Habakkuk (embrace)

According to the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, Habakkuk means (embrace). This book would be the eighth, in order, of the Minor Prophets. Of the facts of the prophet's life, we have no certain information.

One important aspect of the ancient Old Testament order of the Hebrew Bible is that the 12 prophetic works of Hosea through Malachi, sometimes referred to as the Minor Prophets, were designed as a single book called The Twelve. Habakkuk is the eighth book of The Twelve.

Habakkuk lived in the final decades of Judah, Israel’s southern kingdom. It was a time of injustice and idolatry, and he saw the rising threat of the Babylonian empire on the horizon. Unlike the other Hebrew prophets, Habakkuk doesn’t accuse Israel or even speak to the people on Yahweh’s behalf. Instead, all of his words are addressed to Yahweh. The book of Habakkuk tells us about Habakkuk’s personal struggle to believe that Yahweh is good when there is so much tragedy and evil in the world.

Habakkuk sees the darkness of the world as an invitation to have faith in Yahweh’s promise to one day set things right. Living with such faith means trusting that Yahweh loves this world and works to one day eliminate all evil forever.

So far in this Book of Habakkuk, we have seen beginning with verses 1 thru 4 Habakkuk cry to Yahweh, Other words Habakkuk's Complaint.

Then beginning with verses 5 thru 11 we read about Yahweh’s answer.

Now we come to the second problem: “Why do it this way, O YAHWEH?” Beginning with verses 12-17 Habakkuk wonders why Yahweh would use a nation more wicked than Judah to bring judgment on Judah.

12  Art Thou not . . . ? = Note the change of subject, the prophets cry. 

God = Elohim. The Creator  

my Elohim, mine Holy One = Habakkuk speaks in the name of his people. Yahweh was “the Holy One of Israel,” against whom the Chaldean was setting up himself. 

we shall not die = Thou, as being our Elohim/Creator, wilt not permit the Chaldeans utterly to destroy us. This reading is one of the eighteen called by the Hebrews “the appointment of the scribes”; the Rabbis think that Ezra and his colleagues corrected the old reading, “Thou shalt not die.”

thou hast ordained them for judgment = that is, to execute Thy judgments.

O mighty Elohim = O Rock. Compare Deut. 32:4, 15, 18, 30; 1Sam. 2:2. 2Sam. 23:3. Psa. 18:2, 31, 46; 19:14 , &c.

for correction = to chastise transgressors.

13  Thou art, &c. = Note the Figure of Speech, Synchoresis; or, Concession

Making a Concession of one Point to gain another

purer ... than to behold evil = without being displeased at it. This is even more problematic to Habakkuk because he knew the character of Yahweh.

canst not look on iniquity = unjust injuries done to Thy people.

15   they take up all of them = all kinds of fishes, that is, men, as captives, and all other prey that comes in their way.

angle = hook. 

drag = a fish-net. Occurs only here (verses: 15-16) and in Isa. 19:8.

therefore = because of their successes.

they rejoice = They glory in their crimes because attended with success

16  sacrifice unto their net = that is, their arms, power, and military skill, wherewith they gained their victories; instead of to Yahweh. They idolize themselves for their own cleverness and might.

17  Shall they ... empty their net? = Shall they be allowed without interruption to enjoy the fruits of their violence?

Join me as we go Chapter by Chapter, Verse by Verse, Unraveling the Words of Yahweh!

Have any questions? Feel free to email me; keitner2024@outlook.com