Habakkuk 1:6

KJV

For, 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

For, lo, I raise up {H6965} the Chaldeans {H3778}, that bitter {H4751} and hasty {H4116} nation {H1471}, which shall march {H1980} through the breadth {H4800} of the land {H776}, to possess {H3423} the dwellingplaces {H4908} that are not theirs.

Complete Jewish Bible

I am raising up the Kasdim, that bitter and impetuous nation, who march far and wide over the earth to seize homes that are not their own.

Berean Standard Bible

For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans— that ruthless and impetuous nation which marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.

American Standard Version

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 1:6 presents a startling divine declaration to the prophet, revealing God's chosen instrument of judgment against unrighteous Judah: the formidable Chaldeans (Babylonians). This verse unveils the Lord's active sovereignty in raising up this "bitter and hasty nation" to sweep across the land, dispossessing its inhabitants and claiming their homes, a shocking and terrifying response to Habakkuk's lament over internal injustice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 1 opens with the prophet's profound lament, crying out to God about the pervasive injustice, violence, and moral decay within Judah ([Habakkuk 1:2-4](/habakkuk/1-2-4 "Habakkuk's Lament over Judah's Injustice")). He questions God's apparent silence and inaction in the face of such wickedness. Habakkuk 1:6 constitutes the Lord's astonishing and unsettling initial response, directly addressing Habakkuk's plea. Rather than immediate internal reform or divine intervention that aligns with the prophet's expectations, God reveals His intention to use an external, pagan power—the Chaldeans—as His instrument of judgment. This revelation immediately sets up the subsequent theological tension and dialogue in the book, as Habakkuk grapples with the paradox of a righteous God using an even more wicked nation to punish His own people ([Habakkuk 1:12-17](/habakkuk/1-12-17 "Habakkuk's Second Lament and Questioning of God's Justice")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Habakkuk is generally dated to the late 7th century BCE, during the twilight years of the Kingdom of Judah, likely between the Battle of Carchemish (605 BCE) and the first Babylonian deportation (605 BCE). This was a period of significant geopolitical upheaval. The Neo-Babylonian Empire, under Nebuchadnezzar, was rapidly rising to prominence, having decisively defeated Assyria and Egypt. The Chaldeans, originating from southern Mesopotamia, were known for their military prowess, ruthless expansionism, and efficient siege warfare. Judah, caught between the declining Assyrian power and the rising Babylonian threat, was politically unstable and spiritually compromised, having largely abandoned the covenant with Yahweh. The cultural norms of the time included reliance on military alliances and a general understanding that national prosperity was linked to divine favor, making the idea of God using a foreign, pagan power to destroy His own people's dwelling places particularly shocking and culturally disruptive.
* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 1:6 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Judgment**, demonstrating God's absolute control over the nations and their destinies. He is not a passive observer but actively "raises up" even pagan empires to fulfill His purposes of judgment, illustrating that God truly "removes kings and sets up kings" as seen in [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God's Sovereignty Over Kingdoms"). Secondly, the verse highlights the **Chaldeans as God's Instrument**, a recurring biblical motif where God uses external forces, sometimes even wicked ones, to bring about His corrective or punitive will upon His people or other nations. This is akin to how [Assyria was God's "rod of anger" in Isaiah 10:5](/isaiah/10-5 "Isaiah 10:5 - Assyria as God's Instrument"). Thirdly, it implicitly points to the severe **Consequences of Unrighteousness**. Judah's persistent sin and rebellion against the Mosaic covenant, characterized by injustice and violence, directly led to this impending judgment. The invasion and dispossession by a foreign power were direct fulfillments of warnings given in the Law concerning disobedience, such as those found in [Deuteronomy 28:49-50](/deuteronomy/28-49-50 "Deuteronomy 28:49-50 - Warnings of Foreign Invasion").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chaldeans (Hebrew, _Kasdîy'_):** This term refers to the inhabitants of Chaldea, a region in southern Mesopotamia, which became the heartland of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. By Habakkuk's time, the Chaldeans were synonymous with the dominant and feared Babylonian power. The use of this specific term immediately identifies the formidable and ruthless empire that God is about to unleash.
* **Bitter (Hebrew, _mar'_):** This adjective describes the Chaldean nation, conveying their harshness, cruelty, and ferocity. It speaks to their disposition and the severe nature of their actions in warfare, indicating that their conquest would be characterized by mercilessness and cause great suffering.
* **Hasty (Hebrew, _mâhar'_):** Also describing the Chaldean nation, this word emphasizes their speed, impulsiveness, and relentless advance. It signifies a rapid, overwhelming, and unhindered conquest, highlighting the swiftness and inevitability of the impending judgment.
* **Possess (Hebrew, _yârash'_):** This verb signifies to occupy by driving out previous tenants and taking possession in their place. It implies not just a temporary raid but a full dispossession and inheritance of the land and its dwellings, underscoring the completeness and permanence of the Chaldean conquest as God's judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans":** This opening clause is a divine declaration, emphasizing God's active agency and sovereign initiation of the coming judgment. The "lo" (or "behold") draws immediate attention to the shocking nature of this revelation. The phrase "I raise up" (Hebrew: _qûwm_) signifies God's deliberate and intentional act of empowering and directing this foreign nation for His purposes, making them His chosen instrument.
* **"that bitter and hasty nation":** This descriptive phrase characterizes the Chaldeans. "Bitter" (Hebrew: _mar_) highlights their inherent cruelty, ferocity, and the harshness of their military campaigns. "Hasty" (Hebrew: _mâhar_) underscores their swiftness, impulsiveness, and the rapid, overwhelming nature of their advance, indicating that Judah would have little time to prepare or resist.
* **"which shall march through the breadth of the land":** This describes the scope and thoroughness of the Chaldean invasion. They will not merely attack border regions but will traverse and conquer the entire territory of Judah, leaving no part untouched. This signifies a comprehensive and devastating judgment.
* **"to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs":** This final phrase states the ultimate objective and consequence of the Chaldean invasion. They will not only conquer but will dispossess the rightful inhabitants of Judah and take over their homes and territories. This highlights the complete loss of sovereignty, security, and identity for the people of Judah, fulfilling the covenant curses of exile and dispossession.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 1:6 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent is **Divine Irony**, where God's response to Habakkuk's lament about injustice within Judah is to introduce an even more ruthless external force. This creates a profound theological tension that drives the rest of the book. The description of the Chaldeans as "bitter and hasty" employs vivid **Adjectives** that serve as **Characterization**, immediately painting a picture of a brutal and swift invading force. The phrase "march through the breadth of the land" is a form of **Hyperbole** or **Exaggeration** to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the invasion, suggesting an unstoppable and all-encompassing sweep. Finally, the entire verse functions as a **Prophetic Oracle**, a direct divine utterance revealing future events and God's sovereign plan, establishing the authoritative nature of the message.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 1:6 profoundly underscores the biblical truth of God's absolute sovereignty over all nations and history. Even when His people are disobedient, God remains righteous and just, using even pagan empires as instruments to bring about His purposes, whether for judgment or for the ultimate advancement of His redemptive plan. This verse demonstrates that God is not limited by human expectations of justice or by the wickedness of the instruments He employs. It reveals a God who is actively involved in the affairs of humanity, orchestrating events to bring about His will, often in ways that are initially perplexing or terrifying to His people, but always with a view towards His ultimate glory and their eventual restoration. The impending judgment on Judah, though severe, serves as a painful but necessary purification, preparing the way for a deeper understanding of faith and reliance on God alone.

