B=his praise, A=fills the earth.

His radiance is like the sunlight;

He has rays flashing from His hand,

And there is the hiding of His power.

·        Radiance, sunlight, rays are related concepts.

·        Lines 2 and 3 have no verb (ellipses)

Verses 5-7

 

Before Him goes pestilence,

And plague comes after Him.

·        “Pestilence” and “plague” are semantically related (see the notes).

(A) He stood and surveyed the earth;

(B) He looked and startled the nations.

(A) Yes, the perpetual mountains were shattered,

(B) The ancient hills collapsed.

His ways are everlasting.

·        ABAB poetic pattern.

·        Assonance in line 1 (amad “stood” and madad “surveyed”).

·        Line 2 interprets line 1 (see the notes); grammatically parallel.

·        Lines 3 and 4 are grammatically parallel and semantically related.

·        Line 5 (“are” added) sums up lines 1-4 with verbs (1-2) and effects (3-4).

I saw the tents of Cushan under distress,

The tent curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.

·        The lines are semantically related with line 2 interpreting line 1.

 

 

 Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times
Of Violence And Perverted Justice!

I.   Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
II.  Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20
III. Habakkuk’s Prayer, 3:1-19
        A.     Fear and Revival, 1-2
        B.   Theophany, 3-15 (Continued)
 
 
8
“This section of the ode is introduced in verse 8 by a series of questions that serve as a literary interruption to give life and vitality to the message and to provoke the reader to think about its implications. The questions are in a poetic style that expects no answer. They are thought-questions.” (BKC, loc. cit.) Some commentators suggest that the answer comes at verse 13 as the reason for Yahweh’s coming in verses 3ff.
 
הֲבִנְהָרִים֙
Interrogative + Preposition, Disadvantage + Noun MGP Absolute, is . . . against the rivers. Forward emphasis.
 
חָרָ֣ה
QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, kindling wrath? See NET note at verse 3.
 
יְהוָ֔ה
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, Yahweh. Some translations see this as vocative (ESV, NKJV). Disjunctive accent.
 
אִ֤ם
Disjunctive Particle (continuing הֲ above), or.
 
בַּנְּהָרִים֙
Preposition, Disadvantage + Article, Previous Reference + Noun MGP Absolute, against the rivers. Forward emphasis.
 
אַפֶּ֔ךָ
Noun MNS Construct, Predicate N in Noun Clause + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = Yahweh, [is] your anger.  Disjunctive accent.
 
אִם־בַּיָּ֖ם
Disjunctive Particle (continuing הֲ above) + Preposition, Disadvantage + Article, Particularizing + Noun FGS Absolute, or . . . against the sea?
 
עֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ
Noun FNS Construct, Subject N in Noun Clause + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, [is] your rage. Disjunctive accent.
 
כִּ֤י
Hypotactic Conjunction, Resultative, that. “explaining and assigning the reason for the previous question.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
תִרְכַּב֙
QI 2MS, Persistent I, you ride. See NET note at verse 3.
 
עַל־סוּסֶ֔יךָ
Preposition, Locative + Noun MGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, upon your horses. Disjunctive accent.
 
מַרְכְּבֹתֶ֖יךָ
Noun FGP Construct, G in Apposition + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, that is, your chariots of. The pronoun breaks into the construct chain (see Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 140).
 
יְשׁוּעָֽה׃
Noun FGS Absolute, G of Description, victory. The term occurs in a warfare motif and can refer to deliverance or victory. See NET, NIV, LEB, NRSV, HCSB. “[Yahweh’s] motive was to destroy His enemies and deliver His people. God was seen as a victor riding forth with His horses (cf. Hab. 3:15) and chariots in majestic power.” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
9
“The warfare motif continues to develop. In general terms, this verse continues to describe the Lord’s activity in the storm by using symbolic language.” (Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk, 125)
 
עֶרְיָ֤ה
Noun FAS Absolute, Adverbial A of Manner, naked. Forward emphasis. “To strengthen the thought, the noun עֶרְיָה is written before the verb instead of the inf. abs. (cf. Mic. 1:11).” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
תֵעוֹר֙
NiI 2MS, Persistent I, is unsheathed. See NET note at verse 3.
 
קַשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ
Noun FNS Absolute, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, your bow. Disjunctive accent.
 
שְׁבֻע֥וֹת
Noun FNP Construct, Subject N in Noun Clause, oaths [are given]. Both the syntax and translations here are guesses in trying to make sense of the words. “With so many possibilities to be found in reputable translations (and many other suggestions in scholarly writings), how are translators to decide what to do? Their first and most important duty is to say something that makes sense.” (Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk, 126).
 
“The next clause, שְׁבֻעֹות מַטֹּות אֹמֶר, is very obscure, and has not yet been satisfactorily explained.” K&D, loc. cit.) Note the following:
 
·       according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word (KJV)
·       Oaths were sworn over Your arrows (NKJV)
·       The oaths to the tribes were a sure word (RV)
·       The rods of chastisement were sworn (NASB)
·       Sworn are the rods of the word (NJPS)
·       Oaths were sworn over thine arrows (NKJV)
·       Sated were the arrows at your command (NRSV)
·       and charge your quiver with arrows (REB)
·       filled with arrows is your quiver (NAB)
·       You sated the shafts of your quiver (Hiebert 1986)
·       Arrows in abundance thou didst let whiz (Rudolph 1975)
·       calling for many arrows (ESV)
·       you commission your arrows (NET)
·       swearing oaths with the arrows of your word (LEB)
·       you called for many arrows (NIV)
 
מַטּ֖וֹת
Noun FGP Construct, Appositional N to קַשְׁתֶּ֔ךָ (the P would agree in sense), namely, arrows. See KB, Lexicon, 573.
 
אֹ֣מֶר
Noun MAS Absolute, A of Manner, with a [divine] command.
 
סֶ֑לָה
Interjection, Selah. Unclear but possibly a musical notation (see note below). “סֶ֫לָה, a word of unknown sense found only in the Psalter and in the psalm of Habakkuk 3 and apparently some sort of exclamation.” (Waltke & O’Connor, Syntax, 681). Disjunctive accent.
 
נְהָר֖וֹת
Noun FAP Absolute, Adverbial A of Means, with rivers. Forward emphasis.
 
תְּבַקַּע־אָֽרֶץ׃
PiI 2MS, Persistent I + Noun FAS Absolute, A Direct Object, you split the earth. See NET note at verse 3.
 
“A literal rendering like ‘You split the earth with rivers’ (so NIV, NRSV) suggests geological activity to the modern reader, but in the present context of a violent thunderstorm, the idea of streams swollen to torrents by downpours better fits the imagery. As the Lord comes in a thunderstorm the downpour causes streams to swell to river-like proportions and spread over the surface of the ground, causing flash floods. (NET, loc. cit.)
 
“This may be understood either as signifying that the earth trembles at the wrath of the Judge, and rents arise in consequence, through which rivers of water burst forth from the deep, or so that at the quaking of the earth the sea pours its waves over the land and splits it into rivers. The following verses point to an earthquake through which the form of the earth’s surface is changed. (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
“The parallel between this verse and parts of Deuteronomy 32 is striking. The Song of Moses speaks of a consuming fire (Deut. 32:22), pestilence and plagues (Deut. 32:24), and arrows drunk with blood (Deut. 32:42) as part of His oath for vengeance against His adversaries (Deut. 32:41).” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
10
“The effect of the coming of God upon the mountains was already referred to in v. 6. There they crumbled into ruins, here they writhe with terror. This difference is to be explained from the fact that there (v. 6) the general effect of the omnipotence of God upon nature was intended, whereas here (vv. 10, 11) the special effect is described, which is produced upon nature by the judgment about to be executed by God upon the nations. (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
רָא֤וּךָ
QPf 3CP, Persistent Pf + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = הָרִ֔ים below, P= sense agreement), they see you. See NET note at verse 3. Disjunctive accent.
 
יָחִ֙ילוּ֙
QI 3MP, Progressive I, they writhe. Copulative asyndeton. See NET note at verse 3.
 
הָרִ֔ים
Noun MNP Absolute, Subject N, the mountains. Disjunctive accent.
 
זֶ֥רֶם
Noun MNS Construct, Subject N in Noun Clause, a heavy rain of. Forward emphasis.
 
מַ֖יִם
Noun MGP Absolute, Descriptive G, waters.
 
עָבָ֑ר
QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, passes through. Disjunctive accent. See NET note at verse 3.
 
