The 1aoraclewhichHabakkuk the prophetsaw.Or burdenIs 13:1; Nah 1:1
2 aHowlong, O LORD, will I call for help,And You will not hear?I cry out to You, “Violence!”Yet You do bnot save.Ps 13:1, 2; 22:1, 2Jer 14:93 Why do You make me aseeiniquity,And cause me to look on wickedness?Yes, bdestruction and violence are before me;cStrifeexists and contentionarises.Ps 55:9-11; Jer 20:18Jer 20:8Jer 15:104 Therefore the alaw is 1ignoredAnd justice2is neverupheld.For the wickedbsurround the righteous;Thereforejusticecomes out cperverted.Or ineffective; lit numbedLit never goes forthPs 58:1, 2; 119:126; Is 59:12-14Ps 22:12; Is 1:21-23Is 5:20; Ezek 9:9
5 “aLook among the nations! Observe!Be astonished! bWonder!BecauseIamdoingcsomething in your days—You would not believeif1you were told.Lit itActs 13:41Is 29:9Is 29:14; Ezek 12:22-286 “For behold, I am araising up the Chaldeans,That 1fierce and impetuouspeopleWho march2throughout the earthTo 3bseizedwellingplaces which are not theirs.Lit bitterLit the breadth ofLit take possession of2 Kin 24:2; Jer 4:11-13Jer 8:107 “They are dreaded and afeared;Their bjustice and 1authority2originate with themselves.Lit eminenceLit proceeds fromIs 18:2, 7Jer 39:5-98 “Their ahorses are swifterthanleopardsAnd 1keenerthanbwolves in the evening.Their 2horsemencomegalloping,Their horsemencome from afar;They fly like an ceagleswoopingdown to devour.Or more eager to attackOr steeds paw the groundJer 4:13Zeph 3:3Ezek 17:3; Hos 8:19 “All of them come for violence.1Their horde of afacesmovesforward.They collectcaptives like sand.Or The eagerness of their faces2 Kin 12:17; Dan 11:1710 “They amock at kingsAnd rulers are a laughing matter to them.They blaugh at everyfortressAnd cheap up rubble to capture it.2 Chr 36:6, 10; Is 37:13Is 10:9; 14:16Jer 32:24; Ezek 26:811 “Then they will sweepthroughlike the awind and pass on.But they will be heldbguilty,They whosecstrength is their god.”Jer 4:11, 12Jer 2:3Dan 4:30; Hab 1:16
12 Are You not from aeverlasting,O LORD, my God, my HolyOne?We will not die.You, O LORD, have bappointed them to judge;And You, O cRock, have established them to correct.Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; Mal 3:6Is 10:5, 6; Mal 3:5Deut 32:413 Youreyes are tooapure to 1approveevil,And You can not look on wickednesswithfavor.Why do You blook with favorOn those who dealctreacherously?Why are You dsilent when the wickedeswallow upThose morerighteousthan they?Lit look atPs 11:4-6; 34:15, 16Jer 12:1, 2Is 24:16Ps 50:21Ps 35:2514 Why have You mademen like the fish of the sea,Like creepingthingswithout a ruler over them?15 TheChaldeansabringall of them up with a hook,bDrag them away with their net,And gather them together in their fishingnet.Therefore they rejoice and are glad.Jer 16:16; Amos 4:2Ps 10:916 Therefore they offer a sacrifice to their netAnd 1burnincense to their fishingnet;Because through athesethings their 2catch is 3large,And their food is 4plentiful.Or sacrificeLit portionLit fat; or plentifulLit the fat portionJer 44:1717 Will they thereforeempty their anetAnd continuallybslaynationswithoutsparing?Is 19:8Is 14:5, 6
The apronouncementwhichHabakkuk the prophetsaw:Is 13:1; Nah 1:1
2 aHowlong, LORD, have I calledforhelp,And You do not hear?I cryout to You, “Violence!”Yet You do bnot save.Ps 13:1, 2; 22:1, 2Jer 14:93 Why do You make me aseedisaster,And make melook at destitution?Yes, bdevastation and violence are before me;cStrifeexists and contentionarises.Ps 55:9-11; Jer 20:18Jer 20:8Jer 15:104 Therefore the aLaw1is ignored,And justice2is neverupheld.For the wickedbsurround the righteous;Thereforejusticecomesoutcconfused.Or is ineffective; lit turns coldLit never goes forthPs 58:1, 2; 119:126; Is 59:12-14Ps 22:12; Is 1:21-23Is 5:20; Ezek 9:9
5 “aLook among the nations! Watch!Behorrified! bBefrightenedspeechless!For Iamaccomplishingca work in your days—You would not believeitevenif1you were told!Lit itActs 13:41Is 29:9Is 29:14; Ezek 12:22-286 “For behold, I am araisingup the Chaldeans,That 1grim and impetuouspeopleWho march2throughout the earth,To btakepossession of dwellingplaces that are not theirs.Lit bitterLit the breadth of2 Kin 24:2; Jer 4:11-13Jer 8:107 “They are terrifying and afeared;Their bjustice and 1authority2originate with themselves.Lit sovereigntyLit proceed fromIs 18:2, 7Jer 39:5-98 “Their ahorsesarefasterthanleopards,And quickerthanbwolves in the evening.Their 1horsemenchargealong,Their 2horsemencome from afar;They fly like an ceagle3swoopingdown to devour.Or horsesLit hurrying toJer 4:13Zeph 3:3Ezek 17:3; Hos 8:19 “All of them come for violence.1Their horde of afacesmovesforward.They gathercaptives like sand.Lit The totality of2 Kin 12:17; Dan 11:1710 “They amakefun of kings,And dignitaries are anobjectoflaughter to them.They blaugh at everyfortress,Then cheapupdirt and 1capture it.Or overthrow2 Chr 36:6, 10; Is 37:13Is 10:9; 14:16Jer 32:24; Ezek 26:811 “Then they flyalonglike the awind and passon.But they will be heldbguilty,They whosecstrength is their god.”Jer 4:11, 12Jer 2:3Dan 4:30; Hab 1:16
