Habakkuk 1:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

Then shall [his] mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, [imputing] this his power unto his god.

Complete Jewish Bible:

Then they sweep on like the wind, but they become guilty, because they make their strength their god."

Berean Standard Bible:

Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”

American Standard Version:

Then shall he sweep by as a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, even he whose might is his god.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

Then shall his mind^{H7307} change^{H2498}, and he shall pass over^{H5674}, and offend^{H816}, imputing this^{H2098} his power^{H3581} unto his god^{H433}.

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Commentary for Habakkuk 1:11

Habakkuk 1:11 is a verse from the Old Testament book of the same name, which is part of the Minor Prophets in the Hebrew Bible. The book of Habakkuk is believed to have been written in the late 7th or early 6th century BCE, during a time of great social injustice and the looming threat of the Babylonian empire. Habakkuk, a prophet, grapples with theodicy—the question of how a just God can allow evil and suffering in the world.

In the verse, the prophet describes a particular aspect of the nature of the Chaldeans (Babylonians), who are characterized as a people who credit their military success and power to their god. The verse reflects the theme of idolatry and the misattribution of power, suggesting that the Chaldeans' confidence in their own might is misplaced, as they ascribe their victories not to their own strength or strategy but to the favor of their deity. This reflects a broader ancient Near Eastern belief that military conquests were signs of divine favor.

The historical context of this verse is crucial. The Babylonians were known for their aggressive military campaigns and were a source of terror for many nations, including Judah. Habakkuk's prophecy speaks to the arrogance of the Babylonians and their leaders, who believed their conquests were sanctioned by the gods. The verse also hints at the eventual downfall of such nations, as their "mind change" suggests a shift in fortune or a misstep that could lead to their ruin, emphasizing the prophetic theme that God will ultimately judge all nations and that no power is invincible if it stands against the divine will.

In summary, Habakkuk 1:11 addresses the prideful and idolatrous nature of the Babylonians, who attribute their military success to their god. It touches on themes of divine justice, the folly of human pride, and the ultimate accountability of all peoples to God, setting the stage for the broader message of the book, which reassures the faithful that, despite appearances, God is in control and will ultimately vindicate the righteous.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H7307
   There are 348 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: רוּחַ
   Transliteration: rûwach
   Pronunciation: roo'-akh
   Description: from רוּחַ; wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the sky; by resemblance spirit, but only of a rational being (including its expression and functions); air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y).
   
2. Strong's Number: H2498
   There are 27 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חָלַף
   Transliteration: châlaph
   Pronunciation: khaw-laf'
   Description: a primitive root; properly, to slide by, i.e. (by implication) to hasten away, pass on, spring up, pierce or change; abolish, alter, change, cut off, go on forward, grow up, be over, pass (away, on, through), renew, sprout, strike through.
   
3. Strong's Number: H5674
   There are 493 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עָבַר
   Transliteration: ʻâbar
   Pronunciation: aw-bar'
   Description: a primitive root; to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in copulation); alienate, alter, [idiom] at all, beyond, bring (over, through), carry over, (over-) come (on, over), conduct (over), convey over, current, deliver, do away, enter, escape, fail, gender, get over, (make) go (away, beyond, by, forth, his way, in, on, over, through), have away (more), lay, meddle, overrun, make partition, (cause to, give, make to, over) pass(-age, along, away, beyond, by, -enger, on, out, over, through), (cause to, make) [phrase] proclaim(-amation), perish, provoke to anger, put away, rage, [phrase] raiser of taxes, remove, send over, set apart, [phrase] shave, cause to (make) sound, [idiom] speedily, [idiom] sweet smelling, take (away), (make to) transgress(-or), translate, turn away, (way-) faring man, be wrath.
   
4. Strong's Number: H816
   There are 145 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָשַׁם
   Transliteration: ʼâsham
   Pronunciation: aw-sham'
   Description: or אָשֵׁם; a primitive root; to be guilty; by implication to be punished or perish; [idiom] certainly, be(-come, made) desolate, destroy, [idiom] greatly, be(-come, found, hold) guilty, offend (acknowledge offence), trespass.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2098
   There are 15 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: זוּ
   Transliteration: zûw
   Pronunciation: zoo
   Description: for זֶה; this or that; that, this, [idiom] wherein, which, whom.
   
6. Strong's Number: H3581
   There are 121 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: כֹּחַ
   Transliteration: kôach
   Pronunciation: ko'-akh
   Description: or (Daniel 11:6) כּוֹחַ; from an unused root meaning to be firm; vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means, produce); also (from its hardiness) a large lizard; ability, able, chameleon, force, fruits, might, power(-ful), strength, substance, wealth.
   
7. Strong's Number: H433
   There are 123 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אֱלוֹהַּ
   Transliteration: ʼĕlôwahh
   Pronunciation: el-o'-ah
   Description: rarely (shortened) אֱלֹהַּ; probably prolonged (emphatic) from אֵל; a deity or the Deity; God, god. See אֱלֹהִים.