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Habakkuk 1:10

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Habakkuk 1:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him; he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him; he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it.
Habakkuk 1:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Habakkuk 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.
8Their horses also are swifter than leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves; and their horsemen press proudly on: yea, their horsemen come from far; they fly as an eagle that hasteth to devour.
9They come all of them for violence; the set of their faces is forwards; and they gather captives as the sand.
10Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him; he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it.
11Then shall he sweep by [as] a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, [even] he whose might is his god.
12Art not thou from everlasting, O Jehovah my God, my Holy One? we shall not die. O Jehovah, thou hast ordained him for judgment; and thou, O Rock, hast established him for correction.
13Thou that art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and that canst not look on perverseness, wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy peace when the wicked swalloweth up the man that is more righteous than he;
← Habakkuk 1:9Habakkuk 1:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And they shall scoff at the kings, etc.] Or, “he shall”f44, Nebuchadnezzar king of the Chaldeans, and the army with him; who would make a jest of kings and their armies that should oppose them, as being not at all a match for them; as the kings of Judah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah, they carried captive, and all others confederate with them, in whom they trusted, as the king of Egypt particularly; and which is observed to show the vanity of trusting in princes for safety; though it may also include all other kings the Chaldeans fought against, and the kingdoms they invaded and subdued: and the princes shall be a scorn unto them; the nobles, counsellors, and ministers of state; or leaders and…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“scoff at . . . kings--as unable to resist them. they shall heap dust, and take it--"they shall heap" earth mounds outside, and so "take every stronghold" (compare Sa2 20:15; Kg2 19:32) [GROTIUS].”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And they - literally, “he,” the word stands emphatically, he, alone against all the kings of the earth Shall scoff at the kings - and all their might taking them away or setting them up at his pleasure and caprice, subduing them as though in sport And princes - literally, grave and majestic Shall be a scorn unto them - i. e. him. Compare Job 41:29. So Nebuchadnezzar bound Jehoiakim 2 Chronicles 36:6; Daniel 1:2 “in fetters to carry him to Babylon;” then, on his submission made him for three years a tributary king 2 Kings 24:1, then on his rebellion sent bands of Chaldees and other tributaries against him 2 Kings 24:2; and then, or when Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin, Jeremiah’s prophecy was…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“At the kings - Which opposed their designs. And take it - By mighty mounts cast up. Habakkuk 1:12”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:10 The ancient battle tactic of building ramps of earth against the walls of cities under attack is widely attested in the ancient Near East (e.g., 2 Kgs 19:32; Nah 2:1).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“scoff: Kg2 24:12, Kg2 25:6, Kg2 25:7; Ch2 36:6, Ch2 36:10 they shall deride: Isa 14:16; Jer 32:24, Jer 33:4, Jer 52:4-7 Habakkuk 1:11”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification