Habakkuk 3:3-7 ASV

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-15

God poetically portrayed and practically remembered. "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah," etc. The Bible contains many grand songs and odes. There is the song that Moses taught Israel to sing ( Exodus 15:1 ). There is the triumphant song of Deborah and Barak ( 5:1-31 .). There is the song of Hannah, the mother of Samuel ( 1 Samuel 2:1 ). There is the song of David bewailing the death of Saul and Jonathan ( 2 Samuel 1:19 ), and his song of thanksgiving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-18

God in history. On reading these verses containing the ode of Habakkuk we find that they abound in historical allusions. The prophet recalled to mind the Divine interpositions both in mercy and in judgment which had taken place in the bygone days, and in the light of them contemplated the position and prospects of his people in his own time. This course was a very customary one with the Hebrew bards. They were eminently patriotic, and delighted to touch upon the national experiences of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:4

His brightness was as the light; brightness appeareth like light, The sunlight is meant, as Job 31:26 ; Job 37:21 ; Isaiah 18:4 . He had horns coming out of his hand; i.e. rays of light on either side. The comparison of the first rays of light to the horns of the gazelle, according to Keil, is common in Arabic poetry (comp. Exodus 34:29 , Exodus 34:30 ). In the original passage, Deuteronomy 33:2 , we read, "At his right hand was a fiery Law unto them"—a reference to the two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:5

After describing the splendour of the theophany, the prophet now turns to the purpose and effects of God's appearing. He comes to avenge and judge, therefore before him went the pestilence. Before him stalks plague, to punish his enemies and the disobedient, as in Egypt, in Canaan ( Exodus 23:27 ; 1 Samuel 5:9 , 1 Samuel 5:11 ); and among his own people ( Numbers 11:33 ; Numbers 14:37 , etc.; Le Numbers 26:25 ). For "pestilence" the LXX . reads "word." Burning coals went forth... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:6

He stood, and measured the earth. God takes his stand, and surveys the earth which he is visiting in judgment. As his glory filled the heavens, so now he with his presence paces the earth, measuring it, as it were, with his foot. He considers, too, all the doings of the children of men, and requites them accordingly. Vulgate, Stetit, et mensus est terram. So the Syriac. On the other hand, the LXX . gives, ἔστη καὶ ἐσαλέυθη ἡ γῆ , "The earth stood and quaked." Thus the Chaldee,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:6-7

An ideal theophany: 2. The wonderful acts of the Deity. I. MEASURING THE EARTH , AND DRIVING ASUNDER THE NATIONS . 1 . Measuring the earth ; i.e. either surveying it with his all-seeing glance whereat there is universal consternation (Fausset), or measuring it out among the peoples on its surface, as Joshua partitioned the Holy Land after its conquest among the tribes (Pusey). Both ideas are historically true, no Divine interposition of any magnitude occurring... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:7

As God moves in his majesty the various nations are struck with fear, as of old were the peoples that heard of the Exodus (see Exodus 15:14-16 ). I saw . In prophetic vision ( 1 Kings 22:17 ). The tents of Cushan; LXX .. σκηνώματα αἰθίοτων "the tents of the Ethiopians;" Vulgate, tentoria AE thiopiae . "Cushan" is not Chushan-Rishathaim, the Mesopotamian king mentioned in 3:1-31 ; but is a lengthened form of Cush (as Lotan for Lot, Genesis 36:20 ), the biblical... read more

Albert Barnes

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

God came - literally, shall comeFrom Teman - “God shall come,” as He came of old, clothed with majesty and power; but it was not mere power. The center of the whole picture is, as Micah and Isaiah had prophesied that it was to be, a new revelation Isaiah 2:3; Micah 4:2 : “The law shall go forth from Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” Isaiah 44:5, “I will give Thee for a covenant to the people (Israel), for a light of the Gentiles.” So now, speaking of the new work in store,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:4

and His brightness - that wherein God dwelleth Ezekiel 10:4, “the brightness of the Lord’s glory,” before which darkness fleeth Psalms 18:12, “was as the light,” or as the sun. Out of the midst of the darkness, wherewith God, as it were Exodus 19:9, Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:21, hid Himself, the brightness of the “inapproachable Light” wherein “He dwelleth,” gleams forth Exodus 24:10, bright as the brightest “light” gathered into one, which man knows of and whereon he cannot gaze. So amid the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:5

Before Him went (goeth) the pestilence - then to consume His enemies. Exodus 23:27 : “I will send My fear before thee, and will destroy all the people, to whom thou shalt come,” and the lightnings are a token that, Psalms 68:1-2, “they which hate Him, flee before Him, and the wicked perish at the Presence of God.” So, on His Ascension, Herod and Pilate were smitten by Him, and Elymas and Simon Magus before His apostles, and whatsoever hath lifted itself up against Him hath perished, and... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:6-7

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:7

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

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:5

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