Habakkuk 1:4

1:4 For this reason the law lacks power, ¹ 

and justice is never carried out. ² 

Indeed, ³  the wicked intimidate ⁴  the innocent. ⁵ 

For this reason justice is perverted. ⁶ 

Habakkuk 1:6

1:6 Look, I am about to empower ⁷  the Babylonians,

that ruthless ⁸  and greedy ⁹  nation.

They sweep across the surface ¹⁰  of the earth,

seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.

Habakkuk 3:6

3:6 He takes his battle position ¹¹  and shakes ¹²  the earth;

with a mere look he frightens ¹³  the nations.

The ancient mountains disintegrate; ¹⁴ 

the primeval hills are flattened.

He travels on the ancient roads. ¹⁵ 

[1:4]  ¹ tn Heb “the law is numb,” i.e., like a hand that has “fallen asleep” (see Ps 77:2). Cf. NAB “is benumbed”; NIV “is paralyzed.”

[1:4]  ² tn Heb “never goes out.”

[1:4]  ³ tn Or “for.”

[1:4]  ⁴ tn Heb “surround” (so NASB, NRSV).

[1:4]  ⁵ tn Or “righteous” (KJV, NASB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).

[1:4]  ⁶ tn Heb “comes out crooked.”

[1:6]  ⁷ tn Heb “raise up” (so KJV, ASV).

[1:6]  ⁸ tn Heb “bitter.” Other translation options for this word in this context include “fierce” (NASB, NRSV); “savage” (NEB); or “grim.”

[1:6]  ⁹ tn Heb “hasty, quick.” Some translate here “impetuous” (so NEB, NASB, NIV, NRSV) or “rash,” but in this context greed may very well be the idea. The Babylonians move quickly and recklessly ahead in their greedy quest to expand their empire.

[1:6]  ¹⁰ tn Heb “the open spaces.”

[3:6]  ¹³ tn Heb “he stands.”

[3:6]  ¹⁴ tn This verb has been traditionally understood as “measure” (from מוּד, mud), but the immediately following context (vv. 6b-7) favors the meaning “shake” from מָוד (mavd; see HALOT 555 s.v.).

[3:6]  ¹⁵ tn Heb “makes [the nations] jump [in fear].”

[3:6]  ¹⁶ tn Or “crumbled,” broke into pieces.”

[3:6]  ¹⁷ tn Heb “ancient ways [or, “doings”] are his.” The meaning of this line is unclear. Traditionally it has been translated, “his ways are eternal.” However, in this context (see vv. 3, 7) it is more likely that the line speaks of the Lord taking the same route as in the days of Moses and Deborah (see Deut 33:2; Judg 5:4). See J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 154.