Habakkuk 1:16-17

1:16 Because of his success ¹  he offers sacrifices to his throw net

and burns incense to his dragnet; ² 

for because of them he has plenty of food, ³ 

and more than enough to eat. ⁴ 

1:17 Will he then ⁵  continue to fill and empty his throw net? ⁶ 

Will he always ⁷  destroy ⁸  nations and spare none? ⁹ 

[1:16]  ¹ tn Heb “therefore.”

[1:16]  ² sn The fishing implements (throw net and dragnet) represent Babylonian military might. The prophet depicts the Babylonians as arrogantly worshiping their own power (sacrifices…burns incense, see also v. 11b).

[1:16]  ³ tn Heb “for by them his portion is full [or, “fat”].”

[1:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “and his food is plentiful [or, “fat”].”

[1:17]  ⁵ tn Or “therefore.”

[1:17]  ⁶ tn Heb “Will he then empty his throw net?” The words “continue to fill and” are supplied in the translation for clarification.

[1:17]  ⁷ tn Or “continually.”

[1:17]  ⁸ tn Heb “kill.”

[1:17]  ⁹ tn Or “without showing compassion.”