נָתַ֤ן
QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, gives. Copulative asyndeton. See NET note at verse 3.
 
תְּהוֹם֙
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, the deep.
 
קוֹל֔וֹ
Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = תְּהוֹם֙, its voice. Disjunctive accent.
 
ר֖וֹם
Noun MAS Construct, A of Manner, on high. Forward emphasis.
 
יָדֵ֥יהוּ
Noun FAD Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = תְּהוֹם֙‌, its hands. KB, Lexicon, 388, “of a watercourse: bank.”
 
נָשָֽׂא׃
QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, lifts up. See NET note at verse 3.
 
11
With asyndeton the imagery of verses 8-10 continue. “The God of nature can alter and control all the powers of nature to make earth, sea and heavenly bodies carry out the purposes of His judgment against sinners, or for the salvation of His people.” (Brooks, K. (2009). Summarized Bible: Complete Summary of the Old Testament (p. 207). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.) [Hereafter as Brooks, Summarized Bible]
 
שֶׁ֥מֶשׁ
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, the sun. Forward emphasis.
 
יָרֵ֖חַ
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, the moon. Copulative asyndeton. Forward emphasis.
 
עָ֣מַד
QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, stand. See NET note at verse 3.
 
זְבֻ֑לָה
Noun MAS Absolute, Adverbial A of Place + Directional ה, in lofty habitation. “זְבוּל with ה local, a dwelling-place, is, according to oriental view, the place from which the stars come out when they rise, and to which they return when they set.” (K&D, loc. cit.)  Disjunctive accent.
 
לְא֤וֹר
Preposition, Directive + Noun MGS Absolute, towards the light. Forward emphasis. Probably a metonomy of effect for the sun. “This is when the effect is put for the cause producing it.” (Bullinger, Figures of speech, 560).
 
חִצֶּ֙יךָ֙
Noun MNP Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, your arrows. אוֹר חִצֶּיךָ (lightnings, KB, Lexicon, 342)
 
יְהַלֵּ֔כוּ
PiI 3CP, Progressive I, vanish. See KB, Lexicon, 247. Disjunctive accent. See NET note at verse 3.
 
It is not, however, that they “turn pale in consequence of the surpassing brilliancy of the lightnings” (Ewald), but that they “withdraw altogether, from the fear and horror which pervade all nature, and which are expressed in the mountains by trembling, in the waters by roaring, and in the sun and moon by obscuration” (K&D, loc. cit).  “In His wrath God often used and controlled the forces of nature.” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
לְנֹ֖גַהּ
Preposition, Reference + Noun MGS Construct, with respect to the brightness of. Hb 3:11 (of glitter of י׳’s spear),” BDB, Lexicon, 618.
 
בְּרַ֥ק
Noun MGS Construct, Verbal G of Means, the flashes of lightning. “ בְּרַק חֲנִיתhas the same meaning here as in Nah. 3:3.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
חֲנִיתֶֽךָ׃
Noun FGS Construct, Verbal G of Instrument + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, coming from your spear.
 
12
Asyndetically “a description of the judgment upon the nations for the rescue of the people of God.” (K&D, loc. cit.); also, “The preternatural dimension of the saving theophany is described in mythological language. The parallelism of v 12 is perfect.” (Anderson, Habakkuk, 334)
 
בְּזַ֖עַם
Preposition, Manner + Noun MGS Absolute, with indignation. Forward emphasis.
 
תִּצְעַד־אָ֑רֶץ
QI 2MS, Progressive I + Noun FAS Absolute, G of Place, you march through the earth. Disjunctive accent. See NET note at verse 3.
 
בְּאַ֖ף
Preposition, Manner + Noun MGS Absolute, with anger. Forward emphasis and asyndetic.
 
תָּד֥וּשׁ
QI 2MS, Progressive I, you trample down. See NET note at verse 3.
 
גּוֹיִֽם׃
Noun MAP Absolute, A Direct Object, nations. Disjunctive accent.
 
13
“Here at last is the answer to the questions of verse 8.” (Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk, 129)
 
יָצָ֙אתָ֙
QPf 2MS, Persistent Pf, you go forth. Copulative asyndeton. See NET note at verse 3.
 
לְיֵ֣שַׁע
Preposition, Purpose + Noun MGS Construct, for the salvation of.
 
עַמֶּ֔ךָ
Noun MGS Absolute, Objective G + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, your people. Disjunctive accent.
 
לְיֵ֖שַׁע
Preposition, Purpose + Noun MGS Construct, for the salvation of. Asyndetic in apposition.
 
אֶת־מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ
Particle of Direct Object + Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, that is, your anointed. Disjunctive accent. Consider the various opinions in the following notes.
 
“Salvation was for God’s people, but it was also for the anointed One, a term never used in the Old Testament for the nation Israel. The term probably refers to the coming Messiah (cf. Ps. 2:2; Dan. 9:26). By preserving the people of Israel (delivering them from Egypt and then later from Babylonian Captivity), God maintained the line for the Messiah.” (BKC, loc. cit.)
 
“In this context the term has multiple meanings. In reference to the exodus it would most likely point to Moses. But in Habakkuk’s day it referred to God’s anointed people in general and a hoped-for king/deliverer in particular. In the context of sacred canon it looked forward to Messiah, fulfilled in the life, sufferings, death, resurrection, and salvation of Jesus of Nazareth.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 369)
 
“However, in this context, where thy anointed is parallel with thy people, it seems more likely that it refers to the nation of Israel as a whole.” (Clark & Hatton, Habakkuk, 129)
 
“The ‘anointed one.’ again, is not the nation of Israel, for the term is always applied to a single individual and never to the people collectively; so here it is the theocratic king who is meant—first, the representative of David; and secondly, the Messiah.” (Spence-Jones, Habakkuk, p. 54).
 
מָחַ֤צְתָּ
QPf 2MS, Persistent Pf, you smash. See NET note at verse 3.
 
רֹּאשׁ֙
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, the head.
 
מִבֵּ֣ית
Preposition, Source + Noun MGS Construct, from the house of.
 
רָשָׁ֔ע
Noun MGS Absolute, the wicked. Disjunctive accent.
 
עָר֛וֹת
PiInf Absolute, Adverbial Gerund, laying bare. “עָרֹות, a rare form of the inf. abs., like שָׁתֹות in Isa. 22:13 (cf. Ewald, § 240, b), from עֵרָה, to make bare, to destroy from the very foundation, the infinitive in the sense of the gerund describing the mode of the action.” (K&D, loc. cit.) Forward emphasis and Asyndetic.
 
יְס֥וֹד
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, the foundation.
 
עַד־צַוָּ֖אר
Preposition, Inclusive + Noun MGS Absolute, the neck.
 
פ סֶֽלָה׃
Interjection, selah.
 
14
“These final two verses of this ode on God’s awesome self-revelation speak of the ultimate destruction of the enemy.” (BKC, loc. cit.) Copulative asyndeton.
 
נָקַ֤בְתָּ
QP 2MS, Persistent P, You pierce. See NET note at verse 3.
 
בְמַטָּיו֙
Preposition, Means + Noun MGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = פְּרָ֯זָ֔ו‌, Collective S, with their arrows. KB, Lexicon, 573.
 
רֹ֣אשׁ
Noun MAS Construct, A Direct Object, Collective S, the heads of.
 
פְּרָזוֹ
Noun MGS Construct, Possessive G, Collective S + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Collective S, their warriors. “The meaning of the Hebrew term פְּרָזוֹ (pérazo), translated here ‘his warriors,’ is uncertain.” (NET loc. cit.) Disjunctive accent over the variant פְּרָזָ֔יו.
 
יִסְעֲר֖וּ
QI 3CP, Progressive I, they storm in. See NET note at verse 3.
 
לַהֲפִיצֵ֑נִי
Preposition, Purpose + HiInf Construct + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Collective S (but see ESV as a reference to Habakkuk; see note below after בַּמִּסְתָּֽר), Antecedent = Judah, to scatter us. Disjunctive accent.
 
עֲלִ֣יצֻתָ֔ם
Noun FAS Construct, Adverbial A of Manner + Personal Pronoun MGP (P=reversal from previous S; see above), Adjectival Attributive G, Antecedent = warriors, in their rejoicing. Disjunctive accent.
 
כְּמוֹ־לֶאֱכֹ֥ל
Preposition, Comparative + Q Inf Construct, like devouring.
 
עָנִ֖י
Adjective MAS Absolute, Substantival A Direct Object, the oppressed.
 
בַּמִּסְתָּֽר׃
Preposition, Manner + Article, Abstract + Noun MGS Absolute, in secret. KB, Lexicon, 608, “in the secret place.”
 
“The remainder of v. 14 [beginning at יִסְעֲר֖וּ] is extremely difficult textually. According to Roberts it is ‘quite obscure.’ In the Hebrew text the next line is ‘they stormed to scatter me.’ According to Robertson ‘me’ is most likely the prophet who in spite of his visionary state still sees himself as experiencing the onslaughts of the enemy. Robertson’s translation of the rest of the verse is perhaps the best attempt to understand the Hebrew as it stands: ‘Their rejoicing (is) / as one who devours the poor in secret.’” (Barker, Habakkuk, 371)
 
15
Copulative asyndeton.
 
דָּרַ֥כְתָּ
QPf 2MS, Persistent Pf, you trample. See NET note at verse 3.
 
בַיָּ֖ם
Preposition, Locative + Article, Particularizing + Noun MGS Absolute, in the sea.
 
סוּסֶ֑יךָ
Noun MAP Construct, Adverbial A of Manner + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = יְהוָ֔ה‌, with your horses. Disjunctive accent.
 
חֹ֖מֶר
Noun MGS Construct, the heap of. KB, Lexicon, 330, translates as “foaming” as the only OT use with this sense. However, K&D, loc. cit., prefers “Chōmer, in the sense of heap, as in Ex. 8:10, is not an accusative, but is still dependent upon the ב of the parallel clause. The expression ‘heap of many waters’ serves simply to fill up the picture, as in Ps. 77:20.” This would be an appositional statement. Other translations (NASB, ESV, NET) prefer “surge/surging.” The semantic differences appear to be negligible.
 
מַ֥יִם
Noun MGP Absolute, G of Description, waters.
 
רַבִּֽים׃
Adjective MGP, Attributive, many.
_______________
 
Verse 8
 
Did the LORD rage against the rivers,
Or was Your anger against the rivers,
Or was Your wrath against the sea,
That You rode on Your horses,
On Your chariots of salvation?
 

• Rhetorical question.
• Change of person from 3rd to 2nd.
• All lines = grammatical and semantic parallelism. 
  
  

Verse 9

Your bow was made bare,
The rods of chastisement were sworn. Selah.
You cleaved the earth with rivers.
 

• Semantic parallelism in lines 1 & 2.
• Line 3 is the cause of the effects in verse 10.

 
Verse 10

(A) The mountains saw You and quaked;
(B) The downpour of waters swept by.
(A) The deep uttered forth its voice,
(B) It lifted high its hands.
 

• ABAB Parallel lines (B’s adding to A’s).
• Verses 9 and 10 need to be read together.

 
Verse 11
 
Sun and moon stood in their places;
They went away at the light of Your arrows,
At the radiance of Your gleaming spear.
 

• Semantic parallels of the light motif in all lines.
• Lines 1 and 2 have a progressive parallelism pattern.
• Line 3 adds to line 2 with apposition of light motifs and warfare items.

 
Verse 12
                  
In indignation You marched through the earth;
In anger You trampled the nations.
 

• Grammatical parallelism.
• Line 2 interprets line 1.

 
Verse 13     
 
(A) You went forth for the salvation of Your people,
(B) For the salvation of Your anointed.
(A) You struck the head of the house of the evil
(B) To lay him open from thigh to neck. Selah.
 

• ABAB poetic pattern (B’s interpreting A’s).
• Line 2 has verbal ellipsis.
• Lines 1 and 2 = Interpretive parallelism (see the notes).
• See the notes on line 4.

 
Verse 14     
 
You pierced with his own spears
The head of his throngs.
They stormed in to scatter us;
Their exultation was like those
Who devour the oppressed in secret.
 

• A 3 line verse based on the Hebrew accents.
• The verb “pierced” in line 1 parallels “struck” in verse 13, line 3.
• The “head” in line one connects to line 3 of verse 13.

 
Verse 15     
 
You trampled on the sea with Your horses,
On the surge of many waters.
 

• Line 2 semantically interprets line 1.
• Verbal ellipsis in line 2.

   

 

Faith In God And His Character Is The Key To Living In Times

Of Violence And Perverted Justice! 

I. Why Is Yahweh Unresponsive to My Prayers? 1:1-11
II. Yahweh’s Response Concerning Babylon, 2:1-20
III. Habakkuk’s Prayer, 3:1-19

A. Fear and Revival, 1-2
B. Theophany, 3-15 

C. Habakkuk’s Fright and Faith, 16-19

16‌ 

Verse 16 echoes v. 2. “Verse 16 follows the theophany with the prophet’s response to wait quietly for the evil to come on the Babylonians.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 372)

                       

שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי׀‌           
QPf 1CS, Persistent Pf, I hear. On the pase   q see GKC, Grammar, p. 50, note 2; Scott, A Simplified Guide to BHS, p. 5.
 
וַתִּרְגַּ֣ז‌               
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3FS, Progressive I, and . . . trembles.
 
בִּטְנִ֗י‌     
Noun FNS Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive, Antecedent = Habakkuk), my inward being. Disjunctive accent.
 
לְקוֹל֙‌    
Preposition, Reference + Noun MGS Absolute, at the sound. Forward emphasis. Asyndetic.
 
צָלֲל֣וּ‌    
QPf 3CP, Persistent Pf, quiver.
 
שְׂפָתַ֔י‌   
Noun FND Construct, Subject N + Personal Pronoun MGS (Possessive, Antecedent = Habakkuk), my lips. Disjunctive accent.
 
יָב֥וֹא‌     
QI 3MS, Progressive I, enters. Asyndetic.
 
רָקָ֛ב‌     
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, rottenness.
 
בַּעֲצָמַ֖י‌  
Preposition, Locative + Noun FGP Construct + Personal Pronoun, Possessive G, Antecedent = Habakkuk), into my bones. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְתַחְתַּ֣י‌   
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Preposition, Locative + Personal Pronoun MGS, Antecedent = Habakkuk), and underneath me. Forward emphasis. “under me, i.e., in my lower members, knees, feet.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
אֶרְגָּ֑ז‌    
QI 1CS, Progressive I, I tremble. Disjunctive accent.
 
אֲשֶׁ֤ר‌    
Particle, Causal, because.
 
אָנ֙וּחַ֙‌    
QI 1CS, Modal of Obligation, I must wait. “Nūăch, to rest, not to rest in the grave (Luther and others), nor to bear quietly or endure (Ges., Maurer), but to wait quietly or silently.” (K&D, loc. cit.) NET, loc. cit. opts for an unattested verb: “I long for the day of distress” to come upon the Babylonians.
 
לְי֣וֹם‌     
Preposition, Terminative + Noun MGS Construct, for the day of.
 
צָרָ֔ה‌     
Noun FGS Absolute, distress. Disjunctive accent.
 
לַעֲל֖וֹת‌  
Preposition, Terminative + Q Inf Construct, Gerundive, for the coming. Appositional to the preceding phrase.
 
לְעַ֥ם‌     
Preposition, Reference + Noun MGS Absolute, Collective S, of the people.
 
“The NIV and most other versions (e.g., the ESV, NET, NRSV, NLT, and NJB) render verse 16 to say that the prophet waits for calamity to come up on the invading nation, but the NASB and the NJPS understand the verse to say that the prophet waits for the invasion to come upon Judah.” (Ham & Hahlen, Minor Prophets, 167) The function of the ל and the identification  of the עם holds the interpretive key here.
 
יְגוּדֶֽנּוּ׃  
QI 3MS, Future I, Collective S + Personal Pronoun 1CPA, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Judah), [who] will attack us. Disjunctive accent. The 3MS seems to identify the עם.

17‌       
“Of all the wonderful passages in the Old Testament, the climax to Habakkuk’s psalm fits as one of the great affirmations of faith. His circumstances have not changed. The outer world with its evil conduct and rapacious warfare remains the same. God’s people remain in time of lamentation.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 375)
 
 “In v. 17 the trouble of this day is described; and the sensation of pain, in the anticipation of the period of calamity, is thereby still further accounted for. The plantations and fields yield no produce. Folds and stalls are empty in consequence of the devastation of the land by the hostile troops and their depredations: ‘a prophetic picture of the devastation of the holy land by the Chaldaean war’(Delitzsch). Fig-tree and vine are mentioned as the noblest fruit-trees of the land, as is frequently the case (see Joel 1:7; Hos. 2:14; Mic. 4:4). To this there is added the olive-tree, as in Mic. 6:15, Deut. 6:11; 8:8, etc. Ma’asēh zayith is not the shoot, but the produce or fruit of the olive-tree, after the phrase עָשָׂה פְרִי, to bear fruit. Kichēsh, to disappoint, namely the expectation of produce, as in Hos. 9:2. Sh^edēmōth, which only occurs in the plural, corn-fields, is construed here as in Isa. 16:8, with the verb in the singular, because, so far as the sense was concerned, it had become almost equivalent to sâdeh, the field (see Ewald, § 318, a). Gâzar, to cut off, used here in a neuter sense: to be cut off or absent. מִכְלָה, contracted from מִכְלָאָה: fold, pen, an enclosed place for sheep. Repheth, ἁπ. λεγ., the rack, then the stable or stall.” (K&D, loc. cit.)
 
‌‌כִּֽי־תְאֵנָ֣ה‌
Paratactic Conjunction, Concession + Noun FNS Absolute, Subject N, though the fig tree. The apodosis of the concession appears at verse 18. Forward emphasis.
           
לֹֽא־תִפְרָ֗ח‌          
Adverb, Negation + QI 3FS, I of Possibility, may not blossom. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְאֵ֤ין‌     
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Negative Adverb, and . . . there may be no.
 
יְבוּל֙‌     
Noun MNS Absolute, Predicate N, fruit. Forward emphasis.
 
בַּגְּפָנִ֔ים‌  
Preposition, Locative + Article, Particular + Noun MGP Absolute, on the vines. Disjunctive accent.
 
כִּחֵשׁ֙‌    
PiPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, fails. Copulative asyndeton.
           
מַעֲשֵׂה־זַ֔יִת‌        
Noun MNS Construct, Subject N + Noun MGS Absolute, Partitive G, Collective S, the crop of olives. Disjunctive accent.
 
וּשְׁדֵמ֖וֹת‌
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Noun FNP Absolute, Subject N, and the cultivated fields. Forward emphasis.
 
לֹא־עָ֣שָׂה‌           
Adverb, Negation + QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, Collective S, do not yield. Perhaps the S focuses on the individual fields.
 
אֹ֑כֶל‌     
Noun MAS Absolute, A Direct Object, food. Disjunctive accent.
 
גָּזַ֤ר‌       
QPf 3MS, Persistent Pf, is cut off.  Copulative asyndeton.
 
מִמִּכְלָה֙‌ 
Preposition, Separation + Noun FGS Absolute, from the fold.
 
צֹ֔אן‌
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N, the flock. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְאֵ֥ין‌     
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + Negative Adverb, and there are no.
 
בָּקָ֖ר‌     
Noun MNS Absolute, Predicate N, Collective S, cattle.
 
בָּרְפָתִֽים׃           
Preposition, Locative + Article, Particularizing + Noun MGP Absolute, in the stalls. Disjunctive accent.
 
18       
“The turning-point is introduced with וַאֲנִי, as is frequently the case in the Psalms.” (K&D, loc. cit.) Reflect on the notes at verse 17.
 
וַאֲנִ֖י     
Paratactic Conjunction, Adversative + Personal Pronoun MS, Emphasis, Antecedent = Habakkuk), but I.
 
“Nevertheless I. The use of the personal pronoun is very emphatic and indicates a tremendous assertion of faith. The response is intensely individual. There is no prophetic outreach to the people. It supports our argument that the whole of this prophecy is a testament of Habakkuk in his private crisis of faith. If this is so, it is an exception to the rule that God’s dealings with the prophets were always for public purposes.” (Anderson, Habakkuk, 347)
 
“The sentence beginning with the six ‘concessive’ (‘though’) clauses of v. 17 are continued in v. 18 with two clauses expressing contrast or ‘counterexpectation.’ The contrastive sense of these clauses is indicated by the word order of the first clause (beginning waʾaʾnî, ‘yet I’). In v. 18 the prophet gave his reaction to the imminent events. Let the nation face the worst economic disasters; still the prophet vowed to remain faithful to the God of his salvation.” (Barker, Habakkuk, 376)
 
בַּיהוָ֣ה   
Preposition, Emotion + Noun MGS Construct, in Yahweh. Forward emphasis.
 
