Habakkuk 1:17

17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?

Habakkuk 1:17 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
English Standard Version (ESV)
17 Is he then to keep on emptying his net and mercilessly killing nations forever?
New Living Translation (NLT)
17 Will you let them get away with this forever? Will they succeed forever in their heartless conquests?
The Message Bible (MSG)
17 Are you going to let this go on and on? Will you let this Babylonian fisherman Fish like a weekend angler, killing people as if they're nothing but fish?
American Standard Version (ASV)
17 Shall he therefore empty his net, and spare not to slay the nations continually?
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
17 Will they keep on emptying their nets and always kill nations without mercy?
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
17 Will they therefore empty their net and continually slaughter nations without mercy?
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
17 Are you going to let them keep on emptying their nets? Will they go on destroying nations without showing them any mercy?

Habakkuk 1:17 Meaning and Commentary

Habakkuk 1:17

Shall they therefore empty their net
Or "thus", after this manner, so Noldius; as fishermen do, when they have had a good cast, and a large draught, spread the net, and take out the fishes, in order to throw it again, and catch more; and so it is asked, should these Chaldeans, when they have conquered one nation, and so filled their net or themselves with the spoil, carry it to Babylon, and there lay it up, and then proceed to fight against another kingdom and nation, and plunder it in like manner? and not spare continually to slay the nations?
the inhabitants of them one after another, and subdue them under them, and make themselves master of all their treasure, until they are arrived to universal monarchy by such cruel and unmerciful methods. The Targum is,

``shall he send his armies continually to consume nations, and that without mercy?''
This the prophet proposes in the name of the whole body of the Lord's people, and leaves it with him to have an answer to it, which is given in the following chapter ( Habakkuk 2:1-20 ) .

Habakkuk 1:17 In-Context

15 The wicked foe pulls all of them up with hooks, he catches them in his net, he gathers them up in his dragnet; and so he rejoices and is glad.
16 Therefore he sacrifices to his net and burns incense to his dragnet, for by his net he lives in luxury and enjoys the choicest food.
17 Is he to keep on emptying his net, destroying nations without mercy?

Cross References 1

  • 1. S Isaiah 14:6; Isaiah 19:8
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