King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 3:13 Mean?

Habakkuk 3:13 in the King James Version says “Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out ... — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. by: Heb. making naked

Habakkuk 3:13 · KJV


Context

11

The sun and moon stood still in their habitation: at the light of thine arrows they went, and at the shining of thy glittering spear. at the light: or, thine arrows walked in the light

12

Thou didst march through the land in indignation, thou didst thresh the heathen in anger.

13

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. by: Heb. making naked

14

Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly. came: Heb. were tempestuous

15

Thou didst walk through the sea with thine horses, through the heap of great waters. heap: or, mud


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed (יָצָאתָ לְיֵשַׁע עַמֶּךָ לְיֵשַׁע אֶת־מְשִׁיחֶךָ/yatzata leyesha ammekha leyesha et-meshichekha)—God's warfare has redemptive purpose: 'salvation' (יֵשַׁע/yesha) of His people. The mention of 'thine anointed' (מְשִׁיחֶךָ/meshichekha, Messiah) could refer to Israel's king but ultimately points to the Messiah, Jesus Christ. God's judgment aims at salvation, not mere destruction.

Thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck (מָחַצְתָּ רֹּאשׁ מִבֵּית רָשָׁע עָרוֹת יְסוֹד עַד־צַוָּאר/machatzta rosh mibeyt rasha arot yesod ad-tzavar)—God strikes the 'head' of the wicked's house, exposing foundations to the neck. This depicts total destruction: from head (top) to foundation (bottom), the enemy is demolished. This prophecy finds ultimate fulfillment in Genesis 3:15—Messiah crushing the serpent's head, destroying Satan's power through the cross and resurrection.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

In Habakkuk's context, this references God's past deliverances (exodus, conquest) and promises future deliverance (preserving a remnant through Babylonian exile, eventually judging Babylon). The 'anointed' would be Davidic kings who led Israel. Yet the New Testament reveals the ultimate fulfillment: Christ the Anointed One, through whom God accomplishes ultimate salvation. Jesus's death and resurrection struck the decisive blow against Satan, sin, and death—crushing the serpent's head. Believers await the consummation when Christ returns to complete this victory, destroying all wickedness utterly (Revelation 19-20).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that divine judgment serves redemptive purposes change your view of God's wrath and justice?
  2. In what ways did Christ's death and resurrection crush the head of wickedness, and what remains to be fulfilled at His return?
  3. How should Christians live in the 'already but not yet' tension—salvation accomplished but final victory still future?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
יָצָ֙אתָ֙1 of 15

Thou wentest forth

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לְיֵ֖שַׁע2 of 15

even for salvation

H3468

liberty, deliverance, prosperity

עַמֶּ֔ךָ3 of 15

of thy people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

לְיֵ֖שַׁע4 of 15

even for salvation

H3468

liberty, deliverance, prosperity

אֶת5 of 15
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מְשִׁיחֶ֑ךָ6 of 15

with thine anointed

H4899

anointed; usually a consecrated person (as a king, priest, or saint); specifically, the messiah

מָחַ֤צְתָּ7 of 15

thou woundedst

H4272

to dash asunder; by implication, to crush, smash or violently plunge; figuratively, to subdue or destroy

רֹּאשׁ֙8 of 15

the head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

מִבֵּ֣ית9 of 15

out of the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

רָשָׁ֔ע10 of 15

of the wicked

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

עָר֛וֹת11 of 15

by discovering

H6168

to be (causatively, make) bare; hence, to empty, pour out, demolish

יְס֥וֹד12 of 15

the foundation

H3247

a foundation (literally or figuratively)

עַד13 of 15
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

צַוָּ֖אר14 of 15

unto the neck

H6677

the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)

סֶֽלָה׃15 of 15

Selah

H5542

suspension (of music), i.e., pause


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 3:13 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 3:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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