Habakkuk 1:17

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

Will he, therefore, empty his net and continue to slay nations without mercy?

American Standard Version (1901)

Shall he therefore empty his net, and spare not to slay the nations continually?

Bible in Basic English

For this cause his net is ever open, and there is no end to his destruction of the nations.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For this cause therefore he spreadeth his net, and will not spare continually to slay the nations.

Free Bible Version

Will they keep on unsheathing their swords forever, killing nations without mercy?

Geneva Bible 1599

Shall they therefore stretch out their net and not spare continually to slay the nations?

King James (Authorized) Version

Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

Translation for Translators

Will you allow them to continue to conquer people [MET] forever? Will you allow them to destroy people of other nations without their being merciful to anyone?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Will he therefore keep emptying his net, and will he continually slaughter the nations without mercy?”

Noah Webster Bible

Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

World English Bible

Will he therefore continually empty his net, and kill the nations without mercy?

Young's Literal Translation

Doth he therefore empty his net, And continually to slay nations spare not?

Context

Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

¹⁶Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich. ¹⁷Will he, therefore, empty his net and continue to slay nations without mercy?

Summary

This verse depicts the arrogance and violence of the Babylonians, who were conquering nations without mercy. It highlights their reliance on their own strength and military might, attributing their success to their false gods. The prophet Habakkuk acknowledges the Babylonians' cruelty and wickedness, questioning why God would allow such evil to go unpunished. Ultimately, this verse sets the stage for God's response in the following chapters, revealing His sovereignty, justice, and ultimate plan for dealing with the Babylonians and all evildoers.

Commentary

Adam Clarke
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
John Gill

Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

And not spare continually to slay the nation? - They are running from conquest to conquest; burning, slaying, sacking, and slaughtering. Like the fishermen, who throw cast after cast while any fish are to be caught, so Nebuchadnezzar is destroying one nation after another. This last sentence explains the allegory of the net.

Habakkuk 1:17

Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

Will he, therefore, empty his net and continue to slay nations without mercy?

American Standard Version (1901)

Shall he therefore empty his net, and spare not to slay the nations continually?

Bible in Basic English

For this cause his net is ever open, and there is no end to his destruction of the nations.

Douay-Rheims 1899

For this cause therefore he spreadeth his net, and will not spare continually to slay the nations.

Free Bible Version

Will they keep on unsheathing their swords forever, killing nations without mercy?

Geneva Bible 1599

Shall they therefore stretch out their net and not spare continually to slay the nations?

King James (Authorized) Version

Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

Translation for Translators

Will you allow them to continue to conquer people [MET] forever? Will you allow them to destroy people of other nations without their being merciful to anyone?”

Unlocked Literal Bible

Will he therefore keep emptying his net, and will he continually slaughter the nations without mercy?”

Noah Webster Bible

Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

World English Bible

Will he therefore continually empty his net, and kill the nations without mercy?

Young's Literal Translation

Doth he therefore empty his net, And continually to slay nations spare not?