Habakkuk 3:4

And [his] brightness was as the light; he had horns [coming] out of his hand: and there [was] the hiding of his power.

And his brightness {H5051} was as the light {H216}; he had horns {H7161} coming out of his hand {H3027}: and there was the hiding {H2253} of his power {H5797}.

His brightness is like the sun, rays come forth from his hand - that is where his power is concealed.

His radiance was like the sunlight; rays flashed from His hand, where His power is hidden.

Andhisbrightness was as the light; He had rayscoming forthfrom his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.

Habakkuk 3:4 is part of a magnificent prayer and hymn of the prophet Habakkuk, a powerful description of God's majestic appearance and awesome power. This chapter vividly portrays God's dramatic intervention on behalf of His people, drawing on imagery reminiscent of the Exodus and Sinai.

Context

Chapter 3 of Habakkuk is a profound prayer of the prophet, uttered in response to God's revelations concerning the impending Babylonian invasion and His ultimate justice. It begins with Habakkuk's awe and reverence for God's past works and a plea for revival (Habakkuk 3:2). Verses 3-15 describe a theophany—a visible manifestation of God—as He marches forth in cosmic power to deliver His people and execute judgment. This verse, specifically, focuses on the radiant and powerful nature of God's presence, painting a picture of divine splendor.

Key Themes

  • Divine Glory and Radiance: The phrase "his brightness was as the light" emphasizes God's inherent glory, His luminous and awe-inspiring presence. It speaks to His purity, holiness, and the overwhelming majesty that accompanies His manifestation, reflecting the light and splendor that clothe Him.
  • Omnipotent Power: The imagery of "horns coming out of his hand" powerfully symbolizes God's strength and authority. In biblical typology, horns often represent power, dominion, and might. Here, they are depicted as emanating directly from His hand, the source of His actions and decrees, signifying irresistible power and the dynamic display of His might.
  • Transcendent Mystery: "And there was the hiding of his power" is a profound and somewhat enigmatic statement. It suggests that even in the midst of His brilliant revelation and display of power, there remains an unfathomable depth to God's strength that is not fully revealed or comprehended by human eyes. His power is so immense that what we perceive is only a glimpse, a veiled manifestation of His infinite might, hinting at the unsearchable greatness of God.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "brightness" is nogah (נֹגַהּ), which denotes a brilliant light, splendor, or radiance, often associated with divine glory, as seen in prophetic visions. The term "horns" is qeren (קֶרֶן), which literally means "horn" but can also refer to rays of light, as seen in the Septuagint's translation of Moses' face shining with "horns" (rays) after being with God. This dual meaning enriches the imagery, suggesting either mighty emanations of power or blinding rays of light. The phrase "hiding of his power" uses chebyon (חֶבְיוֹן), which means "hiding place" or "a veil," implying that His power is either partially concealed or that the very rays themselves are the "hiding place" where His power resides, yet is not fully exposed.

Practical Application

Habakkuk 3:4 calls us to stand in awe of God. It reminds us that our God is not only glorious and powerful but also transcends our full comprehension. Even as He reveals Himself and acts powerfully in history and in our lives, there is always more to His infinite nature than we can grasp. This encourages both reverence and trust: reverence for His incomprehensible majesty, and trust in His veiled, yet ever-present and omnipotent, power. It assures us that even when we don't fully understand God's ways, His power is at work, often in ways unseen or partially hidden, moving towards His perfect purposes and demonstrating His thoughts and ways being higher than ours.

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.

  • Isaiah 60:19

    The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but the LORD shall be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.

  • Isaiah 60:20

    Thy sun shall no more go down; neither shall thy moon withdraw itself: for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light, and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

  • Matthew 17:2

    And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

  • Job 26:14

    Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

  • Exodus 14:20

    And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness [to them], but it gave light by night [to these]: so that the one came not near the other all the night.

  • Proverbs 18:10

    ¶ The name of the LORD [is] a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

  • 1 Timothy 6:16

    Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom [be] honour and power everlasting. Amen.
← Back