Habakkuk 3:4

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And [his] brightness was as the light; he had horns [coming] out of his hand: and there [was] the hiding of his power.

Complete Jewish Bible:

His brightness is like the sun, rays come forth from his hand - that is where his power is concealed.

Berean Standard Bible:

His radiance was like the sunlight; rays flashed from His hand, where His power is hidden.

American Standard Version:

Andhisbrightness was as the light; He had rayscoming forthfrom his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And his brightness^{H5051} was as the light^{H216}; he had horns^{H7161} coming out of his hand^{H3027}: and there was the hiding^{H2253} of his power^{H5797}.

Cross-References (KJV):

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Commentary for Habakkuk 3:4

Habakkuk 3:4 is part of a larger prayer offered by the prophet Habakkuk, which is found in the Book of Habakkuk, a text within the Nevi'im (Prophets) section of the Hebrew Bible and the Old Testament. This particular verse is rich in symbolic imagery, depicting a theophany, or a visible manifestation of God, often associated with divine intervention and judgment.

The verse describes God in awe-inspiring terms, highlighting His radiant brilliance, which is likened to light—a common biblical metaphor for God's presence, holiness, and truth. The reference to "horns coming out of his hand" is a symbol of power and strength. In the ancient Near East, horns often represented might and dominion, and their association with the hand of God suggests divine authority and the ability to act with sovereign power. The phrase "the hiding of his power" suggests that there is an aspect of God's strength that remains concealed or beyond human comprehension. This could imply that while God's power is evident in creation and history, there is an inexhaustible reserve of divine might that is not always visible or fully revealed.

Historically, Habakkuk's prophecy is set against the backdrop of the looming Babylonian threat to Judah in the late 7th century BCE. The prophet grapples with the issue of theodicy—why a just God allows evil to persist, particularly through the instrument of a wicked nation like Babylon. In this context, Habakkuk 3:4 serves as a reminder of God's ultimate sovereignty and the assurance that, despite appearances, God's power is at work, even if it is not always immediately apparent. The verse thus encourages trust in God's control over history and His eventual judgment, which will bring about justice and restore righteousness.

*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: H5051
   There are 19 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: נֹגַהּ
   Transliteration: nôgahh
   Pronunciation: no'-gah
   Description: from נָגַהּ; brilliancy (literally or figuratively); bright(-ness), light, (clear) shining.
   
2. Strong's Number: H216
   There are 191 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אוֹר
   Transliteration: ʼôwr
   Pronunciation: ore
   Description: from אוֹר; illumination or (concrete) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.); bright, clear, [phrase] day, light (-ning), morning, sun.
   
3. Strong's Number: H7161
   There are 69 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: קֶרֶן
   Transliteration: qeren
   Pronunciation: keh'-ren
   Description: from קָרַן; a horn (as projecting); by implication, a flask, cornet; by resemblance. an elephant's tooth (i.e. ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively, power; [idiom] hill, horn.
   
4. Strong's Number: H3027
   There are 1447 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: יָד
   Transliteration: yâd
   Pronunciation: yawd
   Description: a primitive word; in distinction from כַּף, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great variety of applications, both literally and figuratively, both proximate and remote (as follows); a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.),; ([phrase] be) able, [idiom] about, [phrase] armholes, at, axletree, because of, beside, border, [idiom] bounty, [phrase] broad, (broken-) handed, [idiom] by, charge, coast, [phrase] consecrate, [phrase] creditor, custody, debt, dominion, [idiom] enough, [phrase] fellowship, force, [idiom] from, hand(-staves, -y work), [idiom] he, himself, [idiom] in, labour, [phrase] large, ledge, (left-) handed, means, [idiom] mine, ministry, near, [idiom] of, [idiom] order, ordinance, [idiom] our, parts, pain, power, [idiom] presumptuously, service, side, sore, state, stay, draw with strength, stroke, [phrase] swear, terror, [idiom] thee, [idiom] by them, [idiom] themselves, [idiom] thine own, [idiom] thou, through, [idiom] throwing, [phrase] thumb, times, [idiom] to, [idiom] under, [idiom] us, [idiom] wait on, (way-) side, where, [phrase] wide, [idiom] with (him, me, you), work, [phrase] yield, [idiom] yourselves.
   
5. Strong's Number: H2253
   There are 1 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: חֶבְיוֹן
   Transliteration: chebyôwn
   Pronunciation: kheb-yone'
   Description: from חָבָה; a concealment; hiding.
   
6. Strong's Number: H5797
   There are 92 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֹז
   Transliteration: ʻôz
   Pronunciation: oze
   Description: or (fully) עוֹז; from עָזַז; strength in various applications (force, security, majesty, praise); boldness, loud, might, power, strength, strong.