Habakkuk 3:6

“He stood and measured the earth, etc.] This alludes to the ark of the Lord, the symbol of his presence, standing and abiding at Gilgal for the space of fourteen years, while the land of Canaan was subdued by Joshua; and then measured out by him, and divided by lot, as an inheritance to the children of Israel, according to the direction and appointment of the Lord, (<061301>Joshua 13:1-33) etc.: here it may have respect to the mission of the apostles into the various parts of the world, and the distribution of it among them; some being sent into one part, and some into another, called their particular line and measure, (<471014>2 Corinthians 10:14-16) some into India, others into Ethiopia;…”

“He stood, and measured the earth--Jehovah, in His advance, is represented as stopping suddenly, and measuring the earth with His all-seeing glance, whereat there is universal consternation. MAURER, from a different root, translates, "rocked the earth"; which answers better to the parallel "drove asunder"; the Hebrew for which latter, however, may be better translated, "made to tremble." everlasting mountains--which have ever been remembered as retaining the same place and form from the foundation of the world. did bow--as it were, in reverent submission. his ways are everlasting--His marvellous ways of working for the salvation of His people mark His everlasting character: such as He was in…”

“He stood - It is “a metaphor of his giving victory to Israel” Tanchum. And measured - So Kimchi, A. E., Rashi, Tanchum, Vulgate. It is borne out by Hithpolel. “extended himself,” 1 Kings 17:21. By an interchange of dentals; מוד might be = מוט, and so the Aramaic and the Septuagint but in no other case do the two forms co-exist in Hebrew. The earth - Joshua, after he had conquered the land, meted it out and divided it among the people. He who should come, should measure out the earth in its length and breadth, that earth which His glory filleth. “He stood,” as Stephen saw Him, Acts 7:56, “standing at the right hand of God.” Isaiah saith, Isaiah 3:13 : “The Lord standeth up to plead, and…”

“He stood - Gave his presence with Joshua, as one that stood by while the work was done. The land - The promised land. He beheld - Looked with a frowning countenance. Drove asunder - Cast them out, his eye did this, for he looked on them, and did this. His ways - The wisdom, goodness, justice, holiness, and power of God, which he shews in governing his people. Habakkuk 3:7”

“and measured: Exo 15:17, Exo 21:31; Num. 34:1-29; Deu 32:8; Act 17:26 and drove: Jos 10:42, Jos 11:18-23; Neh 9:22-24; Psa 135:8-12 the everlasting: Hab 3:10; Gen 49:26; Deu 33:15; Jdg 5:5; Psa 68:16, Psa 114:4-7; Isa 64:1-3; Nah 1:5; Zac 14:4, Zac 14:5 his: Psa 90:2, Psa 103:17; Isa 51:6, Isa 51:8; Mic 5:8; Mat 24:35; Luk 1:50; Heb 13:8 Habakkuk 3:7”

“"He stands, and sets the earth reeling: He looks, and makes nations tremble; primeval mountains burst in pieces, the early hills sink down: His are ways of the olden time. Hab 3:7. I saw the tents of Cushan under affliction: the curtains of the land of Midian tremble." God coming from afar has now drawn near and taken His stand, to smite the nations as a warlike hero (cf. Hab 3:8, Hab 3:9, and Hab 3:11, Hab 3:12). This is affirmed in עמד, He has stationed Himself, not "He steps forth or appears." This standing of Jehovah throws the earth and the nations into trembling. ימדד cannot mean to measure here, for there is no thought of any measuring of the earth, and it cannot be shown that mâdad…”