Habakkuk 1:6
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's.
Original Language Analysis
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מֵקִים֙
For lo I raise up
H6965
מֵקִים֙
For lo I raise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
3 of 15
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
the Chaldeans
H3778
הַכַּשְׂדִּ֔ים
the Chaldeans
Strong's:
H3778
Word #:
5 of 15
a kasdite, or descendant of kesed; by implication, a chaldaean (as if so descended); also an astrologer (as if proverbial of that people
הַגּ֖וֹי
nation
H1471
הַגּ֖וֹי
nation
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
6 of 15
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
הַמַּ֣ר
that bitter
H4751
הַמַּ֣ר
that bitter
Strong's:
H4751
Word #:
7 of 15
bitter (literally or figuratively); also (as noun) bitterness, or (adverbially) bitterly
וְהַנִּמְהָ֑ר
and hasty
H4116
וְהַנִּמְהָ֑ר
and hasty
Strong's:
H4116
Word #:
8 of 15
properly, to be liquid or flow easily, i.e., (by implication)
הַֽהוֹלֵךְ֙
which shall march
H1980
הַֽהוֹלֵךְ֙
which shall march
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
9 of 15
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְמֶרְחֲבֵי
through the breadth
H4800
לְמֶרְחֲבֵי
through the breadth
Strong's:
H4800
Word #:
10 of 15
enlargement, either literally (an open space, usually in a good sense), or figuratively (liberty)
לָרֶ֖שֶׁת
to possess
H3423
לָרֶ֖שֶׁת
to possess
Strong's:
H3423
Word #:
12 of 15
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish
מִשְׁכָּנ֥וֹת
the dwellingplaces
H4908
מִשְׁכָּנ֥וֹת
the dwellingplaces
Strong's:
H4908
Word #:
13 of 15
a residence (including a shepherd's hut, the lair of animals, figuratively, the grave; also the temple); specifically, the tabernacle (properly, its w
Cross References
2 Kings 24:2And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldees, and bands of the Syrians, and bands of the Moabites, and bands of the children of Ammon, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by his servants the prophets.Jeremiah 5:15Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from far, O house of Israel, saith the LORD: it is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language thou knowest not, neither understandest what they say.Isaiah 23:13Behold the land of the Chaldeans; this people was not, till the Assyrian founded it for them that dwell in the wilderness: they set up the towers thereof, they raised up the palaces thereof; and he brought it to ruin.Jeremiah 25:9Behold, I will send and take all the families of the north, saith the LORD, and Nebuchadrezzar the king of Babylon, my servant, and will bring them against this land, and against the inhabitants thereof, and against all these nations round about, and will utterly destroy them, and make them an astonishment, and an hissing, and perpetual desolations.
Historical Context
The Chaldeans (Babylonians) under Nebuchadnezzar II were emerging as the ancient Near East's dominant power. They defeated Assyria (Nineveh fell 612 BC), crushed Egypt at Carchemish (605 BC), and were poised to conquer westward into Syria-Palestine. Their military reputation was fearsome—disciplined, ruthless, and successful. Within years of Habakkuk's prophecy, Babylon would besiege Jerusalem multiple times (605, 597, 586 BC), eventually destroying the city and exiling Judah's population. God's announcement that He was raising up this terrifying empire to judge His own people was both stunning and troubling. It demonstrated God's sovereignty over international affairs but raised profound questions about His methods.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's use of wicked Babylon to judge less-wicked Judah illustrate the mystery of divine providence?
- What does this passage teach about God's sovereignty over pagan empires and their role in accomplishing His purposes?
- How should believers understand God working through evil people and nations without approving their wickedness?
Analysis & Commentary
God's response shocks Habakkuk: 'For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs' (ki-hineni meqim eth-haKasdim haggoy hammar vehanmhar haholekh lemmerchave-eretz laresheth mishkenoth lo-lo). God is actively raising up (meqim) the Chaldeans (Babylonians)—not merely permitting but orchestrating their rise. They're described as 'bitter' (mar, cruel) and 'hasty' (nmhar, impetuous, swift). They will 'march through the breadth of the land' (holekh merchave-eretz)—conquering vast territories. Their purpose: 'to possess dwellingplaces not theirs' (laresheth mishkenoth lo-lo)—seizing lands belonging to others. This is God's answer to Habakkuk's complaint about injustice: He will judge it, but through an even more wicked nation. This creates deeper perplexity that Habakkuk addresses in his second complaint (1:12-17).