Habakkuk 1:14
Habakkuk 1:14 in Multiple Translations
You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler.
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
and makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
He has made men like the fishes of the sea, like the worms which have no ruler over them.
You make people become like fish in the sea, or like crawling insects, that have no ruler.
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, and as the creeping things, that haue no ruler ouer them.
And Thou makest man as fishes of the sea, As a creeping thing — none ruling over him.
and make men like the fish of the sea, like the creeping things that have no ruler over them?
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping animals that have no ruler over them?
And thou wilt make men as the fishes of the sea, and as the creeping things that have no ruler.
Do you consider that we are like fish in the sea, or like other creatures in the sea, that have no ruler?
Berean Amplified Bible — Habakkuk 1:14
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Habakkuk 1:14 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
אָדָ֖ם
כִּ/דְגֵ֣י
הַ/יָּ֑ם
כְּ/רֶ֖מֶשׂ
לֹא
מֹשֵׁ֥ל
בּֽ/וֹ
וַ/תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
to make
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
the man (Adam)
N-ms
כִּ/דְגֵ֣י
dâg
H1709
fish
Prep | N-mp
הַ/יָּ֑ם
yâm
H3220
West
Art | N-ms
כְּ/רֶ֖מֶשׂ
remes
H7431
creeping
Prep | N-ms
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
not
Part
מֹשֵׁ֥ל
mâshal
H4910
to rule
V-Qal
בּֽ/וֹ
Prep | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
Select any word above to explore its original meaning, root, and usage across Scripture.
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Hebrew Word Reference — Habakkuk 1:14
וַ/תַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה
ʻâsâh
H6213
"to make"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-2ms
This verb means to make or do something, and is used over 2,600 times in the Bible. It is first used in Genesis 1:7 to describe God's creation of the world and is also used in Exodus 31:5 to describe the work of skilled craftsmen.
Definition: : make(OBJECT) 1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1a) to do 1a1b) to work 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect 1a2) to make 1a2a) to make 1a2b) to produce 1a2c) to prepare 1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order 1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute 1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be done 1b2) to be made 1b3) to be produced 1b4) to be offered 1b5) to be observed 1b6) to be used 1c) (Pual) to be made
Usage: Occurs in 2286 OT verses. KJV: accomplish, advance, appoint, apt, be at, become, bear, bestow, bring forth, bruise, be busy, [idiom] certainly, have the charge of, commit, deal (with), deck, [phrase] displease, do, (ready) dress(-ed), (put in) execute(-ion), exercise, fashion, [phrase] feast, (fight-) ing man, [phrase] finish, fit, fly, follow, fulfill, furnish, gather, get, go about, govern, grant, great, [phrase] hinder, hold (a feast), [idiom] indeed, [phrase] be industrious, [phrase] journey, keep, labour, maintain, make, be meet, observe, be occupied, offer, [phrase] officer, pare, bring (come) to pass, perform, pracise, prepare, procure, provide, put, requite, [idiom] sacrifice, serve, set, shew, [idiom] sin, spend, [idiom] surely, take, [idiom] thoroughly, trim, [idiom] very, [phrase] vex, be (warr-) ior, work(-man), yield, use. See also: Genesis 1:7; Genesis 34:19; Exodus 18:24.
אָדָ֖ם
ʼâdâm
H120
"the man (Adam)"
N-ms
Adam was the first human, created by God and mentioned in Genesis 2:19, who married Eve and had sons including Cain, Abel, and Seth.
Definition: The first named man living at the time before the Flood, first mentioned at Gen.2.19; married to Eve (H2332); father of: Cain (H7014B), Abel (H1893) and Seth (H8352); also translated "man" at Gen.2.19,21,23; 3.8,9,20; 5.2; "mankind" at Deu.32.8; "others" at Job.31.33; Another spelling of a.dam (אָדָם "Adam" H0121) man, human being
Usage: Occurs in 526 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] another, [phrase] hypocrite, [phrase] common sort, [idiom] low, man (mean, of low degree), person. See also: Genesis 1:26; Judges 18:7; Psalms 8:5.
כִּ/דְגֵ֣י
dâg
H1709
"fish"
Prep | N-mp
This Hebrew word means fish, often referring to a group of fish. It is used in various biblical stories, including those about Jesus and fishing.
Definition: fish
Usage: Occurs in 18 OT verses. KJV: fish. See also: Genesis 9:2; Psalms 8:9; Zephaniah 1:10.
