Habakkuk 3:6
What does Habakkuk 3:6 mean?
A plain-English look at Habakkuk 3:6 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Habakkuk 3:6 means
God's mere presence and gaze have profound, cataclysmic effects on creation and humanity. He "stood, and measured the earth," indicating His sovereign ownership and authority over it. His powerful "beheld" was enough to "drove asunder the nations," disrupting their stability and power. Even the most ancient and seemingly immutable parts of creation—"eternal mountains" and "everlasting hills"—were scattered and bowed before Him, demonstrating His complete supremacy. "His goings were as of old" affirms that His present actions are consistent with His ancient, powerful character.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000He stood, and measured the earth; He beheld, and drove asunder the nations; And the eternal mountains were scattered; The everlasting hills did bow; His goings were as of old.
KJV
King James Version · 1611He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901He stood, and measured the earth; He beheld, and drove asunder the nations; And the eternal mountains were scattered; The everlasting hills did bow; His goings were as of old.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949From his high place he sent shaking on the earth; he saw and nations were suddenly moved: and the eternal mountains were broken, the unchanging hills were bent down; his ways are eternal.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862He hath stood, and He measureth earth, He hath seen, and He shaketh off nations, And scatter themselves do mountains of antiquity, Bowed have the hills of old, The ways of old <FI>are<Fi> His.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He stood and measured the earth. He beheld, and melted the nations: and the ancient mountains were crushed to pieces. The hills of the world were bowed down by the journeys of his eternity.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890He stood, and measured the earth; He beheld, and discomfited the nations; And the eternal mountains were scattered, The everlasting hills gave way: His ways are everlasting.
Context
This verse marks a significant escalation in the description of God's power. Following an account of the destructive forces that accompany Him, this verse shows the direct, overwhelming impact of God's commanding presence upon the earth and its peoples. It anticipates further historical references to God's triumphs over nations and elements, reinforcing the foundational truth that God is sovereign over all creation and history, a vital comfort for Habakkuk's fearful generation.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Psalms 103:17
But the lovingkindness of Jehovah is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, And his righteousness unto children’s children;
- Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to-day, yea and for ever.
- Numbers 34:1
And Jehovah spake unto Moses, saying,
- Psalms 90:2
Before the mountains were brought forth, Or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.
- Luke 1:50
And his mercy is unto generations and generations On them that fear him.
- Psalms 135:8
Who smote the first-born of Egypt, Both of man and beast;
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