Bible Commentary

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion [is] fat, and their meat plenteous. 16. they sacrifice unto their net ] he sacrificeth. The figure of “net” and “drag” was suggested by the idea that men were reduced to the level of fishes and creeping things. … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:16”

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. 15. They take up angle ] He taketh up with the hook; he sweepeth them into (or, with) his net. they rejoice ] he rejoiceth and exulteth. The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:15”

And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, [that have] no ruler over them? 14. And makest men ] and hast made men the condition is one that has supervened. At the last resort it is Jehovah who is the author of all this inhuman violence. Cf. Job 9:24, “if … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:14”

[Thou art] of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, [and] holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth [the man that is] more righteous than he? 13. thou art of purer eyes ] lit. O thou of pure eyes so as not … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:13”

[Art] thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. 12 17. Remonstrance of the Prophet with God, the righteous Ruler of the world, over the cruelties and inhumanity of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:12”

Then shall [his] mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, [imputing] this his power unto his god. 11. Then shall his mind change ] then he sweepeth onward as the wind (or, a blast), and passeth through. The two words “sweep on” and “pass through” occur again Isa 8:8, being said of the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:11”

And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every stronghold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. 10. shall scoff at the kings ] he scoffeth at kings. The Chaldean is referred to. All the verbs in the verse should be in the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:10”

They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up [as] the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand. 9. they shall come ] they come all of them for violence. To rob and harry is their object. Their faces shall sup up ] R.V. paraphrastically: their faces are set … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:9”

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle [that] hasteth to eat. 8. swifter than the leopards ] Jer 4:13 says, “his horses are swifter than eagles.” more … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:8”

They [are] terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. 7. terrible and dreadful ] The first word occurs again only Son 6:4; Son 6:10 “terrible as an army with banners.” The noun is frequently used of the terror inspired by the sight of an object, Job 39:20; Job 41:14; of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Habakkuk 1:7”