Habakkuk 3:13
New International Version
You came out to deliver your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the leader of the land of wickedness, you stripped him from head to foot.

New Living Translation
You went out to rescue your chosen people, to save your anointed ones. You crushed the heads of the wicked and stripped their bones from head to toe.

English Standard Version
You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah

Berean Standard Bible
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked and stripped him from head to toe. Selah

King James Bible
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.

New King James Version
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For salvation with Your Anointed. You struck the head from the house of the wicked, By laying bare from foundation to neck. Selah

New American Standard Bible
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For the salvation of Your anointed. You smashed the head of the house of evil To uncover him from foot to neck. Selah

NASB 1995
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For the salvation of Your anointed. You struck the head of the house of the evil To lay him open from thigh to neck. Selah.

NASB 1977
Thou didst go forth for the salvation of Thy people, For the salvation of Thine anointed. Thou didst strike the head of the house of the evil To lay him open from thigh to neck. Selah.

Legacy Standard Bible
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For salvation with Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked To lay him bare from thigh to neck. Selah.

Amplified Bible
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, For the salvation and rescue of Your anointed [people Israel]. You struck the head from the house of the wicked To lay him open from the thigh to the neck. Selah (pause, and calmly think of that).

Christian Standard Bible
You come out to save your people, to save your anointed. You crush the leader of the house of the wicked and strip him from foot to neck. Selah

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You come out to save Your people, to save Your anointed. You crush the leader of the house of the wicked and strip him from foot to neck. Selah

American Standard Version
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, For the salvation of thine anointed; Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked man, Laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. [Selah.

Contemporary English Version
to rescue your people and save your chosen one. You crushed a nation's ruler and stripped his evil kingdom of its power.

English Revised Version
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, for the salvation of thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, laying bare the foundation even unto the neck. Selah

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You go out to save your people, to save your anointed. You crush the leader of the wicked household, stripping him bare from head to toe. [Selah]

Good News Translation
You went out to save your people, to save your chosen king. You struck down the leader of the wicked and completely destroyed his followers.

International Standard Version
You marched out to deliver your people, to deliver with your anointed. You struck the head of the house of the wicked; you stripped him naked from head to foot. Interlude

Majority Standard Bible
You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked and stripped him from head to toe. Selah

NET Bible
You march out to deliver your people, to deliver your special servant. You strike the leader of the wicked nation, laying him open from the lower body to the neck. Selah.

New Heart English Bible
You went forth for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah.

Webster's Bible Translation
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thy anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by uncovering the foundation to the neck. Selah.

World English Bible
You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the land of wickedness. You stripped them head to foot. Selah.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
You have gone forth for the salvation of Your people, "" For salvation with Your Anointed, "" You have struck the head of the house of the wicked, "" Laying bare the foundation to the neck. Pause!

Young's Literal Translation
Thou hast gone forth for the salvation of Thy people, For salvation with Thine anointed, Thou hast smitten the head of the house of the wicked, Laying bare the foundation unto the neck. Pause!

Smith's Literal Translation
Thou wentest forth to save thy people, to save thy Messiah; thou didst crush the head from the house of the unjust, making naked the foundation, even to the neck. Silence.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people: for salvation with thy Christ. Thou struckest the head of the house of the wicked: thou hast laid bare his foundation even to the neck.

Catholic Public Domain Version
You have gone forth for the salvation of your people, for salvation with your Christ. You struck the head of the house of the impious. You have laid bare his foundation all the way to the neck.

