King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 3:3 Mean?

Habakkuk 3:3 in the King James Version says “God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of ...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Teman: or, the south”

Habakkuk 3:3 · KJV

Context

1

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. upon: or, according to variable songs, or, tunes, called in Hebrew, Shigionoth

2

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. speech: Heb. report, or, hearing revive: or, preserve alive

3

God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Teman: or, the south

4

And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. horns: or, bright beams out of his side

5

Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. coals: or, diseases

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Habakkuk recalls theophany: 'God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise' (Eloha miTeman yavo veQadosh mehar-Paran selah kissah shamayim hodo utehillato male'ah ha'aretz). This poetic recollection draws from Sinai traditions and wilderness journey. 'Teman' and 'Paran' are regions in Sinai/Edom area, recalling God's manifestation at Sinai (Deuteronomy 33:2). 'His glory covered the heavens' (kissah shamayim hodo)—God's radiant splendor fills the sky. 'The earth was full of his praise' (utehillato male'ah ha'aretz)—creation itself praises Him. Habakkuk reminds himself and readers of God's awesome power manifested in the exodus and wilderness period. If God could do such mighty acts then, He can certainly accomplish His purposes now. This demonstrates crucial spiritual discipline: remembering God's past faithfulness strengthens faith for present trials.

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Historical & Cultural Context

References to Teman and Paran evoke Israel's foundational narrative—exodus from Egypt, Sinai covenant, wilderness journey to Canaan. These events defined Israel's identity as God's redeemed people. By recalling this history, Habakkuk anchors present faith in past divine acts. For exiled Judeans, remembering exodus provided hope: God who delivered from Egypt could deliver from Babylon. The pattern repeats: God allows His people into difficulty, preserves them through it, and delivers them in His timing. This historical memory sustained Jewish identity through exile and beyond. For Christians, recalling God's past acts—creation, exodus, Christ's incarnation/death/resurrection—similarly strengthens faith during trials. Past faithfulness proves future reliability.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does remembering God's past acts of deliverance strengthen faith during present difficulties?
  2. What spiritual discipline is involved in regularly recalling and rehearsing God's historical faithfulness?
  3. How do the exodus and wilderness narratives function as paradigms for understanding God's relationship with His people through all generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
אֱל֙וֹהַ֙1 of 13

“God”

H433

a deity or the deity

מִתֵּימָ֣ן2 of 13

“from Teman”

H8487

teman, the name of two edomites, and of the region and descendant of one of them

יָב֔וֹא3 of 13

“came”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וְקָד֥וֹשׁ4 of 13

“and the Holy One”

H6918

sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary

מֵֽהַר5 of 13

“from mount”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

פָּארָ֖ן6 of 13

“Paran”

H6290

paran, a desert of arabia

סֶ֑לָה7 of 13

“Selah”

H5542

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

כִּסָּ֤ה8 of 13

“covered”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

שָׁמַ֙יִם֙9 of 13

“the heavens”

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

הוֹד֔וֹ10 of 13

“His glory”

H1935

grandeur (i.e., an imposing form and appearance)

וּתְהִלָּת֖וֹ11 of 13

“of his praise”

H8416

laudation; specifically (concretely) a hymn

מָלְאָ֥ה12 of 13

“was full”

H4390

to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively)

הָאָֽרֶץ׃13 of 13

“and the earth”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

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 3:3 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 3:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 33:2Psalms 4:4Amos 1:12Obadiah 1:9Isaiah 6:3Psalms 68:17

Places in This Verse

Mount ParanMountain · Modern: Jebel Musa · 28.54°N, 33.97°E2 verses across 2 books
TemanRegion · Modern: Buseira · 30.75°N, 35.60°E6 verses across 5 books
View all places in Habakkuk 3 →

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