Habakkuk 3:10

KJV

The mountains saw thee, [and] they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, [and] lifted up his hands on high.

KJV (with Strong's)

The mountains {H2022} saw {H7200} thee, and they trembled {H2342}: the overflowing {H2230} of the water {H4325} passed by {H5674}: the deep {H8415} uttered {H5414} his voice {H6963}, and lifted up {H5375} his hands {H3027} on high {H7315}.

Complete Jewish Bible

The mountains see you and tremble; a torrent of water streams by; the deep thunders forth, as it raises enormous waves.

Berean Standard Bible

The mountains saw You and quaked; torrents of water swept by. The deep roared with its voice and lifted its hands on high.

American Standard Version

The mountains saw thee, and were afraid; The tempest of waters passed by; The deep uttered its voice, And lifted up its hands on high.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 3:10, a vibrant verse from the prophet Habakkuk's prayer-psalm, vividly portrays creation's profound and awe-struck response to the majestic presence of God. As part of a larger theophany, the verse employs striking personification to depict mountains trembling, waters overflowing, and the deep uttering its voice and lifting its hands in a demonstration of reverence and submission before the Almighty's overwhelming power and glory. This imagery serves to underscore God's absolute sovereignty and His historical interventions on behalf of His people, reinforcing Habakkuk's faith amidst impending national crisis.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 3 is a magnificent prayer or psalm of Habakkuk, serving as his faith-filled response to the Lord's pronouncements in chapters 1 and 2. In those preceding chapters, God revealed His plan to use the Babylonians as an instrument of judgment against Judah, followed by a promise of judgment upon Babylon itself. Chapter 3, therefore, is not a lament but a triumphant affirmation of faith, a "Shigionoth" (a passionate, wandering song) that recounts God's mighty acts in history. Verse 10 is nestled within a grand description of God's glorious descent from Teman and Mount Paran, a powerful **theophany** that evokes imagery reminiscent of the Exodus and Sinai, emphasizing God's control over all cosmic and natural elements. This specific verse builds upon the preceding descriptions of God's radiant glory and the pestilence that goes before Him, illustrating the profound cosmic disturbance and submission that His presence elicits from creation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Habakkuk prophesied during a turbulent period in Judah's history, likely in the late 7th century BCE, just before the Babylonian invasion and the fall of Jerusalem. The nation was grappling with internal injustice and the looming threat of a powerful foreign empire. The imagery of God's appearance, with mountains trembling and waters responding, draws heavily from ancient Near Eastern **theophanic** traditions, particularly those associated with storm gods or divine warriors. For the Israelites, such imagery would immediately bring to mind pivotal moments like the giving of the Law at [Mount Sinai](/exodus/19 "Exodus 19 - The Giving of the Law at Sinai"), where the mountain "quaked greatly" ([Exodus 19:18](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Quakes")) at God's presence, and the miraculous [crossing of the Red Sea](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - The Parting of the Red Sea"), where God demonstrated His dominion over the chaotic waters. This cultural understanding of God's power over nature would have deeply resonated with Habakkuk's audience, providing a powerful reminder of God's unchanging might and His ability to intervene decisively in history.

* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 3:10 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **God's Awesome Power and Majesty**, before which even the most formidable elements of creation—mountains and deep waters—react with trembling and submission. This highlights God's absolute [sovereignty over all creation](/psalms/29 "Psalm 29 - The Voice of the Lord"). Another key theme is **Theophany and Divine Presence**, as the verse describes the cosmic impact of God's manifestation, echoing ancient accounts of divine appearances. The dramatic **Nature's Acknowledgment of God** through vivid personification (mountains trembling, the deep uttering its voice and lifting its hands) underscores that all creation inherently recognizes and bows before its Creator, offering a profound testimony to His glory and authority. Finally, this imagery subtly reinforces the theme of **Divine Judgment and Control**, demonstrating God's power not only to save but also to orchestrate events and bring about His purposes, even through seemingly chaotic natural forces, as seen in the [Red Sea crossing](/exodus/14-21 "Exodus 14:21 - Moses Stretches Out His Hand").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **trembled (Hebrew, _chûwl'_):** This verb, often translated as "trembled," conveys a powerful sense of writhing, quaking, or being in throes, like a woman in labor or someone gripped by intense fear. It suggests an involuntary, profound reaction of distress, pain, or awe in the presence of overwhelming, irresistible power. In this context, it vividly portrays the earth's visceral, agonizing response to God's majestic and formidable presence.
* **deep (Hebrew, _tᵉhôwm'_):** This term refers to the primordial abyss, the vast, surging mass of water, often associated with the chaotic, unformed waters of creation (as in [Genesis 1:2](/genesis/1-2 "Genesis 1:2 - The Spirit Hovered Over the Waters")). It can also denote the great subterranean waters or the vast oceans. Its personification here emphasizes that even the most formidable and seemingly uncontrollable forces of nature are subject to God's command and react with reverence or fear before Him.
* **lifted up (Hebrew, _nâsâʼ'_):** This versatile primitive root means "to lift, bear, carry, or raise." In the context of the deep "lifting up his hands on high," it signifies an act of supplication, surrender, or perhaps even praise. It portrays the deep as a sentient being acknowledging the supreme authority and majesty of God, raising its "hands" in a gesture of profound reverence or submission, much like a human would in prayer or surrender.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The mountains saw thee, and they trembled:"** This clause immediately establishes the dramatic impact of God's presence. The mountains, typically symbols of stability and permanence, are personified as sentient beings that "see" God. Their reaction is not merely passive observation but a violent, visceral "trembling" or writhing, indicating an overwhelming and fearful response to the divine manifestation. This highlights God's immense power, before which even the most unyielding elements of creation are shaken.
* **"the overflowing of the water passed by:"** This phrase introduces the element of water, specifically "overflowing" or gushing waters, which are depicted as moving swiftly or being swept away. This could imply a powerful torrent or flood, yet it "passed by," suggesting that even these formidable waters are under God's control, perhaps being directed or restrained by His presence, or simply moving in awe-struck procession. It subtly alludes to God's historical mastery over waters, such as the Red Sea or Jordan River.
* **"the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high."** This is the climax of the personification. The "deep," representing the vast, primordial waters, is given both a "voice" and "hands." Its "voice" could be the roar of crashing waves or a cry of awe, while "lifting up his hands on high" is a classic gesture of surrender, supplication, or even worship. This portrays the most profound and chaotic natural element bowing in complete submission and reverence before the Creator, acknowledging His supreme authority and majesty.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 3:10 is rich in poetic imagery and literary devices, primarily **Personification**. The mountains are given the human faculty of "seeing" and the emotional response of "trembling," while the "deep" is endowed with a "voice" and "hands" that it "lifts up." This vivid personification transforms inanimate natural elements into active participants in the **theophany**, responding with awe and submission to God's presence. The passage also employs **Hyperbole** to emphasize the overwhelming power of God; the reaction of creation is exaggerated to convey the magnitude of divine majesty. Furthermore, the verse is a prime example of **Theophanic Imagery**, drawing on ancient biblical traditions where God's appearances are accompanied by cosmic disturbances, such as the shaking of mountains and the roaring of waters, as seen in [Psalm 77:18](/psalms/77-18 "Psalm 77:18 - The Voice of Your Thunder"). This collective imagery serves to magnify God's omnipotence and sovereignty over all creation.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 3:10 powerfully articulates the biblical truth that all creation, animate and inanimate, bears witness to the glory and power of its Creator. The trembling mountains and the personified deep are not merely poetic embellishments but profound theological statements about God's absolute sovereignty. This passage reminds us that the God who spoke the cosmos into existence is the same God who controls its every element, and before whom all things must ultimately bow. This divine majesty is not an abstract concept but a dynamic, active force that intervenes in history and governs the natural world, providing a firm foundation for faith even when human circumstances are chaotic and uncertain. The awe-inspiring display of power described here assures Habakkuk, and us, that God is fully capable of executing His plans, whether in judgment or salvation.

