HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:1 Superscription. “Oracle” translates a common word for “burden.” Prophets do not typically use the term “prophet” for themselves, but Habakkuk is called a prophet twice (v. 1; 3:1). This may be because his book differs significantly from most other prophets.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:2–11 First Cycle. Habakkuk is disappointed that God does not seem to be answering his prayers. God’s response shows that, although Habakkuk doesn’t realize it, his prayers are already being answered.
1:2–4 Habakkuk’s Lament. Habakkuk believes that God is letting sin go unpunished and that therefore there is no justice.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:2 O LORD. Habakkuk uses the covenant name for God, which emphasizes the relationship between God and the prophet. how long? This is the common beginning of a formal complaint (compare Ps. 13:1, 2). Violence! During much of the latter seventh century B.C., Judah was morally corrupt, violent, and spiritually disobedient. The description of Josiah’s reforms in 2 Kings 23 highlights the depths of the people’s wickedness.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:3 idly look at wrong. It seems to Habakkuk that God is tolerating sin instead of punishing it (see v. 13).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:4 the law is paralyzed. The Mosaic law had little impact on the hearts and self-centered desires of these people. justice never goes forth. The rich were trampling on the rights of the poor. righteous. There was still a righteous remnant who refused to break God’s laws to get ahead. But life was hard for them because the wicked took advantage of them.
1:5–11 God’s Response. God has already begun to answer Habakkuk’s request: the Babylonians are coming to punish the Israelites.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:6 I am raising up. God uses nations for his own purposes (compare Isa. 44:28; Dan. 2:21). Chaldeans. Another name for the Babylonians, who defeated Assyria in 605 B.C. bitter and hasty nation. God knows the Babylonians well and uses their character traits to punish Judah.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:7 their justice and dignity go forth from themselves. As they built their empire, the Babylonians were not bound by God’s law or even by any rules of common decency.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:9 The Babylonians were known for their violence. They gather captives like sand. They continued the Assyrian policy of deporting captives to other lands.
The Babylonian horsemen (1:8) were greatly feared by the people they fought against. Taking advantage of their great speed, they would scatter the enemy’s foot soldiers and then hunt them down one by one. But even Babylon’s horses couldn’t save Babylon from the Lord’s hand of judgment (3:16).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:10 scoff . . . laugh. The powerful Babylonians had little regard for weaker rulers. Pile up earth describes siege warfare (see Isa. 29:3; Jer. 32:24).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:12–2:20 Second Cycle. This passage asks an age-old question: Why does evil seem to go unpunished? God’s answer is that all who are wicked will eventually be punished; meanwhile, the righteous must live by faith.
1:12–2:1 Habakkuk’s Lament. Habakkuk wonders how God can use a wicked nation to punish a less wicked one.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:12 Are you not from everlasting? Habakkuk knows that God lives forever (see Ps. 90:2). We shall not die. Habakkuk bases his confidence in his people’s future on God’s eternal nature. you . . . have established them. Habakkuk understands that God has chosen Babylon to punish Judah for its sin.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:13 purer eyes than to see evil. Habakkuk wonders why God’s holiness did not stop him from using the corrupt Babylonians to punish a less wicked nation such as Judah.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:14 Habakkuk’s charge against God is that he allows mankind to act like lower creatures (fish and crawling things), with no rulers or judges. Thus, wickedness goes unchecked.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:15 He. That is, the “wicked” one in v. 13, which represents Babylon. hook. See Amos 4:2. Captives were sometimes taken away with hooks in their noses—an intentionally painful and humiliating treatment. drags them out with his net. The image is that of a fish helplessly caught in a net. Mesopotamian art portrays prisoners in nets being hauled off to captivity.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:16 he sacrifices to his net. The Babylonians had become so powerful that they relied on their military strength for protection, the way others would have relied on their gods.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 1:17 mercilessly killing nations forever? If a righteous God does not step in to end the Babylonians’ wicked plan, who will? Where is God’s justice, and how can he tolerate this?
2:2–20 God’s Response. The Lord assures Habakkuk that he will punish all the wicked, at the right time.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:2 Write the vision. This message from God was to be recorded as a permanent witness, since it would not be quickly fulfilled. So he may run who reads it may refer to a messenger reporting the vision throughout the nation. Or it may refer to those who hear the message and flee the coming judgment.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:3 the vision awaits its appointed time. God’s timing for the fulfillment of the message will be perfect. wait for it. While Judah’s judgment will begin quite soon (586 B.C.), God’s punishment of the Babylonians will not happen until 539.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:4 his soul. The singular form refers to the Babylonian nation as a whole, but with a primary reference to the king. A proud person relies on himself, whereas a righteous person relies on God. The phrase but the righteous shall live by his faith is quoted in the NT to emphasize that people are saved by grace through faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; compare Eph. 2:8). It is also quoted to show that Christians should live by faith (Heb. 10:38–39). The kind of faith that Habakkuk describes, and that the NT authors affirm, is a continuing trust in God and his promises, even in the darkest days.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:5 His greed is as wide as Sheol. Sometimes in the OT, Sheol is the place of the dead where everyone went, yet which never filled up (see Prov. 30:15–16).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:6–20 This taunt against the Babylonians consists of five “woe oracles” (vv. 6, 9, 12, 15, 19). They show why Babylon deserves its coming punishment (compare Isa. 5:8–23).
Woe oracles. Verses 6–20 of ch. 2 consist of five “woe oracles” against Babylon. Each of these begins with the word “woe” and condemns the Babylonians for violence and idolatry.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:6 all these. That is, all the nations that Babylon has destroyed (see Isa. 14:9–11). Woe. Trouble. The Babylonians are condemned for their excessive greed in conquering other nations.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:7 debtors. The loot that the Babylonians have taken from other nations is actually only “on loan” to them until a stronger nation claims it.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:8 blood of man. God will someday hold the Babylonians accountable for bloodshed (see 1:17; Gen. 9:6).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:9 Woe. Babylon is condemned for collecting stolen goods and relying on wealth for protection. set his nest on high. Like the eagle that builds its nest in unreachable spots, the Babylonians tried to build a city inaccessible to their enemies (see Isa. 14:4–15; compare Obad. 3–4).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:11 stone will cry out. The stones were taken from other nations’ buildings or purchased with stolen goods. They will testify against Babylon.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:12 Woe. Babylon is condemned for its violence and injustice.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:13 LORD of hosts. Yahweh is the commander of the heavenly armies, all of which do his will; see note on Amos 3:13. peoples labor merely for fire. God controls man’s future and will punish injustice. Babylon’s cities will ultimately be destroyed or given to others.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:14 The glory of the LORD is his special presence with his people. The glory “filled” the tabernacle and temple (Ex. 40:34–35; 1 Kings 8:11). Several texts look forward to a day when God’s glory fills the whole earth (Num. 14:21; Ps. 72:19; Isa. 6:3, esv footnote).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:15 Woe. Babylon is condemned for violence against its neighbors. gaze at their nakedness. That is, strip their land bare to dishonor them (compare Gen. 9:20–22).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:16 shame. Babylon will experience the same shame it inflicted on others (see note on v. 15). cup. A symbol of divine punishment on Babylon (see Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15–17; Rev. 14:10).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:17 violence done to Lebanon. Babylon used the famed cedars of Lebanon for its massive building projects (see Isa. 14:8).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:18 Idols are worthless and lifeless objects unworthy of the faith placed in them (compare Jer. 10:14–15). Teacher of lies highlights the deceptive nature of idols.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:19 overlaid with gold and silver. Idols were often highly decorated in an effort to enhance their prestige.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 2:20 But the LORD. There is a great contrast between silent, lifeless idols and the awesome living God. He alone deserves the honor too often given to worthless idols.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:1–19 Habakkuk’s Prayer. Habakkuk asks for a new demonstration of God’s wrath and mercy, such as God gave so powerfully in the past. He closes with a confession of faith and trust in God (compare vv. 1, 3, 9, 13, 19 with Psalms 17; 90).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:1 Shigionoth occurs only here and in Ps. 7:1. It may refer to a type of psalm or a musical instrument.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:2 I have heard. Habakkuk had heard of God’s great saving acts, which he recalls in vv. 3–15 (see Ex. 15:1–21). in wrath remember mercy. A plea that when God judges, he will also be merciful. This is how God always deals with his people (see Ex. 34:6–7).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:3 Teman means “south.” Along with the reference to Mount Paran (Num. 13:26; Deut. 33:2), it may suggest the time following Israel’s exodus from Egypt. His splendor covered the heavens. When biblical authors refer to God’s mighty acts in the exodus, they often use images to instill a sense of fear or awe (see Deut. 33:2; Judg. 5:4–5; Ps. 18:7–15).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:4–5 Habakkuk compares God’s presence at Mount Sinai to a thunderstorm with darkness and lightning (see Ex. 19:18–20; Ps. 18:9–14). Pestilence and plague often appear as pictures of divine judgment (Ex. 7:14–12:30; Deut. 28:21–22; Ps. 91:3, 5–6).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:6 eternal mountains. Mountains were considered part of the foundation of the earth, so their quaking was a sign of divine judgment (Ps. 18:7; Jer. 4:24–26).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:7 Cushan . . . Midian. These tribes living near Edom see God’s power and are frightened.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:8 rivers . . . sea. God used his power over the Nile (Ex. 7:14–24) and Jordan Rivers (Josh. 3:14–17), as well as the Red Sea (Ex. 14:2–15:5), to demonstrate his greatness in the exodus era. The chariot of salvation is a picture of God bringing deliverance to this people.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:9 Many arrows probably describes thunderbolts. split the earth. An image of thunderstorms and floods cutting through the desert.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:11 Sun and moon stood still refers to Joshua’s victory at Gibeah (Josh. 10:12–13). The Lord’s victory here will be equally sensational.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:12 threshed the nations. See Amos 1:3.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:13 God fought for his people (your anointed) because they were his covenant people, a nation of priests (Ex. 19:6; Ps. 114:2). The head of the house of the wicked may refer to either the pharaoh of Egypt or the leaders of Canaan.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:16 I hear. Habakkuk realizes he must wait patiently while his people are punished, and then God will unleash his power against the Babylonians.
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:17–19 Anticipating great destruction by the Babylonians, Habakkuk has radically changed. He began by informing God how to run his world; he ends by trusting that God knows best and will bring about true justice. Though the fig tree should not blossom. Even during suffering and loss, Habakkuk has learned that he can trust God. That trust brings great joy, not in circumstances, but in God himself: yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Yahweh has become Habakkuk’s strength (see Ps. 18:32, 39).
HABAKKUK—NOTE ON 3:19 he makes my feet like the deer’s. Habakkuk can have confidence in God. He can live on the heights even during extreme circumstances (see Mal. 4:2). choirmaster. Probably the director of the temple musicians. This note suggests that Habakkuk meant this to be a “prayer” (Hab. 3:1) that the faithful would sing together.
Habakkuk was alarmed by the wickedness of his people, the nation of Judah. He longed for the day when the Lord would bring justice to his nation by punishing sin. He was even more troubled, however, when he learned that the Lord would indeed judge Judah but that he would use the much more wicked nation of Babylon to do so. The book of Habakkuk records the prophet’s conversation with God about this perplexing issue. By the end of the book, Habakkuk is convinced that God is sovereign and that his justice is far beyond comprehension. The prophet will wait for and trust in God. Habakkuk’s faith serves as an example to believers today, who like the prophet are called to trust that the God of justice will indeed accomplish his purposes for the world. (Habakkuk 3:17–19)