Habakkuk 3:9 NIV

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:9

Thy bow was made quite naked - The word is repeated for emphasis. Literally, (In) “nakedness, it was laid naked;” the sheath being laid aside and cast away, as Isaiah says, Isaiah 22:6. “Kir laid bare the shield.” Gregory, Mor. xix. 9. n. 54, Compare Augustine in Psalms 59:0, n. 6.: The bow represents the threat of the vengeance of Almighty God, from which it is at length discharged, if not turned aside; the longer the string is drawn, the sharper issueth the arrow. So then the more the coming... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 3:8-10

Habakkuk 3:8-10. Was the Lord, &c. After the description of Jehovah, given in the preceding verses, the first of his wonderful works, recounted by the prophet, is the passage through the Red sea, where he represents the Lord as appearing at the head of the Israelites in his chariot of war, with his bow drawn in his hand, to rescue them from their cruel oppressors the Egyptians, and to give them the land of Canaan, according to the oath which he sware unto them, Habakkuk 3:8-9. The next... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:1-19

3:1-19 HABAKKUK TRUSTS IN GOD’S JUDGMENTThe psalm of Chapter 3 has no direct connection with Judah and the Babylonians. Nevertheless, it is relevant to what Habakkuk has just written, for it describes the appearance of God in his work of judging the nations and saving his people. The psalm is introduced by what appears to be the name of the tune to which it was sung (3:1).Habakkuk recalls the mighty works that God has done for his people in the past, and he prays that God will act on their... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Habakkuk 3:9

Thy bow = [Nay] Thy how, &c. naked = bare. according to the oaths of the tribes . . . Selah. This second "Selah" (see App-66 ) is to connect the remarkable parenthetic statement with the continuation of the details of Israel's deliverances, which it interrupts, and might otherwise have disturbed. The text of this clause is not "corrupt", as alleged by some modern critics. The oaths are the promises sworn to the fathers or the tribes [of Israel] when still in the loins of the patriarchs. ... read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Habakkuk 3:9

"Thy bow was made quite bare; The oaths to the tribes were a sure word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers."The Hebrew text is difficult here; but it is not safe to follow RSV and other versions which, "attempting to correct the text (by emending it), make it speak of the power of the divine judgment."[25]"Thy bow was made quite bare ..." The figure is that of taking a bow out of its carrying case, thus readying it for action. Another similar figure is, "He hath bent his bow and... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Habakkuk 3:8-9

Habakkuk 3:8-9. Was the Lord displeased against the rivers— That is, "When thou appearedst, O Jehovah, at the Red Sea, in thy chariot of war, with thy bow drawn in thy hand, was it that thou wast displeased with the sea?"—The answer follows in the next verse, "No; Thou layedst bare thy bow, to fight for Israel, according to thy oath unto the tribes, and thy promise. It was only to fight for Israel, and conduct them safe to the land of Canaan, according to the oath which thou hadst given them."... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Habakkuk 3:9-10

Habakkuk 3:9-10. Thou didst cleave the earth, &c.— The 10th verse should certainly begin with this clause, where the prophet begins a new subject. Green renders it, Thou cleavedst the dry land into rivers. See commentary on Hab 3:8 read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:9

9. bow . . . made . . . naked—that is, was drawn forth from its cover, in which bows usually were cased when not in use. Compare Isaiah 22:6, "Kir uncovered the shield." according to the oaths of the tribes even thy word—that is, Thy oaths of promise to the tribes of Israel (Psalms 77:8; Luke 1:73; Luke 1:74). Habakkuk shows that God's miraculous interpositions for His people were not limited to one time, but that God's oaths to His people are sure ground for their always expecting them. The... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Habakkuk 3:3-15

C. The vision of God 3:3-15Habakkuk moved from petition to praise in his prayer. He recalled God’s great power and pardon in bringing the Israelites from Egypt, through the wilderness, and into the Promised Land. Since God had done this, Habakkuk was confident that He could and would deliver the Israelites from the Babylonians and reestablish them in the land. read more