Habakkuk 1:8

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 1:8

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards ,.... Creatures remarkable for their swiftness: these are creatures born of the mating of a he panther and a lioness, and not of a lion and a she panther, as some have affirmed; and which adultery is highly resented by the lion; nor will he suffer it to go unrevenged, as Pliny F21 Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 16. and Philostratus F23 De Vita Apollonii, l. 2. c. 7. observe: those thus begotten differ from common lions in this, that they have... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:8

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards - The Chaldean cavalry are proverbial for swiftness, courage, etc. In Jeremiah, Jeremiah 4:13 , it is said, speaking of Nebuchadnezzar, "His chariots are as a whirlwind; his horses are swifter than eagles." Oppian, speaking of the horses bred about the Euphrates, says, "They are by nature warhorses, and so intrepid that neither the sight nor the roaring of the lion appals them; and, besides, they are astonishingly fleet." The leopard, of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:8

Verse 8 The design of these figurative expressions is the same. The Prophet had spoken of the cruelty of those enemies whom the Jews despised: he now adds, that they would be so active as to surpass in velocity both leopards and eagles, or to be at least equal to them. He then says first, that their horses would be swifter then leopards. The Jews might have eluded his threatenings, or at least have cherished their insensibility by a vain confidence, as we see how this vice prevails in the... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 1:8

Their horses, etc. Jeremiah ( Jeremiah 4:13 ) compares their horses to eagles (comp. Job 39:19 , etc.). The punishment predicted in Deuteronomy 28:49 , etc; is to come upon the Jews. We often read of the cavalry and chariots of the Chaldeans ( Jeremiah 4:29 ; Jeremiah 6:23 ; Ezekiel 23:23 , Ezekiel 23:24 ). Evening wolves. Wolves that prowl for food in the evening, and are then fiercest ( Jeremiah 5:6 ; Zephaniah 3:3 ). Septuagint (with a different pointing), "wolves of... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:8

Their horses are swifter - literally, lighter, as we say “light of foot”Than leopards - The wild beast intended is the panther, the lightest, swiftest, fiercest, most bloodthirsty of beasts of prey “It runs most swiftly and rushes brave and straight. You would say, when you saw it, that it is borne through the air.” Cyril: “It bounds exceedingly and is exceedingly light to spring down on whatever it pursues.”More fierce - oThan the evening wolves - Compare Jeremiah 5:6, i. e., than they are... read more

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