Habakkuk 1:7 - Exposition

They . The Hebrew is singular throughout. The disposition of the people, as of one man, is depicted. Terrible ; exciting terror, as Song of Solomon 6:4 , Song of Solomon 6:10 . Their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves; his judgment and his eminence are from himself. The LXX . translates the two nouns κρίμα and λῆμμα : Vulgate, judicium and onus . The meaning is that the Chaldeans own no master, have no rule of right but their own will, attribute their glory and superiority to their own power and skill (comp. Daniel 4:1-37 :130). They are like Achilles in Horace, 'Ep. ad Pison.,' 121, etc.—

" Impiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer,

Jura neget sibi nata, nihil non arroget armis ."

Hitzig quotes AE schyl. 'Prom.,' 186, παρ ἑαυτῷ τό δίκαιον ἔχων , "Holding as justice what he deemeth so."