Habacuc 1:16 NTV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 1:12-17

The prophet, having received of the Lord that which he was to deliver to the people, now turns to God, and again addresses himself to him for the ease of his own mind under the burden which he saw. And still he is full of complaints. If he look about him, he sees nothing but violence done by Israel; if he look before him, he sees nothing but violence done against Israel; and it is hard to say which is the more melancholy sight. His thoughts of both he pours out before the Lord. It is our duty... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 1:16

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag ,.... Either to their idols, to fortune and the stars, as Aben Ezra; imagining they gave them success, and prospered them in the arts and methods they used: or to their arms, as the Targum; nor was it unusual with the Heathens to worship their spears, sacrifice to them, and swear by them F7 Vid. Doughtaei Analect. Sacra, p. 494,495. . So Justin says F8 E Trogo, l. 43. c. 3,4. , originally the ancients... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:16

They sacrifice unto their net - He had no God; he cared for none; and worshipped only his armor and himself. King Mezentius, one of the worst characters in the Aeneid of Virgil, is represented as invoking his own right hand and his spear in battle. Aen. 10:773. Dextra mihi Deus, et telum quod missile libro, Nunc adsint . "My strong right hand and sword, assert my stroke. Those only gods Mezentius will invoke." Dryden. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:16

Verse 16 The Prophet confirms the closing sentence of the last verse; for he explains what that joy was of which he had spoken, even the joy by which the wicked, as it were, designedly provoke God against themselves. It is indeed an abominable thing when the ungodly take delight in their vices; but it is still more atrocious when they deride God himself. Such, then, is the account now added by the Prophet, as though he had said, “Not only do the ungodly felicitate themselves while thou sparest... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:12-17

§ 4. The prophet, in reply, beseeches the Lord not to suffer his people to perish, seeing that he has deigned to be in covenant with them, but to remember mercy even during the affliction at the hand of their rapacious enemies. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:12-17

The triumph of faith. I. HABAKKUK 'S GOD . ( Habakkuk 1:12 , Habakkuk 1:13 .) 1 . Eternal. From everlasting ( Psalms 93:2 ), and therefore to everlasting ( Psalms 90:1 ); hence immutable ( Malachi 3:6 ), without variableness or shadow cast by turning ( James 1:17 ), in respect of his being ( 1 Timothy 1:17 ), character ( Isaiah 63:16 ; Psalms 111:3 ), purpose ( Job 23:13 ), and promise ( Hebrews 6:17 ). 2 . Holy. In himself the absolutely and the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:14-17

Rapacious selfishness in power. "And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them. They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad," etc. In Nebuchadnezzar you have rapacious selfishness in power. He is here represented by implication as treating the Jewish people as a fisherman treats the fish in the sea. His aim is to catch them by "angle," "net," and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:16

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net. This is spoken metaphorically, implying that the Babylonians recognized not God's hand, but attributed their success to the means which they employed (comp. Habakkuk 1:11 ; Isaiah 10:13 etc.). There is no trace in the monuments of the Chaldeans paying divine honours to their weapons, as, accord-lug to Herodotus (4:62), the Scythians and other nations did (see Justin, 'Hist.,' 43:3; and Pusey's note here). What a man trusts in becomes a god to him.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:16

The pride of human sufficiency. The reference is to the Chaldeans. They would, in due course, invade Judah, and should be successful in their invasion. The "sinful nation" should fall into their hands as fish into the net of the angler; and, intoxicated by their success, they should congratulate themselves upon their achievements and adore their military prowess and skill, and their weapons of war, as though these had won the victory. "Therefore they sacrifice," etc. ( Habakkuk 1:16 ).... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:16

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag - literally he sacrifices unto his, etc. Whatever a man trusts in is his god. If a man relies to compass his end by his strength, or his wisdom, or his forethought, or his wealth, his armies or navies, these his forces are his God. So the Assyrian said Isaiah 10:13, Isaiah 10:15, “By the strength of my hand I did it; and by my wisdom, for I am prudent;” and God answered, “Shall the axe boast itself against him that heweth... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 1:12-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 1:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:16

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:14-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:16

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:16

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:16

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