Habakkuk 1:15
Habakkuk 1:15 in Multiple Translations
The 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.
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
He taketh up all of them with the angle, he catcheth them in his net, and gathereth them in his drag: therefore he rejoiceth and is glad.
He takes them all up with his hook, he takes them in his net, getting them together in his fishing-net: for which cause he is glad and full of joy.
They drag everyone up with hooks, they pull them out with nets, catching them in dragnets. Then they happily celebrate.
They take vp all with the angle: they catch it in their net, and gather it in their yarne, whereof they reioyce and are glad.
Each of them with a hook he hath brought up, He doth catch it in his net, and gathereth it in his drag, Therefore he doth joy and rejoice.
He takes up all of them with the hook. He catches them in his net and gathers them in his dragnet. Therefore he rejoices and is glad.
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
He lifted up all them with his hook, he drew them in his drag, and gathered them into his net: for this he will be glad and rejoice.
The soldiers of Babylonia think that we are fish [RHQ] for them to pull out of the sea with hooks or to catch in their nets, while they rejoice and celebrate.
Berean Amplified Bible — Habakkuk 1:15
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 1:15 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
כֻּלֹּ/ה֙
בְּ/חַכָּ֣ה
הֵֽעֲלָ֔ה
יְגֹרֵ֣/הוּ
בְ/חֶרְמ֔/וֹ
וְ/יַאַסְפֵ֖/הוּ
בְּ/מִכְמַרְתּ֑/וֹ
עַל
כֵּ֖ן
יִשְׂמַ֥ח
וְ/יָגִֽיל
כֻּלֹּ/ה֙
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms | Suff
בְּ/חַכָּ֣ה
chakkâh
H2443
hook
Prep | N-fs
הֵֽעֲלָ֔ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
to ascend
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
יְגֹרֵ֣/הוּ
gârar
H1641
to drag/chew/saw
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
בְ/חֶרְמ֔/וֹ
chêrem
H2764
devoted thing
Prep | N-ms | Suff
וְ/יַאַסְפֵ֖/הוּ
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
בְּ/מִכְמַרְתּ֑/וֹ
mikmereth
H4365
net
Prep | N-fs | Suff
עַל
ʻal
H5921
upon
Prep
כֵּ֖ן
kên
H3651
right
Part
יִשְׂמַ֥ח
sâmach
H8055
to rejoice
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
וְ/יָגִֽיל
gîyl
H1523
to rejoice
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Habakkuk 1:15
כֻּלֹּ/ה֙
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms | Suff
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
בְּ/חַכָּ֣ה
chakkâh
H2443
"hook"
Prep | N-fs
A hook is what this word describes, like a fishhook used for catching fish in the sea of Galilee. It's also used to describe something that grabs or holds on, as seen in the book of Ecclesiastes.
Definition: hook, angle, hook fastened in jaw, fish hook
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: angle, hook. See also: Job 40:25; Isaiah 19:8; Habakkuk 1:15.
הֵֽעֲלָ֔ה
ʻâlâh
H5927
"to ascend"
V-Hiphil-Perf-3ms
To ascend means to go up or rise, like the smoke from an altar going up to God, as described in many Bible passages, including Leviticus and Psalms.
Definition: : rise/go 1) to go up, ascend, climb 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to go up, ascend 1a2) to meet, visit, follow, depart, withdraw, retreat 1a3) to go up, come up (of animals) 1a4) to spring up, grow, shoot forth (of vegetation) 1a5) to go up, go up over, rise (of natural phenomenon) 1a6) to come up (before God) 1a7) to go up, go up over, extend (of boundary) 1a8) to excel, be superior to 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be taken up, be brought up, be taken away 1b2) to take oneself away 1b3) to be exalted 1c) (Hiphil) 1c1) to bring up, cause to ascend or climb, cause to go up 1c2) to bring up, bring against, take away 1c3) to bring up, draw up, train 1c4) to cause to ascend 1c5) to rouse, stir up (mentally) 1c6) to offer, bring up (of gifts) 1c7) to exalt 1c8) to cause to ascend, offer 1d) (Hophal) 1d1) to be carried away, be led up 1d2) to be taken up into, be inserted in 1d3) to be offered 1e) (Hithpael) to lift oneself
Usage: Occurs in 817 OT verses. KJV: arise (up), (cause to) ascend up, at once, break (the day) (up), bring (up), (cause to) burn, carry up, cast up, [phrase] shew, climb (up), (cause to, make to) come (up), cut off, dawn, depart, exalt, excel, fall, fetch up, get up, (make to) go (away, up); grow (over) increase, lay, leap, levy, lift (self) up, light, (make) up, [idiom] mention, mount up, offer, make to pay, [phrase] perfect, prefer, put (on), raise, recover, restore, (make to) rise (up), scale, set (up), shoot forth (up), (begin to) spring (up), stir up, take away (up), work. See also: Genesis 2:6; Exodus 34:4; Joshua 7:6.
יְגֹרֵ֣/הוּ
gârar
H1641
"to drag/chew/saw"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To drag or chew refers to the act of pulling something roughly or eating something thoroughly. This word is used to describe an animal chewing its cud or a saw cutting through wood.
Definition: 1) to drag, drag away 1a) (Qal) to drag away 1b) (Niphal) to chew the cud 1c) (Poal) sawn (participle) 1d) (Hithpoel) roaring (participle)
Usage: Occurs in 5 OT verses. KJV: catch, chew, [idiom] continuing, destroy, saw. See also: Leviticus 11:7; Proverbs 21:7; Jeremiah 30:23.
בְ/חֶרְמ֔/וֹ
chêrem
H2764
"devoted thing"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
A net or doomed object, like the cursed things the Israelites were warned against in Joshua 6:18.
Definition: 1) a thing devoted, thing dedicated, ban, devotion 2) have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction
Usage: Occurs in 31 OT verses. KJV: (ac-) curse(-d, -d thing), dedicated thing, things which should have been utterly destroyed, (appointed to) utter destruction, devoted (thing), net. See also: Leviticus 27:21; 1 Kings 20:42; Isaiah 34:5.
וְ/יַאַסְפֵ֖/הוּ
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms | Suff
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
בְּ/מִכְמַרְתּ֑/וֹ
mikmereth
H4365
"net"
Prep | N-fs | Suff
This word means a net used for fishing, to catch fish in the water. It's similar to other words for nets, but specifically for fishing. In the Bible, it's translated as 'net' or 'drag'.
Definition: net, fishing net Also means: mikh.mo.ret (מִכְמֹ֫רֶת "net" H4365B)
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: drag, net. See also: Isaiah 19:8; Habakkuk 1:15; Habakkuk 1:16.
עַל
ʻal
H5921
"upon"
Prep
This Hebrew word means on or above something, like a physical object or a situation. It can also imply a sense of responsibility or accountability, as in being on behalf of someone.
Definition: prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) 1f) by, adjoining, next, at, over, around (of contiguity or proximity) 1g) down upon, upon, on, from, up upon, up to, towards, over towards, to, against (with verbs of motion) 1h) to (as a dative)
Usage: Occurs in 4493 OT verses. KJV: above, according to(-ly), after, (as) against, among, and, [idiom] as, at, because of, beside (the rest of), between, beyond the time, [idiom] both and, by (reason of), [idiom] had the charge of, concerning for, in (that), (forth, out) of, (from) (off), (up-) on, over, than, through(-out), to, touching, [idiom] with. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 24:13; Genesis 41:33.
כֵּ֖ן
kên
H3651
"right"
Part
In the Bible, this Hebrew word means 'so' or 'thus', often used to show agreement or confirmation, like in the book of Genesis. It can also mean 'rightly' or 'justly', as in doing something the correct way. It appears in various forms throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: adv adj 1) right, just, honest, true, veritable 1a) right, just, honest 1b) correct 1c) true, veritable
Usage: Occurs in 737 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after that (this, -ward, -wards), as... as, [phrase] (for-) asmuch as yet, [phrase] be (for which) cause, [phrase] following, howbeit, in (the) like (manner, -wise), [idiom] the more, right, (even) so, state, straightway, such (thing), surely, [phrase] there (where) -fore, this, thus, true, well, [idiom] you. See also: Genesis 1:7; Exodus 37:19; Judges 7:17.
יִשְׂמַ֥ח
sâmach
H8055
"to rejoice"
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This verb means to rejoice or be glad, often used in a religious sense, like when the Israelites rejoiced at the dedication of the temple in 1 Kings 8:66.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to rejoice (arrogantly), exult (at) 1a3) to rejoice (religiously) 1b) (Piel) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to rejoice, gladden, make glad
Usage: Occurs in 148 OT verses. KJV: cheer up, be (make) glad, (have, make) joy(-ful), be (make) merry, (cause to, make to) rejoice, [idiom] very. See also: Exodus 4:14; Psalms 92:5; Psalms 5:12.
וְ/יָגִֽיל
gîyl
H1523
"to rejoice"
Conj | V-Qal-Imperf-3ms
This Hebrew word means to rejoice or be glad, often expressing strong emotions like joy or fear, as seen in the KJV translations.
Definition: 1) to rejoice, exult, be glad 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to rejoice 1a2) to tremble (from fear)
Usage: Occurs in 44 OT verses. KJV: be glad, joy, be joyful, rejoice. See also: 1 Chronicles 16:31; Proverbs 23:25; Psalms 2:11.
Study Notes — Habakkuk 1:15
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Habakkuk 1:15 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 1:15
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 1:15
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
- Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
- Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
- Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 1:15
- Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 1:15
- Whedon's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
- Sermons on Habakkuk 1:15
Context — Habakkuk’s Second Complaint
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. 17Will he, therefore, empty his net and continue to slay nations without mercy?Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amos 4:2 | The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 16:16 | But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks. |
| 3 | Psalms 10:9 | He lies in wait like a lion in a thicket; he lurks to seize the oppressed; he catches the lowly in his net. |
| 4 | Revelation 11:10 | And those who dwell on the earth will gloat over them, and will celebrate and send one another gifts, because these two prophets had tormented them. |
| 5 | Matthew 17:27 | “But so that we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for My tax and yours.” |
| 6 | Lamentations 2:15–16 | All who pass by clap their hands at you in scorn. They hiss and shake their heads at the Daughter of Jerusalem: “Is this the city that was called the perfection of beauty, the joy of all the earth?” All your enemies open their mouths against you. They hiss and gnash their teeth, saying, “We have swallowed her up. This is the day for which we have waited. We have lived to see it!” |
| 7 | Jeremiah 50:11 | “Because you rejoice, because you sing in triumph— you who plunder My inheritance— because you frolic like a heifer treading grain and neigh like stallions, |
| 8 | Ezekiel 35:15 | As you rejoiced when the inheritance of the house of Israel became desolate, so will I do to you. You will become a desolation, O Mount Seir, and so will all of Edom. Then they will know that I am the LORD. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 25:6 | For this is what the Lord GOD says: ‘Because you clapped your hands and stomped your feet and rejoiced over the land of Israel with a heart full of contempt, |
| 10 | Isaiah 19:8 | Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the waters will pine away. |
Habakkuk 1:15 Summary
In Habakkuk 1:15, the prophet is describing how the wicked seem to be catching and dominating the righteous, like a fisherman pulling in a large catch. This can be a difficult and confusing time, but it's a reminder that God is still in control, even when things seem unfair or unjust, as seen in Psalm 73:16-17 and Romans 8:28. The wicked may seem to be rejoicing now, but God will ultimately bring justice and righteousness, as promised in Habakkuk 2:2-4 and Revelation 20:11-15. As we wait for that day, we can trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, and rejoice in His presence, as in Psalm 16:11 and Philippians 4:4-7.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the image of the foe pulling up fish with a hook and net mean in Habakkuk 1:15?
This image represents the way the wicked seem to be catching and dominating the righteous, much like a fisherman pulls in a large catch, as seen in the context of Habakkuk 1:13-14, where the prophet laments the fact that God seems to be allowing the wicked to prevail over the righteous, similar to the way Jesus described the kingdom of heaven in Matthew 13:47-48.
Why is the foe rejoicing in Habakkuk 1:15?
The foe is rejoicing because he has successfully caught many people in his snare, just like a fisherman rejoices over a large catch, and this rejoicing is a result of his own pride and self-reliance, as warned against in Proverbs 16:18 and 1 Corinthians 10:12.
Is Habakkuk 1:15 saying that God is not in control?
No, Habakkuk 1:15 is not saying that God is not in control, but rather it is describing the actions of the wicked and how they seem to be prevailing, which is a mystery that the prophet is struggling to understand, as seen in Romans 11:33-36, where Paul describes the depths of God's wisdom and knowledge.
How does this verse relate to the rest of the book of Habakkuk?
Habakkuk 1:15 is part of the prophet's lament to God, where he is questioning why God is allowing the wicked to prevail, and this verse sets the stage for God's response in Habakkuk 2, where He promises to judge the wicked and bring justice to the righteous, as seen in Habakkuk 2:2-4 and Psalm 37:7-9.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I have seen the wicked seem to prevail in my own life or in the world around me, and how can I trust in God's sovereignty in those situations, as in Psalm 37:1-7?
- How can I avoid being caught up in the snares of the wicked, and what are some ways that I can stay grounded in my faith, as in Ephesians 6:10-18 and 1 Peter 5:8-9?
- What does it mean for me to 'rejoice gladly' in the Lord, and how can I cultivate a heart of joy and trust in the midst of difficult circumstances, as in Habakkuk 3:17-19 and Philippians 4:4-7?
