Keraia
Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk 1:8

The LORD’s Answer · Habakkuk 1:5–11
Read Habakkuk 1

Translations

Modern
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.
Traditional
Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat.
Literal
Their horses are swifter than leopards and fiercer than wolves of the evening; their horsemen spring about; and their horsemen come from afar, and they fly like the eagle hurrying to devour.
Latin
Leviores pardis equi ejus, et velociores lupis vespertinis: et diffundentur equites ejus: equites namque ejus de longe venient; volabunt quasi aquila festinans ad comedendum.

Original

Hebrew
English
Their horses are swifter than leopards, fiercer than wolves of the night. Their horsemen charge ahead, and their cavalry comes from afar. They fly like a vulture, swooping down to devour.

Notes

Habakkuk 1:8

The vivid images of cheetahs, wolves, and eagles show how fast and violent the Babylonian attacks against Judah were. These animals also show that the Babylonians hunted their enemies like prey (see Jeremiah 4:13; 48:40; 49:22).

Habakkuk 1:5–11

God's answer to Habakkuk's question is surprising. God would send a violent group (the Babylonians) to address the violence in Judah. The Babylonian army, well-trained and experienced in battle, was unstoppable.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Confusion and God’s Purpose

Events

Glossary

Book of Habakkuk Leopard Wolf

Topics

Armies: Marched with Rapidity Armies: Marched: Often in Open Line Babylon: Armies of, Described Babylon: City of Prophecies Concerning Horses Leopard: Fierceness of Leopard: Swift Prophecies Concerning Israel: Prophecies Concerning of War and Other Judgments Prophecy: Miscellaneous, Fulfilled: The Invasion of the Southern Kingdom by the Chaldeans Predicted The Heathen: Employed to Chastise the Church The Horse: Swift The Wolf of Fierce Enemies The Wolf: Particularly Fierce in the Evening when It Seeks Its Prey