burden. See note on Nahum 1:1 . did see. The Hebrew accent places the chief pause on this verb, to emphasize the fact that the giving of the vision was of more importance than what was revealed by it. A second and lesser pause is placed on "burden", leaving "Habakkuk" as being less important. The verse therefore should read, "The burden which he saw, Habakkuk the prophet". read more
This chapter begins with the salutation (Habakkuk 1:1), and a plaintive summary of Judah's wickedness (Habakkuk 1:2,3). Then comes the bold and courageous prophecy of the destruction of Judah by the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:4-11). But Habakkuk had a problem with regard to the inherent justice of God who would use the wicked Babylonians against a people who, wicked as they were, were yet better than the Babylonians. As a result of that problem, Habakkuk did not withdraw from God and assume the... read more
Habakkuk 1:1. The burden, &c.— The sentence, or prophesy. The prophet in the first four verses inveighs against the irregularities of Judah; and in the 6th verse he speaks of the coming of the Chaldeans into the country as of a thing entirely new; and as if those people had been called into existence for the very purpose of punishing the Jewish nation. See Calmet. read more
1. burden—the prophetic sentence. read more
I. HEADING 1:1The writer described this book as an oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw in a vision or dream. This burden (Heb. massa’, something lifted up) was a message predicting judgment on Judah and Babylon."Habakkuk’s prophecy possesses a burdensome dimension from start to finish." [Note: Robertson, p. 135.] We know nothing more about Habakkuk with certainty than that he was a prophet who also had the ability to write poetry (ch. 3)."Like Haggai and Zechariah in the books that bear their... read more
The Prophet’s burden. The Answer of Jehovah1. Burden] RM ’oracle’: see on Isaiah 13:1.2, 3. How long?.. Why?] Even a prophet (Habakkuk 1:1) can ask such questions. He never denies the existence of God, but he cannot understand His seeming failure to interpose in human affairs. In the end, however, the despondency merges into a faith which can believe where it cannot see (Habakkuk 2:3; Habakkuk 3:17.).5. Behold ye among the heathen] For this we ought to read, ’Behold, ye treacherous’ (as in the... read more
(1) The prophet.—This title (han-nâbî) is applied only to Habakkuk, Haggai, and Zechariah. In the later historical books it is used to designate the members of those prophetical colleges which were founded by Samuel, and kept up, at all events, till the time of Elisha. It is uncertain whether in these three minor prophets it has a similar force, or merely, as in the Pentateuch, indicates a chosen minister whom God inspires to reveal His will. On the term burden, or sentence, see Isaiah 13:1. read more
(1-4) Habakkuk complains of the apparent triumph of wickedness among his countrymen. read more
Habakkuk Habakkuk 1:12 Bishop Daniel Wilson chose this passage as the text of his last sermon in Calcutta. He died six months later, on 2 January, 1858, in his eightieth year. References. I.12. G. Matheson, Moments on the Mount, p. 46. I. 16. G. Brooke, Outlines of Sermons, p. 170. Lent Temptations to Sin Habakkuk 1:14-15 Our Lord commissioned His Apostles to become fishers of men. But if Christ, by His priests, is fishing for souls, Satan, the ape of God, is doing the same. I. Satan's... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 1:1-11
1:1-2:5 HABAKKUK COMPLAINS AND GOD ANSWERSFirst complaint and answer (1:1-11)Despite Habakkuk’s zealous preaching and fervent prayer, Judah shows no sign of improvement. All around him the prophet sees violence, lawlessness, injustice and all sorts of other social evils. Knowing God is holy and just, he asks God how long will he allow this wickedness to go unpunished (1:1-4).God replies that he is preparing the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to punish Judah. God has not told the Judeans about this,... read more