Habakkuk 3:4-5 NIV

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-15

God poetically portrayed and practically remembered. "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah," etc. The Bible contains many grand songs and odes. There is the song that Moses taught Israel to sing ( Exodus 15:1 ). There is the triumphant song of Deborah and Barak ( 5:1-31 .). There is the song of Hannah, the mother of Samuel ( 1 Samuel 2:1 ). There is the song of David bewailing the death of Saul and Jonathan ( 2 Samuel 1:19 ), and his song of thanksgiving... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-18

God in history. On reading these verses containing the ode of Habakkuk we find that they abound in historical allusions. The prophet recalled to mind the Divine interpositions both in mercy and in judgment which had taken place in the bygone days, and in the light of them contemplated the position and prospects of his people in his own time. This course was a very customary one with the Hebrew bards. They were eminently patriotic, and delighted to touch upon the national experiences of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:4

His brightness was as the light; brightness appeareth like light, The sunlight is meant, as Job 31:26 ; Job 37:21 ; Isaiah 18:4 . He had horns coming out of his hand; i.e. rays of light on either side. The comparison of the first rays of light to the horns of the gazelle, according to Keil, is common in Arabic poetry (comp. Exodus 34:29 , Exodus 34:30 ). In the original passage, Deuteronomy 33:2 , we read, "At his right hand was a fiery Law unto them"—a reference to the two... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:5

After describing the splendour of the theophany, the prophet now turns to the purpose and effects of God's appearing. He comes to avenge and judge, therefore before him went the pestilence. Before him stalks plague, to punish his enemies and the disobedient, as in Egypt, in Canaan ( Exodus 23:27 ; 1 Samuel 5:9 , 1 Samuel 5:11 ); and among his own people ( Numbers 11:33 ; Numbers 14:37 , etc.; Le Numbers 26:25 ). For "pestilence" the LXX . reads "word." Burning coals went forth... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:4

and His brightness - that wherein God dwelleth Ezekiel 10:4, “the brightness of the Lord’s glory,” before which darkness fleeth Psalms 18:12, “was as the light,” or as the sun. Out of the midst of the darkness, wherewith God, as it were Exodus 19:9, Exodus 19:16; Exodus 20:21, hid Himself, the brightness of the “inapproachable Light” wherein “He dwelleth,” gleams forth Exodus 24:10, bright as the brightest “light” gathered into one, which man knows of and whereon he cannot gaze. So amid the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:5

Before Him went (goeth) the pestilence - then to consume His enemies. Exodus 23:27 : “I will send My fear before thee, and will destroy all the people, to whom thou shalt come,” and the lightnings are a token that, Psalms 68:1-2, “they which hate Him, flee before Him, and the wicked perish at the Presence of God.” So, on His Ascension, Herod and Pilate were smitten by Him, and Elymas and Simon Magus before His apostles, and whatsoever hath lifted itself up against Him hath perished, and... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 3:4-5

Habakkuk 3:4-5. And his brightness was as the light Green renders this verse thus: His brightness was as the brightness of the sun; he had rays of light beaming from his hand; and there was the hiding-place of his power. The Hebrew word אור , here rendered light, is translated the sun, Job 31:26; and that rendering seems to improve the sense here. The word קרנים , rendered horns, being derived from קרן , to shine, or emit rays of light, is much better rendered rays, or ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:1-19

3:1-19 HABAKKUK TRUSTS IN GOD’S JUDGMENTThe psalm of Chapter 3 has no direct connection with Judah and the Babylonians. Nevertheless, it is relevant to what Habakkuk has just written, for it describes the appearance of God in his work of judging the nations and saving his people. The psalm is introduced by what appears to be the name of the tune to which it was sung (3:1).Habakkuk recalls the mighty works that God has done for his people in the past, and he prays that God will act on their... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Habakkuk 3:4

horns = power. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), App-6 , for the power put forth by them. Hebrew dual = two rays. coming out of = from: i.e. power from [His] hands [is] His. the hiding, &c. = hiding (or concealing) of His [full] power. read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Habakkuk 3:5

Before Him went, &c. Supply the logical Ellipsis : "[As He went forth to conquer for His People] before Him went", &c. See Exodus 28:27 . Psalms 68:1 , Psalms 68:2 . burning coals: or, lightning Compare Psalms 18:8 ; Psalms 76:3 ; Psalms 78:48 . read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-15

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:3-18

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 3:5

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:4

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 3:5

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 3:4-5

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 3:1-19

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Habakkuk 3:4

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Habakkuk 3:5

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