Habakkuk 3:13
Habakkuk 3:13 in Multiple Translations
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked and stripped him from head to toe. Selah
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, For the salvation of thine anointed; Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked man, Laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. [Selah
You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of the one on whom your holy oil was put; wounding the head of the family of the evil-doer, uncovering the base even to the neck. Selah.
You came out to save your people, to save your chosen people. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, stripping him from thick to neck.
Thou wentest foorth for the saluation of thy people, euen for saluation with thine Anointed: thou hast wounded the head of the house of the wicked, and discoueredst the foundations vnto the necke, Selah.
Thou hast gone forth for the salvation of Thy people, For salvation with Thine anointed, Thou hast smitten the head of the house of the wicked, Laying bare the foundation unto the neck. Pause!
You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thy anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by uncovering the foundation to the neck. Selah.
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people: for salvation with thy Christ. Thou struckest the head of the house of the wicked: thou hast laid bare his foundation even to the neck.
But you also went to rescue us, your people, and to save the king (Or, people) whom you had chosen [MTY]. You struck down the leader [MTY] of those wicked people and stripped off his clothes, from his head to his feet.
Berean Amplified Bible — Habakkuk 3:13
BAB
Word Study
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Habakkuk 3:13 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
יָצָ֨אתָ֙
לְ/יֵ֣שַׁע
עַמֶּ֔/ךָ
לְ/יֵ֖שַׁע
אֶת
מְשִׁיחֶ֑/ךָ
מָחַ֤צְתָּ
רֹּאשׁ֙
מִ/בֵּ֣ית
רָשָׁ֔ע
עָר֛וֹת
יְס֥וֹד
עַד
צַוָּ֖אר
סֶֽלָה
יָצָ֨אתָ֙
yâtsâʼ
H3318
to come out
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
לְ/יֵ֣שַׁע
yeshaʻ
H3468
salvation
Prep | N-ms
עַמֶּ֔/ךָ
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms | Suff
לְ/יֵ֖שַׁע
yeshaʻ
H3468
salvation
Prep | N-ms
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
with
Prep
מְשִׁיחֶ֑/ךָ
mâshîyach
H4899
anointed
N-ms | Suff
מָחַ֤צְתָּ
mâchats
H4272
to wound
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
רֹּאשׁ֙
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-ms
מִ/בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
place
Prep | N-ms
רָשָׁ֔ע
râshâʻ
H7563
wicked
Adj
עָר֛וֹת
ʻârâh
H6168
to uncover
V-Piel-Ptc
יְס֥וֹד
yᵉçôwd
H3247
foundation
N-ms
עַד
ʻad
H5704
till
Prep
צַוָּ֖אר
tsavvâʼr
H6677
neck
N-ms
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
Selah
Part
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Habakkuk 3:13
יָצָ֨אתָ֙
yâtsâʼ
H3318
"to come out"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means to go out or come out, and it's used in many different ways, like leaving a place or starting a new journey, as seen in Genesis and Exodus.
Definition: : come/go_out/escape 1) to go out, come out, exit, go forth 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go or come out or forth, depart 1a2) to go forth (to a place) 1a3) to go forward, proceed to (to or toward something) 1a4) to come or go forth (with purpose or for result) 1a5) to come out of 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to go or come out, bring out, lead out 1b2) to bring out of 1b3) to lead out 1b4) to deliver 1c) (Hophal) to be brought out or forth
Usage: Occurs in 991 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] after, appear, [idiom] assuredly, bear out, [idiom] begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), [phrase] be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, [idiom] scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, [idiom] still, [idiom] surely, take forth (out), at any time, [idiom] to (and fro), utter. See also: Genesis 1:12; Exodus 9:33; Leviticus 26:45.
לְ/יֵ֣שַׁע
yeshaʻ
H3468
"salvation"
Prep | N-ms
Refers to salvation or deliverance, like in Psalm 119:123 where the writer asks for salvation from God, and can also mean prosperity or victory.
Definition: 1) deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare 1a) safety, welfare, prosperity 1b) salvation 1c) victory
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: safety, salvation, saving. See also: 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalms 51:14; Psalms 12:6.
עַמֶּ֔/ךָ
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms | Suff
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
לְ/יֵ֖שַׁע
yeshaʻ
H3468
"salvation"
Prep | N-ms
Refers to salvation or deliverance, like in Psalm 119:123 where the writer asks for salvation from God, and can also mean prosperity or victory.
Definition: 1) deliverance, salvation, rescue, safety, welfare 1a) safety, welfare, prosperity 1b) salvation 1c) victory
Usage: Occurs in 35 OT verses. KJV: safety, salvation, saving. See also: 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalms 51:14; Psalms 12:6.
אֶת
ʼêth
H854
"with"
Prep
This Hebrew preposition means 'with' or 'near', indicating a close relationship or physical proximity. It's used in Genesis 1:26 to describe God's relationship with humanity, and in many other places to show connection or closeness.
Definition: 1) with, near, together with 1a) with, together with 1b) with (of relationship) 1c) near (of place) 1d) with (poss.) 1e) from...with, from (with other prep)
Usage: Occurs in 787 OT verses. KJV: against, among, before, by, for, from, in(-to), (out) of, with. Often with another prepositional prefix. See also: Genesis 4:1; Genesis 42:32; Numbers 1:5.
מְשִׁיחֶ֑/ךָ
mâshîyach
H4899
"anointed"
N-ms | Suff
Messiah means anointed one, referring to a king, priest, or the Messiah in the Bible. It describes someone set apart for a special purpose. The term is used in the Old Testament to describe kings and priests, and in the New Testament to describe Jesus.
Definition: 1) anointed, anointed one 1a) of the Messiah, Messianic prince 1b) of the king of Israel 1c) of the high priest of Israel 1d) of Cyrus 1e) of the patriarchs as anointed kings
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: anointed, Messiah. See also: Leviticus 4:3; 2 Samuel 22:51; Psalms 2:2.
מָחַ֤צְתָּ
mâchats
H4272
"to wound"
V-Qal-Perf-2ms
This Hebrew word means to severely wound or shatter something, like in Psalm 38:5 where David describes his emotional pain. It implies a violent or forceful action, causing harm or destruction. In the Bible, it is often used to describe physical harm.
Definition: 1) to smite through, shatter, wound severely 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shatter 1a2) shattering (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: dip, pierce (through), smite (through), strike through, wound. See also: Numbers 24:8; Job 26:12; Psalms 18:39.
רֹּאשׁ֙
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
מִ/בֵּ֣ית
bayith
H1004
"place"
Prep | N-ms
The Hebrew word for house refers to a dwelling place, including a family home, temple, or even the human body. It appears in various contexts, such as the temple in Jerusalem or the household of a family. In the Bible, it is often used to describe a place of worship or a family's living space.
Definition: nm place, origin, between
Usage: Occurs in 1712 OT verses. KJV: court, daughter, door, [phrase] dungeon, family, [phrase] forth of, [idiom] great as would contain, hangings, home(born), (winter) house(-hold), inside(-ward), palace, place, [phrase] prison, [phrase] steward, [phrase] tablet, temple, web, [phrase] within(-out). See also: Genesis 6:14; Exodus 8:5; Numbers 1:45.
רָשָׁ֔ע
râshâʻ
H7563
"wicked"
Adj
This word describes someone who is morally wrong, a bad person who is guilty of crime or sin against God or others. It is used to describe the wicked in biblical stories, such as in the book of Genesis.
Definition: 1) wicked, criminal 1a) guilty one, one guilty of crime (subst) 1b) wicked (hostile to God) 1c) wicked, guilty of sin (against God or man)
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong. See also: Genesis 18:23; Psalms 101:8; Psalms 1:1.
