Habakkuk 3:4
What does Habakkuk 3:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Habakkuk 3:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Habakkuk 3:4 means
Continuing the majestic description of God's manifestation, this verse portrays His radiant splendor. He appeared with a brightness like light itself, emanating "rays coming forth from his hand." These rays symbolize not only His glorious presence but also His active, powerful intervention; they are the "hiding of his power." Even in this brilliant display, there is a sense that His full power is veiled, hinted at rather than fully revealed, emphasizing that even His discernible actions are but glimpses of His infinite might.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Andhisbrightness was as the light; He had rayscoming forthfrom his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Andhisbrightness was as the light; He had rayscoming forthfrom his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949He was shining like the light; he had rays coming out from his hand: there his power was kept secret.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And the brightness is as the light, He hath rays out of His hand, And there--the hiding of His strength.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752His brightness shall be as the light: horns are in his hands: There is his strength hid:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890And [his] brightness was as the light; Rays [came forth] from his hand; And there was the hiding of his power.
Context
Building on the previous verse's introduction of God's glorious appearance, verse 4 continues to describe the awe-inspiring visual elements of His manifestation. It precedes further descriptions of the effects of His presence on creation and nations. This detailed depiction of God's glory and hidden power reinforces the prophet's theme: that the same God who acted so powerfully in the past remains mighty and glorious, capable of intervening on their behalf in the present.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Exodus 13:21
And Jehovah went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might go by day and by night:
- Matthew 17:2
and he was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his garments became white as the light.
- Exodus 14:20
and it came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel; and there was the cloud and the darkness, yet gave it light by night: and the one came not near the other all the night.
- Nehemiah 9:12
Moreover in a pillar of cloud thou leddest them by day; and in a pillar of fire by night, to give them light in the way wherein they should go.
- Isaiah 60:19
The sun shall be no more thy light by day; neither for brightness shall the moon give light unto thee: but Jehovah will be unto thee an everlasting light, and thy God thy glory.
- 1 Timothy 6:16
who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
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