UPON SHIGIONOTH] RV 'Set to Shigionoth.' This very obscure phrase (cp. Psalms 7) has been supposed to mean 'in a wandering, ecstatic manner,' implying that the poem that follows is a sort of dithyramb. Probably, as the LXX suggests, the original word simply meant, 'to the accompaniment of stringed i... [ Continue Reading ]
JEHOVAH COMES TO JUDGMENT This is one of the most brilliant poems in the OT. It was written by a man of imagination as well as of faith. It is not quite certain whether Habakkuk 3:8 are intended to refer to a past or future manifestation of Jehovah: in any case, there is the hope, or rather prayer,... [ Continue Reading ]
HORNS _COMING_ OUT OF HIS HAND] RV 'Bays _coming forth_ from his hand.' This clause some take with the next one, so that the meaning would be 'the rays at His side He makes the veil of His power,' that is, the brightness is so blinding that His real and essential majesty cannot be seen. 5-8, Accomp... [ Continue Reading ]
BURNING COALS] RV 'fiery bolts.'... [ Continue Reading ]
GUSHAN] Some identify this with Cush, i.e. Ethiopia. The parallelism suggests, however, that it may indicate some district in the neighbourhood of Sinai. 8-11. Wherefore such wrath? Why did Jehovah so confound the sea—perhaps the Red Sea—by means of His storm? 9a b; probably ought to read, 'Thou di... [ Continue Reading ]