* [Psalm 97:4-5](/psalms/97-4-5 "Psalm 97:4-5 - The Earth Sees and Trembles") - "His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth."
* [Psalm 114:3-7](/psalms/114-3-7 "Psalm 114:3-7 - The Sea Fled, Jordan Was Driven Back") - "The sea saw it, and fled: Jordan was driven back. The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like lambs. What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou fleddest? thou Jordan, that thou wast driven back? Ye mountains, that ye skipped like rams; and ye little hills, like lambs? Tremble, thou earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob."
* [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Every Eye Will See Him") - "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 3:10 calls us to a profound sense of awe and reverence for God. If the very mountains and deep waters respond with such a visceral, trembling acknowledgment of God's presence, how much more should we, as His image-bearers, approach Him with humility, worship, and obedient trust? In a world often characterized by chaos and uncertainty, this verse serves as a powerful anchor, reminding us that the God who commands the cosmos is intimately involved in our lives and sovereign over all circumstances. It encourages us to cultivate a deeper appreciation for God's immeasurable greatness, moving beyond a casual understanding to a genuine, trembling wonder that inspires unwavering faith. When we face personal trials or global upheavals, remembering that the Creator of all things holds absolute power can transform our fear into hope and our anxiety into peace, knowing that He is ultimately in control and will bring His purposes to fruition.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the personification of nature in this verse deepen your understanding of God's power and majesty?**
* **In what areas of your life do you need to surrender to God's sovereignty, just as the "deep" lifts its hands in submission?**
* **How can reflecting on God's control over creation strengthen your faith and trust in Him during times of personal or global turmoil?**
* **What practical steps can you take to cultivate a greater sense of awe and reverence for God in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why does Habakkuk use such dramatic personification of nature in describing God's presence?**

Answer: Habakkuk employs dramatic personification to vividly convey the overwhelming, irresistible power and majesty of God. By attributing human-like actions and emotions (seeing, trembling, uttering a voice, lifting hands) to inanimate elements like mountains and the deep, the prophet emphasizes that God's presence is so profound and awe-inspiring that even the most stable and formidable parts of creation are compelled to acknowledge and respond to Him. This literary device elevates the theological impact, illustrating God's absolute sovereignty over all creation and underscoring that nothing can stand indifferent or resistant before His glory. It also draws on ancient Near Eastern and biblical traditions of [theophanies](/exodus/19-18 "Exodus 19:18 - Mount Sinai Trembles"), where God's appearances were often accompanied by cosmic disturbances, signifying His control over both nature and history.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk's vision of creation trembling before the Almighty finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The very Son of God, who was "in the beginning with God" and through whom "all things were made" ([John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God")), is the one before whom all creation ultimately bows. The power that caused mountains to tremble and the deep to utter its voice in Habakkuk's vision is the same power demonstrated by Christ when He calmed a raging storm with a mere command, causing His disciples to marvel, "What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!" ([Mark 4:39-41](/mark/4-39-41 "Mark 4:39-41 - Jesus Calms the Storm")). Furthermore, the "lifting up of hands" by the deep foreshadows the universal acknowledgment of Christ's supreme authority. [Philippians 2:9-11](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Every Knee Shall Bow") declares that God has "highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and on earth, and under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Thus, Habakkuk's majestic depiction of God's power over creation points forward to the cosmic reign and ultimate triumph of Christ, the Creator and Redeemer, before whom all things in heaven and on earth will one day submit in worship and awe.

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

Psalms 93:3

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Hebrews 11:29

By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry [land]: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.

Jeremiah 4:24

I beheld the mountains, and, lo, they trembled, and all the hills moved lightly.

Isaiah 43:20

The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls: because I give waters in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen.

Psalms 98:7

Let the sea roar, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

Psalms 98:8

Let the floods clap [their] hands: let the hills be joyful together

Matthew 27:51

And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;