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Nazarene Commentary 2000©

21^st Century Paraphrase of the Hebrew Scriptures© –
21^st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures© [NCMM]

THE PROPHET HABAKKUK

CHAPTER THREE:
PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE

Habakkuk 3:1-3a – The Prophet’s Prayer

HA3:1 The prayer of the prophet Habakkuk in mournful chants: 85

85

Mournful chants: Or, KJV: Shigionoth; BAS: put to Shigionoth; LXX: WITH A SONG; NJB: tone as for dirges; RHM: in the manner of an ode. The LXX Greek is ODES from which the English “ode” is derived. Some versions use the Hebrew word though the origin is uncertain. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #7692, 7686]

HA3:2 O Y^eH^oW^aH, I have heard the report about you and I am terrified. 86 O Y^eH^oW^aH, right in the midst of the years, O revive Your work. 87 In the midst of years, will you make it known? During turmoil remember to be empathetic. 88

86	O YeHoWaH, I have heard the report about you and I am terrified: Or, BAS: O Lord, word of you has come to my ears; JPS: I have heard the report of Thee, and am afraid; LXX: I have heard thy report, and was afraid.

87	O YeHoWaH, right in the midst of the years, O revive Your work: Or, JPS: O LORD, revive Thy work in the midst of the years; LXX: I considered thy works, and was amazed; NJB: make it known in our time; TAN: renew them in these years.

88	During turmoil remember to be empathetic: Or, BAS: in wrath keep mercy in mind; JPS: in wrath remember compassion.

HA3:3 From the south The God comes, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. 89 (Selah) 90

89

From the south The God comes, and the Holy One from Mount Paran: Or, BAS: God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran; LXX: and the Holy One [HO HAGIOS] from the dark shady mount Pharan; NJB: Eloah comes from Teman. The Hebrew word for “God” here is the singular ‘ELOWAHH. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #433] The LXX Greek is HO THEOS [that is, The God]. The word “south” is from the Hebrew TEYMAN, meaning “south.” Some believe the imagery describes YHWH leading His people from the south past Edom toward restoration in the Holy Land. [Genesis 36:34; Jeremiah 49:7, 20; Ezekiel 25:13; Amos 1:11, 12; Obadiah 9] Paran is the place name for much of the wilderness in which the Israelites wandered as nomads for forty years.

90	Selah: Thought to be a musical term calling for a pause. [Psalm 9:16]

Habakkuk 3:3b-7 – Y^eH^oW^aH Described

HA3:3b His splendor covers the Celestialum, and His praise fills the earth. 91

91

His splendor covers the Celestialum, and His praise fills the earth: Or, BAS: The heavens were covered with his glory, and the earth was full of his praise; LXX: His excellence covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. The words may describe YHWH at Mount Sinai. [Exodus 19:16; Hebrews 12:18]

HA3:4 His light shines with brilliance. 92 From His hands He has brilliant flashes of sunlight. 93 In this is His power concealed. 94

92	His light shines with brilliance: Or, BAS: He was shining like the light; JPS: a brightness [NOGAHH] appeareth as the light; LXX: his brightness shall be as light [PHOS]. The Hebrew borrows from a root meaning to shine or enlighten. [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #5050] [Exodus 13:21]

93	From His hands He has brilliant flashes of sunlight: Or, BAS: he had rays coming out from his hand. The Hebrew uses QEREN which literally means “horns.” Compare Exodus 34:29, 30, 35.

94

In this is His power concealed: Or, BAS: there his power was kept secret; JPS: there is the hiding of His power ‘OZ]; LXX: and he caused a mighty love [AGAPESIN] of his strength; NJB: this is where his power lies hidden; TAN: therein His glory is enveloped [footnote: Hebrew uncertain]; RHM: there is the hiding of his power [footnote: veil, envelop]. The LXX Greek reads radically different from the uncertain Hebrew, using AGAPESIN [or, love, compassionate affection, benevolent empathy]. [Psalm 68:34]

HA3:5 Pestilence proceeds before Him, 95 and burning fever goes forth at His feet. 96

95	Pestilence proceeds before Him: Or, BAS: disease; LXX: Before his face shall go a report. [Exodus 14:12; Numbers 14:12; 16:46; 25:9]

96	And burning fever goes forth at His feet: Or, BAS: and flames went out at his feet; JPS: fiery bolts go forth at His feet; LXX: Before his face [PROSOPOU] shall go a report [LOGOS]; NJB: plague follows close behind. “Burning fever” parallels the previous “pestilence” or plague.

HA3:6 He stood still to cause earth tremors. 97 He looked and the non-Jews jumped. 98 Mountains of unknown age were smashed, ancient hills were prostrate. 99 His activities are from time immemorial. 100

97	He stood still to cause earth tremors: Or, BAS: From his high place he sent shaking on the earth; LXX: the earth stood at his feet and trembled. [Psalm 60:2; Isaiah 13:13] Compare notes on Haggai 2:21 and Hebrews 12:26.

98	He looked and the non-Jews jumped: That is, Gentiles, nations. Or, BAS: he saw and nations were suddenly moved; JPS: nations [GOY] to tremble; LXX: the nations [ETHNE] melted away. [Exodus 14:25; 23:27]

99

Mountains of unknown age were smashed, ancient hills were prostrate: Or, BAS: the eternal mountains were broken, the unchanging hills were bent down; JPS: the everlasting mountains are dashed in pieces, the ancient hills do bow; LXX: he mountains were violently burst through, the everlasting [AIONIOI] hills melted. [Genesis 49:26; Isaiah 54:10]

100	His activities are from time immemorial: Or, BAS: his ways are eternal; JPS: His goings are as of old; LXX: his everlasting [AIONIAS] going forth; NJB: his pathways from of old; RHM: age-abiding. Note the same Hebrew word for “walking” at Genesis 3:8.

HA3:7 I beheld the tents of Ethiopia under distress, the tent fabric of Arabia began to shake. 101

101

I beheld the tents of Ethiopia under distress, the tent fabric of Arabia began to shake: Or, BAS: The curtains of Cushan were troubled, and the tents of Midian were shaking; JPS: I see the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian do tremble; LXX: Because of troubles I looked upon the tents of the Ethiopians: the tabernacles also of the land of Madiam shall be dismayed. [Genesis 25:2; Exodus 15:14; Numbers 22:4; Psalm 83:9]

Habakkuk 3:8-15 – Y^eH^oW^aH’s Battle

HA3:8 Or, did Y^eH^oW^aH burn against rivers? Is Your anger against rivers? Or Your rage against the Sea? For You rode upon Your own horses. Your chariots are salvation. 102

102

Did YeHoWaH burn against rivers? Is Your anger against rivers? Or Your rage against the Sea? For You rode upon Your own horses. Your chariots are salvation: Or, BAS: Was your wrath burning against the rivers? were you angry with the sea, that you went on your horses, on your war-carriages of salvation; JPS: Is it, O LORD, that against the rivers, is it that Thine anger is kindled against the rivers, or Thy wrath against the sea? that Thou dost ride upon Thy horses, upon Thy chariots of victory; LXX: Wast thou angry, O Lord, with the rivers? or was thy wrath against the rivers, or thine anger against the sea? for thou wilt mount on thine horses, and thy chariots are salvation. Compare notes on Isaiah 19:1; 50:2. [Deuteronomy 33:26; Psalm 18:10; 114:3; Nahum 1:4]

HA3:9 You uncover Your bow and fill the bowstring with arrows. 103 (Selah) You carve the earth with rivers. 104

103	You uncover Your bow and fill the bowstring with arrows: Or, BAS: Your bow was quite uncovered; JPS: Thy bow is made quite bare; LXX: Surely thou didst bend they bow at scepters. [Psalm 7:12; Lamentations 2:4]

104	You carve the earth with rivers: Or, BAS: By you the earth was cut through with rivers; LXX: The land of rivers shall be torn asunder. KJV adds, to the oaths of the tribes. [Psalm 105:41]

HA3:10 Mountains just saw You and trembled. 105 A torrent of waters passes by, the roaring ocean rages in sound. 106 His hand is raised on high.

105	Mountains just saw You and trembled: Or, BAS: The mountains saw you and were moved with fear; LXX: The nations shall see [OPSONTAI] thee and be in pain. [Exodus 19:18; Psalm 14:4]

106	A torrent of waters passes by, the roaring ocean rages in sound: Or, BAS: the clouds were streaming with water: the voice of the deep was sounding; LXX: divide the moving waters: the deep uttered her voice. [Psalm 77:16; 93:3; 98:7]

HA3:11 Sun and moon stopped in the heights, Your arrows shoot forth like lightning. Your spear is a brilliant flash. 107

107

Sun and moon stopped in the heights, your arrows shoot forth like lightning. Your spear is a brilliant flash: Or, BAS: the sun did not come up, and the moon kept still in her place; JPS: The sun and moon stand still in their habitation; at the light of Thine arrows as they go, at the shining of Thy glittering spear; LXX: The sun was exalted, and the moon stood still in her course: thy darts shall go forth at the light, at the brightness of the gleaming of thine arms. [Deuteronomy 32:41; Joshua 10:12; Psalm 77:17, 18; 144:6]

HA3:12 You stride across the ground in rage. In anger You thresh the non-Jews. 108

108

You stride across the ground in rage. In anger You thresh the non-Jews: Or, BAS: You went stepping through the land in wrath, crushing the nations in your passion; JPS: Thou marchest through the earth in indignation, Thou threshest the nations in anger; LXX: Thou wilt bring low the land with threatening, and in wrath thou wilt break down the nations. [Micah 4:12]

HA3:13 You have gone forth for Your people’s salvation to save Your Messiah. 109 You shattered the head of the lawless house, stripping it bare to its foundation. 110 (Selah)

109

You have gone forth for Your people’s salvation to save Your Messiah: Or, BAS: You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of the one on whom your holy oil was put; JPS: Thou art come forth for the deliverance of Thy people, for the deliverance of Thine anointed; LXX: Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, to save thine anointed; NJB: save your anointed one; TAN: anointed [footnote: king of Judah]. “Messiah” is from the Hebrew MASHIYACH [Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance #4889], and the LXX Greek is CHRISTON. [Psalm 28:8] “Anointed” is poetically paralleled with “Your people.” The inference is here that God’s People are called His “anointed’ or “Christ.” [See notes on the name “Christian” at Acts 11:26.

