Habakuk 2:1

2:1 I will stand at my watch post;

I will remain stationed on the city wall. ¹ 

I will keep watching, so I can see what he says to me

and can know ²  how I should answer

when he counters my argument. ³ 

Habakuk 3:14

3:14 You pierce the heads of his warriors ⁴  with a spear. ⁵ 

They storm forward to scatter us; ⁶ 

they shout with joy as if they were plundering the poor with no opposition. ⁷ 

[2:1]  ¹ sn Habakkuk compares himself to a watchman stationed on the city wall who keeps his eyes open for approaching messengers or danger.

[2:1]  ² tn The word “know” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

[2:1]  ³ tn Heb “concerning my correction [or, “reproof”].”

[3:14]  ⁴ tn Some take “warriors” with the following line, in which case one should translate, “you pierce [his] head with a spear; his warriors storm forward to scatter us” (cf. NIV). The meaning of the Hebrew term פְּרָזוֹ (pÿrazo), translated here “his warriors,” is uncertain.

[3:14]  ⁵ tc Heb “his shafts.” Some emend to “your shafts.” The translation above assumes an emendation to מַטֶּה (matteh, “shaft, spear”), the vav-yod (ו-י) sequence being a corruption of an original he (ה).

[3:14]  ⁶ tn Heb “me,” but the author speaks as a representative of God’s people.

[3:14]  ⁷ tn Heb “their rejoicing is like devouring the poor in secret.”