Habakkuk 3:16

Authorized King James Version

When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי׀
H8085
When I heard
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#2
אֶרְגָּ֑ז
H7264
and I trembled
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
#3
בִּטְנִ֗י
H990
my belly
the belly, especially the womb; also the bosom or body of anything
#4
לְקוֹל֙
H6963
at the voice
a voice or sound
#5
צָלֲל֣וּ
H6750
quivered
to tinkle, i.e., rattle together (as the ears in reddening with shame, or the teeth in chattering with fear)
#6
שְׂפָתַ֔י
H8193
my lips
the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)
#7
יָב֥וֹא
H935
entered
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#8
רָקָ֛ב
H7538
rottenness
decay (by caries)
#9
בַּעֲצָמַ֖י
H6106
into my bones
a bone (as strong); by extension, the body; figuratively, the substance, i.e., (as pron.) selfsame
#10
וְתַחְתַּ֣י
H8478
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#11
אֶרְגָּ֑ז
H7264
and I trembled
to quiver (with any violent emotion, especially anger or fear)
#12
אֲשֶׁ֤ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#13
אָנ֙וּחַ֙
H5117
in myself that I might rest
to rest, i.e., settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, intransitive, transitive and causative (to dwell, stay, l
#14
לְי֣וֹם
H3117
in the day
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
#15
צָרָ֔ה
H6869
of trouble
transitively, a female rival
#16
לַעֲל֖וֹת
H5927
when he cometh up
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
#17
לְעַ֥ם
H5971
unto the people
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
#18
יְגוּדֶֽנּוּ׃
H1464
he will invade them with his troops
to crowd upon, i.e., attack

Analysis

Within the broader context of Habakkuk, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of covenant community connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about covenant community, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Habakkuk.

Historical Context

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood covenant community. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection