Habakkuk 1:14-17
14 You made people like fish in the sea,like animals in the sea ▼ that have no ruler.
15 The Babylonian tyrant ▼
▼ Heb “he”; the referent (the Babylonian tyrant) has been specified in the translation for clarity (cf. NASB “The Chaldeans”; NIV “The wicked foe”; NRSV “The enemy”). Babylonian imperialism is here compared to a professional fisherman who repeatedly brings in his catch and has plenty to eat.
pulls them all up with a fishhook; he hauls them in with his throw net. ▼
▼ Apparently two different types of fishing nets are referred to here. The חֵרֶם (kherem, “throw net”) was used by fishermen standing on the shore (see Ezek 47:10), while the מִכְמֶרֶת (mikhmeret, “dragnet”) was used by men in a boat. See R. D. Patterson, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah (WEC), 165.
When he catches ▼
▼ Heb “and he gathers.”
them in his dragnet, he is very happy. ▼
▼ Heb “Therefore he is happy and rejoices.” Here two synonyms are joined for emphasis.
16 Because of his success ▼
▼ Heb “therefore.”
he offers sacrifices to his throw net and burns incense to his dragnet; ▼
for because of them he has plenty of food, ▼
▼ Heb “for by them his portion is full [or, “fat”].”
and more than enough to eat. ▼
▼ Heb “and his food is plentiful [or, “fat”].”
17 Will he then ▼
▼ Or “therefore.”
continue to fill and empty his throw net? ▼▼ Heb “Will he then empty his throw net?” The words “continue to fill and” are supplied in the translation for clarification.
Will he always ▼
▼ Or “continually.”
destroy ▼▼ Heb “kill.”
nations and spare none? ▼▼ Or “without showing compassion.”
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