Thy bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even thy word. Selah. Thou didst cleave the earth with rivers.

HABAKKUK 3:9KJV
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Habakkuk 3:9 (KJV)

What does Habakkuk 3:9 mean?

Habakkuk 3:9 describes God as a mighty warrior, revealing His bow and power to act in fulfillment of His promises to the tribes, and splitting the earth with rivers. The verse uses vivid imagery to show God preparing for action and displaying His authority over creation.

The prophet Habakkuk is speaking to God in a poetic prayer, recalling past acts of deliverance and judgment. The verse highlights God’s readiness to intervene on behalf of His people, referencing His faithfulness to the oaths made to the tribes of Israel. The mention of splitting the earth with rivers points to God’s power over nature, likely recalling events like the Exodus or the conquest of Canaan.

The Hebrew behind Habakkuk 3:9

  • בֶּרֶךְ (qeshet; bow): This word refers to a weapon of war, emphasizing God’s readiness for battle and judgment.
  • עָרוֹם (ʿarom; naked): The phrase "made quite naked" means the bow is uncovered or made ready, stressing that God is openly preparing to act.
  • שָׁבֻעָה (shĕvuʿah; oaths): This points to the promises God made to the tribes, reminding the reader that God’s actions are tied to His faithfulness.
  • פָּרַד (parad; cleave): The word for "cleave" means to split or divide, highlighting God’s power to reshape the earth itself, often seen in miraculous events.

Why Habakkuk 3:9 matters

  • Habakkuk 3:9 clears up that God’s actions are not random but are connected to His promises and faithfulness to His people.
  • The verse emphasizes God’s power over both human history and the natural world, showing that nothing is beyond His control.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Habakkuk 3, where the prophet remembers God’s mighty acts in the past as a source of hope for the future.

Where else these words appear

“quite” Hebrew H6181 · used in 6 verses

  • Ezekiel 16:7 I have caused thee to multiply as the bud of the field, and thou hast increased and waxen great, and thou art come to excellent ornaments: thy breasts are fashioned, and thine hair is grown, whereas thou wast naked and bare.
  • Ezekiel 16:22 And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, and wast polluted in thy blood.
  • Ezekiel 23:29 And they shall deal with thee hatefully, and shall take away all thy labour, and shall leave thee naked and bare: and the nakedness of thy whoredoms shall be discovered, both thy lewdness and thy whoredoms.

“word” Hebrew H562 · used in 6 verses

  • Job 22:28 Thou shalt also decree a thing, and it shall be established unto thee: and the light shall shine upon thy ways.
  • Psalms 19:2 Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
  • Psalms 68:11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.

“oaths” Hebrew H7621 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 24:8 And if the woman will not be willing to follow thee, then thou shalt be clear from this my oath: only bring not my son thither again.
  • Joshua 2:17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear.
  • Nehemiah 6:18 For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah.

“cleave” Hebrew H1234 · used in 50 verses

  • Genesis 7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
  • 1 Chronicles 11:18 And the three brake through the host of the Philistines, and drew water out of the well of Bethlehem, that was by the gate, and took it, and brought it to David: but David would not drink of it, but poured it out to the LORD,
  • Isaiah 35:6 Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.