Hab 3:1-19

The Old Testament > Habakkuk > Verses 3:1-19
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Summary

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The relationship of verses 3:1-19 to the rest of the book is discussed at Habakkuk.

• Israel’s Ultimate Redemption (3:1-19)

• Habakkuk’s request: That the Lord continue his work in mercy (3:1-2)
• Second vision: The glory of the Lord’s coming in judgment and salvation (3:3-15)
• Habakkuk’s final reaction: He trembles at the Lord’s judgment but rejoices at his salvation (3:16-19)

Habakkuk 3 is a psalm.

Discussion

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Verses 3:1-2

To this point the book has emphasized harsh justice upon the unmerciful. But Habakkuk now prays to the Lord expressing fear (or perhaps awe) and asking that the Lord renew his work and, while executing wrathful judgment, that the Lord also “remember mercy” (3:1-2).

Verses 3:3-7

In response Habakkuk is shown a second vision, in which the Lord asserts direct sovereignty over the earth. In verses 3-7 Habakkuk describes the Lord’s approach in the third person. First he compares the Lord to the rising sun. Teman refers to the south country, often specifically to Edom (descended from Jacob’s brother Esau), which is southeast of Jerusalem and thus associated with the rising sun. Mount Paran (the home of Isaac’s brother Ishmael) is located west of Edom and is associated in Deuteronomy 33:2 with both Edom’s capitol Mount Seir and the rising sun. In verse 6 the nations tremble at the Lord’s approach. Mountains often represent kingdoms (or temples, but not here).

Verse 3:3

• Who is this "holy one" who comes from mount Paran (verse 3)? The word translated as Holy One in verse 3 is the Hebrew noun qadowsh, which is often translated as holy one or saint, and can refer to anything or anyone who has been sanctified or set apart. Some Muslims see the holy one in verse 3 as a referring to the prophet Mohammad, who was born in Paran.

Verses 3:8-15

In verses 8-15 Habakkuk addresses the Lord in the second person. He describes the Lord going forth in salvation of his people, defeating both the heathen nations and angry waters. In the ancient world open uncontrolled bodies of water often represent death, evil, or chaos, which stand in opposition to gods who in goodness create and organize the world, including God.

Verses 3:16-19

Following this vision Habakkuk is no longer merely afraid or awed (as in 3:2), he now trembles and quivers (3:16, as in 3:6). But he will wait patiently for the calamitous day when Judah is invaded by Babylon. And though the world should cease to yield its fruit, Habakkuk will still rejoice in the Lord of his salvation and strength (3:17-19).

Points to ponder

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I have a question

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Resources

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Notes

Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves, such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word. In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources are preferable to footnotes.

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