Habakkuk 1:15

KJV

They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.

KJV (with Strong's)

They take up {H5927} all of them with the angle {H2443}, they catch {H1641} them in their net {H2764}, and gather {H622} them in their drag {H4365}: therefore they rejoice {H8055} and are glad {H1523}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The evil haul them all up with their hooks, catch them in their fish net, or gather them in their dragnet. Then they rejoice and make merry,

Berean Standard Bible

The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly.

American Standard Version

He taketh up all of them with the angle, he catcheth them in his net, and gathereth them in his drag: therefore he rejoiceth and is glad.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 1:15 vividly portrays the ruthless efficiency and chilling joy of the Chaldean (Babylonian) invaders, whom God is raising up as an instrument of judgment against Judah. Using a powerful fishing metaphor, the prophet describes how these conquerors comprehensively ensnare nations and peoples with the same ease and totality that fishermen employ various tools to catch fish, leaving no escape. The verse culminates in a disturbing depiction of the Chaldeans' unholy celebration of their destructive success, highlighting their predatory nature and their satisfaction in overwhelming power and material gain.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The book of Habakkuk opens with a lament ([Habakkuk 1:1-4](/habakkuk/1-1-4 "Habakkuk's First Lament")) where the prophet cries out against the rampant injustice, violence, and moral decay within Judah itself. God responds with a shocking revelation: He will raise up the Chaldeans, a fierce and swift nation, to execute His judgment ([Habakkuk 1:5-11](/habakkuk/1-5-11 "God's Response: The Rise of the Chaldeans")). This divine instrument, however, is itself characterized by overwhelming might and a disregard for human life, as described in [Habakkuk 1:7-11](/habakkuk/1-7-11 "Description of the Chaldeans"). Habakkuk 1:15 falls within the prophet's second lament ([Habakkuk 1:12-2:1](/habakkuk/1-12-2-1 "Habakkuk's Second Lament and God's Response")), where he grapples with the paradox of a holy God using a wicked nation to punish His own people. The verse specifically details the Chaldeans' predatory methods, serving as a concrete illustration of the terrifying power and ruthlessness that so deeply troubles the prophet.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Habakkuk is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely in the late 7th century BC, as the Neo-Babylonian Empire was rapidly ascending to global dominance. Following the decline of Assyrian power, Babylon (Chaldea) emerged as the preeminent force, known for its formidable military, swift campaigns, and brutal conquests. Their expansionist policies led to the subjugation of numerous nations, including eventually Judah itself, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the exile. In this era, military conquest was often likened to hunting or fishing, where the strong preyed upon the weak. The imagery of the "angle," "net," and "drag" would have been immediately recognizable to an ancient audience, underscoring the comprehensive and inescapable nature of the Chaldean onslaught, which treated entire populations as mere catch.

* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 1:15 contributes significantly to several key themes within the book. Firstly, it amplifies the theme of **Divine Judgment**, illustrating the severe and comprehensive nature of the judgment God is bringing upon Judah through the Chaldeans, even as the prophet struggles with the justice of it. Secondly, it vividly portrays the **Nature of the Oppressor**, depicting the Chaldeans not merely as an invading army but as a predatory force that dehumanizes its victims, treating them as mere objects to be caught and consumed. This leads to the third theme, **The Problem of Evil and Theodicy**, as Habakkuk grapples with why a righteous God would permit such wickedness to prosper and even use it for His purposes, a question that will be addressed in God's subsequent answers in [Habakkuk 2](/habakkuk/2 "Habakkuk 2 - God's Answer and Woes"). Finally, the chilling "rejoice and are glad" highlights the theme of **Unrighteous Joy**, contrasting the temporary elation of the wicked with the enduring joy found in faith, a contrast explored further in [Habakkuk 3:17-19](/habakkuk/3-17-19 "Habakkuk's Prayer of Faith and Joy").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angle (Hebrew, _chakkâh'_):** From H2443, this term refers to a fishing hook, suggesting a targeted, individual capture. It implies a deliberate and precise method of ensnaring, where each victim is specifically sought out and pulled in.
* **Net (Hebrew, _chêrem'_):** From H2764, this word denotes a fishing net, but also carries the connotation of something "doomed" or "utterly destroyed." This dual meaning is profoundly significant here, as the Chaldeans' "net" not only captures but also designates their captives for destruction or complete subjugation, highlighting the merciless nature of their conquest.
* **Are glad (Hebrew, _gîyl'_):** From H1523, this primitive root means "to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion)," usually to rejoice or be glad. In this context, it describes the exultant, almost frenzied, joy of the Chaldeans over their successful conquests, emphasizing their unholy satisfaction in their destructive power and ill-gotten gains.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"They take up all of them with the angle":** This clause introduces the fishing metaphor, depicting the Chaldeans as meticulous and effective "fishermen" who capture their prey (nations/peoples) with precision, as if using a hook for individual targets. It highlights the deliberate and targeted nature of their initial conquests.
* **"they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag":** This expands the metaphor, illustrating the comprehensive and indiscriminate nature of the Chaldean conquest. The "net" signifies a broader, collective capture, while the "drag" (a large dragnet) implies sweeping up everything in its path, leaving no escape. This imagery underscores the totality and ruthlessness with which they subjugate entire populations.
* **"therefore they rejoice and are glad":** This chilling conclusion reveals the emotional response of the Chaldeans to their successful oppression. Their "rejoicing" and "gladness" are not born of righteousness or peace, but from the satisfaction of their destructive power, material gain, and the subjugation of others. This highlights their moral depravity and their unholy celebration of violence and conquest.

#### Literary Devices
The verse is rich in **Metaphor**, primarily employing an extended fishing metaphor to describe the Chaldeans' military conquest. The "angle," "net," and "drag" vividly portray their methods of ensnaring nations and peoples as if they were mere fish. This **Imagery** emphasizes the ease, totality, and predatory nature of their actions. The progression from "angle" (individual hook) to "net" (broader capture) to "drag" (sweeping, indiscriminate haul) also demonstrates a form of **Climax** or escalation, illustrating the comprehensive and inescapable scope of their subjugation. Furthermore, the final phrase, "therefore they rejoice and are glad," introduces a stark **Contrast** between the Chaldeans' unholy joy in their destructive success and the righteous lament of the prophet, highlighting the moral chasm between the oppressor and the divine standard of justice. This chilling detail also serves as a form of **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the subsequent woes pronounced against the Chaldeans in [Habakkuk 2](/habakkuk/2 "Habakkuk 2 - God's Woes Against the Chaldeans"), where their ill-gotten gains and cruel rejoicing will ultimately lead to their downfall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The theological weight of Habakkuk 1:15 lies in its stark portrayal of human depravity when unchecked by divine restraint or moral conscience. The Chaldeans' celebratory attitude towards their conquests underscores a profound spiritual blindness and a perversion of joy, finding delight in violence and material acquisition rather than in righteousness or justice. This raises the perennial theological question of theodicy – how a just and holy God can permit such evil to prosper, even using it for His purposes. The verse implicitly highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over nations, even those seemingly operating outside His moral will, as their actions, though wicked, nonetheless serve a larger divine plan of judgment and purification. Yet, it also sets the stage for God's subsequent condemnation of such unrighteous joy and ill-gotten gains, affirming that divine justice will ultimately prevail.

