Habakkuk 3:16

¶ When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

When I heard {H8085}, my belly {H990} trembled {H7264}; my lips {H8193} quivered {H6750} at the voice {H6963}: rottenness {H7538} entered {H935} into my bones {H6106}, and I trembled {H7264} in myself, that I might rest {H5117} in the day {H3117} of trouble {H6869}: when he cometh up {H5927} unto the people {H5971}, he will invade them with his troops {H1464}.

When I heard, my whole body trembled, my lips shook at the sound; weakness overcame my limbs, my legs gave way beneath me. But I wait calmly for the day of trouble, when it comes upon our assailants.

I heard and trembled within; my lips quivered at the sound. Decay entered my bones; I trembled where I stood. Yet I must wait patiently for the day of distress to come upon the people who invade us.

I heard, and my body trembled, My lips quivered at the voice; Rottenness entereth into my bones, and I tremble in my place; Because I must wait quietly for the day of trouble, For the coming up of the people that invadeth us.

Habakkuk 3:16 captures the prophet's profound, visceral reaction to the divine revelation he has received. Having just heard a magnificent prayer and prophecy detailing God's awesome power and His coming judgment, Habakkuk is overwhelmed by the weight of the message, particularly the impending invasion of Judah by the Chaldeans.

Context

This verse comes at the end of Habakkuk's prayer and prophetic vision in Habakkuk chapter 3. The prophet had initially wrestled with God over the injustice he witnessed in Judah and God's plan to use the wicked Babylonians as His instrument of judgment (Habakkuk 1:5-6). In this chapter, God's majesty and historical acts of salvation are recounted, leading to a terrifying yet awe-inspiring glimpse into future judgment. The "voice" Habakkuk hears is the divine pronouncement of this judgment, specifically the Babylonian invasion, which causes him extreme physical distress.

Key Themes

  • Profound Awe and Fear of God: Habakkuk's physical reactions—trembling, quivering lips, and feeling "rottenness" in his bones—illustrate the overwhelming terror and reverence one experiences in the direct presence or revelation of God's holy justice. It's not just fear of punishment, but a deep spiritual and physical response to divine power.
  • Anticipation of Judgment: The prophet clearly foresees the coming "day of trouble," when the invading army will "invade them with his troops." This refers to the historical Babylonian conquest of Judah, a devastating event God had revealed as His righteous judgment against His own people's sin.
  • Finding Rest Amidst Turmoil: The phrase "that I might rest in the day of trouble" suggests Habakkuk's desire or intention. Despite the intense fear, there is an underlying hope or purpose: to find spiritual peace and stability in God even when chaos erupts. This "rest" implies a quiet waiting on God's sovereignty, trusting in His ultimate plan even when it involves hardship.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "trembled" (רָגַז - ragaz) implies a violent shaking or agitation, emphasizing the severity of Habakkuk's reaction. The phrase "rottenness entered into my bones" (רָקָב בָּא בַעֲצָמָי - raqav ba ba'atzamay) vividly portrays a deep, internal decay or weakness, suggesting a complete loss of strength and inner stability in the face of such a terrifying vision. It's a profound expression of physical and emotional collapse.

Practical Application

Habakkuk's experience offers a powerful lesson for believers today. When faced with the harsh realities of life, suffering, or even the difficult truths of God's Word concerning judgment, our natural human response can be fear and dismay. However, like Habakkuk, our fear can lead us to a deeper trust and reliance on God. His trembling was a preparation for enduring the coming storm, allowing him to "rest" in God's sovereignty. This verse encourages us to cultivate a faith that finds peace and stability in God even when the world around us is in turmoil, knowing that He is ultimately in control, and that the just shall live by his faith.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 23:9

    ¶ Mine heart within me is broken because of the prophets; all my bones shake; I am like a drunken man, and like a man whom wine hath overcome, because of the LORD, and because of the words of his holiness.

  • Daniel 10:8

    Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength.

  • Habakkuk 3:2

    O LORD, I have heard thy speech, [and] was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.

  • Psalms 119:120

    My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

  • Jeremiah 45:3

    Thou didst say, Woe is me now! for the LORD hath added grief to my sorrow; I fainted in my sighing, and I find no rest.

  • Jeremiah 45:5

    And seekest thou great things for thyself? seek [them] not: for, behold, I will bring evil upon all flesh, saith the LORD: but thy life will I give unto thee for a prey in all places whither thou goest.

  • 2 Thessalonians 1:6

    Seeing [it is] a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you;

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