Abstract:
Habakkuk 3 is one of the most controversial texts in the Hebrew Bible. Diverging opinions
have been expressed on literally every facet of the text. Quite surprising though, interpreters
are virtually unanimous in their opinion about the structure of the pericope. Apart from a
superscript (3:1) and subscript (3:19b) four units are normally demarcated: a prayer (3:2), a
theophany (3:3–7), a hymn (3:8–15) and a confession of trust (3:16–19a). Unit delimiters in
ancient Hebrew manuscripts demarcate two (3:1–13 and 3:14–19) or three (3:1–7; 3:8–13;
3:14–19) units. This study evaluates this evidence and reads Habakkuk 3 in the light of the
units demarcated in ancient manuscripts. It raises awareness of interesting structural patterns
in the poem, calls for a rethinking of traditional form critical categories, and opens avenues for
an alternative understanding of the pericope.
