² tn Heb “You have made difficult [your] request.”

² tn The precise significance of ἐν (en) here is difficult to determine.

³ tn The precise meaning of the phrase ἔκβαλε ἔξωθεν (ekbale exōthen) is difficult to determine.

³ sn The “night” probably here symbolizes distress and difficult times. See BDB 539 s.v. לַיְלָה.

² sn Habakkuk uses similar language to describe his faith during difficult times. See Hab 3:19.

⁴ tn Heb “there is not power for our hand.” The Hebrew expression used here is rather difficult.

⁷ tn For discussion of this difficult form, see C. F. Burney, Judges, 364.

³ sn Difficult times are coming, but Habakkuk is confident the Lord will sustain him. Habakkuk will be able to survive, just as the deer negotiates the difficult rugged terrain of the high places without injury.

³ tn The phrase “is harder to reach” is supplied in the translation on the basis of the comparative מִן (min). It is difficult to get into a fortified city; it is more difficult to reach an offended brother.

¹ tn There is a possible causative nuance in the Greek verb, but this is difficult to convey in the translation.

¹ sn It is difficult to determine whether the speaker in 6:11-12 is Solomon or the Beloved.

³ sn The point of the rhetorical question is that a truly faithful friend is very difficult to find.

¹ tn The clause is difficult; it means essentially that “they have not made full [their coming] after” the Lord.

³ tn Traditionally, “affliction.” BDAG 457 s.v. 1 has “difficult circumstances” for this specific context, but since this is somewhat lengthy, “adversity” was preferred instead.

¹ tn The Greek construction here is somewhat difficult and can be literally rendered “Be careful, lest someone shall be the one who takes you captive.”

¹ sn Times of refreshing. The phrase implies relief from difficult, distressful or burdensome circumstances. It is generally regarded as a reference to the messianic age being ushered in.

³ sn An OT quotation whose source is difficult to determine. Isa 44:3; 55:1; 58:11; and Zech 14:8 have all been suggested.

³ tn The Hebrew here is difficult in that the negative בִּלְתִּי (bilti, “not”) is used in an unusual way. The sense is not entirely clear.

¹ tn Or “valley.” The syntax is difficult. Some translate “to the river,” others “from the river”; in either case the preposition is supplied for the sake of English.

¹ sn A fool must be disciplined by force like an animal—there is no reasoning. The fool is as difficult to manage as the donkey or horse.