They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
Read it in contextThe LORD’s Answer
Start reading at Habakkuk 1:5 (Habakkuk 1:5 to Habakkuk 1:11).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
The prophet's complaint about injustice receives an answer announcing the rising Chaldean power.
1:5Behold 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.
1:6For, 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 theirs.
1:7They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.
1:8Their 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.
1:9They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.
1:10And 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.
1:11Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his god.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Habakkuk is the named prophet and the speaker of the book's prayer. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:1; Habakkuk 3:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Habakkuk 1:1–2:20): Habakkuk brings his complaints to the LORD and receives an answer concerning violence and the Chaldeans. The woes address the arrogant oppressor. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah's community facing violence and the Babylonian threat, with the vision to be written so it can be read. Much of the book is a dialogue between the prophet and the LORD. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:2; Habakkuk 1:6; Habakkuk 2:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? The LORD’s Answer. Read Habakkuk 1:5 through Habakkuk 1:11 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? The prophet's complaint about injustice receives an answer announcing the rising Chaldean power. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The rise of the Chaldeans forms the announced historical setting, but the book does not provide a precise royal date for the dialogue. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The questions concern wrongdoing among the people and the threat of an invading power; the prayer ranges through remembered scenes of the LORD's acts. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in The LORD’s Answer (Habakkuk 1:5 to Habakkuk 1:11).
Start reading at Habakkuk 1:5. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament cites the statement that the just shall live by faith. Its use should retain the original contrast between arrogant wrongdoing and faithful endurance. See Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Bring hard questions honestly before God and distinguish complaint from the answer received. The closing confession models trust that does not depend on present abundance. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The prophet's complaint about injustice receives an answer announcing the rising Chaldean power.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The prophet questions the use of a violent nation and is told to attend to the appointed vision and live by faith.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer.