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Habakkuk 1:7

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Habakkuk 1:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They are terrible and dreadful; their judgment and their dignity proceed from themselves.
Habakkuk 1:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Habakkuk 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
4Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.
5Behold ye among the nations, and look, and wonder marvellously; for I am working a work in your days, which ye will not believe though it be told you.
6For, 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.
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.
← Habakkuk 1:6Habakkuk 1:8 →
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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
“They [are] terrible and dreadful, etc.] For the fierceness of their countenances; the number and valour of their troops; the splendor of their armour; the victories they had obtained, and the cruelty they had exercised; the fame of all which spread terror wherever they came: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves; they will not be directed and governed by any laws of God and man, but by their own; they will do according to their will and pleasure, and none will be able to gainsay and resist them; they will hear no reason or argument; their decrees and determinations they make of themselves shall be put into execution, and there will be no opposing their tyrannical…”
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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
“their judgment and . . . dignity . . . proceed of themselves--that is, they recognize no judge save themselves, and they get for themselves and keep their own "dignity" without needing others' help. It will be vain for the Jews to complain of their tyrannical judgments; for whatever the Chaldeans decree they will do according to their own will, they will not brook anyone attempting to interfere.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They are terrible - איום 'âyôm occurs here only and Song of Solomon 6:4, Song of Solomon 6:10, compared with the “bannered host,” but the root is common in אימה 'ēymâh. And dreadful - He describes them, first in themselves, then in act. They are terrible, and strike fear through their very being, their known character, before they put it forth in act. Their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves. - Judgment had gone forth in God’s people wrested Habakkuk 1:4; now shall it go forth against them at the mere will of their master, who shall own no other rule or Lord or source of his power. His own will shall be his only law for himself and others. His elevation is too is, in…”
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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
“Their judgment - The law they observe, is their own will. Their dignity - Their authority is all from themselves, without respect to any other law or rule whatever. Habakkuk 1:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:7 do whatever they like: No relief from injustice would come from the Babylonians. They were a law unto themselves, which added to the prophet’s perplexity at God’s decision to use them to punish Judah.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“their judgment: etc. or, from them shall proceed the judgment of these and the captivity of these, Jer 39:5-9, Jer 52:9-11, Jer 52:25-27; Deu 5:19, Deu 5:27 Habakkuk 1:8”
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Related study paths

Read Habakkuk 1 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification