Habakkuk's Analysis of the Babylonians’ Actions
Habakkuk described the Babylonians as being fishermen, fishing to catch the Israelites who lived like fish. Their skills resulted in them catching the Israelites. The language used, he brings all of them up,
he drags them out,
and he gathers them,
symbolized them hauling the Israelites like fish out of the sea. Since the Israelites did not live under the rule of God, they were easily caught by the Babylonians.
The instruments used by the Babylonians were a hook,
a net,
and a dragnet.
The hook was a rod with a sharp point at the end of it used to pierce the fish after it was caught. The net was a small hand net used to catch the fish on the surface. The dragnet was a larger net with weights attached to the end enabling it to sink into the water to catch fish below the surface.
The Babylonians were successful in their exploits and rejoiced with pride and happiness because of their conquering achievements against the Israelites. Their gladness revealed their pride in their capabilities to win their battles.
15 He brings all of them up with a hook; he drags them out with his net; he gathers them in his dragnet; so he rejoices and is glad.