Habakkuk 3:7

Habakkuk’s Prayer · Habakkuk 3:1–16
Read Habakkuk 3

Translations

Modern
I saw the tents of Cushan in distress; the curtains of Midian were trembling.
Traditional
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
Literal
Under affliction I have seen the tents of Cushan; the curtains of the land of Midian were trembling.
Latin
Pro iniquitate vidi tentoria Æthiopiæ; turbabuntur pelles terræ Madian.

Original

Hebrew
English
I saw the tents of Cushan in distress; the curtains of Midian were trembling.

Notes

Midian was in the southern area east of the Jordan River (see Genesis 36:35). The nation was terrified by God's powerful presence (Habakkuk 3:6).

The prophet praises God's power to save. These two praise sections (Habakkuk 3:3–7 and 3:8–15) poetically reflect on Israel's exodus. Although Habakkuk focuses on God's redemption of his people, his imagery sometimes includes ideas from ancient Near Eastern stories about the gods. For example:

This imagery reminds Habakkuk's original audience that the Lord alone is the one true God who rules over all these things.

Habakkuk’s prophecy concludes with a prayer that has the style and language of a psalm (a song of prayer).

Theme notes and profiles

Human Confusion and God’s Purpose

Events

Places

Cushan: Unknown location, possibly related to Cush Midian: A nation descended from Abraham; oppressed Israel in the time of the judges

Glossary

Book of Habakkuk Cushan Habakkuk (Person) Selah Shiggaion, Shigionoth

Topics

Cushan: Poetic Form of Cush Ethiopia: Desolation of Midianites: Dwelt in Tents Midianites: Prophecies Concerning Midianites: Terrified at Approach of Israel Tent by Cushites