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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Habakkuk 1:10 They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/habakkuk/1-10.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/9/35_Hab_01_10.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Habakkuk 1:10 - The LORD's Answer" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. 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They laugh at all fortified cities; by building earthen ramps they capture them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/habakkuk/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />They scoff at kings and princes and scorn all their fortresses. They simply pile ramps of earth against their walls and capture them!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/habakkuk/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />At kings they scoff, and at rulers they laugh. They laugh at every fortress, for they pile up earth and take it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/habakkuk/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/habakkuk/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />They scoff at kings, And princes are scorned by them. They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earthen <i>mounds</i> and seize it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/habakkuk/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“They make fun of kings, And dignitaries are <i>an object of</i> laughter to them. They laugh at every fortress, Then heap up dirt and capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/habakkuk/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220They mock at kings And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress And heap up rubble to capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/habakkuk/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“They mock at kings, And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress, And heap up rubble to capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they mock at kings, And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They laugh at every fortress And heap up dirt and capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/habakkuk/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“They make fun of kings And rulers are a laughing matter to them. They ridicule every stronghold And heap up rubble [for earth mounds] and capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/habakkuk/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They mock kings, and rulers are a joke to them. They laugh at every fortress and build siege ramps to capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They mock kings, and rulers are a joke to them. They laugh at every fortress and build siege ramps to capture it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/habakkuk/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him; he derideth every stronghold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/habakkuk/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They make fun of rulers and laugh at fortresses, while building dirt mounds so they can capture cities. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/habakkuk/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Yea, he scoffeth at kings, and princes are a derision unto him: he derideth every strong hold; for he heapeth up dust, and taketh it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/habakkuk/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />They will make fun of kings and treat rulers as a joke. They will laugh at every fortified city and build a dirt ramp to capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/habakkuk/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They treat kings with contempt and laugh at high officials. No fortress can stop them--they pile up earth against it and capture it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/habakkuk/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They make fun of kings, deriding those who rule. They laugh at all of the fortified places, constructing ramps to seize them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/habakkuk/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />They scoff at kings and make rulers an object of scorn. They laugh at every fortress and build up siege ramps to seize it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/habakkuk/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They mock kings and laugh at rulers. They laugh at every fortified city; they build siege ramps and capture them. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/habakkuk/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />And he will scoff at kings and deride rulers. He laughs at every stronghold, for he builds up an earthen ramp, and takes it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/habakkuk/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn to them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/habakkuk/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Yes, they scoff at kings, and princes are a derision to them. They laugh at every stronghold, for they build up an earthen ramp and take it. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/habakkuk/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And he scoffs at kings, "" And princes [are] a laughter to him, "" He laughs at every fortification, "" And he heaps up dust, and captures it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/habakkuk/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And at kings it doth scoff, And princes are a laughter to it, At every fenced place it doth laugh, And it heapeth up dust, and captureth it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/habakkuk/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And he shall scoff at kings, and princes a derision to him: at every fortress he shall deride, and he shall heap up dust and take it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/habakkuk/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And their prince shall triumph over kings, and princes shall be his laughingstock: and he shall laugh at every strong hold, and shall cast up a mount, and shall take it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/habakkuk/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And concerning kings, he will triumph, and sovereign rulers will be his laughingstock, and he will laugh over every fortress, and he will transport a rampart and seize it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/habakkuk/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They scoff at kings, ridicule princes; They laugh at any fortress, heap up an earthen ramp, and conquer it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/habakkuk/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />At kings they scoff, and of rulers they make sport. They laugh at every fortress, and heap up earth to take it.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/habakkuk/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />They scoff at kings, and princes they mock; and they laugh at every stronghold; for they heap up earth and capture it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/habakkuk/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And he mocks at Kings and he scoffs at Leaders and he laughs at all fortress cities, and he heaps up earth and he seizes it<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/habakkuk/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they scoff at kings, And princes are a derision unto them; They deride every stronghold, For they heap up earth, and take it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/habakkuk/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And he shall be at his ease with kings, and princes are his toys, and he shall mock at every strong-hold, and shall cast a mound, and take possession of it.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ryPix4COoVE?start=98" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/1.htm">The LORD's Answer</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">9</span>All of them come bent on violence; their hordes advance like the east wind; they gather prisoners like sand. <span class="reftext">10</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: wə·hū (Conj-w:: Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">They</a> <a href="/hebrew/7046.htm" title="7046: yiṯ·qal·lās (V-Hitpael-Imperf-3ms) -- To mock, scoff. A primitive root; to disparage, i.e. Ridicule.">scoff at</a> <a href="/hebrew/4428.htm" title="4428: bam·mə·lā·ḵîm (Prep-b, Art:: N-mp) -- King. From malak; a king.">kings</a> <a href="/hebrew/7336.htm" title="7336: wə·rō·zə·nîm (Conj-w:: V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To be weighty, judicious or commanding. A primitive root; probably to be heavy, i.e. honorable.">and make rulers</a> <a href="/hebrew/4890.htm" title="4890: miś·ḥāq (N-ms) -- Object of derision. From Shachatsowm; a laughing-stock.">an object of scorn.</a> <a href="/hebrew/lōw (Prep:: 3ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1931.htm" title="1931: hū (Pro-3ms) -- He, she, it. ">They</a> <a href="/hebrew/7832.htm" title="7832: yiś·ḥāq (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To laugh. A primitive root; to laugh; by implication, to play.">laugh</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: lə·ḵāl (Prep-l:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">at every</a> <a href="/hebrew/4013.htm" title="4013: miḇ·ṣār (N-ms) -- Fortification. Also feminine mibtsarah; from batsar; a fortification, castle, or fortified city; figuratively, a defender.">fortress</a> <a href="/hebrew/6651.htm" title="6651: way·yiṣ·bōr (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To heap up. A primitive root; to aggregate.">and build up</a> <a href="/hebrew/6083.htm" title="6083: ‘ā·p̄ār (N-ms) -- Dry earth, dust. From aphar; dust; hence, clay, earth, mud.">siege ramps</a> <a href="/hebrew/3920.htm" title="3920: way·yil·kə·ḏāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms:: 3fs) -- To capture, seize, take. A primitive root; to catch; generally, to capture or occupy; also to choose; figuratively, to cohere.">to seize it.</a> </span><span class="reftext">11</span>Then they sweep by like the wind and pass on through. They are guilty; their own strength is their god.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/37-23.htm">Isaiah 37:23-24</a></span><br />Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest heights, the densest of its forests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/19-22.htm">2 Kings 19:22-23</a></span><br />Whom have you taunted and blasphemed? Against whom have you raised your voice and lifted your eyes in pride? Against the Holy One of Israel! / Through your servants you have taunted the Lord, and you have said: “With my many chariots I have ascended to the heights of the mountains, to the remote peaks of Lebanon. I have cut down its tallest cedars, the finest of its cypresses. I have reached its farthest outposts, the densest of its forests.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/2-1.htm">Psalm 2:1-4</a></span><br />Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? / The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One: / “Let us break Their chains and cast away Their cords.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/10-7.htm">Isaiah 10:7-11</a></span><br />But this is not his intention; this is not his plan. For it is in his heart to destroy and cut off many nations. / “Are not all my commanders kings?” he says. / “Is not Calno like Carchemish? Is not Hamath like Arpad? Is not Samaria like Damascus? ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/7-25.htm">Daniel 7:25</a></span><br />He will speak out against the Most High and oppress the saints of the Most High, intending to change the appointed times and laws; and the saints will be given into his hand for a time, and times, and half a time.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/28-2.htm">Ezekiel 28:2-9</a></span><br />“Son of man, tell the ruler of Tyre that this is what the Lord GOD says: Your heart is proud, and you have said, ‘I am a god; I sit in the seat of gods in the heart of the sea.’ Yet you are a man and not a god, though you have regarded your heart as that of a god. / Behold, you are wiser than Daniel; no secret is hidden from you! / By your wisdom and understanding you have gained your wealth and amassed gold and silver for your treasuries. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/32-17.htm">2 Chronicles 32:17-19</a></span><br />He also wrote letters mocking the LORD, the God of Israel, and saying against Him: “Just as the gods of the nations did not deliver their people from my hand, so the God of Hezekiah will not deliver His people from my hand.” / Then the Assyrians called out loudly in Hebrew to the people of Jerusalem who were on the wall, to frighten and terrify them in order to capture the city. / They spoke against the God of Jerusalem as they had spoken against the gods of the peoples of the earth—the work of human hands.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/36-18.htm">Isaiah 36:18-20</a></span><br />Do not let Hezekiah mislead you when he says, ‘The LORD will deliver us.’ Has the god of any nation ever delivered his land from the hand of the king of Assyria? / Where are the gods of Hamath and Arpad? Where are the gods of Sepharvaim? Have they delivered Samaria from my hand? / Who among all the gods of these lands has delivered his land from my hand? How then can the LORD deliver Jerusalem from my hand?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/50-29.htm">Jeremiah 50:29-32</a></span><br />Summon the archers against Babylon, all who string the bow. Encamp all around her; let no one escape. Repay her according to her deeds; do to her as she has done. For she has defied the LORD, the Holy One of Israel. / Therefore, her young men will fall in the streets, and all her warriors will be silenced in that day,” declares the LORD. / “Behold, I am against you, O arrogant one,” declares the Lord GOD of Hosts, “for your day has come, the time when I will punish you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-8.htm">Psalm 73:8-9</a></span><br />They mock and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression. / They set their mouths against the heavens, and their tongues strut across the earth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/11-36.htm">Daniel 11:36-37</a></span><br />Then the king will do as he pleases and will exalt and magnify himself above every god, and he will speak monstrous things against the God of gods. He will be successful until the time of wrath is completed, for what has been decreed must be accomplished. / He will show no regard for the gods of his fathers, nor for the one desired by women, nor for any other god, because he will magnify himself above them all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/14-13.htm">Isaiah 14:13-14</a></span><br />You said in your heart: “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God. I will sit on the mount of assembly, in the far reaches of the north. / I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-3.htm">Psalm 10:3-6</a></span><br />For the wicked man boasts in the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD. / In his pride the wicked man does not seek Him; in all his schemes there is no God. / He is secure in his ways at all times; Your lofty judgments are far from him; he sneers at all his foes. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-39.htm">Matthew 27:39-44</a></span><br />And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads / and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save Yourself! If You are the Son of God, come down from the cross!” / In the same way, the chief priests, scribes, and elders mocked Him, saying, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-32.htm">Luke 18:32</a></span><br />He will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn to them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it.</p><p class="hdg">scoff.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/24-12.htm">2 Kings 24:12</a></b></br> And Jehoiachin the king of Judah went out to the king of Babylon, he, and his mother, and his servants, and his princes, and his officers: and the king of Babylon took him in the eighth year of his reign.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_kings/25-6.htm">2 Kings 25:6,7</a></b></br> So they took the king, and brought him up to the king of Babylon to Riblah; and they gave judgment upon him… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_chronicles/36-6.htm">2 Chronicles 36:6,10</a></b></br> Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon… </p><p class="hdg">they shall deride.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/isaiah/14-16.htm">Isaiah 14:16</a></b></br> They that see thee shall narrowly look upon thee, <i>and</i> consider thee, <i>saying, Is</i> this the man that made the earth to tremble, that did shake kingdoms;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/32-24.htm">Jeremiah 32:24</a></b></br> Behold the mounts, they are come unto the city to take it; and the city is given into the hand of the Chaldeans, that fight against it, because of the sword, and of the famine, and of the pestilence: and what thou hast spoken is come to pass; and, behold, thou seest <i>it</i>.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/jeremiah/33-4.htm">Jeremiah 33:4</a></b></br> For thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the houses of this city, and concerning the houses of the kings of Judah, which are thrown down by the mounts, and by the sword;</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/amos/9-6.htm">Builds</a> <a href="/daniel/11-18.htm">Capture</a> <a href="/amos/3-5.htm">Captureth</a> <a href="/micah/7-12.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-26.htm">Deride</a> <a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Derision</a> <a href="/nahum/3-18.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/lamentations/4-2.htm">Earthen</a> <a href="/daniel/11-15.htm">Earthworks</a> <a href="/hosea/8-14.htm">Fenced</a> <a href="/micah/7-12.htm">Fortified</a> <a href="/nahum/2-1.htm">Fortress</a> <a href="/nahum/3-3.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/psalms/39-6.htm">Heapeth</a> <a href="/nahum/3-14.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/micah/1-14.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/isaiah/37-22.htm">Laughed</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-25.htm">Laughs</a> <a href="/nahum/1-4.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/daniel/9-23.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Mock</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Places</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/daniel/11-15.htm">Ramp</a> <a href="/daniel/11-15.htm">Ramps</a> <a href="/micah/3-12.htm">Rubble</a> <a href="/micah/3-9.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Scoff</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Scoffeth</a> <a href="/proverbs/29-9.htm">Scoffs</a> <a href="/micah/6-16.htm">Scorn</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-5.htm">Sport</a> <a href="/nahum/3-18.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/nahum/3-11.htm">Stronghold</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">Builds</a> <a href="/mark/14-48.htm">Capture</a> <a href="/numbers/32-41.htm">Captureth</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Cities</a> <a href="/job/21-3.htm">Deride</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Derision</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-17.htm">Dust</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Earth</a> <a href="/luke/22-10.htm">Earthen</a> <a href="/luke/19-43.htm">Earthworks</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-16.htm">Fenced</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-16.htm">Fortified</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-3.htm">Fortress</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-15.htm">Heap</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-5.htm">Heapeth</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-7.htm">Hold</a> <a href="/matthew/10-18.htm">Kings</a> <a href="/matthew/9-24.htm">Laughed</a> <a href="/job/39-7.htm">Laughs</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-16.htm">Makes</a> <a href="/matthew/18-16.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/matthew/20-19.htm">Mock</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-11.htm">Places</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-8.htm">Princes</a> <a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">Ramp</a> <a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm">Ramps</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-3.htm">Rubble</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-14.htm">Rulers</a> <a href="/acts/17-32.htm">Scoff</a> <a href="/proverbs/3-34.htm">Scoffeth</a> <a href="/psalms/2-4.htm">Scoffs</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-6.htm">Scorn</a> <a href="/matthew/20-19.htm">Sport</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-17.htm">Strong</a> <a href="/zechariah/9-3.htm">Stronghold</a><div class="vheading2">Habakkuk 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/1-1.htm">Unto Habakkuk, complaining of the iniquity of the land,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">is shown the fearful vengeance by the Chaldeans.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/1-12.htm">He complains that vengeance should be executed by them who are far worse.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/habakkuk/1.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/habakkuk/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/habakkuk/1.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>They scoff at kings</b><br>This phrase highlights the arrogance and disdain the Babylonians had for earthly authority. In the ancient Near East, kings were seen as powerful and often divine representatives. The Babylonians' contempt for kings indicates their belief in their own superiority and invincibility. This attitude is reminiscent of other empires in biblical history, such as Assyria, which also displayed arrogance before their eventual downfall (<a href="/isaiah/10-12.htm">Isaiah 10:12-14</a>).<p><b>and make rulers an object of scorn.</b><br>The Babylonians not only disregarded kings but also mocked other rulers, showing their complete lack of respect for established authority. This scorn reflects their confidence in military might and their belief that no earthly power could withstand them. This behavior is a fulfillment of God's warning that He would raise up the Chaldeans as a tool of judgment (<a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Habakkuk 1:6</a>), demonstrating that even the most powerful human leaders are subject to God's sovereign plans.