Habakkuk 3:7 (GNV)

Passage

For his iniquitie I sawe the tentes of Cushan, and the curtaines of the land of Midian did tremble.

Nearby Context

Habakkuk 3:5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coales went forth before his feete.

Habakkuk 3:6 He stoode and measured the earth: he behelde and dissolued the nations and the euerlasting mountaines were broken, and the ancient hilles did bowe: his wayes are euerlasting.

Habakkuk 3:7 For his iniquitie I sawe the tentes of Cushan, and the curtaines of the land of Midian did tremble.

Habakkuk 3:8 Was the Lord angry against the riuers? or was thine anger against the floods? or was thy wrath against the sea, that thou diddest ride vpon thine horses? thy charets brought saluation.

Habakkuk 3:9 Thy bowe was manifestly reueiled, and the othes of the tribes were a sure worde, Selah. thou diddest cleaue the earth with riuers.

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "iniquitie", "sawe", "tentes", "cushan", "curtaines", "land", "midian", and "tremble". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "iniquitie" and "sawe", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 6's "He stoode and measured the earth he..." into verse 8's "Was the Lord angry against the riuers...", so "iniquitie" and "sawe" belong inside that flow. In Habakkuk context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "iniquitie" and "sawe" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.