Habakkuk 1:15-17

New English Translation

Footnotes

1. Habakkuk 1:15 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the Babylonian tyrant) has been specified in the translation for clarity (cf. NASB “The Chaldeans”; NIV “The wicked foe”; NRSV “The enemy”). Babylonian imperialism is here compared to a professional fisherman who repeatedly brings in his catch and has plenty to eat.
2. Habakkuk 1:15 tn Apparently two different types of fishing nets are referred to here. The חֵרֶם (kherem, “throw net”) was used by fishermen standing on the shore (see Ezek 47:10), while the מִכְמֶרֶת (mikhmeret, “dragnet”) was used by men in a boat. See R. D. Patterson, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (WEC), 165.
3. Habakkuk 1:15 tn Heb “and he gathers.”
4. Habakkuk 1:15 tn Heb “Therefore he is happy and rejoices.” Here two synonyms are joined for emphasis.
5. Habakkuk 1:16 tn Heb “therefore.”
6. Habakkuk 1:16 sn The fishing implements (throw net and dragnet) represent Babylonian military might. The prophet depicts the Babylonians as arrogantly worshiping their own power (sacrifices…burns incense, see also v. 11b).
7. Habakkuk 1:16 tn Heb “for by them his portion is full [or, “fat”].”
8. Habakkuk 1:16 tn Heb “and his food is plentiful [or, “fat”].”
9. Habakkuk 1:17 tn Or “therefore.”
10. Habakkuk 1:17 tn Heb “Will he then empty his throw net?” The words “continue to fill and” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
11. Habakkuk 1:17 tn Or “continually.”
12. Habakkuk 1:17 tn Heb “kill.”
13. Habakkuk 1:17 tn Or “without showing compassion.”