עָר֛וֹת
ʻârâh
H6168
"to uncover"
V-Piel-Ptc
This Hebrew word means to uncover or make something bare, and is used in various contexts, including being naked or pouring something out. It appears in Deuteronomy 28:48 and Isaiah 32:11. The KJV translates it as 'uncover' or 'empty'.
Definition: 1) to be bare, be nude, uncover, leave destitute, discover, empty, raze, pour out 1a) (Piel) 1a1) to bare, lay bare 1a2) to lay bare by emptying, empty 1a3) to pour out 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to make naked, strip bare (of sexual offences) 1b2) to pour out 1c) (Niphal) to be poured out, be exposed 1d) (Hithpael) 1d1) to expose oneself, make oneself naked 1d2) pouring oneself, spreading oneself (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 14 OT verses. KJV: leave destitute, discover, empty, make naked, pour (out), rase, spread self, uncover. See also: Genesis 24:20; Isaiah 3:17; Psalms 37:35.
יְס֥וֹד
yᵉçôwd
H3247
"foundation"
N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to a literal or figurative foundation, like the base of a building or the starting point of a plan. It's used in descriptions of construction and repair in the Bible. The concept is essential in understanding biblical architecture and planning.
Definition: 1) foundation, base 1a) foundation 1b) base, bottom
Usage: Occurs in 20 OT verses. KJV: bottom, foundation, repairing See also: Exodus 29:12; 2 Chronicles 24:27; Psalms 137:7.
עַד
ʻad
H5704
"till"
Prep
This Hebrew word means until or as far as, describing a point in time or space. It's used in the Bible to set boundaries or limits, like in Exodus when describing the Israelites' journey.
Definition: prep 1) as far as, even to, until, up to, while, as far as 1a) of space 1a1) as far as, up to, even to 1b) in combination 1b1) from...as far as, both...and (with 'min' -from) 1c) of time 1c1) even to, until, unto, till, during, end 1d) of degree 1d1) even to, to the degree of, even like conj 2) until, while, to the point that, so that even Aramaic equivalent: ad (עַד "till" H5705)
Usage: Occurs in 1128 OT verses. KJV: against, and, as, at, before, by (that), even (to), for(-asmuch as), (hither-) to, [phrase] how long, into, as long (much) as, (so) that, till, toward, until, when, while, ([phrase] as) yet. See also: Genesis 3:19; Exodus 32:20; Numbers 23:24.
צַוָּ֖אר
tsavvâʼr
H6677
"neck"
N-ms
This term describes a necklace or ornament worn around the neck, signifying beauty and status, as in Ezekiel 23:25. It represents the adornment of God's people.
Definition: 1) neck, back of neck 1a) neck, back of neck (of man) 1b) neck (of animals) Aramaic equivalent: tsav.var (צַוַּאר "neck" H6676)
Usage: Occurs in 38 OT verses. KJV: neck. See also: Genesis 27:16; Song of Solomon 7:5; Psalms 75:6.
סֶֽלָה
çelâh
H5542
"Selah"
Part
Selah is a musical term in the Bible that signals a pause or interruption in the music, like a rest in a song, often used in Psalms. It is a technical term that sets a moment for reflection and contemplation, as seen in Psalm 3:2.
Definition: § 1) to lift up, exalt 1a) Selah 1a1) a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: Selah. See also: Psalms 3:3; Psalms 62:5; Psalms 3:5.
Study Notes — Habakkuk 3:13
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Habakkuk 3:13 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 3:13
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 3:13
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
- Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
- Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
- Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 3:13
- Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 3:13
- Sermons on Habakkuk 3:13
Context — Habakkuk’s Prayer
11Sun and moon stood still in their places at the flash of Your flying arrows, at the brightness of Your shining spear.
12You marched across the earth with fury; You threshed the nations in wrath.
13You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked and stripped him from head to toe. Selah
14With his own spear You pierced his head, when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though ready to secretly devour the weak. 15You trampled the sea with Your horses, churning the great waters.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 110:6 | He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. |
| 2 | Psalms 105:15 | “Do not touch My anointed ones! Do no harm to My prophets!” |
| 3 | Psalms 68:19–23 | Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death. Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways. The Lord said, “I will retrieve them from Bashan, I will bring them up from the depths of the sea, that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes— the tongues of your dogs in the same.” |
| 4 | Joshua 10:11 | As they fled before Israel along the descent from Beth-horon to Azekah, the LORD cast down on them large hailstones from the sky, and more of them were killed by the hailstones than by the swords of the Israelites. |
| 5 | Psalms 28:8 | The LORD is the strength of His people, a stronghold of salvation for His anointed. |
| 6 | Exodus 15:1–2 | Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. |
| 7 | Joshua 11:8 | and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who struck them down and pursued them all the way to Greater Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and eastward as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, leaving no survivors. |
| 8 | Joshua 10:24 | When they had brought the kings to Joshua, he summoned all the men of Israel and said to the army commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks. |
| 9 | Exodus 14:13–14 | But Moses told the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the LORD’s salvation, which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians you see today, you will never see again. The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.” |
| 10 | Joshua 11:12 | Joshua captured all these kings and their cities and put them to the sword. He devoted them to destruction, as Moses the LORD’s servant had commanded. |
Habakkuk 3:13 Summary
[Habakkuk 3:13 tells us that God goes out to save His people and defeat their enemies, just like He did for the Israelites in the Old Testament, as seen in Exodus 14:30. This verse reminds us that God is a powerful and mighty Savior who can rescue us from any situation, as promised in Psalm 107:20. We can trust in God's power and salvation, knowing that He will ultimately defeat all evil and bring victory to those who belong to Him, as seen in Revelation 19:11-16. By looking to God as our Savior and Deliverer, we can have confidence and hope in His love and care for us.]
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God 'went forth for the salvation of Your people' in Habakkuk 3:13?
This refers to God's actions to rescue and deliver His people, as seen in other scriptures like Exodus 14:30, where He parted the Red Sea to save the Israelites from the Egyptians, and Psalm 106:10, which mentions God's redemption of His people from the hand of the enemy.
Who is 'Your anointed' in Habakkuk 3:13?
The term 'Your anointed' likely refers to God's chosen leaders or the Messiah, as seen in Psalm 2:2, which mentions the Lord's Anointed, and Isaiah 61:1, which refers to the anointing of the Messiah to bring good news to the poor.
What does it mean to 'crush the head of the house of the wicked' in Habakkuk 3:13?
This phrase is an idiomatic expression meaning to defeat or destroy the leader or power of the wicked, similar to Genesis 3:15, where God says He will put enmity between the serpent and the woman, and the serpent's head will be crushed.
What is the significance of 'stripping him from head to toe' in Habakkuk 3:13?
This phrase likely means to completely defeat or humiliate the enemy, leaving them without power or strength, similar to Isaiah 22:17, which mentions being stripped naked and carried away.
Reflection Questions
- How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's power and salvation in my own life?
- What are some ways I can see God's deliverance and salvation in my life, just like the Israelites experienced in the Old Testament?
- How does this verse relate to Jesus Christ, who is our ultimate salvation and deliverer, as seen in Acts 4:12?
- What does this verse teach me about God's character and His attitude towards the wicked and the righteous?
Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 3:13
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of that people, [even] for salvation with thine anointed,.... Or, "thy Messiah"; which Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret of Messiah the son of David; and read and
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 3:13
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
Thou wentest forth: pursuant of his metaphor, the prophet speaks of God as marching on before his people; or it may refer to the ark, a token of God’ s presence before the people. For the salvation; to complete the salvation begun in bringing them out of Egypt, and carrying them through the wilderness, and to be finished in settling them in Canaan. Of the people; thy chosen people, the tribes of thine inheritance. Even for salvation: it is repeated for confirmation, and to affect us with the greatness of the mercy. With thine anointed; or, for thine anointed, i.e. all Israel; or under the conduct of thine anointed, Joshua, type of the Messiah, by whose hand all these great things were done. Thou woundedst the head; gavest a deadly wound to the princes and kings of Canaan, enemies to Israel, who were cut off, and their families utterly destroyed. Out of the house; royal palaces, or ancient dwellings, and settled habitations; of which slaughter of Canaanitish kings, see . Of the wicked; the courts of these kings were houses of greatest wickednesses, for which they were destroyed. By discovering the foundation unto the neck: razing the foundations of their power, and destroying all from foot to head. Selah: all which is to be heeded, and well minded.
Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
Habakkuk 3:13 Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, [even] for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.Ver. 13. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people] q.d. Thou wast Generalissimo grand general in our expeditions, in the days of the judges, who therefore were so successful. How could they be otherwise, when God came with them into the field? If Queen Elizabeth could take for her motto, Cui adhaereo, praeest, He to whom I adhere prevaileth, how much more may Almighty God say as much? Even for salvation with thine anointed] i.e. With David, 1 Samuel 16:12-13; 2 Samuel 5:3; 2 Samuel 5:17; 2 Samuel 19:22; 2 Samuel 22:51; Psalms 20:7; a lively type of Christ, that Messiah the prince, the mystery of which promised Saviour the ancient Jewish doctors confessed to be contained in this text. It is not altogether unlikely that the prophet might intend here to point at Jesus Christ, when he saith, for salvation (Jeshang, whence Jesus) for thine anointed, or thy Christ. There are those who read the words in the future tense, thus: Thou shalt go forth for the salvation of thy people, sc. when Messiah, the great Sospitator, preserver cometh: thou shalt wound the head of the wicked, sc. of the devil, Romans 16:20.
Thou shalt make naked the foundation of his kingdom, unto the neck. Selah: thou shalt utterly destroy sin, death, and hell. A remarkable mercy indeed, a mystery of greatest concernment, and most worthy to be considered. Gualther carries the sense this way; and yet addeth, that if any please to refer the words to the history of the Old Testament, they must be understood as those tyrants that persecuted the true Church, and whom God, for Christ’ s sake, subdued and subverted, together with their kingdoms.
Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
(13) Thou wentest.—Here the verbs, though past, are best rendered by the English present. Even for salvation . . .—Better, even for the salvation of Thine anointed—scil., Thy chosen people, as also, perhaps, in Psalms 105:15. The rendering of the Authorised Version has the support of Aquila and the Quinta. It is a possible rendering, but few impartial Hebraists will deny that the other is preferable. In the last half of the verse two figures are blended—those of a house and a human body. Literally, it runs, Thou crushest the head of the house of the wicked (comp. Psalms 110:6), laying bare the foundation even to the neck. The obvious meaning is that the house or race of the Chaldæans is to be destroyed, “root and branch.”
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Habakkuk 3:13
Verse 13. Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people] Their deliverance would not have been effected but through thy interference. For salvation with thine anointed] That is, with Joshua, whom God had anointed, or solemnly appointed to fill the place of Moses, and lead the people into the promised land. If we read, with the common text, משיחך meshichecha, "thy anointed," the singular number, Joshua is undoubtedly meant, who was God's instrument to put the people in possession of Canaan: but if, with several MSS. and some copies of the Septuagint, we read משיחיך meshicheycha, "thy anointed ones," the Israelites must be intended. They are frequently called God's anointed, or God's saints. The sense is very far-fetched when applied to Jesus Christ. Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked] This alludes to the slaying of the first-born through all the land of Egypt. These were the heads of the houses or families. By discovering the foundation unto the neck.] The general meaning of this clause is sufficiently plain: the government of these lands should be utterly subverted; the very foundations of it should be razed. But what means unto the neck, עד צואר ad tsavvar?
Several critics read עד צור ad tsur, "Unto the ROCK," that on which the house is founded: and this very intelligible reading is obtained by the omission of a single letter, א aleph, from the word צוער, This conjecture has been adopted by Newcome, though unsupported either by MS. or version. But is the conjecture necessary? I think not: read the verse as it ought to be read, and all will be plain. "Thou hast wounded the head even unto the neck, in the house of the wicked, by laying bare the foundation." The whole head, neck, and all are cut off. There was no hope left to the Egyptians, because the first-born of every family was cut off, so that the very foundation was laid bare, no first-born being left to continue the heirship of families.
Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 3:13
13. Thou wentest forth] Thou art come forth. for salvation with thine anointed] for the salvation (deliverance) of thine anointed. The term “anointed” was used properly of the king (1 Samuel 24:6), or of the priest (1 Samuel 2:35), but in later times it was employed more generally, e.g. of the Patriarchs (Psalms 105:15), of Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1), and here it appears to designate the people, according to the parallelism with the preceding clause. Comp. Psalms 89:38; Psalms 89:51. In Isaiah 55:3-5 the promises made to David are represented as being inherited by the people. Thou woundedst the head] thou hast shattered, or as R.V. marg. thou hast smitten off the head from the house. By discovering the foundation] laying bare the foundation. The “wicked” is the heathen foe of Israel; if the Theophany of the Exodus be described he is either the nation of the Egyptians or Pharaoh. This foe is compared to a house the top of which is smitten away from it, so that it falls to pieces and the foundation is laid bare.
Comp. Amos 9:1, “Smite the chapiters that the thresholds may shake, and break them to pieces on the head of all of them.” unto the neck] The phrase to discover or lay bare the foundations means to destroy utterly and throw down the structure raised upon the foundations so that these appear (Micah 1:6). Hence in Psalms 137:7 it is said, “Lay bare even unto the foundation.” This suggests that “lay bare” was used in the general sense of destroy, rase (as A.V.). In the present passage the “head” was said to be shattered away from the house, and in this clause it is added that the house from foundation to “neck,” i.e. up to the shattered head, was rased. Possibly “rase unto the neck” was a proverbial expression, meaning to rase utterly. Baethgen (Psalmen, p. 414) proposes to read rock (a somewhat similar word) for “neck”—the foundation unto the rock. This circumstantiality is rather trivial; and the proposed reading rests on a misconception of the meaning of the phrase “lay bare the foundation.’
Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 3:13
Thou wentest forth - Even a Jew says of this place, Kimchi: “The past is here used for the future; and this is frequent in the language of prophecy; for prophecy, although it be future, yet since it
Sermons on Habakkuk 3:13
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(Through the Bible) Psalms 107-115 by Chuck Smith | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the importance of talking about God and declaring His works with rejoicing. He emphasizes that God loves when people speak often of Him and ke |
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How to Deal With Vandals by Denis Lyle | Denis Lyle preaches on how to deal with vandals, drawing parallels between the church under attack in Revelation and a modern-day church facing hostility. He discusses the story of |
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Touch Not Mine Anointed, and Do My Prophets No Harm by A.B. Simpson | A.B. Simpson emphasizes the grave consequences of speaking against God's servants, likening it to playing with dangerous forces. He warns that slander and gossip can lead to person |
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The Wrath of God Lessons From Scripture by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the contemplation of the wrath of God as a means to develop compassion for the lost and to make unbelievers take notice. The speaker also hig |
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The Lord in Perspective by Stuart Briscoe | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the glory of the ascended Lord. The message of the Christian Gospel is that God sent his son to the depths and raised him up to the heights. |
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The Generosity of God by William MacDonald | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the generosity of God in both nature and the spiritual realm. He emphasizes that God is often unappreciated despite his abundant blessings. Th |
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Habitation or Visitation? by David Ravenhill | In this sermon, the speaker begins by discussing the significance of the earthly tabernacle as a representation of God's dwelling place throughout eternity. He then uses the analog |