Habakkuk 1:12
"Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine holy One? .... The prophet, foreseeing these calamities coming upon his nation and people, observes some things for their comfort in this verse; and expostulates with God in the following verses Hab 1:13 about his providential dealings, in order to obtain an answer from him, which might remove the objections of his own mind, and those of other good men he personates, raised against them; being stumbled at this, that wicked men should be suffered to succeed and prosper, and the righteous should be afflicted and distressed by them: but for his own present consolation, and that of others, in a view of the worst that should befall them, he strongly asserts, we shall not die; meaning not a corporeal death, for that all men die, good and bad; and this the Jews did die, and no doubt good men among them too, at the siege and taking of Jerusalem by the Chaldean army, either by famine, or pestilence, or sword: nor a death of affliction, which the people of God are subject to,

as well as others; is often their case, and is for their good, and in love, and not wrath: but a spiritual death, which none that are quickened by the Spirit and grace of God ever die; though grace may be low, it is never lost; though saints may be in dead and lifeless frames, and need quickening afresh, yet they are not without the principle of spiritual life; grace in them is a well of living water, springing up to everlasting life; their spiritual life can never fail them, since it is secured in Christ: and much less shall they die the second, or an eternal death; they are ordained to eternal life; Christ is come, and given his flesh for it, that they might have it; it is in his hands for them; they are united to him, and have both the promise and pledge of it: and this may be argued, as by the prophet here, from the eternity of God, art "thou not from everlasting?" he is from everlasting to everlasting, the Ancient of days, that inhabits eternity, is, was, and is to come: therefore "we shall not die"; none of his people shall perish, because he loves them with an everlasting love; has made an everlasting choice of them; has set up Christ from everlasting as their surety and Saviour; entered into an everlasting covenant with them in Christ; is their everlasting Father, and will be their everlasting portion; is the unchangeable Jehovah, and therefore they shall not be consumed: this may be concluded from their covenant interest in God, "O Lord my God"; they are his peculiar people, given to Christ to be preserved by him, and covenant interest always continues; he that is their God is their God and guide unto death: and also from the holiness of God, "mine holy One"; who has sworn by his holiness to them, and is faithful to his covenant and promise; and is the sanctifier of them, that has sanctified or set them apart for himself; made Christ sanctification to them, and makes them holy by his Spirit and grace, and enables them to persevere in grace and holiness: moreover, this may be understood of the people of the Jews, as a church and nation; who, though they would be carried captive into Babylon, yet would still continue as such, and be returned again as such, and not die, sink, and perish; since the Messiah was to spring from them; and they might be assured of their preservation for that purpose, from the perfections of God, his covenant with them, and their relation to him: nor shall the church of Christ in any age die and perish, though in ever so low a state; a particular church may, but the interest and church of Christ in general, or his spiritual seed, never shall. This is one of the eighteen passages, as Jarchi, Kimchi, and Ben Melech observe, called "Tikkun-Sopherim", the correction of the scribes, of Ezra, and his company; it having been written, in some copies, "thou shall not die" (a); asserting the immortality of God, or his eternity to come; and that, as he was from everlasting, so he should continue to everlasting; and to this sense the Targum paraphrases the words, "thy Word remaineth for ever;'' and so the Syriac version follows the same reading: O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment: that is, the Chaldeans; either to be judged and punished themselves for their sins, as all wicked Christless sinners are, even righteously foreordained to condemnation for their sins; or rather to be the instruments of punishing the wicked among the Jews; for this purpose were these people ordained in the counsels of God, and raised up in his providence, and constituted a kingdom, and made a powerful nation: O mighty God; or "rock" (b); the rock and refuge of his people: thou hast established them for correction; or "founded" (c) them, and settled them as a monarchy, strong and mighty for this end, that they might be a rod in the hand of the Lord, not for destruction, but for correction and chastisement; and from hence it might be also comfortably concluded that they should not die and utterly perish. (a) "non morieris", Vatablus, Drusius, Grotius. (b) "O rupes", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius, Van Till; "O petra", Drusius. (c) "fundasti eum", Pagninus, Montanus, Piscator, Cocceius, Van Till; "constituisti", Vatablus.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (14 words)

H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H0859 אַתָּה
Definition:

11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S 11,19 #NAME?אַתָּ1 Samuel 24:19;Psalm 6:4;Job 1:10;Ecclesiastes 7:22;Nehemiah 9:6. Appended to a verb for emphasis,Exodus 18:19(twice in verse);1 Samuel 17:56שְׁאַל אַתָּהinquirethou,1 Samuel 20:8;1 S

Possible Meanings:
  • come (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • bring (semantic_range)
  • be brought (semantic_range)
H6924 קֶדֶם
Definition:

Or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; fromqadam; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward) -- aforetime, ancient ( Or qedmah {kayd'-maw}; fromqadam; the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward) -- aforetime, ancient (

H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H0430 אֱלהִים
Definition:

33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power 33; on number of occurrences ofאֵל,אֱלוֺהַּ,אֱלֹהִיםcompare also Nesl. c,)1pluralin number.a.rulers, judges, either as divine representatives at sacred places or as reflecting divine majesty and power

Possible Meanings:
  • divine ones (semantic_range)
  • angels (semantic_range)
  • gods (semantic_range)
H6918 קָדוֹשׁ
Definition:

6+;קָדשׁExodus 29:31+; constructקְדוֺשׁIsaiah 1:4+;קְדשׁIsaiah 49:72t.; suffixקְדשִׁיHabakkuk 1:12;קְדוֺשׁוֺIsaiah 10:17;Isaiah 49:7קְדוֺשְׁכֶםIsaiah 43:15; pluralקְדוֺשִׁיםHosea 12:12t.,קְדשׁיםLeviti 6+;קָדשׁExodus 29:31+; constructקְדוֺשׁIsaiah 1:4+;קְדשׁIsaiah 49:72t.; suffixקְדשִׁיHabakkuk 1:12;קְדוֺשׁוֺIsaiah 10:17;Isaiah 49:7קְדוֺשְׁכֶםIsaiah 43:15; pluralקְדוֺשִׁיםHosea 12:12t.,קְדשׁיםLeviti

Possible Meanings:
  • sacred (semantic_range)
  • holy (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H4191 מוּת
Definition:

to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill -- X at all, X crying, (be) dead (body, man, one), (put to, worthy of) death, destroy(-er), (cause to, be like to, must) die, kill, necro(-manc

H3068 יְהוָֹה
Definition:

7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when 7;Leviticus 24:11יהוהwas regarded as anomen ineffabile(see Philode Vita Mosis iii. 519, 529), called by the Jewsהַשֵּׁםand by the Samaritansשׁימא. The pronunciationJehovahwas unknown until 1520, when

Possible Meanings:
  • Yahweh (semantic_range)
  • the one bringing into being (semantic_range)
  • life-giver (semantic_range)
H4941 מִשְׁפָט
Definition:

13judgment; — absoluteמִשְׁמָּטExodus 21:31203t., +לְשְִׁ֯מָּטEzekiel 44:24(but read Ktלִשְׁמֹּטwithᵐ5ᵑ7ᵑ6Co and others); constructמִשְׁמַּטExodus 23:650t.; suffixמִשְׁמָּטִיIsaiah 40:27+;מִשְׁמָּטָםJ 13judgment; — absoluteמִשְׁמָּטExodus 21:31203t., +לְשְִׁ֯מָּטEzekiel 44:24(but read Ktלִשְׁמֹּטwithᵐ5ᵑ7ᵑ6Co and others); constructמִשְׁמַּטExodus 23:650t.; suffixמִשְׁמָּטִיIsaiah 40:27+;מִשְׁמָּטָםJ

Possible Meanings:
  • justice (semantic_range)
  • right (semantic_range)
  • rectitude (semantic_range)
H7760 שׂוּם
Definition:

582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo. 582verbput, place, set(compare NöZMG xxxvii (1883), 532; Late HebrewסוּסPi`eldesignate, fix,שׂוםEcclus 45:5c; Ecclus 49:6; Phoenicianשם, Assyrianšâmu. fix, determine;Sabeanשׂיםset, set up, SabDenkmNo.

Possible Meanings:
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • make (semantic_range)
  • appoint (semantic_range)
H6697 צוּר
Definition:

6rock, cliff; —׳צabsoluteExodus 17:6+, constructDeuteronomy 8:15+; suffixצוּרִי2 Samuel 22:3, etc.; pluralצֻרִיםNumbers 23:9+,צוּרוֺתJob 28:10; constructצוּרֵי1 Samuel 24:3(Gi v.1 Samuel 24:2); —1. a. 6rock, cliff; —׳צabsoluteExodus 17:6+, constructDeuteronomy 8:15+; suffixצוּרִי2 Samuel 22:3, etc.; pluralצֻרִיםNumbers 23:9+,צוּרוֺתJob 28:10; constructצוּרֵי1 Samuel 24:3(Gi v.1 Samuel 24:2); —1. a.

H3198 יָכַח
Definition:

45t.;הֹכִיחַGenesis 24:44;הוֺכִחַGenesis 21:25; 2masculine singularחֹכַחְתָּGenesis 24:14; 1singular suffixהוֺכַחְתִּיו2 Samuel 7:14;ImperfectיוֺכִיחַIsaiah 11:35t.;יוֺכַחHosea 4:44t.;יוֺכָ֑ח1 Chronic 45t.;הֹכִיחַGenesis 24:44;הוֺכִחַGenesis 21:25; 2masculine singularחֹכַחְתָּGenesis 24:14; 1singular suffixהוֺכַחְתִּיו2 Samuel 7:14;ImperfectיוֺכִיחַIsaiah 11:35t.;יוֺכַחHosea 4:44t.;יוֺכָ֑ח1 Chronic

Possible Meanings:
  • decide (semantic_range)
  • adjudge (semantic_range)
  • prove (semantic_range)
  • decide (semantic_range)
  • judge (semantic_range)
H3245 יָסַד
Definition:

11; in Hebrew usuallyfix firmso as tofound) —QalPerfectיָסַדPsalm 104:5;Proverbs 3:19; suffixיְסָדָהּPsalm 24:23t.; 3 feminine singularיָ˜סְדָהIsaiah 48:13;יָסַדְתָּPsalm 104:8;יָסַ֑֫דְתָּPsalm 102:26 11; in Hebrew usuallyfix firmso as tofound) —QalPerfectיָסַדPsalm 104:5;Proverbs 3:19; suffixיְסָדָהּPsalm 24:23t.; 3 feminine singularיָ˜סְדָהIsaiah 48:13;יָסַדְתָּPsalm 104:8;יָסַ֑֫דְתָּPsalm 102:26

Possible Meanings:
  • foundation (semantic_range)
  • beginning (semantic_range)

Interlinear data not available for this verse yet.

---

Get the daily verse delivered free

Create Free Account

Automatic daily verse emails after signup

← Chapter 1 All Chapters