Habakkuk 3:7

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Habakkuk 3:7 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; The curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; The curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
Habakkuk 3:7 — American Standard Version

Context — Habakkuk 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; The curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction, etc.] The same with Cush or Ethiopia; hence the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions render it, “the tents of the Ethiopians”; and these are the same with “the curtains of Midian” in the next clause, tents being made of curtains, and the Ethiopians and Midianites the same people; so the daughter of the priest of Midian, whom Moses married, is called an Ethiopian woman, (<020221>Exodus 2:21 <041201> Numbers 12:1). This seems to have respect to that panic which seized the neighbouring nations by whom the Israelites passed, as well as the Canaanites, into whose land they were marching, when they heard what wonderful things were done for them in Egypt,…”
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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
“the tents--that is, the dwellers. Cushan--the same as Cush; made "Cush-an" to harmonize with "Midi-an" in the parallel clause. So Lotan is found in the Hebrew of Genesis for Lot. BOCHART therefore considers it equivalent to Midian, or a part of Arabia. So in Num 12:1, Moses' Midianite wife is called an Ethiopian (Hebrew, Cushite). MAURER thinks the dwellers on both sides of the Arabian Gulf, or Red Sea, are meant; for in Hab 3:6 God's everlasting or ancient ways of delivering His people are mentioned; and in Hab 3:8, the dividing of the Red Sea for them. Compare Miriam's song as to the fear of Israel's foes far and near caused thereby (Exo 15:14-16). Hebrew expositors refer it to…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I saw - in prophetic vision 1 Kings 22:17. The tents of Cushan in (under) affliction - Upon the coming of the Lord there follows the visitation of those alien from Him. . Cushan-Rishathaim was the first, whose ambition God overruled to chasten His people Judges 3:8-10.. It has been remarked that as “king of Aram-Naharaim” or North Mesopotamia, he was probably sovereign of the Aram, from which Balak king of Moab, allied with Midian, sent for Balaam to curse Israel. Midian was the last enemy who, at the very entrance of the promised land, seduced God’s people into idolatry and foul sin and lusts. Midian became then the object of the wrath of God Numbers 25:17. They were also among the early…”
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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
“The tents - The people that dwelt in them. Arabia - Near whose borders Israel marched. In affliction - In fear and pain, lest that mighty people should fall on them. The curtains - Those that dwelt within them; these people dwelt in tents, which were made up on the sides with curtains. Habakkuk 3:8”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:7 Midian occupied the southern part of the region just east of the Jordan (see Gen 36:35); the nation was trembling in terror at the earth-shaking power of God’s presence (Hab 3:6).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“saw the: Exo 15:14-16; Num 22:3, Num 22:4; Jos 2:10, Jos 9:24 Cushan: or, Ethiopia, Gen 10:6, Gen 10:7 in affliction: or, under affliction, or vanity Midian: Gen 25:1-4; Num 31:2-12; Psa 83:5-10 Habakkuk 3:8”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification