Habakkuk 3 4

Habakkuk 3:4 kjv

And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.

Habakkuk 3:4 nkjv

His brightness was like the light; He had rays flashing from His hand, And there His power was hidden.

Habakkuk 3:4 niv

His splendor was like the sunrise; rays flashed from his hand, where his power was hidden.

Habakkuk 3:4 esv

His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand; and there he veiled his power.

Habakkuk 3:4 nlt

His coming is as brilliant as the sunrise.
Rays of light flash from his hands,
where his awesome power is hidden.

Habakkuk 3 verses

Habakkuk 3 4 Meaning

Habakkuk 3:4 vividly portrays the majestic and powerful appearance of God, often referred to as a theophany. His glorious presence radiates with an intense brilliance, likened to the breaking of dawn, illuminating all. From His hand—a symbol of His active power and sovereign agency—emanate brilliant rays of light, yet these very manifestations simultaneously serve as a veil, hinting at the immeasurable, uncontainable depth of His ultimate power and divine essence, which remains beyond full human comprehension.

Habakkuk 3 4 Context

Habakkuk chapter 3 is a powerful prayer or psalm of the prophet, likely intended for public worship. Following Habakkuk's dialogue with God in chapters 1 and 2—where he questioned God's justice in allowing the wicked Chaldeans (Babylonians) to oppress Judah—this chapter marks a profound shift from complaint to unwavering faith and hopeful adoration. Habakkuk 3:3-15 describes a dramatic theophany, God's self-manifestation in glorious power. This vivid portrayal draws heavily on traditional Israelite memories of God's intervention in history, such as the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai. The purpose of recounting God's majestic appearance and mighty deeds is to provide a solid foundation for Habakkuk's, and Judah's, faith during an imminent period of great trial. The verse functions within this theophanic narrative to depict God as a supreme, awe-inspiring, and omnipotent warrior-King, thereby reinforcing the certainty of His future deliverance and judgment, despite the overwhelming present threat. It also serves as an implicit polemic against pagan deities, declaring Yahweh alone as the source of true light, power, and authority, eclipsing any lesser "sun gods" or deities of strength.

Habakkuk 3 4 Word analysis

• His splendor (וְנֹגַהּ, wᵉnōgah):
  • Word: nōgah (נֹגַהּ) refers to a radiant brightness, effulgence, or splendor, derived from a root meaning "to shine."
  • Significance: This is a direct descriptor of divine glory and visible light emanating from God's presence. It signifies the absolute purity, majesty, and unapproachable brilliance that accompanies God. It is a light that overwhelms and manifests divinity.
• was like the sunrise (אוֹר, 'ōr):
  • Word: 'ōr (אוֹר) means light, specifically intense, brilliant, or illuminating light, often associated with the light of day or dawn.
  • Significance: Comparing God's splendor to the sunrise emphasizes not just static brilliance, but an active, ever-increasing light that dispels darkness. It signifies clarity, life, and the promise of a new day. This imagery positions God as the ultimate source of all light, superior to any celestial body revered by surrounding cultures.
• rays (קֶרֶן, qeren):
  • Word: qeren (קֶרֶן) primarily means "horn" and by extension "power" or "strength" (e.g., Psa 75:4). In contexts of light or a shining face, it also carries the meaning of "rays," "flashes," or "radiance" (e.g., Exod 34:29-30, 35 regarding Moses' shining face).
  • Significance: The deliberate double entendre of qeren is crucial. It conveys both literal beams of light emanating from God and the profound strength, authority, and inherent power (like a horn of an ox or a king) that these rays embody. God's light is not merely aesthetic; it is active power made visible.
• streamed from His hand (מִיָּדוֹ לוֹ, mîyāḏōw lōw):
  • Word: yad (יָד) means "hand," an anthropomorphism representing God's active power, agency, and direct action. lōw means "to him" or "for himself," indicating the source or origin.
  • Significance: The phrase emphasizes that the divine power and radiance are not external or ambient but actively stream forth from God's very being and intentional agency. God is the direct source and dispenser of this power, demonstrating His sovereign control and will in all His manifestations and actions.
• where His power (עֻזּוֹ, 'uzzōw):
  • Word: 'uzzōw (עֻזּוֹ) refers to strength, might, or divine power, often describing God's omnipotence.
  • Significance: This word explicitly names the core attribute being manifested and simultaneously veiled. It is not just light, but the very essence of God's overwhelming might, confirming His absolute ability to act according to His will, both in judgment and salvation.
• was veiled (וְשָׁם חֶבְיון, wᵉshām ḥeḇyōwn):
  • Word: ḥeḇyōwn (חֶבְיון) means "a hiding," "a concealment," or "a veiled place," from the verb ḥaḇāh (to hide).
  • Significance: This word presents a profound theological paradox. Even in God's radiant revelation, there is an aspect of concealment. It implies that while God reveals enough of Himself to be known and trusted, His infinite power and divine essence cannot be fully apprehended or contained by human understanding. This veiling protects finite humanity from God's full, unmediated glory, which is too powerful to perceive directly, and safeguards the mystery and transcendence of the Almighty. It signifies His unknowable depths even in His revelation.

Words-group Analysis:

• "His splendor was like the sunrise; rays streamed from His hand": This paints a picture of God's presence as the source of all ultimate power and light. The comparison to the sunrise evokes concepts of purity, overwhelming brightness, and life-giving energy that dispels all darkness. The rays emanating directly from His "hand" underscore the active, intentional, and personal nature of this power. It is not an impersonal force but the sovereign will and might of God manifested in dynamic action.
• "where His power was veiled": This phrase introduces the crucial theological paradox of divine revelation. God is not merely visible but His very manifestation (splendor, rays) also functions to conceal the ultimate, uncontainable magnitude of His power. While we see the effects of His might and catch glimpses of His glory, His essential being remains veiled. This veiling implies the infinite transcendence of God, assuring humanity that His power is far beyond full human grasp or comprehension, fostering humility and reverence.

Habakkuk 3 4 Bonus section

The imagery of "horns" as "rays" in Habakkuk 3:4 potentially carries a polemic significance against certain ancient Near Eastern deities associated with sun worship (e.g., Shamash) or specific astral phenomena. By depicting Yahweh as the one whose very "splendor is like the sunrise" and from whose hand "rays" (horns of light/power) issue forth, the prophet implicitly declares God's absolute sovereignty and superior authority over all other sources of power or light revered by pagan nations. It highlights that the true source of all illuminating power and intrinsic strength is Yahweh alone. This theophany is not merely descriptive but is designed to evoke fear, reverence, and absolute trust, ensuring that the covenant people of God remember His powerful interventions and look forward to His future deliverance with unwavering faith.

Habakkuk 3 4 Commentary

Habakkuk 3:4 is a stunning declaration of God's ineffable glory and dynamic power during His magnificent appearance. The divine splendor, comparable to the most brilliant sunrise, illuminates and permeates everything, symbolizing purity, overcoming darkness, and new beginnings. From the "hand" of God—representing His direct agency and purposeful might—emanate piercing "rays," which are simultaneously shafts of light and emblems of His immense strength. Yet, a profound theological truth is unveiled here: these very manifestations, while revealing God, also "veil" the full, uncontainable measure of His ultimate power. This signifies that God's essence remains infinitely mysterious and beyond complete human comprehension, even as He graciously reveals aspects of Himself. The verse thus communicates both the terrifying majesty and the unsearchable depths of the Almighty, reassuring the prophet that the One who appears in such splendor is fully capable of executing His plans for justice and salvation, regardless of present challenges.