Habakkuk 1:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5-11

We have here an answer to the prophet's complaint, giving him assurance that, though God bore long, he would not bear always with this provoking people; for the day of vengeance was in his heart, and he must tell them so, that they might by repentance and reformation turn away the judgment they were threatened with. I. The preamble to the sentence is very awful (Hab. 1:5): Behold, you among the heathen, and regard. Since they will not be brought to repentance by the long-suffering of God, he... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard ,.... This is the Lord's answer to the prophet's complaint, or what he directs him to say to the Jews, guilty of the crimes complained of, which should not go long unpunished; and who are called upon to look around them, and see what was doing among the nations; how the king of Babylon had overturned the Assyrian empire, and was going from place to place, subduing one nation after another, and their turn would be quickly: for these words are not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:5

Behold ye among the heathen - Instead of בגוים baggoyim , among the nations or heathen, some critics think we should read בגדים bogedim , transgressors; and to the same purpose the Septuagint, Syriac, and Arabic have read; and thus it is quoted by St. Paul Acts 13:41 . But neither this, nor any tantamount reading, is found in any of the MSS. yet collated. Newcome translates, "See, ye transgressors, and behold a wonder, and perish." I will work a work in your days - As he is... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:5

Verse 5 The Prophet turns his discourse to the Jews, after having related the private colloquy, in which he expostulated with God for having so patiently borne with the obstinate wickedness of the nation. Being now as it were furnished with God’s command, (as the case really was,) he performs the office of a herald, and proclaims an approaching destruction. He indeed adopts a preface, which ought to have awakened drowsy and careless minds. He says—look, see, be astonished, be astonished; these... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5

Behold ye among the heathen; the nations . God, in answer, bids the prophet and his people look among the nations for those who shall punish the iniquities of which he complains. I will use a heathen nation, he says, as my instrument to chastise the sinners in Judaea; and you shall see that I have not disregarded the evil that is rife among you. Some commentators suppose that the impious are addressed; but Habakkuk spoke in the name and person of the righteous, and to them the answer must... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5-10

The doom of a nation of conventional religionists. "Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you. For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation; which shall march through the breadth of the land," etc. In these verses we have the doom of a nation of conventional religionists. The Jews were such a nation; they prided themselves in the orthodoxy of their faith, in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5-11

§ 3. To this appeal answers that he will send the Chaldeans to punish the evil doers with a terrible vengeance ; but rinse, his instruments, shall themselves offend by pride and impiety. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5-11

Judgment on the wing. I. ITS CHARACTER DESCRIBED . ( Habakkuk 1:5 .) 1 . Its subjects. The land and people of Judah ( Habakkuk 1:6 ). These, though Jehovah's covenanted people, had declined from his worship, departed from his ways, dishonoured his Name. It was in the covenant that, under such circumstances, they should be chastised ( 2 Samuel 7:14 ; Psalms 89:30 ); and Jehovah is never unmindful of his covenant engagements ( Psalms 111:5 ), if men are of theirs ( 2... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:5-11

The Divine working against evil and its doers. We have expressed here God's response to the impassioned appeal addressed to him by his servant. There is much that is suggestive in these words as bearing upon the Divine working against those who practise sin and who persist in its commission. Note— I. THAT GOD IS NOT INDIFFERENT WITH RESPECT TO PREVAILING UNGODLINESS . The seer had asked, "How long?" ( Habakkuk 1:2 ). He was impatient of delay. But whilst there is... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:5

Behold ye among the heathen - The whole tone of the words suddenly changes. The Jews flattered themselves that, being the people of God, He would not fulfill His threats upon them. They had become like the pagan in wickedness; God bids them look out among them for the instrument of His displeasure. It was an aggravation of their punishment, that God, who had once chosen them, would now choose these whom He had not chosen, to chasten them. So Moses had foretold; Deuteronomy 32:21, “They have... read more

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