John Gill Commentary Habakkuk 1:16

"Therefore he sacrificeth unto his net, and burneth incense unto his drag; because by them his portion is fat, and his food plenteous." — Habakkuk 1:16 (ASV)

Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense
unto their drag
Either to their idols, to fortune and the stars, as Aben Ezra; imagining they gave them success, and prospered them in the arts and methods they used: or to their arms, as the Targum; nor was it unusual with the Heathens to worship their spears, sacrifice to them, and swear by them ^F7 .

So Justin says ^F8 , originally the ancients worshipped spears for gods, in memory of whose religion spears are still added to the images of the gods. Lucian ^F9 asserts that the Scythians sacrificed to a scimitar; and Arnobius ^F11 says the same; and Ammianus Marcellinus ^F12 reports, that the Quadi worship their swords or daggers instead of gods; and that it was usual to swear by the spear is evident from others ^F13 .

Or else the sense is, they sacrificed to their own valour and courage, skill and conduct. Because by them their portion [is] fat, and their meat plenteous :

that is, by their angle, net, and drag; or by those things signified by them, the arts and methods they used to subdue nations, conquer kingdoms, and bring them into subjection to them; they enlarged their dominions, increased their riches and revenues, and had plenty of everything that was desirable for food and raiment, for pleasure and profit; or to gratify the most unbounded ambition, having everything that heart could wish for and desire: the allusion is to making sumptuous feasts, and rich banquets, on occasion of victories obtained.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F7: Vid. Doughtaei Analect. Sacra, p. 494, 495.
• F8: E Trogo, l. 43. c. 3, 4.
• F9: In Jupiter Tragoedus.
• F11: Adv. Gentes, l. 6. p. 232.
• F12: Hist. l. 17.
• F13: (omnusi d'ouicmhn) , Aeschylus.