Commentaries and Other Bible Study Helps - Prayer Tents - Prayer Tents

1:1 Superscription. "Oracle" translates a common word for "burden" (Hb. massa’), but when used in the Prophets it may more specifically signify a prophetic oracle (see Isa. 14:4). Jeremiah 20:9 and Amos 3:8 suggest that once God gives a message, it becomes a "burden" until the prophet announces it. Prophets do not typically use the term "prophet" for themselves, but Habakkuk is called a prophet twice (Hab. 1:1; 3:1), possibly because his message differs significantly from that of most other prophets.