Habakkuk 3:3

KJV

¶ God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

KJV (with Strong's)

God {H433} came {H935} from Teman {H8487}, and the Holy One {H6918} from mount {H2022} Paran {H6290}. Selah {H5542}. His glory {H1935} covered {H3680} the heavens {H8064}, and the earth {H776} was full {H4390} of his praise {H8416}.

Complete Jewish Bible

God comes from Teman, the Holy One from Mount Pa'ran. His splendor covers the sky, and his praise fills the earth.

Berean Standard Bible

God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth.

American Standard Version

God came from Teman, And the Holy One from mount Paran. [Selah His glory covered the heavens, And the earth was full of his praise.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 3:3 presents a breathtaking vision of God's majestic appearance, a divine manifestation (theophany) that draws upon historical precedents of His powerful intervention for His people. The verse vividly portrays the Holy One's glorious arrival from the ancient wilderness regions of Teman and Mount Paran, depicting His overwhelming splendor covering the heavens and the entire earth resounding with His praise. This profound imagery serves to assure the prophet, and by extension, all believers, of God's unwavering power, faithfulness, and ultimate triumph, even amidst impending judgment and uncertainty.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 3 stands as a magnificent prayer or psalm, serving as the prophet's profound response to the Lord's earlier pronouncements of judgment against Judah via the Babylonians, alongside promises of future restoration and divine justice. Having wrestled with God's methods and timing in the preceding chapters ([Habakkuk 1](/habakkuk/1 "Habakkuk 1 - The Prophet's Lament and God's Response") and [Habakkuk 2](/habakkuk/2 "Habakkuk 2 - The Lord's Answer and Woes")), Habakkuk concludes his book not with a lament, but with a triumphant affirmation of faith. Chapter 3 is a poetic and liturgical piece, likely intended for public worship, where Habakkuk expresses both his awe and terror at God's impending actions, yet ultimately resolves to rejoice in the Lord despite dire circumstances. Verse 3 initiates a grand, epic vision of God's coming, setting the stage for a dramatic recounting of His past mighty deeds that serve as a powerful foundation for hope in His future intervention and deliverance. The imagery of God's appearance here is a direct answer to the prophet's earlier plea for God to "revive Your work in the midst of the years" ([Habakkuk 3:2](/habakkuk/3-2 "Habakkuk 3:2 - Habakkuk's Prayer for Revival")).

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The geographical references in Habakkuk 3:3—"Teman" and "Mount Paran"—are deeply significant, evoking specific historical and cultural memories for ancient Israel. Teman was a prominent region in Edom, located to the southeast of Judah, known for its wisdom and as a place associated with the descendants of Esau. Mount Paran, on the other hand, is generally identified with a desert wilderness area in the Sinai Peninsula, south of Canaan. Both locations are strongly linked to the Exodus narrative and the formative period of Israel's history. God's dramatic appearance to Israel during their wilderness wanderings, particularly at Mount Sinai for the giving of the Law, is a foundational event. Passages like [Deuteronomy 33:2](/deuteronomy/33-2 "Deuteronomy 33:2 - Moses' Blessing of Israel") and [Judges 5:4-5](/judges/5-4-5 "Judges 5:4-5 - Deborah's Song of God's Coming") describe God's coming from these southern regions, often accompanied by earthquake and fire, signifying His covenant presence and powerful intervention. By recalling these specific locations, Habakkuk taps into Israel's collective memory of God's awe-inspiring power and His unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, reminding them that the same God who delivered them from Egypt will act again.

* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 3:3 is rich with theological and narrative themes. The most prominent is **Divine Majesty and Power**, as the verse paints an overwhelming picture of God's glory so vast it "covered the heavens" and His praise filling "the earth," underscoring His supreme authority and incomparable power over all creation. This leads directly to the theme of **Theophany and Holy Presence**, where the "Holy One" coming from specific, historically significant locations signifies a powerful, personal, and tangible manifestation of God. It emphasizes both His transcendence—being beyond creation—and His immanence—actively involved within it, particularly in the affairs of His people. Another crucial theme is the **Remembrance of God's Past Acts**. By recalling God's historical appearances (like at Sinai), Habakkuk grounds his hope in God's unchanging nature and His proven faithfulness to His covenant people. This act of remembering past deliverances, as seen in [Psalm 77:11](/psalms/77-11 "Psalm 77:11 - Remembering God's Deeds"), is crucial for faith in times of crisis and uncertainty. Finally, the phrase "the earth was full of his praise" introduces the theme of **Universal Praise**, suggesting that God's glory is so self-evident and magnificent that all creation naturally responds in adoration and acknowledgment of His greatness, echoing the declarations of God's glory through nature found in [Psalm 19:1-4](/psalms/19-1-4 "Psalm 19:1-4 - The Heavens Declare God's Glory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **God (Hebrew, _ʼĕlôwahh'_):** From H433, this term, often considered an emphatic form of the more common "El," denotes a deity or the Deity. In this context, it refers to the one true God, the sovereign Lord of Israel, emphasizing His unique and singular divine nature. Its use here underscores the absolute authority and transcendent power of the being who is about to manifest Himself.
* **glory (Hebrew, _hôwd'_):** From H1935, this word describes grandeur, an imposing form and appearance, beauty, excellency, honor, and majesty. When applied to God, as here, it signifies the visible manifestation of His inherent greatness, splendor, and divine attributes. The idea that His _hôwd_ "covered the heavens" points to an overwhelming, all-encompassing display of His divine presence and inherent worth.
* **covered (Hebrew, _kâçâh'_):** From H3680, this primitive root means to plump, fill up hollows, or by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy), to clad oneself, close, hide, or overwhelm. In this verse, it vividly portrays the extent of God's glory, not merely appearing but actively enveloping and filling the vast expanse of the heavens, suggesting an overwhelming and inescapable presence.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran."**: This opening clause establishes the divine agent and His origin point. "God" (Eloah) and "the Holy One" are parallel titles, emphasizing His transcendent and sacred nature. Teman and Mount Paran are geographical locations in the southern wilderness, historically associated with God's powerful appearances to Israel during the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Sinai. This imagery evokes memories of God's dramatic, awe-inspiring interventions on behalf of His people, setting the stage for a similar manifestation in Habakkuk's time.
* **"Selah."**: This term, appearing frequently in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk 3, is a musical or liturgical notation. While its precise meaning is debated, it is generally understood to indicate a pause for reflection, contemplation, or an instrumental interlude. In this context, it serves as a cue for the reader or worshiper to meditate on the profound truth just stated—the overwhelming arrival of God—before proceeding.
* **"His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise."**: This second part of the verse describes the cosmic impact of God's arrival. "His glory" (Hôwd), representing His inherent majesty and visible splendor, is so immense that it "covered the heavens," implying an overwhelming, all-encompassing display that fills the celestial realm. As a direct consequence and natural response to this divine manifestation, "the earth was full of his praise." This signifies that God's self-revelation is so evident and magnificent that all creation, and by extension all humanity, is compelled to acknowledge and laud His greatness.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 3:3 is rich with literary artistry. The primary device is **Theophany**, the visible manifestation of God to humankind, which is the central event described. This theophany is depicted with **Anthropomorphic** elements, as God is portrayed as "coming" from a specific location, giving a human-like action to His divine presence. **Parallelism** is evident in the first line, "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran," where two synonymous phrases are used to describe the same divine subject and action, intensifying the image of God's arrival. The descriptions of God's glory "covering the heavens" and the earth being "full of his praise" employ **Hyperbole**, using exaggeration for emphasis to convey the immense scale and overwhelming nature of God's majesty and the universal response it elicits. Furthermore, the geographical references act as **Symbolism**, evoking powerful historical memories of God's covenant faithfulness and mighty acts during the Exodus, thereby grounding the prophet's present hope in God's unchanging character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 3:3 powerfully articulates the biblical truth of God's active, sovereign presence in His creation and among His people. It reveals a God who is not distant or detached but one who intervenes dynamically in history, manifesting His glory and power. This theophany underscores God's holiness, His unparalleled majesty, and His ultimate control over all circumstances, even those that seem chaotic or unjust to human perception. The verse serves as a profound reminder that God's glory is not confined to sacred spaces but is so expansive that it fills the cosmos, eliciting universal adoration. This vision of God's overwhelming presence and the earth's response of praise provides a deep wellspring of hope, assuring believers that the same God who acted mightily in the past will continue to act for the deliverance and vindication of His people, ultimately bringing all creation into full praise of His name.

