Habakuk 1:9

1:9 All of them intend ¹  to do violence;

every face is determined. ² 

They take prisoners as easily as one scoops up sand. ³ 

Habakuk 1:16

1:16 Because of his success ⁴  he offers sacrifices to his throw net

and burns incense to his dragnet; ⁵ 

for because of them he has plenty of food, ⁶ 

and more than enough to eat. ⁷ 

[1:9]  ¹ tn Heb “come.”

[1:9]  ² tn Heb “The totality of their faces is to the east” (or “is forward”). The precise meaning of the Hebrew term מְגַמַּת (megammat) is unclear. For a discussion of options see J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 93. NEB has “a sea of faces rolls on”; NIV “their hordes advance like a desert wind”; NRSV “with faces pressing forward.”

[1:9]  ³ tn Heb “and he gathers like sand, prisoners.”

[1:16]  ⁴ tn Heb “therefore.”

[1:16]  ⁵ sn The fishing implements (throw net and dragnet) represent Babylonian military might. The prophet depicts the Babylonians as arrogantly worshiping their own power (sacrifices…burns incense, see also v. 11b).

[1:16]  ⁶ tn Heb “for by them his portion is full [or, “fat”].”

[1:16]  ⁷ tn Heb “and his food is plentiful [or, “fat”].”