Habakkuk 3 1

Habakkuk 3:1 kjv

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth.

Habakkuk 3:1 nkjv

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, on Shigionoth.

Habakkuk 3:1 niv

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet. On shigionoth.

Habakkuk 3:1 esv

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.

Habakkuk 3:1 nlt

This prayer was sung by the prophet Habakkuk :

Habakkuk 3 1 Cross References

VerseTextReference
Habakkuk 3The prayer of Habakkuk the prophet.Habakkuk 3:1 (OT)
Psalm 77My voice I will cry to God, with my voice to God;...Psalm 77:1 (OT)
Psalm 77I called to remembrance my song in the night;...Psalm 77:6 (OT)
Psalm 143Hear my prayer, O LORD...Psalm 143:1 (OT)
Isaiah 12And in that day you will say: "Oh, LORD, I will praise You;...Isaiah 12:1 (OT)
Jeremiah 3But to whom shall I speak and give warning, that they may hear?Jeremiah 3:3 (OT)
Lamentations 3I call to remembrance things that give me hope.Lamentations 3:21 (OT)
Daniel 9Now therefore, our God, hear the prayer of Your servant...Daniel 9:17 (OT)
John 16I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.John 16:12 (NT)
Romans 15For I long to see you, that I may impart some spiritual gift...Romans 15:29 (NT)
1 Corinthians 1For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel,...1 Corinthians 1:17 (NT)
1 Peter 4As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another...1 Peter 4:10 (NT)
Revelation 5And they sang a new song, saying: "Worthy are You to take...Revelation 5:9 (NT)
Revelation 19Then I heard what sounded like a vast crowd of people...Revelation 19:6 (NT)
Genesis 17Abraham fell on his face, and God spoke to him...Genesis 17:3 (OT)
Exodus 3And the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire...Exodus 3:2 (OT)
1 Samuel 3Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, nor was the word of the LORD...1 Samuel 3:7 (OT)
2 Kings 19So the king of Israel went and met King Jehoshaphat...2 Kings 19:3 (OT)
Job 38Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind...Job 38:1 (OT)
Psalm 24The earth is the LORD’s, and all its fullness...Psalm 24:1 (OT)
Psalm 50The mighty one, God the LORD, has spoken...Psalm 50:1 (OT)
Psalm 85For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting...Psalm 85:8 (OT)
Psalm 100Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all you lands!Psalm 100:1 (OT)

Habakkuk 3 verses

Habakkuk 3 1 Meaning

Habakkuk 3:1 presents a prayer of the prophet Habakkuk, expressing his deep reverence and awe before God in anticipation of His powerful judgments and divine intervention. It is a plea steeped in solemnity and submission as the prophet prepares to declare God's mighty acts.

Habakkuk 3 1 Context

Habakkuk chapter 3 begins with Habakkuk identifying the preceding text as his prayer, a composition intended to express his emotional and theological response to God’s communication in chapter 2. This chapter is deeply liturgical, often referred to as a "psalm" or "prayer" within the prophetic literature. Habakkuk has just received troubling prophecies about the impending judgment of Judah through the Babylonian army. Chapter 3 is his personal and corporate plea to God, a reflection on past divine acts and a prayer for mercy and continued faithfulness amidst overwhelming crisis. It moves from personal distress to communal worship and a declaration of faith in God's sovereignty, even in the face of severe judgment. The prayer format indicates a profound personal engagement with God's Word and actions, demonstrating Habakkuk's submission and anticipation of God's ultimate vindication.

Habakkuk 3 1 Word Analysis

  • Upon Shigionoth:

    • Hebrew: שִׁגְיוֹנוֹת (shigyōnōt)
    • Meaning: This is a plural feminine noun. The exact meaning is debated among scholars. It likely refers to a type of song or psalm, possibly one characterized by wandering or varied emotions, or perhaps associated with a specific musical style or instruction for worship. Some interpret it as a prayer of the ignorant or erring, implying a state of humility before God. It's also considered a musical term indicating the instrumentation or musical key.
  • A prayer:

    • Hebrew: תְּפִלָּה (tĕphîllâ)
    • Meaning: A formal communication with God, encompassing petition, supplication, confession, and praise. Habakkuk frames his prophecy as a prayer, highlighting his engagement with God’s message on a deeply personal and spiritual level.
  • Of Habakkuk the prophet:

    • Hebrew: חֲבַקּוּק הַנָּבִיא (Ḥăḇaqqūq hannāḇî)
    • Meaning: Identifies the author and his prophetic office. Habakkuk is presented as one who receives and delivers God's message, and here, he is also seen actively communicating his response to God.

Habakkuk 3 1 Bonus Section

The structure of Habakkuk 3:1-19 as a prayer reflects a common motif in the Old Testament where prophetic declarations are embedded within or lead to prayer and praise. This prayer style echoes the Psalms, particularly those of lament and praise. The inclusion of "Shigionoth" highlights the ancient understanding of prophecy as intrinsically linked with music and communal worship, intended to be sung and proclaimed rather than merely read. This verse also implicitly demonstrates the nature of intercession, where the prophet, burdened by God’s message, takes it to God in prayer, seeking understanding and often relief or guidance for his people. The emotional journey described in the chapter—from dread to resolute faith—is channeled through prayer, portraying it as a vital mechanism for navigating divine revelation and executing divine justice.

Habakkuk 3 1 Commentary

Habakkuk 3:1 marks the transition from the prophet's questioning and God's answers to a profound, devotional prayer. The phrase "upon Shigionoth" suggests that this prayer is not merely a private utterance but a composition intended for public worship, set to a specific, though now uncertain, musical or lyrical style. This indicates that Habakkuk's prophetic message, especially concerning God's judgment and sovereign power, is to be understood as a form of worship and confession of faith. It underlines the prophetic role as not just a announcer of doom but also a mediator who brings the people's fears and hopes before God, engaging in dialogue that transforms pronouncements of judgment into opportunities for deepened trust. The prophet's prayer is a testament to the need for a responsive, prayerful engagement with God's word and dealings, even when they are terrifying.