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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Habakkuk 3 consists of a hymn of praise to God. Verse 3 begins a section that says, "God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran." What exactly does this mean? What is the significance o...
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Kenneth Heck
Supporter
In this verse, I believe the word "teman" should not have been capitalized, since it suggests a city named after a grandson of Esau. The word "teman" in Hebrew means the "south" or "southwards" For the land of Israel, God came from the south, that is, from Mount Sinai. Mount Paran is used as a synonym for Mount Sinai (Mount Sinai was in or near the land of Paran). Another synonym for Mount Sinai was Mount Horeb. The wilderness of Paran would be directly south of Israel and Mt Horeb south of that. This is realistic if Mt Sinai/Horeb is in Arabia/Arabah as Deut 1:1 and Paul in Galatians tell us.) Interestingly, Paran was the wilderness where Hagar had her experience with God and where Ishmael grew up (Gen 21:21). Not being a scholar,I will not attempt to indicate all the commentary which has been written concerning this.
Jack Gutknecht
Supporter
About Habakkuk 3:3—If God is everywhere, then how could He “come from Teman”? This verse seems to contradict God’s omnipresence. If God is everywhere (Ps. 139:7-10; Jer. 23:23), then how could He be localized in the city of Teman from which He was to come to judge His enemy? This is not a reference to God in His omnipresence, but to a special manifestation of God, such as a theophany. Just as God came down in a special display of His glory to Moses on Mt. Sinai (Deut 33:2 --in respect to God’s giving of the law (De 33:2 JFB)), or as the angel of the Lord to Manoah (Jud. 13), even so here He came from Teman. Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. The meaning of God coming from Teman is this. It is a splendorous coming. (Hab 3: 3-5). According to some scholars, Wiersbe says Mount Paran is another name for the entire Sinai Peninsula, or for Mount Sinai itself (Deut 33:2). Teman is usually identified with Edom. In this song, Habakkuk seems to be retracing the march of Israel from Sinai to the Promised Land. Everything about this stanza reveals the glory of God. He is called “the Holy One” (Hab. 3:3; and see Hab 1:12), a name used in Isaiah at least 30 times. “His glory covered the heavens” (Hab 3:3) is an anticipation of the time when His glory will cover all the earth (Hab 2:14). God’s appearance was like the lightning that plays across the heavens before the storm breaks. All of creation joined in praising Him as “the earth was full of his praise.” God’s brightness was like the sunrise only to a greater degree (see Matt. 17:2). “Horns” means “rays”: “rays flashed from his hand” (Hab. 3:4 NIV) where His power was hidden. As far as I know, all the prophecies concerning "Teman" are: Jer. 49:7; Ezek. 25:13; Amos 1:12; Obad. 9; and Hab. 3:3. Speaking of Teman, see the FSB regarding Habakkuk 3:3 -- The phrase, "from Teman", is referring to one of the principal cities of Edom. The name comes from Teman, the grandson of Esau (see Gen 36:11). The city of Teman can be identified with the modern Tawilan, located 50 miles south of the Dead Sea near Petra. In Obadiah 9, Teman is used for the entire nation of Edom, though this is most likely a case of synecdoche (a figure of speech, meaning the part is used for the whole).
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