Habakkuk 1:11 kjv

Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.

Habakkuk 1:11 nkjv

Then his mind changes, and he transgresses; He commits offense, Ascribing this power to his god."

Habakkuk 1:11 niv

Then they sweep past like the wind and go on? guilty people, whose own strength is their god."

Habakkuk 1:11 esv

Then they sweep by like the wind and go on, guilty men, whose own might is their god!"

Habakkuk 1:11 nlt

They sweep past like the wind
and are gone.
But they are deeply guilty,
for their own strength is their god."

Habakkuk 1 verses

Habakkuk 1 11 Meaning

This verse describes the Babylonians (Chaldeans), identified as God's chosen instrument of judgment against Judah, portraying their swift and overwhelming advance. Despite being used by God, they are characterized as morally "guilty men" because of their profound spiritual error: they attribute their successes and power not to the true God, but to their own military might and human prowess, thereby making "their own strength" their deity.

Habakkuk 1 11 Context

Habakkuk 1 opens with the prophet Habakkuk voicing his lament and questioning God about the pervasive injustice and violence within Judah. God responds (1:5-11) by revealing His unexpected plan: He is raising up the Babylonians (Chaldeans), a fierce and swift nation, to execute judgment upon Judah. This response is startling to Habakkuk, who expected immediate divine intervention for Judah, not its conquest by an even more wicked power. Verse 11 provides a vivid description of these Babylonians: their overwhelming might and the spiritual foundation of their arrogance, which sets the stage for Habakkuk's subsequent deeper questioning of God's justice (1:12-17). The verse serves as a crucial theological marker, identifying the Babylonians not merely as military conquerors, but as profoundly guilty men because of their self-idolatry.

Habakkuk 1 11 Word analysis

• Then (אָז - 'āz): An adverb denoting consequence or sequence in time, meaning "at that time" or "consequently." It links this description of the Babylonians to their swift rise and terrifying capabilities mentioned in previous verses.
• they sweep on (חָלַף - ḥālaf): The verb ḥālaf means "to pass over," "to pass on quickly," or "to pass through." It often conveys rapid, even overwhelming motion, sometimes with an element of violence or destruction. Here, it paints a picture of aggressive and irresistible force, akin to a strong wind blowing over an area.
• like the wind (רוּחַ - rûaḥ): Rûaḥ signifies wind, spirit, or breath. The comparison emphasizes the Babylonians' immense speed, destructive power, and untraceable nature, moving with an overwhelming force that no one can withstand.
• and pass over (וְעָבַר - wəʿāvar): From the verb ʿāvar, meaning "to cross over," "to go over," "to pass by," or "to transgress." This word underscores their rapid movement, but also implies that they will transgress moral and humane boundaries in their conquest, showing no restraint. It foreshadows their later judgment because they "pass over" acceptable behavior.
• guilty men (אָשֵׁם הוּא - 'āšēm hû'): Literally, "guilty, he is." 'āšēm refers to someone who is culpable, legally or morally at fault, or subject to punishment for sin. Even though God is using them for His purpose, they are inherently wicked in their character and actions, accumulating guilt for their excessive cruelty and self-worship. This highlights divine justice; instruments of judgment are themselves judged.
• whose own strength (כֹּחוֹ - kōḥô): Kōaḥ means "strength," "power," "might," or "ability." The suffix denotes "his/its own." This points to the Babylonians' supreme reliance on their own physical and military prowess.
• is their god (אֱלֹהוֹ - 'ělōhō): 'Elōah is a general term for God or deity. The suffix makes it "his god." This is a definitive statement of their idolatry. They do not worship the true God, nor any other external deity in practice, but they deify their own inherent power, military might, and success. Their achievements are seen as a validation of their self-sufficiency and superior strength.

Habakkuk 1 11 Bonus section

The idea of deifying one's own strength is not unique to ancient Babylonians but is a perennial human temptation. It encapsulates the essence of human pride that stands against God. This theme resurfaces throughout Scripture: nations and individuals who attribute their success to their own hands inevitably face divine judgment. The fleeting nature of such self-derived power is always contrasted with the eternal and unshakeable power of the Lord. The paradox here is that the Babylonians, by deifying their strength, failed to recognize the true source of that strength—God Himself—who temporarily empowered them as an instrument for His purposes.

Habakkuk 1 11 Commentary

Habakkuk 1:11 pierces through the raw might of the Babylonian invaders to expose the heart of their wickedness: the idolatry of self-strength. The prophet observes them as an irresistible force, sweeping across lands with the destructive power of a hurricane. Yet, despite their divinely appointed role as instruments of judgment, God declares them "guilty men." This is a crucial distinction: God can use wicked nations, but their inherent sinfulness, particularly their arrogance and self-worship, never goes unnoticed or unpunished. Their supreme error lies in crediting their military triumphs and strategic genius not to the Almighty, but to their own might. This elevates their strength (kōaḥ) to the status of their ultimate deity ('ělōhō), marking a direct spiritual affront to the One true God. This verse therefore serves as both a descriptive statement of their conquering power and a prophetic condemnation of their underlying sin, foreshadowing their eventual downfall despite their initial overwhelming success. It also comforts the righteous who wait on God; though Babylon triumphs now, their foundational sin will ultimately lead to their undoing.