Habakkuk 2:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1-4

Here, I. The prophet humbly gives his attendance upon God (Hab. 2:1): ?I will stand upon my watch, as a sentinel on the walls of a besieged city, or on the borders of an invaded country, that is very solicitous to gain intelligence. I will look up, will look round, will look within, and watch to see what he will say unto me, will listen attentively to the words of his mouth and carefully observe the steps of his providence, that I may not lose the least hint of instruction or direction. I will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1

I will stand upon my watch ,.... These are the words of the prophet: so the Targum introduces them, "the prophet said;' and this he said in character as a watchman, as all the prophets were: as a watchman takes the proper place he watches in and looks out, especially in time of danger and distress, if he can spy anyone bringing tidings, that he may receive it, and notify it to the people that have appointed him a watchman; so the prophet retired from the world, and gave himself up to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

I will stand upon my watch - The prophets are always represented as watchmen, watching constantly for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the people; and watching also to receive information from the Lord: for the prophetic influence was not always with them, but was granted only at particular times, according to the will of God. When, in doubtful cases, they wished to know what God was about to do with the country, they retired from society and gave themselves to meditation and prayer,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

Verse 1 We have seen in the first chapter Habakkuk 1:2 that the Prophet said in the name of all the faithful. It was indeed a hard struggle, when all things were in a perplexed state and no outlet appeared. The faithful might have thought that all things happened by chance, that there was no divine providence; and even the Prophet uttered complaints of this kind. He now begins to recover himself from his perplexities; and he ever speaks in the person of the godly, or of the whole Church. For... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1

Habakkuk speaks with himself, and, mindful of his office, waits for the communication which he confidently ex-poets ( Jeremiah 33:3 ). I will stand upon my watch ( Isaiah 21:6 , Isaiah 21:8 ). As a watchman goes to a high place to see all around and discern what is coming, so the prophet places himself apart from men, perhaps in some secluded height, in readiness to hear the voice of God and seize the meaning of the coming event. Prophets are called "watchmen" (comp. Ezekiel 3:17 ;... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1-3

§ 5. The prophet, waiting for an answer to his expostulation, is bidden to write the oracle in plain characters, because its fulfilment is certain. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1-3

The prophet upon his watch tower. I. THE OUT LOOKING PROPHET . ( Habakkuk 2:1 .) Having spread out before Jehovah his complaint, Habakkuk, determined to stand upon his watch tower or station himself upon his fortress, and to look forth to see what Jehovah would speak within him, and what reply in consequence he should give to his own complaint. The words indicate the frame of mind to be cherished and the course of conduct to be pursued by him who would hold communion with and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1-3

Man's moral mission to the world. "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry." The prophet, after his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

I will stand - , i. e. I would stand now, as a servant awaiting his master,Upon my watch - or, keep (Isaiah 21:8. משׁמר in the same sense Jeremiah 51:12), and “set me (plant myself firmly) upon the tower” (literally, fenced place, but also one straitened and narrowly hemmed in), “and will watch” (it is a title of the prophets , as spying by God’s enabling, things beyond human ken); I will spy out, to see a long way off, to see with the inward eye, what He will say unto me (literally, Jerome: in... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 2:1

Habakkuk 2:1. I will stand upon my watch The Hebrews often express one thing by a multiplicity of words, as here several expressions are used to signify the same thing, namely, watching. As the prophets were considered as watchmen, and as the watchmen were placed on high towers, and it was their duty to look around very diligently to see what messengers or enemies, or what dangers or deliverances were approaching, and to continue steadfast in their posts; so here the prophet declares that... read more

Group of Brands