הַ/יָּ֑ם
yâm
H3220
"West"
Art | N-ms
Refers to a large body of water like the Mediterranean Sea or a sea in general, sometimes specifically the west or seaward direction.
Definition: This name means sea, seaward, westward Another name of eph.ron (עֶפְרוֹן "(Mount )Ephron" H6085H)
Usage: Occurs in 339 OT verses. KJV: sea ([idiom] -faring man, (-shore)), south, west (-ern, side, -ward). See also: Genesis 1:10; Joshua 17:10; Psalms 8:9.
כְּ/רֶ֖מֶשׂ
remes
H7431
"creeping"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word refers to small moving animals like reptiles. It appears in the Bible to describe creatures that creep or crawl on the ground. In the book of Genesis, God creates these animals to inhabit the earth.
Definition: 1) creeping things, moving things, creeping organism 1a) creeping things 1b) gliding things (of sea animals) 1c) moving things (of all animals)
Usage: Occurs in 17 OT verses. KJV: that creepeth, creeping (moving) thing. See also: Genesis 1:24; Genesis 8:19; Psalms 104:25.
לֹא
lôʼ
H3808
"not"
Part
The Hebrew word for not or no is used to indicate absence or negation, as when God says no to the Israelites' requests, or when they disobey His commands.
Definition: 1) not, no 1a) not (with verb-absolute prohibition) 1b) not (with modifier-negation) 1c) nothing (subst) 1d) without (with particle) 1e) before (of time) Aramaic equivalent: la (לָא "not" H3809)
Usage: Occurs in 3967 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as truly as, [phrase] of a truth, [phrase] verily, for want, [phrase] whether, without. See also: Genesis 2:5; Genesis 31:15; Exodus 4:9.
מֹשֵׁ֥ל
mâshal
H4910
"to rule"
V-Qal
To rule means to have power over something or someone, like a king ruling his kingdom, as seen in 1 Samuel. It involves having control and making decisions, like a leader guiding their people. In the Bible, God rules over all things.
Definition: 1) to rule, have dominion, reign 1a) (Qal) to rule, have dominion 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to rule 1b2) to exercise dominion
Usage: Occurs in 74 OT verses. KJV: (have, make to have) dominion, governor, [idiom] indeed, reign, (bear, cause to, have) rule(-ing, -r), have power. See also: Genesis 1:18; Proverbs 16:32; Psalms 8:7.
בּֽ/וֹ
""
Prep | Suff
Study Notes — Habakkuk 1:14
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Habakkuk 1:14 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 1:14
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 1:14
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
- Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
- Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
- Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 1:14
- Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 1:14
Context — Habakkuk’s Second Complaint
12Are You not from everlasting, O LORD, my God, my Holy One? We will not die. O LORD, You have appointed them to execute judgment; O Rock, You have established them for correction.
13Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
14You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler.
15The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly. 16Therefore he sacrifices to his dragnet and burns incense to his fishing net, for by these things his portion is sumptuous and his food is rich.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Proverbs 6:7 | Without a commander, without an overseer or ruler, |
Habakkuk 1:14 Summary
In Habakkuk 1:14, the prophet is saying that God has made humans vulnerable and without direction, much like fish swimming in the sea. This is a cry of lament, as Habakkuk is questioning why God is allowing the wicked to prosper and the righteous to suffer. However, even in the midst of this confusion, we can trust that God is our Rock and guide, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:4, and that He is working all things together for our good, as promised in Romans 8:28. By seeking God's guidance and trusting in His sovereignty, we can find direction and purpose in our lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean that God has made men like the fish of the sea?
This phrase is a metaphor that suggests humans are often helpless and without direction, much like fish swimming in the sea without a clear leader or purpose, as seen in Habakkuk 1:14 and echoed in the idea that God is our Rock and guide in Deuteronomy 32:4.
Is Habakkuk saying that God is not in control?
No, Habakkuk is actually lamenting the fact that it seems like the wicked are in control, and he is questioning why God is allowing this to happen, as seen in Habakkuk 1:13 and supported by the concept of God's sovereignty in Psalm 103:19.
What does it mean to have no ruler?
In this context, having no ruler means that humans are often without guidance or leadership, and are therefore vulnerable to the whims of the wicked, as illustrated in Habakkuk 1:14 and reminiscent of the description of humanity's condition without God in Ephesians 2:12.
How does this verse fit into the larger context of Habakkuk's prayer?
This verse is part of Habakkuk's lament to God, in which he is questioning why God is allowing the wicked to prosper and the righteous to suffer, as seen in Habakkuk 1:12-17 and similarly expressed in the psalmist's cry for justice in Psalm 35:1-8.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways in which I feel like I am 'swimming' through life without a clear direction or purpose, and how can I seek God's guidance in those areas?
- How do I respond when it seems like the wicked are in control and God is silent, and what can I learn from Habakkuk's example of crying out to God in faith?
- In what ways can I be a source of guidance and leadership for those around me, and how can I point them to God as their ultimate Rock and guide?
- What are some areas of my life where I feel like I am being 'caught' by the enemy, and how can I seek God's deliverance and protection in those areas?
Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 1:14
And makest men as the fishes of the sea,.... That is, sufferest them to be used as the fishes of the sea, which are easily taken in the net, and are common to everyone; whosoever will may take them
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 1:14
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
Makest; not infusing cruel, ravenous, and unsatiable appetites, but permitting them to act according to such appetite which was already in them. Men; who should be just to all, and wrong none, who were once framed for mutual help in civil societies, and whose life should be beneficence. As the fishes; of which the greater live on the lesser, and do greedily and all the day long feed on the smaller fry. Of the sea; where the devourers are more for number, of greater bulk, and swallow greater numbers of the lesser. As the creeping things; which in the waters are food for the lesser fry; so the world, like the sea, is wholly oppression. No ruler; none to defend the weak, to restrain the mighty, and to give law to all. Makest; not infusing cruel, ravenous, and unsatiable appetites, but permitting them to act according to such appetite which was already in them. No ruler; none to defend the weak, to restrain the mighty, and to give law to all.
Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
Habakkuk 1:14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, [that have] no ruler over them?Ver. 14. And makest men as the fishes of the sea] That are easily drawn out with hook or net. So doth Nebuchadnezzar, with little ado, bring whole nations under his power and pleasure. Here, therefore, saith Drusius, Nebuchadnezzar is the fisher, the world is the sea, men are the fishes, the armies and arts of the Chaldees are called the net, drag, hook, to the which Nebuchadnezzar ascribed his victories, and not to God. Whereas he should have written upon them, as the ancients did upon their greatest exploits, Yεος, Yεος, and have said, as Titus did, when some cried him up for his sacking the city of Jerusalem; I only lent mine hand to God, who did the work by me (Pausan.). As the creeping things] Or, the lesser fishes; for in the sea also are creeping things innumerable, Psalms 104:25 Leviticus 11:46. That have no ruler over them] To right and revenge them; and are therefore devoured, the lesser by the greater, without remedy. And what will men imagine, but that thy people have no ruler over them, no God to take care of their comfort, or to protect them from their enemies? How will they conclude them to be in as bad condition as those of Brazil, who are said to be Sine rege, sine lege, sine fide, &c. Or, the old Nomades, sub regno Cyclopico?
Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
(12-17) Though sore perplexed, Habakkuk feels sure that the God whom this swaggering conqueror has insulted will at last vindicate Himself.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:14
Verse 14. Makest men as the fishes of the sea] Easily are we taken and destroyed. We have no leader to guide us, and no power to defend ourselves. Nebuchadnezzar is here represented as a fisherman, who is constantly casting his nets into the sea, and enclosing multitudes of fishes; and, being always successful, he sacrifices to his own net-attributes all his conquests to his own power and prudence; not considering that he is only like a net that after having been used for a while, shall at last be thrown by as useless, or burnt in the fire.
Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 1:14
14. And makest men] and hast made men—the condition is one that has supervened. At the last resort it is Jehovah who is the author of all this inhuman violence. Cf. Job 9:24, “if not He, who then is it?” It might be that the Chaldeans were set to chastise, but they exceeded all bounds in their inhumanity (Isaiah 47:6-7; Zechariah 1:14-15). Men under their cruel rapacity ceased to be men, the very humanity in them was disregarded, and the brutal conqueror in his pride treated them like the lower creatures. no ruler over them] This hardly means that the creeping things have no king to protect them, but rather that, as the lowest creatures that have life, they have no higher instincts, no organization, they are a mere swarming disorder, and to this condition do the conquerors reduce mankind. Proverbs 6:7; Proverbs 30:27.
Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 1:14
And makest men as the fishes of the sea - mute, helpless, in a stormy, restless element, no cry heard, but themselves swept away in shoals, with no power to resist.