* [Jeremiah 17:11](/jeremiah/17-11 "Jeremiah 17:11 - Ill-Gotten Gains Do Not Prosper")
* [Psalm 73:3-12](/psalm/73-3-12 "Psalm 73:3-12 - The Prosperity of the Wicked")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - When the Wicked Rule")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 1:15 serves as a powerful mirror for contemporary reflection, urging us to confront the pervasive nature of predatory power dynamics in our world. Whether manifested in national geopolitics, corporate exploitation, or even interpersonal relationships, the temptation to ensnare, exploit, and then rejoice in ill-gotten gains remains a potent force. This verse calls believers to a profound empathy for the oppressed, echoing Habakkuk's lament against injustice, and to a critical self-examination of our own sources of joy and security. Are we, perhaps subtly, participating in systems that benefit from the exploitation of others, or finding satisfaction in achievements that lack ethical foundations? The prophet's struggle reminds us that even when God's ways are inscrutable and evil seems to triumph, our response must be rooted in persistent faith and a commitment to justice, trusting that ultimate accountability belongs to the sovereign Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Chaldeans' "rejoicing and gladness" challenge our understanding of true joy and prosperity?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or collectively, participate in systems that "catch" and "gather" others for our own benefit?**
* **How can we maintain faith and hope when faced with seemingly unchecked injustice and the apparent triumph of the wicked in our world today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the fishing imagery in Habakkuk 1:15?**

Answer: The fishing imagery—"angle," "net," and "drag"—is highly significant as it vividly portrays the comprehensive and ruthless nature of the Chaldean conquest. It dehumanizes the victims, likening nations and peoples to mere fish caught for consumption. The progression from a single hook (angle) to a wide net and then a large dragnet illustrates the increasing scale and indiscriminateness of their subjugation, leaving no escape. This metaphor emphasizes the Chaldeans' efficiency and their perception of their conquests as an easy, abundant haul, much like a successful fishing expedition.

**Why do the Chaldeans "rejoice and are glad" in this context?**

Answer: The Chaldeans' "rejoicing and gladness" is a chilling detail that underscores their moral depravity and unrighteous character. Unlike a righteous joy that stems from God's blessing or justice, their gladness is rooted in their destructive success, their accumulated wealth, and their overwhelming power over conquered peoples. This highlights their lack of empathy and their satisfaction in their own might, which stands in stark contrast to God's righteous standards. This unholy joy is precisely what God will later condemn in the "woes" pronounced against them in [Habakkuk 2](/habakkuk/2 "Habakkuk 2 - God's Woes Against the Chaldeans"), indicating that such temporary triumph will ultimately lead to their downfall.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Habakkuk 1:15 describes the chilling reality of human oppression and unrighteous joy, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found in the triumph of God's justice and the establishment of His eternal kingdom, inaugurated by Jesus Christ. The predatory "fishing" methods of the Chaldeans, who ensnared nations for their own gain, stand in stark contrast to the divine "fishing" of Christ, who calls His disciples to be "fishers of men" ([Matthew 4:19](/matthew/4-19 "Matthew 4:19 - Fishers of Men")), gathering them not for destruction but for salvation and eternal life. The Chaldeans rejoiced in their temporary, violent conquests, but Christ's victory on the cross and His resurrection secured a joy that is eternal and righteous, overcoming the very powers of sin and death ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities")). Where the Chaldeans’ power led to subjugation and despair, Christ's reign brings true liberation and hope to the captives ([Luke 4:18-19](/luke/4-18-19 "Luke 4:18-19 - Jesus' Mission Statement")). Ultimately, the unholy gladness of the oppressor in Habakkuk 1:15 is swallowed up by the glorious and enduring joy of those who find their refuge and righteousness in Christ, the one who will finally "judge the world with righteousness" and "the peoples with equity" ([Psalm 98:9](/psalm/98-9 "Psalm 98:9 - God Judges the World")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 16:16

Behold, I will send for many fishers, saith the LORD, and they shall fish them; and after will I send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain, and from every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.

Amos 4:2

The Lord GOD hath sworn by his holiness, that, lo, the days shall come upon you, that he will take you away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Psalms 10:9

He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den: he lieth in wait to catch the poor: he doth catch the poor, when he draweth him into his net.

Luke 5:5

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

Luke 5:10

And so [was] also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

Ezekiel 25:6

For thus saith the Lord GOD; Because thou hast clapped [thine] hands, and stamped with the feet, and rejoiced in heart with all thy despite against the land of Israel;

Ezekiel 29:4

But I will put hooks in thy jaws, and I will cause the fish of thy rivers to stick unto thy scales, and I will bring thee up out of the midst of thy rivers, and all the fish of thy rivers shall stick unto thy scales.