* [Exodus 19:16-19](/exodus/19-16-19 "Exodus 19:16-19 - God's Appearance at Sinai")
* [Psalm 97:1-6](/psalms/97-1-6 "Psalm 97:1-6 - The Lord Reigns, Let the Earth Rejoice")
* [Isaiah 6:1-3](/isaiah/6-1-3 "Isaiah 6:1-3 - Isaiah's Vision of God's Glory")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 3:3 offers a profound anchor for faith in times of personal and global upheaval. Just as Habakkuk faced the terrifying prospect of Babylonian invasion, believers today often confront daunting challenges, uncertainties, and seemingly insurmountable injustices. This verse calls us to lift our gaze from our immediate circumstances to the magnificent, all-encompassing glory of God. By remembering His past acts of power and faithfulness, particularly His dramatic interventions on behalf of His people, we are reminded that the God who "came from Teman" and "Mount Paran" is the same unchanging God who is present with us now. His glory still covers the heavens, and His praise is still due from all the earth. This should inspire a deep sense of awe, trust, and worship, shifting our perspective from fear to profound confidence in His sovereignty. It encourages us to cultivate a life of praise, recognizing that even amidst suffering, God's ultimate triumph and the revelation of His glory are certain, leading to a renewed commitment to live in light of His majestic presence.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does reflecting on God's past powerful interventions, like those recalled in Habakkuk 3:3, strengthen your faith in current challenges?**
* **In what ways can you personally contribute to the "earth being full of His praise" in your daily life?**
* **What does it mean for God's "glory to cover the heavens" in a practical sense for your understanding of His presence and power?**
* **How does the concept of "Selah" (a pause for reflection) encourage you to slow down and meditate on God's character and actions?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "Teman" and "Mount Paran" in Habakkuk 3:3?**

Answer: "Teman" and "Mount Paran" are geographical locations in the southern wilderness regions, deeply significant in Israel's history. Teman was a region in Edom, and Mount Paran was in the Sinai Peninsula. Their mention in Habakkuk 3:3 evokes the historical context of God's dramatic appearances to Israel during the Exodus and the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. These were places where God powerfully manifested His presence, leading His people and establishing His covenant. By referencing these locations, Habakkuk recalls God's past mighty acts of deliverance and judgment, reminding his audience that the same powerful and faithful God is about to intervene again, just as He did in the wilderness. This imagery grounds the prophet's hope in God's unchanging character and His proven faithfulness to His covenant people, as seen in passages like [Deuteronomy 33:2](/deuteronomy/33-2 "Deuteronomy 33:2 - Moses' Blessing from Sinai").

**What does "Selah" mean, and why is it included in this verse?**

Answer: "Selah" (H5542, _çelâh_) is a term found primarily in the Psalms and three times in Habakkuk 3. While its exact meaning is debated among scholars, it is widely understood to be a musical or liturgical notation, likely indicating a pause for reflection, contemplation, or an instrumental interlude. In Habakkuk 3:3, its inclusion after the description of God's majestic coming from Teman and Mount Paran serves as a cue for the reader or worshiper to pause and deeply meditate on the profound truth and awe-inspiring imagery that has just been presented. It encourages a moment of quiet reverence and absorption of the divine revelation before continuing with the rest of the prayer.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk 3:3, with its grand depiction of God's glorious coming, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The "God" and "Holy One" who came from Teman and Mount Paran in a display of overwhelming glory foreshadows the incarnation of the Son of God. Jesus, the very "radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - The Son's Superiority")), "came" into the world not from a specific geographical location in the wilderness, but from the very presence of the Father, taking on human flesh. His life, death, and resurrection were the supreme manifestation of God's glory—a glory "full of grace and truth" ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Just as God's glory "covered the heavens" and the "earth was full of His praise" in Habakkuk's vision, so too does the redemptive work of Christ reveal God's glory to the fullest extent, eliciting praise from all who believe and ultimately from all creation. The future return of Christ, described in passages like [Revelation 1:7](/revelation/1-7 "Revelation 1:7 - Christ's Return"), will be the final, cosmic display of God's glory, where every eye will see Him, and His praise will indeed fill the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:1-4](/revelation/21-1-4 "Revelation 21:1-4 - The New Heaven and New Earth")). Thus, Habakkuk's vision of God's majestic advent points directly to the past, present, and future glory revealed in Jesus, the Christ.

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

Deuteronomy 33:2

And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

Amos 1:12

But I will send a fire upon Teman, which shall devour the palaces of Bozrah.

Obadiah 1:9

And thy mighty [men], O Teman, shall be dismayed, to the end that every one of the mount of Esau may be cut off by slaughter.

Psalms 4:4

Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

Jeremiah 49:7

¶ Concerning Edom, thus saith the LORD of hosts; [Is] wisdom no more in Teman? is counsel perished from the prudent? is their wisdom vanished?

Isaiah 6:3

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, [is] the LORD of hosts: the whole earth [is] full of his glory.

Psalms 68:17

The chariots of God [are] twenty thousand, [even] thousands of angels: the Lord [is] among them, [as in] Sinai, in the holy [place].