Habakkuk 1:8
"Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat."

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Their horses also are swifter than the leopards,.... Creatures remarkable for their swiftness: these are creatures born of the mating of a he panther and a lioness, and not of a lion and a she panther, as some have affirmed; and which adultery is highly resented by the lion; nor will he suffer it to go unrevenged, as Pliny (u) and Philostratus (w) observe: those thus begotten differ from common lions in this, that they have no manes: the panthers are the creatures here meant, which are very swift, as Bochart (x) from various authors has observed. Lucan (y) calls this creature "celerem pardum", t"he swift panther"; and Jerom says (z) nothing is swifter than the panther; and Aelianus (a) observes that the panther, by the swiftness of its running, will overtake most creatures, and particularly apes; and Eustathius (b) confirms the same, saying that it exceeds other creatures in swiftness, and as it were flies before the eyes of hunters; and Osorius (c) relates, that the king of Portugal once sent to the pope of Rome a panther tamed, which being had into the woods a hunting by a Persian hunter, with wonderful swiftness leaped upon the boars and deer, and killed them at once; and the Septuagint version here is, "their horses will leap above the panthers": or exceed them in leaping, for which these panthers are very famous too: an Arabic writer (d), whom Bochart mentions, says it will leap above forty cubits at a leap. Pliny (e) reports, that the panthers in Africa will get up into thick

trees, and hide themselves in the branches, and leap from thence on those that pass by; and because of the swiftness of this creature, with other qualities of it, the third beast or Grecian monarchy, especially in its first head Alexander the great, is represented by it, Dan 7:6 he making such a swift and rapid progress in his conquests; and yet the Chaldean horses would exceed them in swiftness, and be very speedy in their march into the land of Judea; and therefore it was in vain for the Jews to please themselves with the thoughts that these people were a great way off, and so they secure from them, when they could and would be upon them presently, ere they were aware: and are more fierce than ravening wolves; which creatures are naturally fierce, and especially when they are hungry, and particularly at evening; when, having had no food all the day, their appetites are very keen, and they go in quest of their prey; and, when they meet with it, fall upon it with greater eagerness and fierceness. The Septuagint and Arabic versions render it, than the wolves of Arabia; that there are wolves very frequent in Arabia, is observed by Diodorus Siculus (f), and Strabo (g); but that these are remarkable for their fierceness does not appear; rather those in colder climates are more fierce; so Pliny (h) says, they are little and sluggish in Africa and Egypt, but rough and fierce in cold climates. It is, in the original text, "more sharp" (i); which some interpret of the sharpness of their sight. Aelianus says (k), it is a most quick and sharp sighted creature; and can see in the night season, even though the moon shines not: the reason of which Pliny (l) gives is, because the eyes of wolves are shining, and dart light; hence Aelianus (m) observes, that that time of the night in which the wolf only by nature enjoys the light is called wolf light; and that Homer (n) calls a night which has some glimmering of light, or a sort of twilight, such as the wolves can see themselves walk by, , which is that light that precedes the rising sun; and he also observes that the wolf is sacred to the sun, and to Apollo, which are the same; and there was an image of one at Delphos; and so Macrobias (o) says, that the inhabitants of Lycopolis, a city of Thebais in Egypt, alike worship Apollo and a wolf, and in both the sun, because this animal takes and consumes all things like the sun; and, because perceiving much by the quick sight of its eyes, overcomes the darkness of the night; and observes, that some think they have their name from light, though they would have it be from the morning light; because those creatures especially observe that time for seizing on cattle, after a nights hunger, when before day light they are turned out of the stables into pasture; but it is for the most part at evening, and in the night, that wolves prowl about for their prey (p); and from whence they have the name of evening wolves, to which the Chaldean horses are here compared: and yet there seems to be an antipathy between these, if what some naturalists (q) say is true; as that if a horse by chance treads in the footsteps of a wolf, a numbness will immediately seize it, yea, even its belly will burst; (This sounds like a fable. Ed.) and that, if the hip bone of a wolf is thrown under horses drawing a chariot full speed, and they tread upon it, they will stop and stand stone still, immovable: whether respect is here had to the quick sight or sharp hunger of these creatures is not easy to say; though rather, since the comparison of them is with horses, it seems to respect the fierceness of them, for which the war horse is famous, Job 39:24 and may be better understood of the sharpness of the appetite of evening wolves, when hunger bitten: and their horsemen shall spread themselves; or be multiplied, as the Targum; they shall be many, and spread themselves all over the country, so that there will be no escaping; all will fall into their hands: and their horsemen shall come from far; as Chaldea was reckoned from Judea, and especially in comparison of neighbouring nations, who used to be troublesome, as Moab, Edom, &c. see Jer 5:15 , they shall flee as the eagle that hasteth to eat; those horsemen shall be so speedy in their march, that they shall seem rather to fly than ride, and even to fly as swift as the eagle, the swiftest of birds, and which itself flies swiftest when hungry, and in sight of its prey; and the rather this bird is mentioned, because used by many nations, as the Persians, and others, for a military sign (r). (u) Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 16. (w) De Vita Apollonii, l. 2. c. 7. (x) Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 3. c. 7. col. 788. (y) Pharsalia, l. 6. (z) Comment. in Hos. v. 14. fol. 10. L. (a) Hist. Animal. l. 8. c. 6. (b) In Hexaemeron. (c) De Rebus Portugall. l. 9. apud Frantz. Hist. Animal. Sacr. par. 1. 8. p. 90. (d) Damir apud Bochart, ut supra. (Hierozoic. par. 1. l. 3. c. 7. col. 788.) (e) Nat. Hist. l. 10. c. 73. (f) Bibliothec. l. 3. p. 177. (g) Geograph. l. 16. p. 534. (h) Nat. Hist. l. 8. c. 22. (i) "et acuti erunt", Montanus, Cocceius; "et acutiores", Pagninus, Calvin, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Drusius, Grotius; so Ben Melech; "et acuti sunt", Burkius. (k) De Animal. l. 10. c. 26. (l) Nat. Hist. l. 11. c. 37. (m) Ut supra. (De Animal. l. 10. c. 26.) (n) Iliad. 7. prope finem. (o) Saturnal. l. 1. c. 17. (p) "Vesper ubi e pastu vitulos ad tecta reducit, Auditisque lupos acuunt balatibus agni." Virgil. Georgic. l. 4. "Ac veluti pleno lupus insidiatus ovili Nocte super media-----", Ibid. Aeneid. l. 8. (q) Aelian. de Animal. l. 1. c. 36. Plin. Nat. Hist. l. 28. c. 20. (r) Vid. Lydium de Re Militari, l. 3. c. 7. p. 87.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (15 words)

H7043 קָלַל
Definition:

vibrate, whirl(of sword),:see be shaken; — SchwZAW xi (1891), 170 ff.thinksshakeoriginal, seeמַקֵּל); —QalPerfect2masculine singularקַלּוֺתָNahum 1:14; 1singularקַלֹּתיJob 40:4; 3pluralקַלּוּGenesis 8 vibrate, whirl(of sword),:see be shaken; — SchwZAW xi (1891), 170 ff.thinksshakeoriginal, seeמַקֵּל); —QalPerfect2masculine singularקַלּוֺתָNahum 1:14; 1singularקַלֹּתיJob 40:4; 3pluralקַלּוּGenesis 8

Possible Meanings:
  • burnished (semantic_range)
  • light (semantic_range)
  • quick (semantic_range)
H5246 נָמֵר
Definition:

6leopard; — absolute׳נHosea 13:73t.; pluralנְמֵרִיםHabakkuk 1:8;Songs 4:8; —leopard, as spottedJeremiah 13:23, swiftHabakkuk 1:8, keen-eyedJeremiah 5:6(symbol of calamities of Israel), soHosea 13:7(si 6leopard; — absolute׳נHosea 13:73t.; pluralנְמֵרִיםHabakkuk 1:8;Songs 4:8; —leopard, as spottedJeremiah 13:23, swiftHabakkuk 1:8, keen-eyedJeremiah 5:6(symbol of calamities of Israel), soHosea 13:7(si

H5483 סוּס
Definition:

Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow Or cuc {soos}; from an unused root meaning to skip (properly, for joy); a horse (as leaping); also a swallow (from its rapid flight) -- crane, horse((-back, -hoof)). Compareparash.see HEBREWparashBrow

H2300 חָדַד
Definition:

8are keener than evening wolves(of impetuous Chaldean horses).Hiph`ilהֵחֵד(Che Or Brd) orיַחֵד(Näg compare Dr§ 123 a, R), insertIsaiah 44:12afterᵐ5ᵑ6: the smithsharpenethan axe.Hoph`alPerfect3feminine 8are keener than evening wolves(of impetuous Chaldean horses).Hiph`ilהֵחֵד(Che Or Brd) orיַחֵד(Näg compare Dr§ 123 a, R), insertIsaiah 44:12afterᵐ5ᵑ6: the smithsharpenethan axe.Hoph`alPerfect3feminine

Possible Meanings:
  • be sharp (semantic_range)
  • be sharpened (semantic_range)
H2061 זְאֵב
Definition:

6wolf(Late Hebrewid., Arabic(jackalaccording to HomNS 303 ff.; but see RSZMG 1880, 373 andDoughtyArab. Deseria i. 327; ii. 144, 145) Aramaicדֵּיבָה,AssyrianzîbuDlS 47; EthiopichyenaDi1056(on formation 6wolf(Late Hebrewid., Arabic(jackalaccording to HomNS 303 ff.; but see RSZMG 1880, 373 andDoughtyArab. Deseria i. 327; ii. 144, 145) Aramaicדֵּיבָה,AssyrianzîbuDlS 47; EthiopichyenaDi1056(on formation

Possible Meanings:
  • wine-vat of Zeeb (semantic_range)
H6153 עֶרֶב
Definition:

5strike outהַשְּׁלִישִׁיתsee We Dr and others](sun)set, evening; — absolute׳ע2 Kings 2:16+,עָ֑רֶבExodus 12:18+; constructעֶרֶבProverbs 7:9; dualעַרְבַּיִםExodus 30:84t.,בָּ֑יִם-Exodus 12:165t. (all P) 5strike outהַשְּׁלִישִׁיתsee We Dr and others](sun)set, evening; — absolute׳ע2 Kings 2:16+,עָ֑רֶבExodus 12:18+; constructעֶרֶבProverbs 7:9; dualעַרְבַּיִםExodus 30:84t.,בָּ֑יִם-Exodus 12:165t. (all P)

Possible Meanings:
  • mix (semantic_range)
  • mixed (semantic_range)
H6335 פוּשׁ
Definition:

A primitive root; to spread; figuratively, act proudly -- grow up, be grown fat, spread selves, be scattered.Brown-Driver-BriggsI. [מּוּשׁ]verbapparentlyspring about,QalPerfect3plural consecutiveוּפָש A primitive root; to spread; figuratively, act proudly -- grow up, be grown fat, spread selves, be scattered.Brown-Driver-BriggsI. [מּוּשׁ]verbapparentlyspring about,QalPerfect3plural consecutiveוּפָש

H6571 פָרָשׁ
Definition:

Fromparash; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting (comparecuwc)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry -- horseman.see HEBREWparashs Fromparash; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting (comparecuwc)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry -- horseman.see HEBREWparashs

Possible Meanings:
  • make distinct (semantic_range)
H6571 פָרָשׁ
Definition:

Fromparash; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting (comparecuwc)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry -- horseman.see HEBREWparashs Fromparash; a steed (as stretched out to a vehicle, not single nor for mounting (comparecuwc)); also (by implication) a driver (in a chariot), i.e. (collectively) cavalry -- horseman.see HEBREWparashs

Possible Meanings:
  • make distinct (semantic_range)
H7350 רָחוֹק
Definition:

4distance(LagBN 31); — absoluteרָחֹקExodus 2:4+,רָחוֺקEzekiel 6:12+; feminine singularרְחֹקָהDeuteronomy 30:11+,רְחוֺקָהJoshua 9:6+; masculine pluralרְחֹקִיםDeuteronomy 13:8+, etc., feminine plural ab 4distance(LagBN 31); — absoluteרָחֹקExodus 2:4+,רָחוֺקEzekiel 6:12+; feminine singularרְחֹקָהDeuteronomy 30:11+,רְחוֺקָהJoshua 9:6+; masculine pluralרְחֹקִיםDeuteronomy 13:8+, etc., feminine plural ab

H0935 בּוֹא
Definition:

13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti 13+; 3 feminine singularבָּ֫אָהGenesis 15:17+; suffixבָּאַתְנוּPsalm 44:18; 2masculine singularבָּ֫אתָJoshua 13:1+,בָּ֫אתָה2 Samuel 3:7; 2feminine singularבָּאתְGenesis 16:8;Ruth 2:12,וּבָאתְconsecuti

Possible Meanings:
  • come in (semantic_range)
  • come (semantic_range)
  • go in (semantic_range)
  • go (semantic_range)
  • come in (semantic_range)
H5774 עוּף
Definition:

A primitive root; to cover (with wings or obscurity); hence (as denominative fromowph) to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) -- brandish, be (wax) faint, fl A primitive root; to cover (with wings or obscurity); hence (as denominative fromowph) to fly; also (by implication of dimness) to faint (from the darkness of swooning) -- brandish, be (wax) faint, fl

Possible Meanings:
  • fowl (semantic_range)
H5404 נֶשֶׁר
Definition:

11griffon-vulture, eagle(Late Hebrewid.; Assyriannašru;ᵑ7נַשְׁרָא; SyriacArabicvulture(Lane2780), vulgarEthiopicDi641; Sabeanנסרproper name, of deity, andביתן נסרDHMZMG. xxix (1875), 600; xxxvii (1883 11griffon-vulture, eagle(Late Hebrewid.; Assyriannašru;ᵑ7נַשְׁרָא; SyriacArabicvulture(Lane2780), vulgarEthiopicDi641; Sabeanנסרproper name, of deity, andביתן נסרDHMZMG. xxix (1875), 600; xxxvii (1883

H2363 חוּשׁ
Definition:

A primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment -- (make) haste(-n), ready.Brown-Driver-BriggsI.חוּשׁverbhaste, make haste(Assyrian—âšu,DlPr 180, Ethiopic; on this v A primitive root; to hurry; figuratively, to be eager with excitement or enjoyment -- (make) haste(-n), ready.Brown-Driver-BriggsI.חוּשׁverbhaste, make haste(Assyrian—âšu,DlPr 180, Ethiopic; on this v

Possible Meanings:
  • feel (semantic_range)
H0398 אָכַל
Definition:

28+;אָֽכְלָהNumbers 21:28+; etc.ImperfectיאֹבַלGenesis 49:27+;וַיּאֹ֫כַלGenesis 25:34+;וַיּאֹכַ֑לGenesis 3:6+;יאֹכֵ֑לLeviticus 21:22+;אֹכַלGenesis 24:33+;וָָֽאֹכַ֫לGenesis 27:33;וְאֹכֵ֑לIsaiah 44:19;ו 28+;אָֽכְלָהNumbers 21:28+; etc.ImperfectיאֹבַלGenesis 49:27+;וַיּאֹ֫כַלGenesis 25:34+;וַיּאֹכַ֑לGenesis 3:6+;יאֹכֵ֑לLeviticus 21:22+;אֹכַלGenesis 24:33+;וָָֽאֹכַ֫לGenesis 27:33;וְאֹכֵ֑לIsaiah 44:19;ו

Possible Meanings:
  • eat (semantic_range)
  • devour (semantic_range)

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