Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, [even] for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.
Thou wentest forth {H3318} for the salvation {H3468} of thy people {H5971}, even for salvation {H3468} with thine anointed {H4899}; thou woundedst {H4272} the head {H7218} out of the house {H1004} of the wicked {H7563}, by discovering {H6168} the foundation {H3247} unto the neck {H6677}. Selah {H5542}.
You come out to save your people, to save your anointed one; you crush the head of the house of the wicked, uncovering its foundation all the way to the neck.
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked and stripped him from head to toe. Selah
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, For the salvation of thine anointed; Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked man, Laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. [Selah
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Psalms 110:6
He shall judge among the heathen, he shall fill [the places] with the dead bodies; he shall wound the heads over many countries. -
Psalms 105:15
[Saying], Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm. -
Exodus 12:29
¶ And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that [was] in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. -
Exodus 12:30
And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for [there was] not a house where [there was] not one dead. -
Joshua 10:42
And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel. -
Psalms 99:6
¶ Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them. -
Joshua 10:11
And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, [and] were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: [they were] more which died with hailstones than [they] whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.
Habakkuk 3:13 is a powerful declaration within the prophet Habakkuk's prayer, a majestic hymn expressing faith and confidence in God's ultimate intervention and justice. This verse describes God's dynamic action in history, moving forth decisively to deliver His people and utterly defeat their enemies.
Context
This verse is part of Habakkuk's prayer (Chapter 3), which serves as a profound response to God's revelation of impending judgment upon Judah through the Babylonians (Chapters 1-2). Despite the dire prophecy of destruction, Habakkuk shifts from lament to a triumphant affirmation of God's sovereignty and His unfailing commitment to His covenant people. The prayer vividly recalls God's past acts of salvation, particularly the Exodus, and anticipates His future deliverance, portraying Him as a divine warrior.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Reflection & Application
Habakkuk 3:13 offers profound comfort and assurance for believers today. It reminds us that God is not passive in the face of injustice or evil. He is an active, sovereign God who intervenes powerfully on behalf of His people. Just as He delivered Israel, He continues to work for the salvation of those who trust in Him, ultimately through His Anointed One, Jesus Christ. We can draw strength from the promise that God will decisively defeat all forms of wickedness, having already achieved the ultimate victory over sin and death through Christ's triumph over the serpent's head. This verse encourages us to maintain faith and hope, even when circumstances seem bleak, knowing that God's justice and deliverance will ultimately prevail.