King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 1:15 Mean?

Habakkuk 1:15 in the King James Version says “They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rej...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. drag: or, flue net”

Habakkuk 1:15 · KJV

Context

13

Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? iniquity: or, grievance

14

And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? creeping: or, moving

15

They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. drag: or, flue net

16

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. plenteous: or, dainty: Heb. fat

17

Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The fishing metaphor continues: 'They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad' (kullo bechakkah he'elah yasgharehu bechermo ve'easphehu bemikhmarto al-ken yismach veyagil). Babylon uses various fishing methods—angle (chakkah), net (cherem), dragnet (mikhmar)—depicting systematic, comprehensive conquest. Nothing escapes. Worse: 'therefore they rejoice and are glad' (al-ken yismach veyagil)—they celebrate their cruelty. This isn't reluctant judgment but gleeful destruction. Babylon doesn't merely execute divine judgment; they delight in violence and domination. This creates moral tension: how can God use those who enjoy evil to accomplish righteous purposes? The question addresses the mystery of divine providence—God working through sinful human agency without being tainted by that sin or approving it.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylonian inscriptions confirm their pride in conquest. Kings boasted of territories conquered, peoples subjugated, and wealth acquired. They viewed military success as evidence of divine favor and personal greatness. This arrogant joy in destruction is precisely what Habakkuk describes and what would later bring judgment on Babylon itself (Isaiah 47, Jeremiah 50-51). God used Babylon's pride and cruelty to judge Judah, but then judged Babylon for that very pride and cruelty. This demonstrates God's complex sovereignty: using evil to punish evil, then punishing the instrument of punishment. It shows that God maintains moral governance even when using immoral agents.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's later judgment of Babylon demonstrate that He holds nations accountable for methods used even when accomplishing His purposes?
  2. What does this passage teach about the difference between divine permission and divine approval?
  3. How should believers think about God's relationship to human evil—His use of it versus His judgment of it?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
כֻּלֹּה֙1 of 11
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

בְּחַכָּ֣ה2 of 11

“all of them with the angle”

H2443

a hook (as adhering)

הֵֽעֲלָ֔ה3 of 11

“They take up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

יְגֹרֵ֣הוּ4 of 11

“they catch”

H1641

to drag off roughly; by implication, to bring up the cud (i.e., ruminate); by analogy, to saw

בְחֶרְמ֔וֹ5 of 11

“them in their net”

H2764

physical (as shutting in) a net (either literally or figuratively); usually a doomed object; abstractly extermination

וְיַאַסְפֵ֖הוּ6 of 11

“and gather”

H622

to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e., remove (destroy, leave behind, put up, restore, etc.)

בְּמִכְמַרְתּ֑וֹ7 of 11

“them in their drag”

H4365

a (fisher's) net

עַל8 of 11
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֖ן9 of 11
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יִשְׂמַ֥ח10 of 11

“therefore they rejoice”

H8055

probably to brighten up, i.e., (figuratively) be (causatively, make) blithe or gleesome

וְיָגִֽיל׃11 of 11

“and are glad”

H1523

properly, to spin round (under the influence of any violent emotion), i.e., usually rejoice, or (as cringing) fear

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Habakkuk. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Habakkuk 1:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Habakkuk 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 16:16Amos 4:2John 21:6-11Psalms 10:9Ezekiel 26:2Ezekiel 35:15

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