Habakkuk 3:3-7

3 God came from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Paran.[a]His glory covered the heavens and his praise filled the earth.
4 His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.
5 Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps.
6 He stood, and shook the earth; he looked, and made the nations tremble. The ancient mountains crumbled and the age-old hills collapsed— but he marches on forever.
7 I saw the tents of Cushan in distress, the dwellings of Midian in anguish.

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Habakkuk 3:3-7 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HABAKKUK 3

The title of this chapter is a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, composed after the manner of a psalm of David, and directed to the chief singer, Hab 3:1,19. The occasion of it is expressed, Hab 3:2 in which the prophet declares his concern for the work of the Lord, and the promotion of the kingdom and interest of Christ; and observes the various steps that were, or would be, taken for the advancement of it; for which he prays, and suggests that these would be after the manner of the Lord's dealing with the people of Israel, and settling them in the land of Canaan, Hab 3:3-15 and there being several things awful in this account, both with respect to the judgments of God on his enemies, and the conflicts and trials of his own people, it greatly affected the mind of the prophet, Hab 3:16 and yet, in the view of the worst, he expresses his strong faith in the Lord, as to better times and things, that would most assuredly come, Hab 3:17-19.

Cross References 14

  • 1. S Genesis 36:11,15
  • 2. Isaiah 31:1
  • 3. S Numbers 10:12
  • 4. S Psalms 8:1
  • 5. Psalms 48:10
  • 6. S Isaiah 18:4
  • 7. S Job 9:6
  • 8. S Leviticus 26:25
  • 9. S Psalms 46:2
  • 10. Genesis 49:26
  • 11. S Exodus 19:18; Psalms 18:7; Psalms 114:1-6
  • 12. S Genesis 21:33
  • 13. S Genesis 25:2; S Numbers 25:15; Judges 7:24-25
  • 14. Exodus 15:14

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the middle of verse 9 and at the end of verse 13.
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