110

You shattered the head of the lawless house, stripping it bare to its foundation: Or, BAS: wounding the head of the family of the evil-doer, uncovering the base even to the neck; JPS: Thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked, uncovering the foundation even unto the neck. [Joshua 11:12; Psalm 68:21; 110:6]

HA3:14 You have pierced leaders with their own staffs when they tried to scatter me as a tempest. What makes them happy is to secretly devour the oppressed. 111

111

You have pierced leaders with their own staffs when they tried to scatter me as a tempest. What makes them happy is to secretly devour the oppressed: Or, BAS: You have put your spears through his head, his horsemen were sent in flight like dry stems; they had joy in driving away the poor, in making a meal of them secretly; JPS: Thou hast stricken through with his own rods the head of his rulers, that come as a whirlwind to scatter me; whose rejoicing is as to devour the poor secretly; LXX: Thou didst cut asunder the heads of princes with amazement, they shall tremble in it; they shall burst their bridles, they shall be as a poor man devouring in secret. [2 Kings 18:21; Psalm 10:8; 64:4; 83:2]

HA3:15 You crashed through the surf with your steeds, through the foam of raging waves. 112

112

You crashed through the surf with your steeds, through the foam of raging waves: Or, BAS: The feet of your horses were on the sea, on the mass of great waters; JPS: Thou hast trodden the sea with Thy horses, the foaming of mighty waters; LXX: And thou dost cause thine horses to enter the sea, disturbing much water.

Habakkuk 3:16-19 – Fear and Faith

HA3:16 I heard and trembled deep within. 113 The sound made my lips quiver. 114 My bones were restless. My limbs shook uncontrollably. 115 Yet I wait calmly for the day of distress, when the invader arrives upon the people. 116

113	I heard and trembled deep within: Or, BAS: Hearing it, my inner parts were moved; JPS: When I heard, mine inward parts trembled; LXX: I watched, and my belly trembled.

114	The sound made my lips quiver: Or, BAS: my lips were shaking at the sound; JPS: my lips quivered at the voice; LXX: at the sound of the prayer of my lips.

115

My bones were restless. My limbs shook uncontrollably: Or, BAS: my bones became feeble, and my steps were uncertain under me; JPS: rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble where I stand; LXX: trembling entered into my bones, and my frame was troubled within me. Note the reaction of others under inspiration. [Psalm 119:120; Jeremiah 23:9; Daniel 8:27]

116

Yet I wait calmly for the day of distress, when the invader arrives upon the people: Or, BAS: I gave sounds of grief in the day of trouble, when his forces came up against the people in bands; JPS: that I should wait for the day of trouble, when he cometh up against the people that he invadeth; LXX: I will rest in the day of affliction [EN HEMERA THYLIPSEOS], from going up to the people of my sojourning. [Psalm 42:5; Lamentations 3:26] The prophet’s answer to his prayer comes as inspired advice to “wait” patiently for the “day of oppression.” Compare the Greek THYLIPSEOS at Matthew 24:21.

HA3:17 Though the fig-tree never blossom, 117 and the vines never sprout, and the olive tree fail, and the fields become unproductive, and the flocks escape the pen, and the herd is gone from the stalls –

117	Though the fig-tree never blossom: Perhaps some examples of expectations while waiting for YHWH to respond to evil. The description also describes some of the affliction during the “day of oppression.” [Jeremiah 8:13; Hosea 2:12; Joel 1:10; Amos 4:9; Haggai 2:16]

HA3:18 still I will rejoice in Y^eH^oW^aH. 118 I will leap for joy in the God of my salvation. 119 [Luke 1:47]

118	Still I will rejoice in YeHoWaH: Or, BAS: I will be glad; NJB: I shall rejoice in Yahweh. [Isaiah 61:10]

119	I will leap for joy in the God of my salvation: Or, BAS: my joy will be in the God of my salvation; JPS: I will exult in the God of my salvation; LXX: I will joy in God my Saviour. [Exodus 15:2; Isaiah 12:2] The LXX Greek EPI TO THEO TO SOTERI MOU is identical to that of Luke 1:47.

HA3:19 Y^eH^oW^aH my Sovereign Lord is my power, 120 so He has made my feet like a deer’s, and on the heights He will cause me tread.

120

YeHoWaH my Sovereign Lord is my power: Or, BAS: The Lord God is my strength; JPS: God, the Lord [YHWH], is my strength; LXX: The Lord God [KYRIOS HO THEOS] is my strength [DYNAMIS]. The Greek structure would argue that a name must appear where KYRIOS occurs. It is thought by some that the original LXX contained YHWH in Hebrew amidst the Greek text.

(For the choir-master on strings.)