Habakkuk
Habakkuk front
Introduction to Habakkuk
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of Habakkuk
- Habakkuk asks Yahweh questions (1:1–4)
- Yahweh responds (1:5–11)
- Habakkuk asks Yahweh more questions (1:12–2:1)
- Yahweh responds again (2:2–5)
- Habakkuk gives five taunts against the wicked (2:6-20)
- Habakkuk prays (3:1–19)
What is the Book of Habakkuk about?
Other prophets spoke against Israel sinning and failing to obey Yahweh. But Habakkuk questioned Yahweh about the things he did. Yahweh said he would punish the people of Judah by sending the Babylonian army. Habakkuk complained because the Babylonians were more wicked than the people of Judah. Yahweh assured Habakkuk that he would also punish the Babylonians. (See: prophet, prophecy, prophesy, seer, prophetess, law, law of Moses, law of Yahweh, law of God and evil, wicked, unpleasant and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification)
How should the title of this book be translated?
The traditional title of this book is “The Book of Habakkuk” or just “Habakkuk.” Translators may choose to call it “The Sayings of Habakkuk.” (See: How to Translate Names)
Who wrote the Book of Habakkuk?
The prophet Habakkuk wrote this book. Scripture does not mention Habakkuk except in this book.
The Chaldean empire is another name for the Babylonian empire. The Book of Habakkuk mentions it several times. This helps us to date Habakkuk’s life. The Chaldean empire had power from about 720 to 538 B.C. Habakkuk probably prophesied about the time of Jeremiah, Zephaniah, and Nahum during the reigns of Kings Josiah, Jehoahaz, and Jehoiakim in Judah.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
Why did Yahweh use an evil nation to punish Judah?
Habakkuk wanted to know why Yahweh used an evil nation to punish Judah. Yahweh responded that he will judge the evil nations also. But righteous people will live by being faithful to Yahweh.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
How do I identify the speaker?
Habakkuk spoke to Yahweh and Yahweh answered him. The translator should be careful to identify whether the speaker is Habakkuk or Yahweh in each section. The translator may wish to make the identity of the speaker explicit. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
What style of writing is the Book of Habakkuk?
In the first two chapters, Habakkuk asks Yahweh questions and Yahweh answers him. The third chapter is a psalm. Habakkuk ends by telling the choirmaster to use stringed instruments.
Does Habakkuk question or challenge Yahweh?
Habakkuk spoke directly to Yahweh and seems to be challenging God. Habakkuk was not questioning the authority of Yahweh. He was telling Yahweh that he does not understand what Yahweh is doing. In some cultures, it may be improper to speak to an authority in this way. It may be necessary to rephrase Habakkuk’s questions to emphasize his sincere desire to learn why God is doing what he is doing, without doubting him.
Habakkuk 1
Habakkuk 1 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 1:1-17.
This chapter is arranged in a series of questions and answers between Yahweh and Habakkuk.
Special concepts in this chapter
Injustice
Habakkuk sees great injustice, especially in the defeat of Israel by the Assyrians. He cries out to Yahweh to ask him to put an end to it. He is questioning Yahweh, but he trusts in him. (See: just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification and trust, trusted, trustworthy, trustworthiness)
Chaldeans
Yahweh will raise up the Chaldeans to bring justice to the Hebrew people. They will defeat the Assyrians. At this time, the Chaldeans were an insignificant city and people group. This was probably intended to show the power of Yahweh.
Habakkuk 1:1
These words introduce the first two chapters of the book. It is implicit that Habakkuk received this message from Yahweh. This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “This is the message that Habakkuk the prophet received from Yahweh.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk 1:2
This is the name of God that he revealed to his people in the Old Testament. See the translationWord page about Yahweh concerning how to translate this.
The reader should understand that Habakkuk has been crying to Yahweh for help for a long time. He asks this question because he is frustrated and wants to know how much longer it will be before Yahweh responds. Alternate translation: “how much longer shall I cry for help before you will respond?” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk 1:3
The words “destruction” and “violence” can be translated with a verbal phrase. The idiom “before me” means that Habakkuk witnesses these things happening. Alternate translation: “I witness people destroying things and acting violently” (See: Abstract Nouns and Idiom)
The word “contention” refers to conflict between people and can be translated with a verbal phrase. Habakkuk speaks of there being more contention between people as if contention rises up. Alternate translation: “there is more conflict between people” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor)
Habakkuk 1:4
Habakkuk speaks of people not obeying or enforcing the law as if they had made the law weak and unable to act. Alternate translation: “no one enforces the law” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk speaks of wicked people causing righteous people to suffer injustice as if the wicked people surrounded the righteous people. (See: Metaphor and Nominal Adjectives)
Habakkuk speaks of judges giving decisions that they say are just but that are not as if “false justice” were going out to the people. Alternate translation: “judges give verdicts that are not just” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 1:5
Yahweh responds to Habakkuk.
The words “amazed” and “astonished” share similar meanings. Together they emphasize the strength of the emotion. Alternate translation: “be very amazed” (See: Doublet)
This idiom refers to Habakkuk’s lifetime. Alternate translation: “during your lifetime” (See: Idiom)
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “when someone reports it to you” or “when you hear about it” (See: Active or Passive)
Habakkuk 1:6
The word “look!” here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows.
This could mean: (1) “violent” or (2) “hasty.”
This could mean: (1) everywhere in Judah or (2) everywhere in the world. This would be an exaggeration to emphasize how powerful the Chaldean army is. (See: Hyperbole)
Habakkuk 1:7
The words “terrifying” and “fearsome” share similar meanings. Together they emphasize the fear that the Chaldeans instilled in other people. Alternate translation: “They cause others to be greatly terrified” (See: Doublet)
The word “splendor” represents their pride in how they view themselves. Yahweh speaks of their opinion of themselves as if the qualities of judgment and splendor came from them. Alternate translation: “because they are prideful, they decide for themselves what judgment looks like” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)
Habakkuk 1:8
the horses of the Chaldean soldiers
large, swift cats (See: Translate Unknowns)
This refers to wolves that hunt their prey at night.
the Chaldean soldiers who ride the horses
Yahweh speaks of how quickly the Chaldeans move in order to conquer their enemies as if they were flying, like an eagle flies swiftly to capture its prey. (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 1:9
Yahweh speaks of how quickly the Chaldeans move as if they were a strong wind that blows in the desert. (See: Metaphor)
This could mean: (1) the Chaldeans take people captive as easily as one would scoop up sand with his hand. Alternate translation: “they gather captives as one gathers sand” or (2) the Chaldeans take a great number of people captive, as if those people were as many as the grains of sand in the desert. Alternate translation: “they capture as many people as there are grains of sand” (See: Simile)
Habakkuk 1:10
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. The word “mockery” can be translated with a verbal phrase. Alternate translation: “So they mock kings, and rulers are only something for them to mock” or “So all they do is mock kings and rulers” (See: Parallelism and Abstract Nouns)
Habakkuk 1:11
Yahweh speaks of how swiftly the Chaldean army moves from one city to the next as it conquers each one as if it were a wind that blows swiftly along. (See: Metaphor)
This refers to the Chaldean soldiers.
Habakkuk 1:12
Habakkuk speaks to Yahweh about the Chaldeans.
Habakkuk asks this rhetorical question to emphasize the positive answer. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “You surely are from ancient times, Yahweh my God, my Holy One.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
Alternate translation: “eternal”
The word “them” refers to the Chaldeans. The words “judgment” and “correction” can be translated with verbs. The reader should understand that the Chaldeans will judge and correct Yahweh’s people. Alternate translation: “has ordained them to judge his people, and you, Rock, have established them to correct your people” (See: Abstract Nouns and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk speaks of Yahweh being the one who protects him and keeps him safe as if he were a rock upon which Habakkuk could stand in order to be out of his enemies’ reach. (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 1:13
Here the word “eyes” represents Yahweh who sees. Alternate translation: “You are too pure” (See: Synecdoche)
This refers to the Chaldeans. The word “betray” refers to people who have been disloyal or have broken agreements that they have made.
Habakkuk speaks of wicked people destroying others as if the wicked were swallowing them. Alternate translation: “Why are you silent while the wicked destroy those more righteous than they are?” (See: Metaphor)
This refers to the Israelites, about whom Habakkuk had been complaining. The reader should understand that these are wicked people, but they are “more righteous than” or not as wicked as the Chaldeans. (See: Irony)
Habakkuk 1:14
Habakkuk compares the way in which the Chaldeans will kill people without remorse with the way in which people will kill fish without remorse. Alternate translation: “You cause men to become no more important than fish” (See: Simile)
The words “creeping things” refer to insects and other bugs that crawl about. Just as insects have no ruler to organize and defend them, the people are defenseless before the Chaldean army. The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “you make men as defenseless as insects that have no ruler” (See: Ellipsis and Simile)
Habakkuk 1:15
The words “he” and “his” refer to a Babylonian solider who represents all of the Babylonian soldiers. These pronouns can be stated as plural. Alternate translation: “They bring … they drag … their fishnets … they gather … their dragnet … they rejoice … they are glad” (See: Synecdoche)
Here “them” and “men” refer to people in general. This can be stated in first person to include Habakkuk as one of the people. Alternate translation: “all of us … drags us away … gathers us” (See: First, Second or Third Person)
Habakkuk speaks of the Chaldeans conquering people easily as if the people were fish that the Chaldeans catch with fishhooks and fishnets. (See: Metaphor)
tools used to catch fish
Habakkuk 1:16
Habakkuk speaks of the weapons that the Chaldeans use to conquer people and nations as if the weapons were fishing nets that they use to catch fish. The words “he” and “his” refer to a Babylonian solider who represents all of the Babylonian soldiers. These pronouns can be stated as plural. Alternate translation: “they sacrifice … their nets … their dragnets … they live … their food” (See: Metaphor and Synecdoche)
Habakkuk 1:17
Habakkuk asks this question because he is frustrated and wants to know how long Yahweh will allow the Chaldeans to continue to destroy people and nations. Alternate translation: “Will you therefore let them empty their fishing nets and continue to slaughter the nations while they feel no compassion?” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
In 1:15-17 the singular pronoun “he” and “his” refer to a Babylonian solider who represents all of the Babylonian soldiers. These pronouns can be stated as plural. Alternate translation: “Will they … keep emptying their net … will they continually slaughter” (See: Synecdoche)
Habakkuk speaks of the Chaldeans preparing to conquer more nations as if they were fishermen who empty their nets so that they can use them to catch more fish. (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2
Habakkuk 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 2:1-20.
This chapter is arranged in a series of questions and answers between Yahweh and Habakkuk.
Special concepts in this chapter
“The righteous will live by his faith”
This is an important phrase in Scripture. Paul also uses it to explain that man is justified by his faith. (See: righteous, righteousness, unrighteous, unrighteousness, upright, uprightness and just, justice, unjust, injustice, justify, justification and faith)
Habakkuk 2:1
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. This could mean: (1) Habakkuk went to an actual post in the watchtower or (2) this is a metaphor in which Habakkuk speaks of waiting eagerly for Yahweh’s response as if he were a watchman waiting at his post for the arrival of a messenger. (See: Parallelism and Metaphor)
Alternate translation: “to see what Yahweh will say to me”
Here the word “turn” refers to returning an answer. Habakkuk considers what answer he will give concerning the things that he has said. (See: Idiom)
Habakkuk 2:2
Yahweh answers Habakkuk.
Both of these phrases are saying the same thing in two different ways. Alternate translation: “Write this vision clearly on the tablets” (See: Parallelism)
These are flat pieces of stone or clay that were used for writing.
This could mean: (1) that the message is easy enough to read that a messenger can read it as he runs from place to place proclaiming the message. Alternate translation: “so that the one reading the tablets might be able to run as he reads” or (2) this is a metaphor in which Yahweh speaks of reading something very quickly as if the person who reads it is running. Alternate translation: “so that the one reading the tablets might be able to read quickly” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2:3
Yahweh speaks of the events in the vision happening as if the vision were a person who speaks. Alternate translation: “the vision … will finally happen” or “the vision … will finally come true” (See: Metaphor and Personification)
Yahweh speaks of the events of the vision taking a long time to happen as if the vision were a person who does not arrive soon at his destination. (See: Metaphor and Personification)
This could mean: (1) “will not be late” or (2) “will not come slowly”
Habakkuk 2:4
The word “Look!” here adds emphasis to what follows.
Yahweh speaks of the person who is prideful as if the person were “puffed up.” Alternate translation: “is very prideful” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2:5
Yahweh speaks of how a person’s judgment is impaired by drinking too much wine as if wine were a person who betrays the one who drinks it. Alternate translation: “For the arrogant young man does not get from wine what he wants” (See: Personification)
Here the word “abide” refers to dwelling in a home and is a metaphor for having no place to rest. Alternate translation: “so that he will not be able to rest” (See: Metaphor)
Yahweh speaks of there always being more people to die as if “the grave” and “death” were people who are never satisfied with eating. In the same way, this person always wants more and is never satisfied. (See: Metaphor)
These two phrases mean basically the same thing. Yahweh speaks of conquering nations and capturing the people as if it were gathering nations and peoples to oneself. Alternate translation: “He conquers for himself the people of every nation” (See: Parallelism and Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2:6
The words “all these” refer to the nations and peoples from Habakkuk 2:5. This negative rhetorical question emphasizes the positive answer. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “All of these nations and peoples will certainly create” (See: Rhetorical Question)
It is implicit that he is increasing his possession of things that do not belong to him. Alternate translation: “Woe to the one who claims for himself more and more things that do not belong to him” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
The word “pledges” refers to objects that people give to others from whom they have borrowed money as a guarantee that they will repay their debt. As the man collects more and more pledges, the total weight of the pledges that he carries increases.
The Chaldeans robbing the people of the nations of their wealth is spoken of as if the Chaldeans were a person who forces others to give him pledges and to pay him what they do not owe. Alternate translation: “For how long will you make yourself rich by extorting others?” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2:7
This negative rhetorical question emphasizes the positive answer. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The ones biting at you will certainly rise up suddenly, and the ones terrifying you will awaken.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
The Hebrew word translated here as “the ones biting” can also mean “the ones paying interest” or “debtors.” In this context, the word probably has both meanings. The phrase is a metaphor in which those whom the man has oppressed and made debtors by forcing them to give him pledges will now oppress him, which is spoken of as if they were biting him. (See: Metaphor)
This refers to the same debtors. They will terrify the Chaldeans by attacking them in revenge for the pledges that they were forced to give.
The people of the nations beginning to act against the Chaldeans is spoken of as if they were to “rise up” and to “awaken” from sleep. (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2:8
to rob or take things by force
The idiom “to shed blood” means “to murder.” Alternate translation: “you have murdered people” (See: Idiom)
Habakkuk 2:9
A person making a profit by violent means is spoken of as if he were “carving out” gains from something. (See: Metaphor)
This could mean: (1) the word “house” is a metaphor in which the Babylonian empire is spoken of as if it were a house that the man builds by means of profits that he gained through violence. Alternate translation: “the one who builds his house with riches that he gained through violence” or (2) the word “house” is a metonym for “family” and the man has made his family rich through violence. Alternate translation: “the one who makes his family rich by violent means” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)
The person who builds his house is spoken of as if he were a bird that builds its nest in a high place. The man thinks that his house is secure and free from danger, just as predators are unable to reach the nest. (See: Metaphor)
Here the word “hand” is a metonym for power, and the word “evil” is a metonym for people who do evil things. Alternate translation: “safe from the power of evil” or “safe from people who will harm him” (See: Metonymy)
Habakkuk 2:10
Here to “devise shame” means that the plans that the man devised have resulted in shame. One possible meaning is that the word “house” is a metaphor in which the Babylonian empire is spoken of as if it were a house that the man has built. Alternate translation: “By your plans, you have brought shame on the house that you have built” Another possibility is that the word “house” is a metonym for “family.” Alternate translation: “By your plans, you have brought shame on your family” (See: Metaphor and Metonymy)
Killing many people is spoken of as if it were cutting those people off, like one would cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “killing many people” (See: Metaphor)
The idiom “to sin against oneself” means that the person has done things that will result in his own death or destruction. Alternate translation: “have caused your own ruin” or “have brought about your own death” (See: Idiom)
Habakkuk 2:11
Here the materials with which the man has built his house are personified as witnesses of the crimes that he has committed. If your culture uses different materials to build houses, you can consider using those materials here. (See: Personification)
Alternate translation: “cry out against you” or “cry out to accuse you”
Alternate translation: “will agree with the stones”
Habakkuk 2:12
These two phrases are saying the same thing in different ways. Alternate translation: “A warning to the Chaldeans who built their cities with what they have stolen from the people they have killed” (See: Parallelism)
Here the word “blood” is a metonym for murder. It is implicit that the person builds a city by means of the goods that he stole from those whom he has killed. Alternate translation: “the one who kills people and steals their goods in order to build a city” (See: Metonymy and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
It is implicit that the person builds a city by means of the goods that he stole from those whom he has killed. Here the word “establishes” means “to begin.” Alternate translation: “who starts a town by means of the profit that he has acquired through evil behavior” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk 2:13
This negative rhetorical question emphasizes the positive answer that it anticipates. The two clauses share similar meanings that the work that people do will not last. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “Yahweh is the one who has determined that the things that people work hard to build will be destroyed by fire and result in nothing.” (See: Rhetorical Question and Parallelism)
This means that the things that people labor to build are ultimately destined to be fuel for fire. Alternate translation: “peoples labor to build things that will be used as fuel for fire” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk 2:14
This simile compares the way in which people everywhere will know of Yahweh’s glory with how water fills every part of the sea. (See: Simile)
The word “knowledge” can be translated with a verbal phrase. If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “people throughout the land will know the glory of Yahweh” (See: Abstract Nouns and Active or Passive)
Habakkuk 2:15
The way that the Chaldeans cruelly treated other nations is spoken of as if they were a man who forces his neighbors to become drunk so that he can humiliate them. (See: Metaphor)
It is implied that he makes his neighbor drink wine. Alternate translation: “the one who forces his neighbors to drink wine” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
“so you can look at them when they are naked.” This refers to the practice of publicly humiliating people by stripping them naked in front of others. Alternate translation: “so that you can humiliate them publicly by stripping them naked” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk 2:16
The Chaldeans passionately pursuing their own glory is spoken of as if they were eating or drinking it greedily and excessively. Instead of attaining glory, they will find only shame. Alternate translation: “You will bring shame upon yourself instead of the glory that you seek” (See: Metaphor)
Others treating the Chaldeans the way that the Chaldeans had treated others is spoken of as if the Chaldeans were to drink the wine that they had forced others to drink. Alternate translation: “Drink from the cup” or “Drink the wine” (See: Metaphor and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
This phrase is similar to the Chaldeans forcing others to strip naked so that they could look at their nakedness. Here the words “uncircumcised foreskin” indicate that they will be humiliated not just by being naked, but because their uncircumcision proves that they do not belong to Yahweh’s people. (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Yahweh punishing the Chaldeans is spoken of as if he were forcing them to drink wine from a cup that he holds in his hand. Yahweh’s right hand represents his power. (See: Metaphor)
Alternate translation: “The cup that Yahweh holds in his right hand” or “The cup that Yahweh is holding”
Alternate translation: “will come to you as it did to others” or “will pass along to you”
The Chaldeans experiencing disgrace instead of glory is spoken of as if disgrace were an object that covers the glory that they thought they had. Alternate translation: “disgrace will replace your glory” or “people will disgrace you instead of honor you” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 2:17
The Chaldeans being punished for the violence done to Lebanon is spoken of as if their violent actions were a person who will overpower them. (See: Metaphor and Personification)
Here, Lebanon could mean: (1) it represents the forest of Lebanon. Alternate translation: “The violence done to the trees of Lebanon” or (2) it represents the people of Lebanon. Alternate translation: “The violence done to the people of Lebanon” (See: Metonymy)
The Chaldeans being punished for destroying the animals in Lebanon is spoken of as if their destruction were a person who will terrify them. (See: Metaphor and Personification)
See how you translated this sentence in Habakkuk 2:8.
The idiom “to shed blood” means “to murder.” Alternate translation: “you have murdered people” (See: Idiom)
Habakkuk 2:18
This rhetorical question emphasizes the negative answer that it anticipates. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “The carved figure profits you nothing!” (See: Rhetorical Question)
The word “you” refers to the Chaldeans.
This describes metal when it is in its liquid form.
This phrase refers to the one who carved or cast the figure. By making a false god, he is teaching a lie.
Habakkuk 2:19
The verb may be supplied from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: “Woe to the one saying to the silent stone” (See: Ellipsis)
This rhetorical question emphasizes the negative answer that it anticipates. If your readers would misunderstand this question, you can express it as a statement. Alternate translation: “These things cannot teach.” or “Wood and stone cannot teach.” (See: Rhetorical Question)
Alternate translation: “Look at it. You can see for yourself that it is overlaid”
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “a person overlays the wood or stone with gold and silver” (See: Active or Passive)
The idiom “no breath … within it” means that it is not alive, but dead. Alternate translation: “it is not alive” or “it is dead” (See: Idiom)
Habakkuk 2:20
Here the word “land” is a metonym for the people who live in the land. Alternate translation: “everyone in the land” or “everyone on earth” (See: Metonymy)
Habakkuk 3
Habakkuk 3 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in 3:1-19.
Special concepts in this chapter
Poetry
Although this is a prayer, it is in the form of poetry. Habakkuk uses startling imagery to show his fear of Yahweh. (See: Poetry and fear, afraid, frighten)
Habakkuk 3:1
These words introduce the third chapter of this book. This can be stated as a complete sentence. Alternate translation: “This is the prayer that Habakkuk the prophet prayed to Yahweh.” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Habakkuk 3:2
This could mean: (1) “I have heard people talk about what you have done in the past” or (2) “I have heard what you just said.”
Habakkuk speaks of Yahweh doing again the things that he has done in the past as if Yahweh were to cause his work to live again. Alternate translation: “bring your work back to life” or “what you did before, do again” (See: Metaphor)
This idiom refers to the time at which Habakkuk prayed this prayer, as opposed to times when Yahweh had acted in the past to rescue his people. Alternate translation: “in our own times” (See: Idiom)
Alternate translation: “make your work known” or “cause people to know your work”
Habakkuk 3:3
Teman and Mount Paran were both located south of Judah. Habakkuk speaks of God coming to Judah from the direction of Mount Sinai.
“His splendor covered the sky.” Here the word “glory” refers to the bright light that biblical writers often associate with God’s presence.
Here the word “praise” is a metonym for God’s qualities that cause people to praise him. Alternate translation: “the earth was full of his glory” (See: Metonymy)
Habakkuk 3:4
Here the word “brightness” likely refers to the brightness that is often associated with Yahweh’s glory. This could mean: (1) the brightness of Yahweh’s glory was like flashes of lightning or (2) the brightness of Yahweh’s glory was like the rising of the sun.
Habakkuk speaks of flashes of lightning as if they were two-pronged weapons that Yahweh holds in his hand. (See: Metaphor)
The word “there” refers to Yahweh’s hand. This could mean: (1) the lightning bolts that Habakkuk can see are only a small representation of the full power that he cannot see hidden in Yahweh’s hand or (2) Yahweh hides his power in his hand until he is ready to use it.
Habakkuk 3:6
This means that Yahweh stopped walking and stood still, not that he stood up from a seated position.
This could mean: (1) the word translated as “measured” can be “shook” or (2) he surveyed the earth the way a conqueror would before assigning portions to his governors.
“mountains that have existed since the beginning of time … hills that will exist until the end of time.” If your language has no different words for “hills” and “mountains” or for “eternal” and “everlasting,” you can combine them as the UST has done.
If your language does not use the passive form in this way, you can state this in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “Even the eternal mountains crumbled” or “He shattered even the eternal mountains” (See: Active or Passive)
The hills being flattened like level ground is spoken of as if they were people who bow down before Yahweh. Alternate translation: “the everlasting hills collapsed” (See: Personification)
This could mean: (1) the words “His path” may be a metaphor that speaks of Yahweh and his actions as a path on which he walks. Alternate translation: “He is everlasting” or (2) Habakkuk speaks of the path upon which Yahweh walks in the vision as being everlasting, indicating that this is the same path that Yahweh had taken in ancient times. Alternate translation: “He walks along an ancient path” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 3:7
This could mean: (1) the words “the tents” and “the fabric of the tents” are metonyms for the people who live in those tents. Alternate translation: “I saw the people who live in tents in the land of Cushan in affliction, and the people who live in tents in the land of Midian trembling” or (2) this is a metaphor in which Habakkuk speaks of the tents in Cushan and Midian being blown about by a storm as if the tents were people who were trembling in affliction. Alternate translation: “I saw the tents of Cushan blown about like people in affliction, and the fabric of the tents in the land of Midian trembling as if they were people” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)
Here, Cushan could mean (1) the name of a people group otherwise unknown or (2) the same as Cush. (See: How to Translate Names and Translate Unknowns)
Habakkuk 3:8
The phrases “your horses” and “your victorious chariots” both refer to the same thing. This speaks of Yahweh as if he were a warrior riding a horse-drawn chariot into battle. Alternate translation: “you rode your horse-drawn chariots to victory” (See: Doublet)
Habakkuk 3:9
This means that Yahweh has removed his bow from its protective case and is prepared to shoot. Alternate translation: “You have prepared to shoot your bow” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
This could mean: (1) “You created rivers that divide the lands through which they run” or (2) “You split open the earth and rivers flowed forth.”
Habakkuk 3:10
The effects that Yahweh’s presence has on the mountains is spoken of as if the mountains were people who writhe in pain. This may refer either to the mountains shaking from an earthquake or to the water from the storm eroding the sides of the mountains as the streams flow down. (See: Personification)
This could mean: (1) torrential rains fell on the mountains or (2) the rain caused raging streams to flow down the mountains.
The loud noises that the sea makes as the wind and storm pass over it are spoken of as if the sea were a person who begins to shout loudly. Alternate translation: “the deep sea became loud” (See: Metaphor and Personification)
The level of the water in the sea rising and the storm winds causing waves in the sea is spoken of as if the sea were a person who lifts its waves. Alternate translation: “Waves began to form in the sea” (See: Metaphor and Personification)
Habakkuk 3:11
The sun and moon not moving in the sky is spoken of as if they were people who stopped walking and stood still. Alternate translation: “The sun and moon stopped moving” (See: Metaphor and Personification)
Alternate translation: “in the sky”
These two phrases share similar meanings and tell why the sun and moon have stood still. The lightning flashes in the sky are spoken of as if they were arrows that Yahweh shoots from his bow or a shining spear that he throws through the sky. (See: Parallelism and Metaphor)
Alternate translation: “the flash of your flying arrows”
Habakkuk 3:12
anger of a person who has suffered injustice
Yahweh punishing the people of the nations is spoken of as if he threshed the nations. Threshing refers to the practice of having an ox or some other animal trample upon grain stalks in order to crush them and remove the grain. (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 3:13
The word “salvation” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “You went out to save your people” (See: Abstract Nouns)
Here this phrase refers to one whom Yahweh has chosen. This could mean: (1) “the people you have chosen” or “the nation you have chosen” or (2) “the king you have chosen.”
This could mean: (1) killing the leader and destroying the people is spoken of as if someone were destroying a house. Here the leader is the head, that is, the roof of the house; and “base” and “neck” represent other parts of the house. Alternate translation: “You destroy the roof of the wicked house and demolish the rest of the building” or “You kill the leader of the wicked nation and completely destroy the nation” or (2) Killing the leader and removing honor and power from the people is spoken of as if someone were shattering a person’s head and stripping off all of his clothes. Here the leader is the “head,” and “house” represents the people who are the body. Alternate translation: “The wicked people and their leader are like a man whose head you crush and whose body you strip naked from foot to neck” or “You kill the leader of the wicked people and completely remove all of the people’s power” (See: Metonymy and Metaphor)
Habakkuk 3:14
The word “his” refers to the leader of the Chaldeans. This could mean: (1) this is a metaphor in which the warriors are spoken of as if they were a body and the leader were the head. Alternate translation: “You have killed with his own spear the one who leads the warriors” or (2) the word “head” refers to the heads of each of the warriors. Alternate translation: “With the leader’s own spear, you have pierced the heads of each of his warriors” (See: Metaphor)
The power and quickness of the Chaldeans as they attacked the people of Israel is compared to the coming of a sudden storm. Alternate translation: “they came quickly like a storm” (See: Simile)
The word “gloating” here means to rejoice for bad reasons and can be translated with a verb. The warriors treating people cruelly or killing them is spoken of as if the warriors were wild beasts who carry their prey to their hiding places in order to eat it. Alternate translation: “they gloated like a person who secretly abuses poor people” or “they rejoiced when they oppressed the poor, acting as if they would eat them like a beast eats its prey in its den” (See: Abstract Nouns and Metaphor)
Habakkuk 3:15
Yahweh causing the waters to surge is spoken of as if he heaped the water up into piles. Alternate translation: “caused the great waters to surge” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 3:16
Habakkuk describes his reaction to his vision of Yahweh.
You may indicate what it is that Habakkuk heard. This could mean: (1) “I heard everything in that vision” or (2) “I heard Yahweh approach like a great storm” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
The word translated here as “inner parts” is literally “belly.” If your language has a specific internal organ that it uses to express the feeling of great fear, you can consider using it here. Alternate translation: “my heart beat rapidly” or “my stomach turned” (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
Quivering lips is another spontaneous response that comes with great fear.
Habakkuk speaks of having no strength in his body as if his bones began to decay. You may consider using an idiom from your own language here. Alternate translation: “My body goes limp, as if my bones were rotting” (See: Idiom and Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information)
The words “under myself” refer to what is below him. This idiom could mean: (1) “my legs tremble” or (2) “I tremble where I stand.” (See: Idiom)
Habakkuk 3:17
Habakkuk describes his reaction to his vision of Yahweh.
Alternate translation: “though the produce of the olive tree fails” or “though the olive tree fails to produce olives”
The word “flock” may refer to sheep or goats, or both. The word “fold” refers to the fenced-in area where shepherds keep their flock. Habakkuk speaks of the flock dying as if someone were to cut off the flock, as a person would cut a branch from a tree. Alternate translation: “though all the flock dies and the folds are empty” (See: Metaphor)
Habakkuk 3:18
The word “salvation” can be translated with a verb. Alternate translation: “the God who saves me” (See: Abstract Nouns)
Habakkuk 3:19
Habakkuk speaks of Yahweh keeping him safe and enabling him to survive during difficult times as if Yahweh were to make him as sure-footed as a deer that can climb easily on rugged and dangerous mountain sides. (See: Metaphor)