אֶעְל֑וֹזָה 
QCoh 1CS, Coh of Resolve,  I resolve to exult. Disjunctive accent.
 
אָגִ֖ילָה  
QCoh 1CS, Coh of Resolve, I resolve to rejoice. Copulative asyndeton.
 
בֵּאלֹהֵ֥י  
Preposition, Emotion + Noun MGP Construct, in the God of.
 
יִשְׁעִֽי׃  
Noun MGS Absolute, Objective G (NET, loc. cit., transposes to a verb pattern) + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = Habakkuk), my salvation. Disjunctive accent.
 
19       
“This is the only place outside the Psalms (16:2; 68:20; 109:21; 140:7; 141:8) that the phrase yahweh ʾădōnāy (‘Sovereign Lord’) occurs [in this order].” (Barker, Habakkuk, 377)
 
יְהוִ֤ה     
Noun MNS Absolute, Subject N in Noun Clause, Yahweh. The clause is Asyndetic of explanation.
 
אֲדֹנָי֙     
Noun MNP Absolute, N in Apposition + Personal Pronoun MGS, G Relationship, Antecedent = Habakkuk), Lord. Disjunctive accent. “of י׳ always אֲדֹנָי, fossilized sffx.” (KB, Lexicon, 13) Asyndetic.
 
חֵילִ֔י     
Noun MNS Absolute, N in Apposition + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Relationship, Antecedent = Habakkuk, my Strength. Asyndetic. Disjunctive accent. “Or perhaps, “is my wall,” that is, “my protector.” (NET, loc. cit., Taken from the noun חֵיל and the sense of “rampart”) The translations differ.
 
וַיָּ֤שֶׂם    
Paratactic Conjunction, Relative + QI 3MS, Persistent I), and he makes.
 
רַגְלַי֙     
Noun FAD Construct, A Direct Object + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Possession, Antecedent = Habakkuk), my feet.
 
כָּֽאַיָּל֔וֹת 
Preposition, Comparative + Article, Species + Noun FGP Absolute, like the deer. Disjunctive accent.
 
וְעַ֥ל      
Hypotactic Conjunction, Relative + Preposition, and upon.
 
בָּמוֹתַ֖י   
Noun FGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, G of Possession, Antecedent = Habakkuk), my high places.
 
יַדְרִכֵ֑נִי  
HiI 3MS, Progressive I + Personal Pronoun MAS, A Direct Object, Antecedent = Habakkuk), he causes me to walk.
 
לַמְנַצֵּ֖חַ  
Preposition, Advantage + Article, Particularizing + PiPtc MGS Absolute, Substantival, for the choir director.
 
בִּנְגִינוֹתָֽי׃          
Preposition, Manner + Noun FGP Construct + Personal Pronoun MGS, Possessive G, Antecedent = Habakkuk), on my stringed instruments.
 
“The concluding words, For the director of music. On my stringed instruments, serve as an addendum and are related to the heading of the prophet’s doxological ode (Hab. 3:1). They refer to the use of this song in worship. The prophet appointed his psalm for use in public worship accompanied by players with stringed instruments. The sour drone of Habakkuk’s complaining (1:2–4, 12–2:1) was replaced by vibrant chords of hope and happiness.” (BKC, Habakkuk, 1522)
 
_______________
 
Verse 16

I heard and my inward parts trembled,
At the sound my lips quivered.
Decay enters my bones,
And in my place I tremble.
Because I must wait quietly for the day of distress,
For the people to arise who will invade us.
 

• Lines 1-4 relate to the body (see the notes on line 4).
• Line 6 expands line 5.

 
Verse 17
 
Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,
 

• 6 Colons.
• The term “though” appears only in line 1.
• Alternating from singular to plural throughout.
• Each line has a negative.

 
Verse 18
 
Yet I will exult in the Lord,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.
 

• Line 2 parallels line 1 grammatically and semantically.

 
Verse 19
     
The Lord God is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.
 

• Line 1 has three titles for God (Yahweh, Elohim, Strength).
• Line 3 expands line 2.

 
For the choir director, on my stringed instruments.