<p><b>They laugh at every fortress</b><br>The Babylonians' military prowess was such that they found fortresses laughable, indicating their confidence in overcoming any defensive structure. Historically, the Babylonians were known for their advanced siege techniques and engineering skills, which allowed them to conquer heavily fortified cities. This phrase underscores the futility of relying on human defenses against a divinely appointed instrument of judgment.<p><b>and build up siege ramps to seize it.</b><br>Siege ramps were a common military tactic in the ancient world, used to breach city walls. The Babylonians' ability to construct these ramps quickly and effectively made them a formidable force. Archaeological evidence from sites like Lachish in Judah shows the remains of such siege works, providing historical context to this practice. This phrase illustrates the inevitability of Babylonian conquest, as no fortress could withstand their assault, symbolizing the unstoppable nature of God's judgment through them.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/habakkuk.htm">Habakkuk</a></b><br>A prophet in the Old Testament who dialogues with God about the justice and sovereignty of God in the face of evil and suffering.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/c/chaldeans/babylonians.htm">Chaldeans/Babylonians</a></b><br>The rising power during Habakkuk's time, known for their military might and conquests. They are the "they" referred to in this verse.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/k/kings_and_rulers.htm">Kings and Rulers</a></b><br>Represents the political and military leaders of the nations that the Babylonians would conquer.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/f/fortresses.htm">Fortresses</a></b><br>Symbolizes the strongholds and defenses of the nations that are rendered ineffective against the Babylonians.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/s/siege_ramps.htm">Siege Ramps</a></b><br>A military tactic used by the Babylonians to overcome fortified cities, demonstrating their strategic prowess and relentless aggression.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_over_nations.htm">God's Sovereignty Over Nations</a></b><br>Despite the Babylonians' arrogance and power, they are ultimately under God's control. This reminds us that no earthly power is beyond God's authority.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_pride.htm">The Futility of Human Pride</a></b><br>The Babylonians' scorn for kings and fortresses highlights the futility of human pride and self-reliance. We must place our trust in God rather than in human strength or wisdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_use_of_unlikely_instruments.htm">God's Use of Unlikely Instruments</a></b><br>God can use even the most unlikely or ungodly nations to accomplish His purposes. This challenges us to see God's hand at work in unexpected ways and places.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_temporary_nature_of_earthly_power.htm">The Temporary Nature of Earthly Power</a></b><br>The Babylonians' eventual downfall serves as a reminder that earthly power is temporary. Our focus should be on eternal values and God's kingdom.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/responding_to_injustice_with_faith.htm">Responding to Injustice with Faith</a></b><br>Like Habakkuk, we may struggle with the presence of evil and injustice. However, we are called to trust in God's ultimate justice and timing.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_habakkuk_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Habakkuk 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_habakkuk_1_8-10_conflict_with_history.htm">Does the swift and overwhelming conquest in Habakkuk 1:8-10 conflict with known historical timelines of Babylonian expansion?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_solomon's_throne_description_exaggerated.htm">In 1 Kings 10:18-20, is there any external record or artifact supporting the intricate details of Solomon's throne, or does this description seem exaggerated?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_2_kings_18_25_consistent_with_other_divine_judgments.htm">2 Kings 18:25 - Is the claim that the Assyrian king was acting by God's command consistent with other biblical accounts of divine judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_1_kings_10_27-29_fit_trade_data.htm">In light of 1 Kings 10:27-29, how do we reconcile the extensive horse trade from Egypt and Kue with what is known about trade routes and military resources of that era?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/habakkuk/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(10) Kings and princes are deposed or enthroned at the invader's pleasure. Thus Nebuchadnezzar set Jehoiakim as a tributary sovereign on the throne of Jerusalem and three years later deposed his son and successor Jehciaohin and made Zedekiah king.<p><span class= "bld">For they shall heap dust, and take it.</span>--This means that they shall besiege and carry all strongholds by means of the mounds of earth commonly used in sieges. These mounds were employed either to place the besieger on a level with the besieged, and so facilitate the operations of siege engines, or to form an inclined plane, up which the besieger might march his men, and so take the place by escalade. We find they were used by the Egyptians (<a href="/ezekiel/17-17.htm" title="Neither shall Pharaoh with his mighty army and great company make for him in the war, by casting up mounts, and building forts, to cut off many persons:">Ezekiel 17:17</a>) and the Assyrians (<a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm" title="Therefore thus said the LORD concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come into this city, nor shoot an arrow there, nor come before it with shield, nor cast a bank against it.">2Kings 19:32</a>), as well as by the Babylonians (<a href="/jeremiah/6-6.htm" title="For thus has the LORD of hosts said, Hew you down trees, and cast a mount against Jerusalem: this is the city to be visited; she is wholly oppression in the middle of her.">Jeremiah 6:6</a>, and <span class= "ital">passim</span>)<span class= "ital">.</span> They are mentioned as employed by the Spartan king Archidamus in the celebrated siege of Plataea in B.C. 429 (Thucydides, lib. 2). In the present passage the term "dust" is used to indicate these mounds of earth, as expressing the contemptuous ease with which the invader effects his capture of strongholds.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/habakkuk/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 10.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">And they shall scoff,</span> etc.; <span class="accented">it</span>, or <span class="accented">he, scoffeth at kings.</span> The Chaldean nation makes light of the power and persons of kings. Compare Nebuchadnezzar's treatment of Jehoiakim (<a href="/2_chronicles/36-6.htm">2 Chronicles 36:6</a>; <a href="/2_kings/24-1.htm">2 Kings 24:1, 3</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/22-19.htm">Jeremiah 22:19</a>) and Jehoiachin (<a href="/2_kings/24-12.htm">2 Kings 24:12, 15</a>). <span class="cmt_word">They shall deride every strong hold.</span> The strongest fortress is no impediment to them. <span class="cmt_word">They shall heap dust.</span> This refers to the raising of a mound or embankment for the purpose of attacking a city (comp. <a href="/2_samuel/20-15.htm">2 Samuel 20:15</a>; <a href="/2_kings/19-32.htm">2 Kings 19:32</a>; <a href="/2_kings/25-1.htm">2 Kings 25:1</a>). In the Assyrian monuments one often sees representations of these mounds, or of inclined planes constructed to facilitate the approach of the battering ram (see Bonomi, 'Nineveh and its Palaces,' pp. 181, 188, etc.; Layard, 'Nineveh,' etc., 2:369). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">They</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהוּא֙</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">scoff at</span><br /><span class="heb">יִתְקַלָּ֔ס</span> <span class="translit">(yiṯ·qal·lās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7046.htm">Strong's 7046: </a> </span><span class="str2">To disparage, ridicule</span><br /><br /><span class="word">kings</span><br /><span class="heb">בַּמְּלָכִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(bam·mə·lā·ḵîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4428.htm">Strong's 4428: </a> </span><span class="str2">A king</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and {make} rulers</span><br /><span class="heb">וְרֹזְנִ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·rō·zə·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7336.htm">Strong's 7336: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be weighty, judicious or commanding</span><br /><br /><span class="word">an object of scorn.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׂחָ֣ק</span> <span class="translit">(miś·ḥāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4890.htm">Strong's 4890: </a> </span><span class="str2">Object of derision</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They</span><br /><span class="heb">ה֚וּא</span> <span class="translit">(hū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1931.htm">Strong's 1931: </a> </span><span class="str2">He, self, the same, this, that, as, are</span><br /><br /><span class="word">laugh</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׂחָ֔ק</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·ḥāq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7832.htm">Strong's 7832: </a> </span><span class="str2">To laugh, to play</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at every</span><br /><span class="heb">לְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(lə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">fortress</span><br /><span class="heb">מִבְצָ֣ר</span> <span class="translit">(miḇ·ṣār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4013.htm">Strong's 4013: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fortification, castle, fortified city, a defender</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and build up</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיִּצְבֹּ֥ר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yiṣ·bōr)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6651.htm">Strong's 6651: </a> </span><span class="str2">To aggregate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">siege ramps</span><br /><span class="heb">עָפָ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(‘ā·p̄ār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6083.htm">Strong's 6083: </a> </span><span class="str2">Dust, clay, earth, mud</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to seize it.</span><br /><span class="heb">וַֽיִּלְכְּדָֽהּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(way·yil·kə·ḏāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular | third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3920.htm">Strong's 3920: </a> </span><span class="str2">To catch, to capture, occupy, to choose, to cohere</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/habakkuk/1-10.htm">Habakkuk 1:10 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/habakkuk/1-10.htm">OT Prophets: Habakkuk 1:10 Yes he scoffs at kings and princes (Hab Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/habakkuk/1-9.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Habakkuk 1:9"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Habakkuk 1:9" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/habakkuk/1-11.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Habakkuk 1:11"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Habakkuk 1:11" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>