16. sacrifice unto their net—that is, their arms, power, and military skill, wherewith they gained their victories; instead of to God. Compare :-, MAURER'S interpretation. They idolize themselves for their own cleverness and might (Deuteronomy 8:17; Isaiah 10:13; Isaiah 37:24; Isaiah 37:25). by them—by their net and dragnet. their portion—image from a banquet: the prey which they have gotten. read more
II. HABAKKUK’S QUESTIONS AND YAHWEH’S ANSWERS 1:2-2:20The prophet asked Yahweh two questions and received two answers. read more
C. Habakkuk’s question about Babylonia 1:12-17This section is another lament (cf. Habakkuk 1:2-4). It expresses the problem of excessive punishment. read more
Habakkuk asked the Lord why He had made people like fish and other sea creatures that apparently have no ruler over them."This statement probably represents the prophet’s most pointed accusation against the Almighty. In recognizing the sovereignty of God among the nations, he must conclude that God himself is ultimately behind this massive maltreatment of humanity." [Note: Robertson, p. 162.] Big fish eat little fish, and bigger fish eat the big fish. The same thing was happening in Habakkuk’s... read more
Babylon was like a fisherman who took other nations captive with hook and net and rejoiced over his good catch. Earlier the prophet compared the Babylonians to hunters (Habakkuk 1:8). Babylonian monuments depict the Chaldeans as having driven a hook through the lower lip of their captives and stringing them single file, like fish on a line. [Note: W. Rudolph, Micha-Nahum-Habakuk-Zephanja, p. 211.] This was an Assyrian practice that the Babylonians continued. In another Babylonian relief, the... 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
(12-17) Though sore perplexed, Habakkuk feels sure that the God whom this swaggering conqueror has insulted will at last vindicate Himself. read more
(16) The prophet has already stated that the Chaldæan deifies his own military prowess. Of this statement the present verse is an expansion. Weapons of war may have been literally worshipped by the Babylonians. Similarly, the Sarmatians offered yearly sacrifices to a sword, as the emblem of their god of war (Clem. Alex. Protrept. 64). The Romans also sacrificed to their eagles. But probably the language is metaphorical, and we need not seek a closer illustration than that of Dr. Pusey,—“So the... 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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Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:15
15. they take up all of them—all kinds of fishes, that is, men, as captives, and all other prey that comes in their way. with the angle—that is, the hook. Some they take up as with the hook, one by one; others in shoals, as in a "net" and "drag" or enclosing net. therefore—because of their successes. they rejoice—They glory in their crimes because attended with success (compare :-). read more