Habakkuk 1:11

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Habakkuk 1:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Then shall he sweep by [as] a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, [even] he whose might is his god.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Then shall he sweep by [as] a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, [even] he whose might is his god.
Habakkuk 1:11 — American Standard Version

Context — Habakkuk 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
11Then shall he sweep by [as] a wind, and shall pass over, and be guilty, [even] he whose might is his god.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Then shall [his] mind change, etc.] The mind of the king of Babylon; not that, when he had taken Jerusalem, he altered his purpose, and laid aside his designs of attacking other nations, and returned to his own country; where he became guilty of gross idolatry, in setting up the golden image in the plain of Dura, which he required all his subjects to worship, and to which he ascribed all his victories; for, five years after this, Josephusf45 says, he led his army into Coelesyria, and conquered the Moabites and Ammonites, and entered Egypt, and slew the reigning king of it: but rather the disposition of his mind changed for the worse upon his success in subduing kings and princes, and their…”
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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
“Then--when elated by his successes. shall his mind change--He shall lose whatever of reason or moderation ever was in him, with pride. he shall pass over--all bounds and restraints: his pride preparing the sure way for his destruction (Pro 16:18). The language is very similar to that describing Nebuchadnezzar's "change" from man's heart (understanding) to that of a beast, because of pride (see on Dan 4:16; Dan 4:30-31; Dan 4:33-34). An undesigned coincidence between the two sacred books written independently. imputing this his power unto his god-- (Dan 5:4). Sacrilegious arrogance, in ascribing to his idol Bel the glory that belongs to God [CALVIN]. GROTIUS explains, "(saying that) his power…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Then shall his mind change - or, better, “Then he sweeps by, חלף châlaph is used of the overflowing of a river, Isaiah 8:8, of a wind chasing, Isaiah 21:1, of the invisible presence of God passing by, Job 9:11, or a spirit, Job 4:15, of the swift passing of our days, like ship or eagle, Job 10:26, of idols utterly passing away. Isaiah 2:18, of rain past and gone, Song of Solomon 2:11. It is, together with עבר ‛âbar, used of transgressing God’s law Isaiah 24:5. It is always intransitive, except as piercing the temples of man Judges 5:26, or himself Job 20:24. A wind - רוח rûach, metaphor for simile, as Psalms 11:1; Psalms 22:14; (13 English) Psalms 90:4; Job 24:5; Isaiah 51:12) And passes…”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:11 their own strength is their god: The Babylonians worshiped many false gods. The arrogant confidence they placed on their military strength amounted to one more idol in the mix.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“shall his: Dan 4:30-34 imputing: Dan 5:3, Dan 5:4, Dan 5:20 Habakkuk 1:12”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification