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Habakkuk 1:9

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Habakkuk 1:9 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “They come all of them for violence; the set of their faces is forwards; and they gather captives as the sand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

They come all of them for violence; the set of their faces is forwards; and they gather captives as the sand.
Habakkuk 1:9 — American Standard Version

Context — Habakkuk 1

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
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.
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.
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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 shall come all for violence, etc.] Or, “the whole of it”f42; the whole army of the Chaldeans, everyone of them; this would be their sole view, not to do themselves justice, as might be pretended, or avenge any injuries or affronts done to them by the Jews; but purely for the sake of spoil and plunder: their faces shall sup up [as] the east wind: their countenances will appear so stern and fierce, that their very looks will so frighten, as to cause men to sink and die through terror; just as herbs and plants shrivel up and wither away, when blasted by a nipping east wind. So the Targum, “the reception or look of their faces is like to a vehement east wind.” Some render it, “the look or…”
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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
“all for violence--The sole object of all is not to establish just rights, but to get all they can by violence. their faces shall sup up as the east wind--that is, they shall, as it were, swallow up all before them; so the horse in Job 39:24 is said to "swallow the ground with fierceness and rage." MAURER takes it from an Arabic root, "the desire of their faces," that is, the eager desire expressed by their faces. HENDERSON, with SYMMACHUS and Syriac, translates, "the aspect." as the east wind--the simoon, which spreads devastation wherever it passes (Isa 27:8). GESENIUS translates, "(is) forwards." The rendering proposed, eastward, as if it referred to the Chaldeans' return home eastward…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“They shall come all for violence - “Violence” had been the sin of Judah Habakkuk 1:3-4, and now violence shall be her punishment. It had been ever before the prophet; all were full of it. Now should violence be the very end, one by one, of all the savage horde poured out upon them; they all, each one of them come for violence. Their faces shall sup up as the east wind - קדומה occurs else only in Ezekiel 11:1, and Ezekiel 11:16 times in Ezek. 40–48 of the ideal city and temple as “Eastwards.” But except in the far-fetched explanation of Abarb (mentioned also by Tanchum) that they ravaged, not to settle but to return home with their booty, “Eastwards” would have no meaning. Yet “forwards” is…”
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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
“For violence - To enrich themselves by making a prey of all. Their faces - Their very countenances shall be as blasting as the east - wind. Habakkuk 1:10”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“1:9 The Babylonians indeed took many captives from Judah into exile between 605 and 586 BC (see Dan 1:1-3).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“for: Hab 1:6, Hab 2:5-13; Deu 28:51, Deu 28:52; Jer 4:7, Jer 5:15-17, Jer 25:9 their faces shall sup up as the east: or, the supping up of their faces, as, etc. or, their faces shall look toward the east. Heb. the opposition of their faces shall be toward the east. Isa 27:8; Jer 4:11; Eze 17:10, Eze 19:12; Hos 13:15 they shall gather: Hab 2:5; Gen 41:49; Jdg 7:12; Job 29:18; Psa 139:18; Jer 15:8, Jer 34:22; Hos 1:10; Rom 9:27 Habakkuk 1:10”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification