Habakkuk 3 5

Habakkuk 3:5 kjv

Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.

Habakkuk 3:5 nkjv

Before Him went pestilence, And fever followed at His feet.

Habakkuk 3:5 niv

Plague went before him; pestilence followed his steps.

Habakkuk 3:5 esv

Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.

Habakkuk 3:5 nlt

Pestilence marches before him;
plague follows close behind.

Habakkuk 3 verses

Habakkuk 3 5 Meaning

Habakkuk 3:5 vividly describes the awe-inspiring, fearsome presence of God during a theophany, where pestilence and burning coals precede and accompany Him. These elements are personified as instruments entirely subservient to God, acting as His harbingers and attendants. The verse emphasizes God's sovereign control over destructive forces, portraying His righteous judgment and power as an irresistible and all-consuming advance.

Habakkuk 3 5 Context

Habakkuk 3:5 is part of Habakkuk's prayer, a magnificent psalm (Habakkuk 3:1-19) that serves as the prophet's response to God's revelation of coming judgment. After lamenting injustice and questioning God's methods in Habakkuk chapters 1 and 2, the prophet receives divine assurance that God is sovereign and will indeed punish the wicked, including the Babylonians who are God's chosen instrument. Chapter 3 is a fervent prayer where Habakkuk recalls God's past powerful manifestations—His theophanies, particularly His coming from Teman and Mount Paran (alluding to the Sinai wilderness and Exodus journey). By remembering God's mighty acts of salvation and judgment in history, Habakkuk seeks renewed faith and strength to endure the imminent national catastrophe (the invasion by the Chaldeans). Verse 5, specifically, vividly depicts God's majestic and terrifying arrival, showcasing His complete command over instruments of destruction, signifying that judgment is always within His divine control and part of His purposeful activity. It reassures Habakkuk that even if Babylon is used as an instrument, God remains the ultimate, terrifyingly powerful sovereign.

Habakkuk 3 5 Word analysis

• Before him went (לְפָנָיו יֵלֶךְ, lephānāyw yēlēḵ):

  • לְפָנָיו (lephānāyw): "before his face," "in his presence." This signifies that "pestilence" and "burning coals" are not independent forces but are in God's immediate vanguard, preceding His majestic advent. They are subservient, obeying His will directly.
  • יֵלֶךְ (yēlēḵ): "went," "walks," "advances." Implies purposeful movement, an orderly procession as God marches. This is not chaotic but divinely directed.

• the pestilence (דֶּבֶר, dever):

  • Dever: Often translated as "plague" or "pestilence." It refers to widespread disease and death. In the Hebrew Bible, dever is consistently portrayed as a direct instrument of God's judgment and wrath (e.g., against Egypt in Exodus, against Israel in times of disobedience). It embodies God's power to afflict nations or individuals as a form of divine intervention. It highlights a silent, unseen, yet deadly aspect of divine judgment.

• and burning coals (וְרֶשֶׁף, wěresheph):

  • Wěresheph: The וְ (we) is "and."
  • Resheph: Translated variously as "flames," "burning coals," "fiery bolts," or "pestilence of burning fever." The word often carries connotations of intense heat, fire, or even lightning (Ps 78:48, 2 Kings 19:32, Job 5:7). Here, it signifies the destructive, consuming power associated with God's fiery presence. The term could also imply the hot wind or a specific disease characterized by burning fever, reinforcing the plague imagery. Resheph was also the name of a Canaanite deity associated with plague and fire, implying a strong polemic: God controls and utilizes what pagans worshipped.

• went forth (יֵצֵא, yēṣēʼ):

  • Yēṣēʼ: "goes out," "comes forth," "issues." Similar to yēlēḵ, it conveys the idea of emerging, moving forth with intentionality. This confirms the dynamic nature of God's arrival and the active deployment of His instruments.

• at his feet (בְּרַגְלָיו, běraglāyw):

  • בְּ (be): "at," "by," "with."
  • Raglāyw: "his feet." This phrase indicates these forces follow close behind Him, acting as His attendants or trailing manifestations. It can signify that they are under His direct command, stepping where He wills. "At his feet" emphasizes ultimate authority and effortless deployment—these destructive forces are merely under His direct stride, like obedient servants.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Before him went the pestilence": This phrase establishes God's majesty and sovereign control. Pestilence, often a terrifying, indiscriminate killer, is shown to be completely subordinate, merely "going before" God. It sets the stage for a divine appearance marked by both terror and purpose, unlike a random natural disaster.
• "and burning coals went forth at his feet": This expands the imagery of God's destructive power. "Burning coals" (or flames) are an embodiment of God's consuming wrath and power. The preposition "at his feet" indicates an even closer, more immediate connection and subservience to His presence, serving as His trailing edge or immediate aftermath. This implies nothing can escape His direct impact, reinforcing the imagery of irresistible power.

Habakkuk 3 5 Bonus section

The anthropomorphic (attributing human form/characteristics to God) and personifying language used here (went before him, at his feet) underscores the highly dynamic and personal nature of God's manifestation. Instead of abstract forces, pestilence and fire are portrayed as attendants, serving an intentional divine will. This also serves as a polemic against pagan deities like Resheph, common in Canaanite mythology, who were seen as chaotic or unpredictable forces. Habakkuk firmly asserts that the God of Israel alone orchestrates and commands such power; He is not merely identified with natural phenomena but is the ultimate controller, far surpassing any pagan god. This theophanic vision is not just a historical memory for Habakkuk, but a prophetic foreshadowing of divine visitations, ultimately culminating in the final, fiery judgment associated with the Lord's return.

Habakkuk 3 5 Commentary

Habakkuk 3:5 offers a profound glimpse into God's sovereign nature, especially concerning His attributes of justice and power. It's a striking image within a theophany, describing God's awesome descent in judgment and salvation. "Pestilence" and "burning coals" are not uncontrolled calamities but personalized servants utterly devoted to carrying out God's will. Their preceding and following motion (lephānāyw yēlēḵ, yēṣēʼ běraglāyw) speaks to the order and purpose behind divine action; nothing is haphazard in God's judgment.

The choice of dever (pestilence) and resheph (fiery bolt/burning heat) is deliberate. Dever evokes the silent, invisible, yet deadly plagues of God, such as those against Egypt, showcasing God's control over life and death. Resheph conjures images of God's fiery presence from Mount Sinai, a consuming fire, speaking to His holiness and devastating power against evil. This dual imagery presents God as one who judges both physically (pestilence) and utterly (fire), with a comprehensive reach. This serves as a strong reminder to Habakkuk, and to believers today, that the God who delivers also judges. He is the ultimate power who uses all things, even destructive forces, to achieve His righteous purposes. This should inspire both fear (reverence) and faith in His unwavering justice.