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Saturday, July 26th, 2025
the Week of Proper 11 / Ordinary 16
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Read the Bible

Easy-to-Read Version

Habakkuk 1:6

I will make the Babylonians a strong nation. They are cruel and powerful fighters. They will march across the earth. They will take houses and cities that don't belong to them.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Babylon;   Chaldea;   Israel, Prophecies Concerning;   Prophecy;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Armies;   Babylon;   Heathen, the;  

Dictionaries:

- American Tract Society Bible Dictionary - Chaldeans;   Habakkuk;   Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Babylon;   Nation;   Easton Bible Dictionary - Bitter;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Habakkuk;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Babylon;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Tyre;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Bible, the;   Bitter;   Habakkuk;   Jehoiakim;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
Look! I am raising up the Chaldeans,that bitter, impetuous nationthat marches across the earth’s open spacesto seize territories not its own.
Hebrew Names Version
For, behold, I raise up the Kasdim, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the eretz, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
King James Version (1611)
For loe, I raise vp the Caldeans, that bitter and hastie nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs.
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize dwellings not their own.
New American Standard Bible
"For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That grim and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth, To take possession of dwelling places that are not theirs.
New Century Version
I will use the Babylonians, those cruel and wild people who march across the earth and take lands that don't belong to them.
Amplified Bible
"For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans [who rule in Babylon], That fierce and impetuous nation Who march throughout the earth To take possession of dwelling places that do not belong to them.
Geneva Bible (1587)
For lo, I raise vp the Caldeans, that bitter & furious nation, which shall goe vpon the breadth of the lande to possesse the dwelling places, that are not theirs.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans, That fierce and impetuous people Who march throughout the earth To seize dwelling places which are not theirs.
Legacy Standard Bible
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans,That bitter and hasty nationWho walks on the breadth of the landTo possess dwelling places which are not theirs.
Berean Standard Bible
For behold, I am raising up the Chaldeans-that ruthless and impetuous nation that marches through the breadth of the earth to seize dwelling places not their own.
Contemporary English Version
I am sending the Babylonians. They are fierce and cruel— marching across the land, conquering cities and towns.
Complete Jewish Bible
I am raising up the Kasdim, that bitter and impetuous nation, who march far and wide over the earth to seize homes that are not their own.
Darby Translation
For behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and impetuous nation, which marcheth through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs.
George Lamsa Translation
For, behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, that hasty and bitter nation, who shall march through the breadth of the land to possess the dwelling places that are not theirs.
Good News Translation
I am bringing the Babylonians to power, those fierce, restless people. They are marching out across the world to conquer other lands.
Lexham English Bible
For look! I am raising up the Chaldeans, the bitter and impetuous nation, the one who walks through the spacious places of earth to take possession of dwellings not belonging to it.
Literal Translation
For, behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, the bitter and impetuous nation which is going into the broad spaces of the land, to possess dwellings not his own.
American Standard Version
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs.
Bible in Basic English
For see, I am sending the Chaldaeans, that bitter and quick-moving nation; who go through the wide spaces of the earth to get for themselves living-places which are not theirs.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and impetuous nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
For lo, I rayse vp the Chaldeans, that bitter and furious nation, whiche shall go vpon the breadth of the land, to possesse the dwelling places that are not theirs.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Wherefore, behold, I stir up the Chaldeans, the bitter and hasty nation, that walks upon the breadth of the earth, to inherit tabernacles not his own.
English Revised Version
For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation; which march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
World English Bible
For, behold, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that march through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
For lo! Y schal reise Caldeis, a bittir folk and swift, goynge on the breede of erthe, that he welde tabernaclis not hise.
Update Bible Version
For, look, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, that marches through the width of the earth, to possess dwelling-places that are not theirs.
Webster's Bible Translation
For lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, [that] bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwelling-places [that are] not theirs.
New English Translation
Look, I am about to empower the Babylonians, that ruthless and greedy nation. They sweep across the surface of the earth, seizing dwelling places that do not belong to them.
New King James Version
For indeed I am raising up the Chaldeans, A bitter and hasty nation Which marches through the breadth of the earth, To possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
New Living Translation
I am raising up the Babylonians, a cruel and violent people. They will march across the world and conquer other lands.
New Life Bible
I am bringing the Babylonians to power. They are people filled with anger who go across the whole earth to take homes that are not theirs.
New Revised Standard
For I am rousing the Chaldeans, that fierce and impetuous nation, who march through the breadth of the earth to seize dwellings not their own.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
For, behold me! raising up the Chaldeans, the bitter and headlong nation, - that marcheth to the breadths of the earth, to take possession of habitations, not his.
Douay-Rheims Bible
For behold, I will raise up the Chaldeans, a bitter and swift nation, marching upon the breadth of the earth, to possess the dwelling places that are not their own.
Revised Standard Version
For lo, I am rousing the Chalde'ans, that bitter and hasty nation, who march through the breadth of the earth, to seize habitations not their own.
Young's Literal Translation
For, lo, I am raising up the Chaldeans, The bitter and hasty nation, That is going to the broad places of earth, To occupy tabernacles not its own.
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
For lo, I wil rase vp ye Caldees, that bytter and swifte people: which shal go as wyde as the londe is, to take possession of dwellinge places, that be not their owne.

Contextual Overview

5 "Look at the other nations! Watch them, and you will be amazed. I will do something in your lifetime that will amaze you. You would not believe it even if you were told about it. 6 I will make the Babylonians a strong nation. They are cruel and powerful fighters. They will march across the earth. They will take houses and cities that don't belong to them. 7 The Babylonians will scare the other people. They will do what they want to do and go where they want to go. 8 Their horses will be faster than leopards and more dangerous than wolves at sunset. Their horse soldiers will come from faraway places. They will attack their enemies quickly, like a hungry eagle swooping down from the sky. 9 The one thing they all want to do is fight. Their armies will march fast like the wind in the desert. And the Babylonian soldiers will take many prisoners—as many as the grains of sand. 10 "The Babylonian soldiers will laugh at the kings of other nations. Foreign rulers will be like jokes to them. The Babylonian soldiers will laugh at the cities with tall, strong walls. They will simply build dirt roads up to the top of the walls and easily defeat the cities. 11 Then they will leave like the wind and go on to fight against other places. The only thing the Babylonians worship is their own strength."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

I raise: Deuteronomy 28:49-52, 2 Kings 24:2, 2 Chronicles 36:6, 2 Chronicles 36:17, Isaiah 23:13, Isaiah 39:6, Isaiah 39:7, Jeremiah 1:15, Jeremiah 1:16, Jeremiah 4:6, Jeremiah 4:8, Jeremiah 5:15, Jeremiah 6:22, Jeremiah 6:23, Jeremiah 21:4, Jeremiah 25:9

breadth: Heb. breadths

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:34 - were merry 2 Kings 9:20 - driving Job 1:17 - The Chaldeans Isaiah 29:20 - the terrible Jeremiah 5:12 - have belied Jeremiah 10:22 - the noise Jeremiah 13:20 - and Jeremiah 21:7 - he shall Jeremiah 50:42 - they are cruel Ezekiel 7:24 - I will bring Ezekiel 16:40 - shall also Ezekiel 21:31 - and skilful Ezekiel 23:22 - I will raise Ezekiel 28:7 - the terrible Ezekiel 30:11 - the terrible Ezekiel 31:12 - strangers Ezekiel 32:12 - the terrible Daniel 7:4 - like Micah 5:1 - gather Habakkuk 1:9 - for Habakkuk 3:16 - he will Zephaniah 1:16 - day Hebrews 2:1 - let them slip Revelation 20:9 - went

Cross-References

Genesis 1:5
God named the light "day," and he named the darkness "night." There was evening, and then there was morning. This was the first day.
Genesis 1:6
Then God said, "Let there be a space to separate the water into two parts!"
Genesis 1:7
So God made the space and separated the water. Some of the water was above it, and some of the water was below it.
Genesis 1:8
God named that space "sky." There was evening, and then there was morning. This was the second day.
Genesis 1:11
Then God said, "Let the earth grow grass, plants that make grain, and fruit trees. The fruit trees will make fruit with seeds in it. And each plant will make its own kind of seed. Let these plants grow on the earth." And it happened.
Genesis 1:12
The earth grew grass and plants that made grain. And it grew trees that made fruit with seeds in it. Every plant made its own kind of seeds. And God saw that this was good.
Genesis 1:13
There was evening, and then there was morning. This was the third day.
Genesis 1:14
Then God said, "Let there be lights in the sky. These lights will separate the days from the nights. They will be used for signs to show when special meetings begin and to show the days and years.
Genesis 1:20
Then God said, "Let the water be filled with many living things, and let there be birds to fly in the air over the earth."
Genesis 1:22
God blessed all the living things in the sea and told them to have many babies and fill the seas. And he blessed the birds on land and told them to have many more babies.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans,.... A people still of late mean and low, famous only for their soothsaying, divination, and judicial astrology; but now become a powerful and warlike people, rising up under the permission of Providence to universal monarchy, and who would quickly add Judea to the rest of their dominions:

[that] bitter and hasty nation; a cruel and merciless people in their temper and disposition: "bitter" against the people of God and true religion, and causing bitterness, calamities, and distress, wherever they came: "hasty" and precipitate in their determinations; swift and nimble in their motions; active and vigorous in the prosecution of their designs:

which shall march through the breadth of the land; or "breadths of the land" t; through the whole world, as they were attempting to do, having subdued Syria, all Asia, and great part of Africa, through which they boldly marched, bearing down all opposition that was in their way; or through the breadth of the land of Judea, taking all the fenced cities as they went along, and Jerusalem the metropolis of it; see Isaiah 8:7:

to possess the dwellingplaces [that are] not theirs; the cities of Judea, and houses in them, as well as the palaces and dwellingplaces in Jerusalem, which they had no right unto, but what they got by the sword; what were the legal possessions and inheritances of others from father to son for ages past, these the Chaldeans would dispossess them of; and not only take them, and the spoil and plunder of them, for the present, but retain them in their possession, as an inheritance to be transmitted to their posterity. This may have some respect to the length of the captivity of the Jews, and their land being in the hands of their enemies for the space of seventy years.

t למרחבי ארץ "latitudines terrae", Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

For lo - So God announces a future, in which His Hand shall be greatly visible, whether more or less distant. In His sight it is present.

I raise up - God uses the free will and evil passions of people or devils to His own ends; and so He is said to “raise up” those whom He allows to be stirred up against His people, since the events which His Providence permits, favor their designs, and it rests with Him to withhold them. They lift themselves up for some end of covetousness or pride. But there is a higher order of things, in which God orders their actions to fulfill His righteousness by their iniquities.

The Chaldaeans, that bitter - מר. In Judges 18:25; 2 Samuel 17:8, the less concise נפשׁ מר.

And hasty nation - נמהר as Isaiah 32:4. Jerome: “To its might and warlike boldness almost all the Greeks who have written histories of the barbarians, witness.”

Which shall march through the breadth of the land - rather, “the earth,” literally “to the breadths of the earth,” reaching to its whole length and breadth, all its dimensions as in the description of Gog and Magog Revelation 20:8-9, “the number of whom is as the sand of the sea; and they went up on the breadth of the earth; unhindered, not pent up, but spreading abroad, where they will, over the whole earth.” All before it, is one wide even plain which it overspreads and covers, like a flood, and yet is not spent nor exhausted.

To possess the dwelling-places that are not theirs - As God’s people had done, so should it be done to them. Spoiling and violence within Habakkuk 1:2-4 attract oppression from without. The overcharged atmosphere casts down the lightning upon them. They had expelled the weak from their dwelling Micah 2:9; others shall possess theirs. Yet this scourge too shall pass by, since, although the Chaldaean did God’s Will, He willed it not, but His own (See Isaiah 10:6-7). The words, “not theirs,” literally, “not to him” stand with a mysterious fullness of meaning. The dwelling places not being his by right, shall not remain his, although given to him, while God wills.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 6. That bitter and hasty nation — Cruel and oppressive in their disposition; and prompt and speedy in their assaults and conquests.


 
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