12 Are You not from atimeeverlasting,LORD, my God, my HolyOne?We will not die.You, LORD, have bappointed them to deliverjudgment;And You, O cRock, have destined them to punish.Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; Mal 3:6Is 10:5, 6; Mal 3:5Deut 32:413 Youreyes are tooapure to look at evil,And You cannotlook at harmfavorably.Why do You blookfavorablyAt those who dealctreacherously?Whyare You dsilent when the wickedeswallowupThose morerighteousthan they?Ps 11:4-6; 34:15, 16Jer 12:1, 2Is 24:16Ps 50:21Ps 35:2514 Why have You madepeople like the fish of the sea,Like crawlingthings that have noruler over them?15 TheChaldeansabringall of them up with a hook,bDrag them away with their net,And gather them together in their fishingnet.Therefore they rejoice and arejoyful.Jer 16:16; Amos 4:2Ps 10:916 Therefore they offerasacrifice to their netAnd 1burnincense to their fishingnet,Because through athesethings their 2catch is 3large,And their food is 4plentiful.Or sacrificeLit portionLit fat; or plentifulLit fatJer 44:1717 Will they thereforeempty their anet,And continuallybslaynationswithoutsparing?Is 19:8Is 14:5, 6
The 1aoraclewhichHabakkuk the prophetbeheld.Or burdenIs 13:1; Nah 1:1
2 aHowlong, O 1Yahweh, will I callforhelp,And You will not hear?I cryout to You, “Violence!”Yet You do bnot save.The personal covenant name of God, a form of I AM WHO I AM, cf. Ex 3:14-15Ps 13:1, 2; 22:1, 2Jer 14:93 Why do You make me aseewickednessAnd cause me to look on trouble?Indeed, bdevastation and violence are before me;cAnd there isstrife, and contention is liftedup.Ps 55:9-11; Jer 20:18Jer 20:8Jer 15:104 Therefore the alaw is 1ignored,And justicenevercomes forth.For the wickedbsurround the righteous;Thereforejusticecomes forth cperverted.Or ineffective; lit numbedPs 58:1, 2; 119:126; Is 59:12-14Ps 22:12; Is 1:21-23Is 5:20; Ezek 9:9
Yahweh Raises the Dreaded Chaldeans
5 “aSee among the nations! And look!Be also astonished! bBeastounded!BecauseIamdoingcsomething in your days—You would not believeif it was recountedtoyou.Acts 13:41Is 29:9Is 29:14; Ezek 12:22-286 “For behold, I am araisingup the Chaldeans,That bitter and hastynationWho walks on the breadth of the landTo bpossessdwellingplaces which are not theirs.2 Kin 24:2; Jer 4:11-13Jer 8:107 “They are dreaded and afeared;Their bjustice and exaltationcomeforth from themselves.Is 18:2, 7Jer 39:5-98 “Their ahorsesareswifterthanleopardsAnd 1sharperthanbwolves in the evening.Their 2horsemencomegalloping;Their horsemencome from afar;They fly like an ceagleswoopingdown to devour.Or more eager to attackOr steeds paw the groundJer 4:13Zeph 3:3Ezek 17:3; Hos 8:19 “All of them come for violence.1Their horde of afacesmovesforward.And they gathercaptives like sand.Or The eagerness of their faces2 Kin 12:17; Dan 11:1710 “And they amock at kings,And rulers are a laughing matter to them.They blaugh at everyfortressAnd cheapupdirt and capture it.2 Chr 36:6, 10; Is 37:13Is 10:9; 14:16Jer 32:24; Ezek 26:811 “Then they will sweepthroughlike the awind and passon.But they will be heldbguilty,They whosecpower is their god.”Jer 4:11, 12Jer 2:3Dan 4:30; Hab 1:16
Yahweh Has Placed Them to Judge
12 Are You not from aeverlasting,O Yahweh, my God, my HolyOne?We will not die.You, O Yahweh, have bplaced them to judge;And You, O cRock, have established them to reprove.Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; Mal 3:6Is 10:5, 6; Mal 3:5Deut 32:413 Youreyes are tooapure to seeevil,And You cannotlook on trouble.Why do You blookOn those who dealctreacherously?Whyare You dsilent when the wickedeswallow upThose morerighteousthan they?Ps 11:4-6; 34:15, 16Jer 12:1, 2Is 24:16Ps 50:21Ps 35:2514 And You have mademen like the fish of the sea,Like creepingthingswithout a ruler over them.15 TheChaldeansabringall of them up with a hook,bDrag them away with their net,And gather them together in their fishingnet.Therefore they are glad and rejoice.Jer 16:16; Amos 4:2Ps 10:916 Therefore they offerasacrifice to their netAnd 1burnincense to their fishingnetBecause through athesethings their portion is richAnd their food is fat.Or sacrificeJer 44:1717 Will they thereforeempty their anetAnd continuallybkillnationswithoutsparing?Is 19:8Is 14:5, 6
The 1aoracle (a burdensome message—a pronouncement from God) which Habakkuk the prophet saw.I.e. an urgent message the prophet is under compulsion to proclaim.Is 13:1; Nah 1:1
2 O LORD, ahow long will I call for helpAnd You will not hear?I cry out to You, “Violence!”Yet You do bnot save.Ps 13:1, 2; 22:1, 2Jer 14:93 Why do You amake me see iniquity,And cause me to look on wickedness?For bdestruction and violence are before me;cStrife continues and contention arises.Ps 55:9-11; Jer 20:18Jer 20:8Jer 15:104 Therefore, the alaw is ineffective and ignoredAnd justice is never upheld,For the wicked bsurround the righteous;Therefore, justice becomes cperverted.Ps 58:1, 2; 119:126; Is 59:12-14Ps 22:12; Is 1:21-23Is 5:20; Ezek 9:9
5 The LORD replied, “aLook among the nations! See!Be astonished! bWonder!For I am doing csomething in your days—You would not believe it if you were told. Acts 13:40, 41Acts 13:41Is 29:9Is 29:14; Ezek 12:22-286 “For behold, I am araising up the 1Chaldeans who rule in 2Babylon,That fierce and impetuous nationWho march throughout the earthTo btake possession of dwelling places that do not belong to them. 2+@Kin 24:2The Chaldeans were the dominant people in Babylonia. Originally from a small part of southern Babylonia near the head of the Persian Gulf, they were an aggressive tribe and completely controlled the country after 625 B.C. Babylon was their capital city and became the scholarly and scientific center of western Asia. The words “Chaldean” and “Babylonian” are used interchangeably.“Babylon” was the name of the magnificent capital city of Babylonia, and the name of the city was commonly used to refer to the entire area which was located at the eastern end of the Fertile Crescent. Both the plain of Shinar and Chaldea (land of the Chaldeans) were part of ancient Babylonia.2 Kin 24:2; Jer 4:11-13Jer 8:107 “The Chaldeans are dreaded and afeared;Their bjustice and authority originate with themselves and are defined only by their decree.Is 18:2, 7Jer 39:5-98 “Their ahorses are swifter than leopardsAnd keener than hungrybwolves in the evening,Their horsemen come galloping,Their horsemen come from far away;They fly like an ceagle swooping down to devour.Jer 4:13Zeph 3:3Ezek 17:3; Hos 8:19 “They all come for violence;Their horde of afaces moves eagerly forward,They gather prisoners like sand.2 Kin 12:17; Dan 11:1710 “They amake fun of kingsAnd rulers are a laughing matter to them.They bridicule every strongholdAnd cheap up rubble for earth mounds and capture it.2 Chr 36:6, 10; Is 37:13Is 10:9; 14:16Jer 32:24; Ezek 26:811 “Then they will sweep by like the awind and pass on.But they will be held bguilty,They and all men whose own cpower and strength is their god.”Jer 4:11, 12Jer 2:3Dan 4:30; Hab 1:16
12 Are You not from aeverlasting,O LORD, my God, My Holy One?We will not die.O LORD, You have bappointed the Chaldeans who rule in Babylon to execute Your judgment,And You, cO Rock, have established them to correct and chastise. Deut 32:4Deut 33:27; Ps 90:2; Mal 3:6Is 10:5, 6; Mal 3:5Deut 32:413 Your eyes are too apure to approve evil,And You cannot look favorably on wickedness.Why then do You blook favorablyOn those who act ctreacherously?Why are you dsilent when the wicked (Chaldean oppressors)edestroyThose more righteous than they?Ps 11:4-6; 34:15, 16Jer 12:1, 2Is 24:16Ps 50:21Ps 35:2514 Why do You make men like the fish of the sea,Like reptiles and creeping things that have no ruler and are helpless against their enemies?15 TheChaldeansabring all of them up with a hook,And bdrag them away with a net,And gather them together in their fishing net;So they rejoice and are glad.Jer 16:16; Amos 4:2Ps 10:916 Therefore, they offer sacrifices to their netAnd burn incense to their fishing net;Because through athese things their catch is large and they live luxuriously,And their food is plentiful.Jer 44:1717 Will they continue to empty their anetAnd mercilessly go on bdestroying nations without sparing?Is 19:8Is 14:5, 6