New American Bible
You came forth to save your people, to save your anointed one. You crushed the back of the wicked, you laid him bare, bottom to neck. Selah

New Revised Standard Version
You came forth to save your people, to save your anointed. You crushed the head of the wicked house, laying it bare from foundation to roof. Selah
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thou wentest forth to save thy people and to save thine anointed; thou didst cut off the head out of the house of the wicked, thou hast laid him bare from his foundations even to the neck for ever.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
You went out to save your people and to save your Anointed One. You cut off the head of the house of the Evil One, and you stripped him from his foundation and unto his neck for the eternities!
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thou art come forth for the deliverance of Thy people, For the deliverance of Thine anointed; Thou woundest the head out of the house of the wicked, Uncovering the foundation even unto the neck. Selah

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, to save thine anointed: thou shalt bring death on the heads of transgressors; thou has brought bands upon their neck. Pause.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Habakkuk's Prayer
12You marched across the earth with fury; You threshed the nations in wrath. 13You went forth for the salvation of Your people, to save Your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked and stripped him from head to toe. Selah 14With his own spear You pierced his head, when his warriors stormed out to scatter us, gloating as though ready to secretly devour the weak.…

Cross References
Isaiah 63:1-6
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.” / Why are Your clothes red, and Your garments like one who treads the winepress? / “I have trodden the winepress alone, and no one from the nations was with Me. I trampled them in My anger and trod them down in My fury; their blood spattered My garments, and all My clothes were stained. ...

Exodus 15:1-18
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: “I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and rider He has thrown into the sea. / The LORD is my strength and my song, and He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him. / The LORD is a warrior, the LORD is His name. ...

Psalm 18:47-50
the God who avenges me and subdues nations beneath me, / who delivers me from my enemies. You exalt me above my foes; You rescue me from violent men. / Therefore I will praise You, O LORD, among the nations; I will sing praises to Your name. ...

Psalm 68:19-23
Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears our burden, the God of our salvation. Selah / Our God is a God of deliverance; the Lord GOD is our rescuer from death. / Surely God will crush the heads of His enemies, the hairy crowns of those who persist in guilty ways. ...

Psalm 110:5-6
The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. / He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide.

Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.

Zechariah 9:9-10
Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion! Shout in triumph, O Daughter of Jerusalem! See, your King comes to you, righteous and victorious, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey. / And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.

Micah 5:15
I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...

Revelation 6:15-17
Then the kings of the earth, the nobles, the commanders, the rich, the mighty, and every slave and free man hid in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. / And they said to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. / For the great day of Their wrath has come, and who is able to withstand it?”

Revelation 12:10-11
And I heard a loud voice in heaven saying: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Christ. For the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down—he who accuses them day and night before our God. / They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.

Revelation 19:19-21
Then I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies assembled to wage war against the One seated on the horse, and against His army. / But the beast was captured along with the false prophet, who on its behalf had performed signs deceiving those who had the mark of the beast and worshiped its image. Both the beast and the false prophet were thrown alive into the fiery lake of burning sulfur. / And the rest were killed with the sword that proceeded from the mouth of the One seated on the horse. And all the birds gorged themselves on their flesh.

2 Thessalonians 2:8
And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will slay with the breath of His mouth and annihilate by the majesty of His arrival.

Colossians 2:15
And having disarmed the powers and authorities, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.

Hebrews 2:14
Now since the children have flesh and blood, He too shared in their humanity, so that by His death He might destroy him who holds the power of death, that is, the devil,


Treasury of Scripture

You went forth for the salvation of your people, even for salvation with your anointed; you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation to the neck. Selah.

wentest.

Exodus 14:13,14
And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever…

Exodus 15:1,2
Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea…

Psalm 68:7,19-23
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: …

with.

Psalm 77:20
Thou leddest thy people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 89:19-21
Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people…

Psalm 99:6
Moses and Aaron among his priests, and Samuel among them that call upon his name; they called upon the LORD, and he answered them.

thou woundedst.

Exodus 12:29,30
And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle…

Joshua 10:11,24,42
And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword…

Joshua 11:8,12
And the LORD delivered them into the hand of Israel, who smote them, and chased them unto great Zidon, and unto Misrephothmaim, and unto the valley of Mizpeh eastward; and they smote them, until they left them none remaining…

discovering.

Jump to Previous
Anointed Bare Crush Crushed Deliver Deliverance Evil Evil-Doer Family Foot Forth Foundation Head Holy House Lay Neck Oil Open Salvation Save Selah Smite Stripped Struck Thigh Uncovering Wentest Wicked Wickedness Wounding
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Anointed Bare Crush Crushed Deliver Deliverance Evil Evil-Doer Family Foot Forth Foundation Head Holy House Lay Neck Oil Open Salvation Save Selah Smite Stripped Struck Thigh Uncovering Wentest Wicked Wickedness Wounding
Habakkuk 3
1. Habakkuk, in his prayer, trembles at God's majesty.
17. The confidence of his faith.














You went forth
This phrase indicates a divine action, suggesting God's proactive involvement in the affairs of humanity. The Hebrew root here is "yatsa," which means to go out or come forth. This verb is often used in the context of God intervening in history, emphasizing His sovereignty and willingness to act on behalf of His people. Historically, this reflects the numerous instances in the Old Testament where God steps into human history to deliver or judge, reinforcing His role as an active and present deity.

for the salvation
The term "salvation" is derived from the Hebrew word "yeshuah," which means deliverance or rescue. In the context of the Old Testament, salvation often refers to physical deliverance from enemies or peril. This reflects the broader biblical narrative of God as a savior, not only in spiritual terms but also in tangible, real-world situations. Theologically, this points to the ultimate salvation through Jesus Christ, foreshadowed in the Old Testament.

of Your people
"Your people" refers specifically to the Israelites, God's chosen people. This phrase underscores the covenant relationship between God and Israel, a central theme throughout the Bible. The historical context here is crucial, as it reflects the unique identity and mission of Israel as a nation set apart to demonstrate God's character to the world. This covenant relationship is foundational to understanding the narrative of the Old Testament and God's redemptive plan.

to save Your anointed
The "anointed" refers to those set apart by God for a special purpose, often kings or priests. The Hebrew word "mashiach" is used here, which is the root for "Messiah." This term carries significant messianic implications, pointing to the ultimate Anointed One, Jesus Christ. In the historical context, it could refer to the Davidic king or the nation of Israel as a whole, but prophetically, it looks forward to the coming of Christ, the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to save His anointed.

You crushed the head
This vivid imagery of crushing the head signifies a decisive victory over an enemy. The phrase echoes the promise in Genesis 3:15, where God declares that the seed of the woman will crush the serpent's head, symbolizing the ultimate defeat of evil. Theologically, this points to God's power and authority over all adversaries, both physical and spiritual, and His commitment to justice and righteousness.

of the house of the wicked
The "house of the wicked" represents the collective forces of evil and opposition against God and His people. In the historical context, this could refer to specific nations or leaders who opposed Israel. Theologically, it symbolizes the broader spiritual battle between good and evil. God's action against the wicked demonstrates His justice and the eventual triumph of His kingdom.

and stripped him from head to toe
This phrase indicates a total and humiliating defeat. The imagery of stripping suggests not only a physical defeat but also a loss of dignity and power. In the ancient Near Eastern context, stripping an enemy was a common practice to signify complete victory. Spiritually, this underscores the comprehensive nature of God's victory over evil, leaving no part of the enemy's power intact. It serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority and the assurance of His final victory over all forms of wickedness.

(13) Thou wentest.--Here the verbs, though past, are best rendered by the English present.

Even for salvation . . .--Better, even for the salvation of Thine anointed--scil., Thy chosen people, as also, perhaps, in Psalm 105:15. The rendering of the Authorised Version has the support of Aquila and the Quinta. It is a possible rendering, but few impartial Hebraists will deny that the other is preferable. In the last half of the verse two figures are blended--those of a house and a human body. Literally, it runs, Thou crushest the head of the house of the wicked (comp. Psalm 110:6), laying bare the foundation even to the neck. The obvious meaning is that the house or race of the Chaldaeans is to be destroyed, "root and branch."

Verse 13. - Thou wentest forth. The prophet specifies the end which these manifestations were designed to effect. God is said to "go forth" when he intervenes for the aid of his people, as Judges 5:4; 2 Samuel 5:24; Isaiah 42:13. For salvation with thine anointed; In salutem cum Christo tuo (Vulgate); τοῦ σῶσαι τὸν χριστὸν σου (τοὺς χριστούς σου, Alex., Sin.), "to save thine anointed" (Septuagint). If the signification of the word "with" (eth) be pressed, the passage is taken to mean that, as God manifested himself in old time for the salvation of his people with his chosen "Christ," Moses; so he will hereafter reveal his power for the destruction of the Chaldeans with his chosen "Christ," Cyrus. But this is too definite, and cannot be shown to be intended. The "anointed one," again, is not the nation of Israel, for the term is always applied to a single individual and never to the people collectively; so here it is the theocratic king who is meant - first, the representative of David; and secondly, the Messiah. God reveals himself for the salvation of his people in union with the work especially of his anointed Son, Christ. This is how the passage is taken by Eusebius ('Dem. Evang.,' 4:16), Αἰς σωτηρίαν λαον σου σὺν Ξριστῷ σου. It must be confessed, however, that most modern commentaters translate, "for the salvation of thy anointed," taking the last expression (contrary to all usage) to mean the Israelites, as being a kingdom and nation of priests (Exodus 19:6). In this case the present clause is merely a repetition of the preceding one. Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked; thou dashest in pieces the head. As in the following clause the metaphor of a house is plainly employed, "the head" must be taken for the gable or topmost ridge. "The house of the wicked" is an allegorical description of the Chaldaic dominion and its king; and the prophet declares that God will smite with destruction both the ungodly monarch and the kingdom that opposes itself. Some commentators see here an allusion to the primeval sentence (Genesis 3:15): others to the destruction of the Egyptians' firstborn; others to the incident of Jael and Sisera (Judges 5:26). If the prophet's language was influenced by any of these matters, his view and his oracle are concerned with the mighty future. The LXX. has, "Thou wilt east death upon the heads of the evil." By discovering (literally, making naked) the foundations unto the neck. "By" is better omitted. Keil supposes that "the neck" is the central part of the house, looking from the gable downwards; though why this should be so called is not apparent; and the wording of the original, "the foundations even to the neck," compels us to connect the two words together, and will not allow us to interpret "the neck" of some higher part of the building. The general meaning is plain - the metaphorical house is destroyed from summit to base, the destruction beginning at the gable is carried on to the very foundations According to this view, "the neck" should mean the very lowest basis of the walls. Henderson (after Capellus and others) suggests that we should read "rock," a word derived from the same root. Septuagint, Ἐξήγειρας δεσμοὺς ἕως τραχήλου, "Thou didst raise chains unto the neck." It is possible that the mention of "the head," just above, has led the prophet to use the term "neck" in order to express the utter destruction of the whole body. Selah. Another solemn pause ensues.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You went forth
יָצָ֙אתָ֙ (yā·ṣā·ṯā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

for the salvation
לְיֵ֣שַׁע (lə·yê·ša‘)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3468: Deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfare

of Your people,
עַמֶּ֔ךָ (‘am·me·ḵā)
Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

to save
לְיֵ֖שַׁע (lə·yê·ša‘)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3468: Deliverance, rescue, salvation, safety, welfare

Your anointed.
מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ (mə·šî·ḥe·ḵā)
Adjective - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 4899: Anointed, a consecrated person, the Messiah

You crushed
מָחַ֤צְתָּ (mā·ḥaṣ·tā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 4272: To dash asunder, to crush, smash, violently plunge, to subdue, destroy

the head
רֹּאשׁ֙ (rōš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7218: The head

of the house
מִבֵּ֣ית (mib·bêṯ)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1004: A house

of the wicked
רָשָׁ֔ע (rā·šā‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

and stripped him
עָר֛וֹת (‘ā·rō·wṯ)
Verb - Piel - Infinitive absolute
Strong's 6168: To be, bare, to empty, pour out, demolish

from head
צַוָּ֖אר (ṣaw·wār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6677: The back of the neck

to
עַד־ (‘aḏ-)
Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

foot.
יְס֥וֹד (yə·sō·wḏ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3247: Foundation, base

Selah
סֶֽלָה׃ (se·lāh)
Interjection
Strong's 5542: Suspension, pause


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 3:13 You went forth for the salvation (Hab Hb)
Habakkuk 3:12
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