- How can I balance my desire for justice and righteousness with the fact that God is sovereign and in control, even when things seem unjust or unfair, as in Isaiah 55:8-9 and Romans 11:33-36?
Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 1:15
They take up all of them with the angle,.... The prophet continues the metaphor of fishing, and observes the different ways of taking fish; which is to be applied to the case he is speaking of: as
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 1:15
They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
They; either more generally oppressors every where, or else particularly the Chaldeans. Take up; draw them out slily and craftily, when they are taken by his bait. All of them without distinction, all alike, good or bad. With the angle: it may refer to the delight these oppressors took in these courses, or to the more private way of destroying. They catch them in their net; another method of the Chaldean rapine, like catching of fish, not singly and one by one, but destroying many together. And gather them; as if they could never have enough, these Chaldeans do, fisher-like, drive men into their nets and snares. In their drag: this is a third way of destroying fish. The Chaldeans would use all ways to devour the Jews. Therefore they, the greedy and cruel Chaldeans, rejoice, both in their own gain and in the Jews’ ruin. And are glad: it is doubled to show the certainty of the thing, and probably to intimate the double joy they took in their prosperous oppression.
Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
Habakkuk 1:15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.Ver. 15. They take up all of them with the angle] No less than all will serve their turns or satisfy their ambition; as we read of Alexander, who wept that there was but one world for him to conquer; Julius Caesar, who would be aut Caesar, aut nullus; either Caesar or nothing, this Nebuchadnezzar in the text, fitly compared to a greedy fisherman, who could wish to enclose and catch all the fishes in the river. Covetousness is boundless; and ambition rideth without reins. The curse of unsatisfiableness, the disease of a spiritual dropsy, is upon all carnal hearts; so that though one man should engross a monopoly of all the wealth in the world, and heap up his hoards and his honours to the stars, yet would his heart be as hungry after more as if he had nothing. Therefore they rejoice and are glad] This is worse than all the rest, that they please and applaud themselves in their wickedness, that they hug and stroke themselves on the head, as Doeg did, Psalms 52:2, and those Sodomites, Isaiah 3:9. This shows that men are arrived at that dead and dedolent disposition spoken of Eph 4:19, and are even straddling over hell’ s mouth, which gapeth for them.
Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
(12-17) Though sore perplexed, Habakkuk feels sure that the God whom this swaggering conqueror has insulted will at last vindicate Himself.
Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 1:15
15. They take up … angle] He taketh up … with the hook; he sweepeth them into (or, with) his net. they rejoice] he rejoiceth and exulteth. The Chaldean is compared to the fisher, who rejoices over the successful haul of his net. He drags men and nations indiscriminately into his power, and is dead to all their higher sensibilities and all that is human in them.
Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 1:15
They take up all of them - (literally “he taketh up all of it”) the whole race as though it were one, With an angle; they catch them - literally, he sweepeth it away In their (his) net - One
Whedon's Commentary on Habakkuk 1:15
15. So far as the prophet can see, Jehovah looks with favor upon their conquests, for they are successful in all their undertakings.
Sermons on Habakkuk 1:15
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Audio Sermon: Trusting in Our Own Means or the Power of the Holy Spirit by Jim Cymbala | This sermon emphasizes the danger of worshiping man-made methods and techniques over giving God all the glory and honor. It draws parallels from the book of Habakkuk where the Baby |
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Slightly Healed by Paris Reidhead | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the disappointment of God with His chosen people, using the analogy of a vineyard. Despite God's efforts to cultivate and protect His people, |
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Secrets of Happy Home Life by J.R. Miller | Greek Word Studies preaches about the dangers of trickery, using the term 'kubeia' to illustrate how some manipulate the Word of God for personal gain, similar to loaded dice used |
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The Christian in Complete Armour - Part 8 by William Gurnall | William Gurnall preaches about the strengthening power of sincerity in a Christian's spirit, emphasizing how sincerity acts as a girdle that fortifies the believer in their spiritu |
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Coming of the Kingdom by T. Austin-Sparks | In this sermon on Matthew 16:28, the preacher emphasizes the overwhelming and humbling nature of encountering the divine truth of Jesus Christ. He highlights the need for believers |
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Jesus Pays His and Peter's Temple Tax Matthew 17:24-27 by David Servant | David Servant delves into the story of the Temple tax, highlighting how Jesus, as the Son of the King of all creation, was exempt from paying a tax on a house that belonged to God, |
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February 18. 1678. an Appointed Time for Every Thing. by Jane Lead | Jane Lead preaches about the importance of being attentive to the divine timing and promptings of the Holy Spirit, urging believers to be still and sensitive to the movements of Go |