Habakkuk 1:14
New International Version
You have made people like the fish in the sea, like the sea creatures that have no ruler.

New Living Translation
Are we only fish to be caught and killed? Are we only sea creatures that have no leader?

English Standard Version
You make mankind like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler.

Berean Standard Bible
You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler.

King James Bible
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

New King James Version
Why do You make men like fish of the sea, Like creeping things that have no ruler over them?

New American Standard Bible
Why have You made people like the fish of the sea, Like crawling things that have no ruler over them?

NASB 1995
Why have You made men like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things without a ruler over them?

NASB 1977
Why hast Thou made men like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things without a ruler over them?

Legacy Standard Bible
And You have made men like the fish of the sea, Like creeping things without a ruler over them.

Amplified Bible
Why do You make men like the fish of the sea, Like reptiles and creeping things that have no ruler [and are helpless against their enemies]?

Christian Standard Bible
You have made mankind like the fish of the sea, like marine creatures that have no ruler.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
You have made mankind like the fish of the sea, like marine creatures that have no ruler.

American Standard Version
and makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

Contemporary English Version
The people you put on this earth are like fish or reptiles without a leader.

English Revised Version
and makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
You make all people like the fish in the sea, like schools of sea life that have no ruler.

Good News Translation
How can you treat people like fish or like a swarm of insects that have no ruler to direct them?

International Standard Version
"You have fashioned mankind like fish in the ocean, like creeping things that have no ruler.

Majority Standard Bible
You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler.

NET Bible
You made people like fish in the sea, like animals in the sea that have no ruler.

New Heart English Bible
and make men like the fish of the sea, like the crawling creatures, that have no ruler over them?

Webster's Bible Translation
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping animals that have no ruler over them?

World English Bible
and make men like the fish of the sea, like the creeping things that have no ruler over them?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And You make man as fishes of the sea, "" As a creeping thing [with] none ruling over him.

Young's Literal Translation
And Thou makest man as fishes of the sea, As a creeping thing -- none ruling over him.

Smith's Literal Translation
And wilt thou make man as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping thing no ruler over him?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And thou wilt make men as the fishes of the sea, and as the creeping things that have no ruler.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And you will make men like the fish of the sea and like the creeping things that have no ruler.

New American Bible
You have made mortals like the fish in the sea, like creeping things without a leader.

New Revised Standard Version
You have made people like the fish of the sea, like crawling things that have no ruler.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And thou didst make men as the fish of the sea, as the creeping things that have no ruler over them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And you have made the children of men as the fish in the sea and like creeping things that have no Leader
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And makest men as the fishes of the sea, As the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And wilt thou make men as the fishes of the sea, and as the reptiles which have no guide?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Habakkuk's Second Complaint
13Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves? 14You have made men like the fish of the sea, like creeping things that have no ruler. 15The foe pulls all of them up with a hook; he catches them in his dragnet, and gathers them in his fishing net; so he rejoices gladly.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 16:16
But for now I will send for many fishermen, declares the LORD, and they will catch them. After that I will send for many hunters, and they will hunt them down on every mountain and hill, even from the clefts of the rocks.

Isaiah 19:8
Then the fishermen will mourn, all who cast a hook into the Nile will lament, and those who spread nets on the waters will pine away.

Ezekiel 29:4-5
But I will put hooks in your jaws and cause the fish of your streams to cling to your scales. I will haul you up out of your rivers, and all the fish of your streams will cling to your scales. / I will leave you in the desert, you and all the fish of your streams. You will fall on the open field and will not be taken away or gathered for burial. I have given you as food to the beasts of the earth and the birds of the air.

Amos 4:2
The Lord GOD has sworn by His holiness: “Behold, the days are coming when you will be taken away with hooks, and your posterity with fishhooks.

Matthew 4:19
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Mark 1:17
“Come, follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

Ezekiel 38:4
I will turn you around, put hooks in your jaws, and bring you out with all your army—your horses, your horsemen in full armor, and a great company armed with shields and bucklers, all brandishing their swords.

Job 12:24-25
He deprives the earth’s leaders of reason and makes them wander in a trackless wasteland. / They grope in the darkness without light; He makes them stagger like drunkards.

Psalm 8:8
the birds of the air and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Isaiah 51:20
Your sons have fainted; they lie at the head of every street, like an antelope in a net. They are full of the wrath of the LORD, the rebuke of your God.

Luke 5:10
and so were his partners James and John, the sons of Zebedee. “Do not be afraid,” Jesus said to Simon. “From now on you will catch men.”

John 21:6
He told them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it there, and they were unable to haul it in because of the great number of fish.

Psalm 74:14
You crushed the heads of Leviathan; You fed him to the creatures of the desert.

Isaiah 57:20
But the wicked are like the storm-tossed sea, for it cannot be still, and its waves churn up mire and muck.

Matthew 13:47-50
Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. / When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. / So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous ...


Treasury of Scripture

And make men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

creeping.

Proverbs 6:7
Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,

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Habakkuk 1
1. Unto Habakkuk, complaining of the iniquity of the land,
5. is shown the fearful vengeance by the Chaldeans.
12. He complains that vengeance should be executed by them who are far worse.














You have made
This phrase acknowledges God's sovereignty and creative power. The Hebrew root here is "עָשָׂה" (asah), which means to make or to do. It reflects the belief that God is the ultimate creator and sustainer of life. In the context of Habakkuk, it underscores the prophet's understanding that God has a purpose and plan, even when circumstances seem chaotic or unjust.

men
The term "men" refers to humanity in general. In Hebrew, the word is "אָדָם" (adam), which is also the name of the first man created by God. This connection reminds us of the inherent dignity and value of human life, as well as the responsibility that comes with being made in the image of God. It also highlights the vulnerability of humans in the face of divine judgment and the forces of nature.

like the fish of the sea
This simile draws a vivid picture of humanity's condition. Fish in the sea are numerous, often seen as insignificant and easily caught. The Hebrew word for fish is "דָּג" (dag). This imagery suggests a sense of helplessness and lack of control, emphasizing the theme of human vulnerability. In the ancient Near Eastern context, the sea often symbolized chaos and danger, further illustrating the precariousness of human existence without divine guidance.

like creeping things
The phrase "creeping things" refers to small, often overlooked creatures. The Hebrew word "רֶמֶשׂ" (remes) encompasses a variety of small animals, typically those that move close to the ground. This imagery reinforces the idea of insignificance and defenselessness. In the biblical narrative, creeping things are part of God's creation, yet they lack the dominion and authority given to humans, highlighting the disorder present when God's order is not recognized.

that have no ruler
This phrase points to the absence of leadership or guidance. The Hebrew word for ruler is "מֹשֵׁל" (moshel), which can mean a governor or one who exercises authority. In the context of Habakkuk, it reflects the chaos and moral decay observed by the prophet, where people live without acknowledging God's sovereignty. This lack of divine or righteous leadership leads to societal breakdown and injustice, a central concern of Habakkuk's prophecy.

Verse 14. - The prophet appeals movingly to God by showing the indignity with which the people are treated. As the fishes of the sea. Dumb and helpless, swept off by the fisherman. That have no ruler ever them. None to guide and protect them (comp. Proverbs 6:7; Proverbs 30:27). So the Jews seem to be deprived of God's care, and left to be the prey of the spoiler, as if of little worth, and no longer having God for their King (comp. Isaiah 63:19, Revised Version). The "creeping things" are worms, or small fish (Psalm 104:25).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
You have made
וַתַּעֲשֶׂ֥ה (wat·ta·‘ă·śeh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 6213: To do, make

men
אָדָ֖ם (’ā·ḏām)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 120: Ruddy, a human being

like the fish
כִּדְגֵ֣י (kiḏ·ḡê)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 1709: A fish

of the sea,
הַיָּ֑ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

like sea creatures
כְּרֶ֖מֶשׂ (kə·re·meś)
Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7431: A reptile, any other rapidly moving animal

with no
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

ruler.
מֹשֵׁ֥ל (mō·šêl)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 4910: To rule, have dominion, reign


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 1:14 And make men like the fish (Hab Hb)
Habakkuk 1:13
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