What does Habakkuk 1:9 mean?
"They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand." - Habakkuk 1:9
The Bible verse Habakkuk 1:9 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "They shall come all for violence. Their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand."
The book of Habakkuk is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. It is a short book, consisting of only three chapters, and is unique in that it is largely a dialogue between the prophet Habakkuk and God. The book is set during a time of great unrest and turmoil in Judah, as the nation is facing the threat of invasion by the Babylonians. In this verse, Habakkuk is expressing his concern to God about the violence and destruction that he sees coming at the hands of the Babylonians.
The theme of violence is central to this verse, as it describes the ruthless and imposing nature of the invaders. The phrase "They shall come all for violence" emphasizes the destructive intent of the Babylonians, as they are driven by their aggressive and merciless nature. This reflects the widespread fear and devastation that the Babylonian invasion was causing in Judah, and serves as a reminder of the cruelty and suffering that can result from conflict and war.
The imagery of "Their faces shall sup up as the east wind" further emphasizes the relentless and overpowering force of the Babylonians. The east wind was known for its destructive power in the ancient Near East, bringing devastation and destruction to the land. By comparing the faces of the invaders to the east wind, the verse portrays them as a relentless and unstoppable force that will sweep through the land with devastating consequences. This serves as a powerful warning of the impending disaster that will befall Judah at the hands of the Babylonians.
The mention of "they shall gather the captivity as the sand" further emphasizes the vast and overwhelming nature of the Babylonian invasion. The reference to gathering captivity as the sand suggests that the Babylonians will round up captives in great numbers, with no end in sight. This further emphasizes the scale of the impending destruction and the helplessness of the people of Judah in the face of such a formidable enemy.
In the context of the book of Habakkuk, this verse serves as a reflection of the prophet's despair and disillusionment in the face of the impending invasion. He is grappling with the apparent injustice of God allowing a wicked nation like Babylon to conquer Judah, and he is struggling to understand how God's sovereignty and righteousness can be reconciled with the suffering and destruction that he sees around him. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the devastating consequences of sin and disobedience, and the need for repentance and faithfulness to God's commands.
Overall, Habakkuk 1:9 from the King James Version offers a powerful and sobering reflection on the destructive nature of violence and the consequences of disobedience. It is a poignant reminder of the devastating impact of sin and a call to turn towards righteousness and faithfulness to God.
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Habakkuk 1:9 Artwork
Habakkuk 1:9 - "They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand."
"They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand." - Habakkuk 1:9
Habakkuk 1:1 - "The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see."
"The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see." - Habakkuk 1:1
Habakkuk 3:1 - "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth."
"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth." - Habakkuk 3:1
"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth." - Habakkuk 3:1
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Habakkuk 1:7 - "They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves."
Habakkuk 3:9 - "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 1:17 - "Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?"
Habakkuk 2:9 - "¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!"
Habakkuk 1:14 - "And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?"
Habakkuk 1:16 - "Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous."
Habakkuk 1:11 - "Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god."
"They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves." - Habakkuk 1:7
Habakkuk 1:15 - "They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad."
Habakkuk 1:6 - "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's."
Habakkuk 1:5 - "¶ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you."
Habakkuk 1:4 - "Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth."
Habakkuk 1:10 - "And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it."
"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved." - Habakkuk 2:1
Habakkuk 1:3 - "Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention."
"Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?" - Habakkuk 1:17
Habakkuk 1:2 - "O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!"
"And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?" - Habakkuk 1:14
Habakkuk 1:8 - "Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat."
Habakkuk 2:1 - "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved."
"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
"¶ Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!" - Habakkuk 2:9