Habakkuk 3:2 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

heard Thy speech. heard Thy hearing. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6.

speech. hearing. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6, for what was heard. Here. Thy fame, as in Numbers 14:15; 1 Kings 10:1.Isaiah 66:19.

afraid.. In awe; as in Exodus 14:31.

revive. renew, in the sense of repeating, doing over again.

work. Some codices, with Aramaean, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "works": i.e. doings.

years. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the afflictions suffered in them, or "wrath" manifested in them.

in the midst, &c. Out of 273 occurrences, this is the only place where it refers to time. Had Habakkuk learnt, like Daniel? Note the Figure of speech Anadiplosis (App-6), for emphasis.

make known. make [Thyself] known. The Hebrew accent places the logical pause on this verb: i.e. by repeating nowwhat Thou hast done in the past.

wrath. As manifested in present affliction; showing what is meant by "years", above.

mercy. compassion. Supply here the logical Ellipsis "[I will meditate on Thy doings of old:]".

Habakkuk 3:2

2 O LORD, I have heard thy speech,a 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.