Tag Archives: Habakkuk

“He Makes My Feet Like the Deer’s”: Simile and Ascent in Habakkuk 3:19

Introduction to Habakkuk 3:19: Divine Enablement in Poetic Triumph Habakkuk 3:19 concludes the prophet’s prayer with an expression of exaltation and movement. The imagery of sure-footedness and elevation captures the essence of divine empowerment amid suffering. This article explores the grammatical structure and theological implications of the simile כָּאַיָּלֹות, the verb יַדְרִכֵנִי, and the construct phrase עַל בָּמֹתַי. In a few lines, this verse brings together poetry, syntax, and praise, ending the book on a note of confident ascent. יְהוִ֤ה אֲדֹנָי֙ חֵילִ֔י וַיָּ֤שֶׂם רַגְלַי֙ כָּֽאַיָּלֹ֔ות וְעַ֥ל בָּמֹותַ֖י יַדְרִכֵ֑נִי לַמְנַצֵּ֖חַ בִּנְגִינֹותָֽי׃ Analysis of Key Clauses and Poetic Grammar 1.… Learn Hebrew
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The Use of Rhetorical Questions and Parallelism in Biblical Hebrew (Habakkuk 3:8)

Habakkuk 3:8 in Hebrew הֲבִנְהָרִים֙ חָרָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה אִ֤ם בַּנְּהָרִים֙ אַפֶּ֔ךָ אִם־בַּיָּ֖ם עֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ כִּ֤י תִרְכַּב֙ עַל־סוּסֶ֔יךָ מַרְכְּבֹתֶ֖יךָ יְשׁוּעָֽה׃ Introduction to Rhetorical Questions and Parallelism Habakkuk 3:8 presents a vivid poetic description of God’s power, employing rhetorical questions and parallelism to emphasize divine action. The verse asks: הֲבִנְהָרִים֙ חָרָ֣ה יְהוָ֔ה – “Was the LORD angry with the rivers?” אִ֤ם בַּנְּהָרִים֙ אַפֶּ֔ךָ – “Was Your wrath against the rivers?” אִם־בַּיָּ֖ם עֶבְרָתֶ֑ךָ – “Was Your fury against the sea?” These rhetorical questions emphasize that God’s actions are not arbitrary but part of His divine plan.… Learn Hebrew
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