King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 3:5 Mean?

Habakkuk 3:5 in the King James Version says “Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. coals: or, diseases” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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

Habakkuk 3:5 · KJV

Context

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

6

He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.

7

I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble. Cushan: or, Ethiopia in: or, under affliction, or, vanity

Read Habakkuk 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet. God's approach brings both plague and fire—imagery of divine judgment. "Before him went the pestilence" (לְפָנָיו יֵלֶךְ דֶּבֶר/lefanav yelekh dever)—דֶּבֶר (dever) is plague, epidemic disease. This recalls the plagues on Egypt (Exodus 9:3, 9:15) and judgments throughout Israel's history. Plague goes before God as herald of His coming, demonstrating that nature itself obeys His command.

"Burning coals went forth at his feet" (וְיֵצֵא רֶשֶׁף לְרַגְלָיו/veyetze reshef leraglayw)—רֶשֶׁף (reshef) can mean lightning, burning flame, or the name of a pagan deity. Here it depicts destructive fire following God's footsteps. Some translations render it 'burning pestilence' or 'plague,' creating parallelism with the first phrase. Either way, the image is God's approach bringing devastation to His enemies.

The verse portrays God as divine warrior marching to battle—pestilence his vanguard, fire his rearguard. This isn't arbitrary destruction but judicial punishment against wickedness. For Babylon, God's approach meant doom. For Judah, though judgment came through Babylon, ultimate hope remained because God fights for His people against all who oppose Him.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern warfare often involved disease outbreaks and scorched-earth tactics. Habakkuk uses this imagery to describe God's warfare against His enemies. The plagues on Egypt demonstrated God could wield disease as weapon. The Assyrian army's mysterious overnight destruction (possibly by plague, 2 Kings 19:35) showed God's power to strike with pestilence. Fire was standard military tool—cities burned, fields destroyed.

When Babylon invaded Judah, disease and famine accompanied siege warfare. Jeremiah describes pestilence, sword, and famine as the triad of judgment (Jeremiah 21:7, 27:13). Yet Habakkuk's vision looks beyond Judah's judgment to God's ultimate campaign against all evil. Eschatologically, Revelation depicts Christ's return with similar imagery—riding forth conquering (Revelation 19:11-21), bringing judgment on God's enemies.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does depicting God as divine warrior with plague and fire emphasize the seriousness of sin and certainty of judgment?
  2. What comfort can believers find in knowing that all creation—even disease and fire—serves God's purposes?
  3. How should the reality of God's judgment against evil affect how Christians live and proclaim the gospel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 6 words
לְפָנָ֖יו1 of 6

“Before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יֵ֣לֶךְ2 of 6
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

דָּ֑בֶר3 of 6

“the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

וְיֵצֵ֥א4 of 6

“went forth”

H3318

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

רֶ֖שֶׁף5 of 6

“and burning coals”

H7565

a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever

לְרַגְלָֽיו׃6 of 6

“at his feet”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

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 3:5 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 3:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Exodus 12:29-30Numbers 16:46-49Psalms 78:50-51Deuteronomy 32:24Nahum 1:2-3Numbers 14:12

Test Your Knowledge

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