* [Isaiah 45:7](/isaiah/45-7 "Isaiah 45:7 - God Creates Good and Evil")
* [Jeremiah 25:9](/jeremiah/25-9 "Jeremiah 25:9 - Nebuchadnezzar as God's Servant")
* [Deuteronomy 28:49-52](/deuteronomy/28-49-52 "Deuteronomy 28:49-52 - Prophecy of Foreign Invasion")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 1:6 serves as a powerful reminder that God is always at work, even when His methods are beyond our comprehension or seem to contradict our immediate sense of justice. For believers today, this verse challenges us to cultivate a profound trust in God's ultimate sovereignty and wisdom, especially when we face difficult circumstances or witness injustices that seem to go unpunished. It urges us to remember that God's timeline and His instruments may not align with our expectations, but His purposes are always righteous and ultimately for His glory and our good. While we may lament the brokenness of the world, this passage assures us that God is actively involved, bringing about His will, and that there are indeed consequences for persistent sin and rebellion, both individually and corporately. It calls us to respond with humility, repentance, and unwavering faith, knowing that God's justice will prevail, and His plans will unfold.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the revelation of God using a "bitter and hasty nation" challenge your understanding of divine justice and sovereignty?**
* **In what ways might God be working in your life or in the world today through unexpected or seemingly harsh circumstances?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the consequences of persistent unrighteousness, and how should that inform our own walk with God?**

### FAQ
**Why would a righteous God use a wicked nation like the Chaldeans to punish His own people?**

Answer: This is a central theological tension in Habakkuk, and indeed throughout Scripture. God's use of the Chaldeans (Babylonians) was not an endorsement of their wickedness but a demonstration of His absolute sovereignty and justice. Judah had persistently rebelled against the Mosaic covenant, engaging in idolatry, injustice, and violence, despite repeated warnings from prophets. God, in His righteousness, could not allow such sin to go unpunished. By raising up the Chaldeans, God was exercising His judgment on His unfaithful people, using a powerful, ruthless empire as His instrument, much like a surgeon uses a scalpel to remove a cancerous growth. This act served to purify Judah, humble them, and ultimately lead them back to Him. It also showed that God is not bound by human limitations or expectations; He can use any means necessary to accomplish His righteous purposes, even if those means are themselves wicked and will later face their own judgment (as the Chaldeans eventually did). This concept is also seen in [Isaiah 10:5-15](/isaiah/10-5-15 "Isaiah 10:5-15 - Assyria as God's Rod"), where God uses Assyria as His "rod of anger" against Israel, only to judge Assyria later for its own pride and cruelty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Habakkuk 1:6 speaks of God's judgment through the Chaldeans, it ultimately points forward to a greater divine judgment and, paradoxically, a greater salvation found in Christ. The "bitter and hasty nation" was an instrument of temporal judgment for Judah's sins, but it foreshadows the ultimate judgment for the sin of the world that would fall upon Christ. Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God, willingly became the recipient of God's wrath, experiencing the ultimate "bitterness" of separation from the Father on the cross, as prophesied in passages like [Isaiah 53:4-6](/isaiah/53-4-6 "Isaiah 53:4-6 - The Suffering Servant"). He "marched through the breadth of the land" not as a conqueror to dispossess, but as a servant to redeem, ultimately entering Jerusalem to fulfill His mission of atonement. Through His death and resurrection, Christ "possessed" not the dwelling places of men, but the hearts of all who believe, establishing His spiritual kingdom and offering eternal "dwelling places" in the house of the Father ([John 14:2-3](/john/14-2-3 "John 14:2-3 - Jesus Prepares a Place")). The swiftness of the Chaldeans' invasion can be seen as a shadow of the "hasty" and decisive work of salvation accomplished by Christ, who, in one definitive act, conquered sin and death, providing a way for humanity to be reconciled to God, fulfilling the promise of a just God who is also a Savior ([Romans 3:26](/romans/3-26 "Romans 3:26 - God is Just and Justifier")).

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

2 Kings 24:2

And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.

Jeremiah 5:15

Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it [is] a mighty nation, it [is] an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.

Isaiah 23:13

Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, [till] the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; [and] he brought it to ruin.

Jeremiah 25:9

Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.

Isaiah 39:6

Behold, the days come, that all that [is] in thine house, and [that] which thy fathers have laid up in store until this day, shall be carried to Babylon: nothing shall be left, saith the LORD.

Isaiah 39:7

And of thy sons that shall issue from thee, which thou shalt beget, shall they take away; and they shall be eunuchs in the palace of the king of Babylon.

Jeremiah 4:8

For this gird you with sackcloth, lament and howl: for the fierce anger of the LORD is not turned back from us.