Habakkuk 3:9 kjv
Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.
Habakkuk 3:9 nkjv
Your bow was made quite ready; Oaths were sworn over Your arrows. Selah You divided the earth with rivers.
Habakkuk 3:9 niv
You uncovered your bow, you called for many arrows. You split the earth with rivers;
Habakkuk 3:9 esv
You stripped the sheath from your bow, calling for many arrows. Selah You split the earth with rivers.
Habakkuk 3:9 nlt
You brandished your bow
and your quiver of arrows.
You split open the earth with flowing rivers.
Habakkuk 3 9 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 14:21 | Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back... | God splitting water, making a path |
| Num 16:31-32 | As soon as he finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart. | Earth splitting for judgment |
| Deut 32:23-24 | ‘And I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend my arrows upon them...' | God's arrows as instruments of judgment |
| Ps 7:12-13 | If a man does not repent, God will whet His sword; He has bent and readied His bow. | God preparing for judgment |
| Ps 18:7-9 | Then the earth reeled and rocked; the foundations of the mountains trembled... | God's powerful manifestation |
| Ps 45:5 | Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king's enemies; the peoples fall under you. | Arrows for vanquishing foes |
| Ps 68:7-8 | When You went out, O God, before Your people... the earth trembled... | Theophany, God's march for His people |
| Ps 74:15 | You split open springs and torrents; You dried up ever-flowing streams. | God's power over water and earth |
| Ps 78:15-16 | He split rocks in the wilderness and gave them drink as from the great deep. | Water from rock, God provides/controls water |
| Ps 89:34-35 | I will not violate My covenant or alter the word that went forth from My lips... | God's faithfulness to His oath/decree |
| Isa 30:27 | Behold, the Name of the Lord comes from afar... with mighty bursting flood. | God coming with overwhelming power |
| Isa 42:13 | The Lord goes out like a mighty man, like a warrior He stirs up His zeal... | God as divine warrior |
| Isa 43:19-20 | I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert... | God creating new paths/provisions |
| Jer 4:23-24 | I looked on the earth, and behold, it was formless and void; and to the heavens... | God's power to reorder creation |
| Ezek 5:16 | when I send against them the deadly arrows of famine... | God's arrows as judgments of calamity |
| Zech 9:14 | Then the Lord will appear over them, and His arrow will go forth like lightning. | God's swift judgment |
| Joel 2:10 | The earth quakes before them; the heavens tremble. The sun and the moon are darkened... | Earth-shaking divine presence |
| Amos 8:8 | Will not the land tremble on this account and everyone mourn who dwells in it...? | Earth's response to divine judgment |
| Nah 1:5 | The mountains quake before Him; the hills melt away. The earth heaves before Him... | God's power over natural elements |
| Heb 6:17-18 | So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of His purpose, He guaranteed it with an oath. | God's unwavering commitment by oath |
| Heb 12:26-27 | At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised... | God's earth-shaking power, last judgment |
| Rev 6:12 | ...and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth... | Earthly upheavals in judgment |
| Rev 16:18 | And there were flashes of lightning, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake... | Cosmic judgment accompanies divine action |
Habakkuk 3 verses
Habakkuk 3 9 Meaning
Habakkuk 3:9 depicts the Lord God as a formidable divine warrior preparing for battle. "Your bow was made bare" signifies God revealing His full power and readiness for action, bringing forth His instrument of judgment. "And Your arrows were made ready by a sworn decree" emphasizes that God's forthcoming acts are not arbitrary but are executed according to His sovereign and unwavering covenant promises and divine word. "You split the earth with rivers" dramatically illustrates God's absolute power over creation, capable of altering the landscape profoundly, perhaps to create a path for His divine march or to execute judgment by unleashing overwhelming forces, reminiscent of His miraculous interventions in Israel's history. The entire verse portrays the irresistible advance of God to accomplish His will and uphold His justice.
Habakkuk 3 9 Context
Habakkuk 3:9 is part of a magnificent prayer (Habakkuk 3:1-19), often referred to as a psalm of theophany. It's a vivid depiction of God's coming in majesty and power, specifically against the background of the impending Babylonian invasion that distressed the prophet. Chapters 1 and 2 detail Habakkuk's wrestling with God over the injustice of His people and the impending judgment by Babylon. Chapter 3 is Habakkuk's response of faith, acknowledging God's past works and anticipating His future intervention. Verse 9 is situated within the dramatic account (3:3-15) describing the Lord's terrifying and glorious appearance from Mount Paran, moving like a divine warrior, with pestilence and plagues preceding Him. This verse specifically emphasizes God's preparation and instruments for the divine conflict, assuring Habakkuk and the faithful remnant that God will indeed act powerfully for their deliverance and justice.
Habakkuk 3 9 Word analysis
Your bow (קַשְׁתֶּךָ - qashteka): Refers to God's own weapon. In biblical imagery, the bow often symbolizes power, war, and the instrument by which God executes judgment or brings deliverance. The possession of the bow indicates sovereignty and the ability to strike down adversaries or rescue. It signifies direct divine agency.
was made bare / uncovered (חֲשׂוֹף תֶּעֱרֶה - ḥasof te'ĕreh): The Hebrew root means to strip naked, uncover, or reveal. In this context, it suggests the bow is being drawn from its quiver or sheath, exposed and ready for use. It symbolizes God’s readiness for decisive action; His power is no longer concealed but fully displayed for the world to see and experience.
and Your arrows were made ready / the rods by oath (שְׁבֻעוֹת מַטּוֹת אֹמֶר - shĕvu'ot maṭṭot 'omer):
- sworn decree / by oath (שְׁבֻעוֹת - shĕvu'ot): This highlights the binding and unchangeable nature of God’s intention. God’s actions are not impulsive but flow from His divinely sworn promises or immutable decrees, whether of judgment or deliverance. This points to the covenantal faithfulness of God.
- the rods / arrows (מַטּוֹת - maṭṭot): While primarily meaning "rods" or "staves," some translations and interpretations render it as "arrows" due to the context of the "bow." If "rods," it implies instruments of authority, punishment, or scepter-like decrees. If "arrows," it complements the bow imagery as literal projectiles of divine judgment or execution. The ambiguity emphasizes God's varied means of exercising His powerful will.
- by
omer(אֹמֶר - 'omer): Signifies "word," "utterance," or "decree." This reinforces that God's power is governed by His spoken, authoritative word. It underlines that His judgments and actions are preordained and align with His divine pronouncements.
You split / cleaved (תְבַקַּע - tevaqqa'): A strong verb meaning to burst forth, break open, or tear apart with great force. It conveys an image of profound disruption and restructuring of creation, signifying immense, irresistible power.
the earth (
arets- אָרֶץ): Refers to the land or the ground. This shows God's direct and overwhelming power over the very fabric of the physical world.with rivers / channels (פְּלָגִים - pelaggim): Suggests that God either brings forth massive streams or carves out deep valleys or channels through His powerful cleaving. This could represent a flood, the parting of the sea, or the gushing of water from rock, all symbols of God's direct intervention in creation, either to provide, destroy, or forge a path for His movement.
Habakkuk 3 9 Bonus section
The Selah (סֶלָה) found after "omer" in the Hebrew text serves as a pause for reflection. This common Psalm notation encourages the reader to ponder the gravity of God's revealed power and the profound implications of His covenant faithfulness. The theological implication is that God's acts, though powerful and perhaps terrifying, are always deliberate and anchored in His eternal decrees, offering a basis for trust even amidst profound fear or confusion. The phrase "split the earth with rivers" can also be seen not just as destructive power but as God bringing life (water in a parched land) in unexpected ways, thus creating a pathway for His people or for new beginnings, echoing wilderness miracles. This versatility in imagery underscores the multifaceted nature of divine power and purpose.
Habakkuk 3 9 Commentary
Habakkuk 3:9 is a dramatic declaration of God's active preparation for intervention. It shifts the perspective from Habakkuk’s lament to God's sovereign might. The imagery of the "uncovered bow" and "ready arrows" powerfully conveys God as the divine warrior, poised to execute His will. This is not a hidden power but one openly displayed and set in motion by His infallible, covenantal "oath" or "decree." God's actions are purposed, rooted in His truth and faithfulness. The astounding act of "splitting the earth with rivers" demonstrates His unparalleled command over all creation. This might recall specific historical interventions like the parting of the Red Sea or water from the rock, showcasing His power to clear a path for His people or pour out judgment upon His enemies. This verse instills confidence that no obstacle is too great for the Almighty God, who, in His divine timing and by His immutable word, will manifest His justice and secure His covenant purposes. For the believer, it affirms God’s active involvement in human history, always faithful to His character and word, ready to deliver His people and judge injustice.