Original Word: רוֹם
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: rowm
Pronunciation: rohm
Phonetic Spelling: (rome)
KJV: on high
NASB: high
Word Origin: [from H7311 (רוּם - exalted)]

1. elevation, i.e. (adverbially) aloft

on high

From ruwm; elevation, i.e. (adverbially) aloft -- on high.

see HEBREW ruwm

Word Origin
from rum
Definition
on high
NASB Translation
high (1).

רוֺם adverb on high, of direction (compare מָרוֺם 2) רוֺם יָדֵיהוּ נָשָׂא Habakkuk 3:10 (subject תְּהוֺם).

Context in Habakkuk 3:10

Habakkuk’s prayer-hymn climaxes in a cosmic theophany where creation itself reacts to the Lord’s march of judgment and salvation. The phrase “lifted its hands on high” (Habakkuk 3:10) employs רוֹם to picture the waters raising their “hands” toward an elevated place, dramatizing both the overwhelming power of God and the instinctive submission of nature to its Creator. Height is thus portrayed not merely as physical elevation but as the sphere where God’s supremacy is manifest.

Height as a Biblical Symbol of Divine Majesty

Throughout Scripture, height and exaltation consistently signify the Lord’s unrivaled sovereignty (Psalm 113:4; Isaiah 6:1). Although these passages use other Hebrew terms, they illuminate the theological backdrop for רוֹם in Habakkuk. The symbol bridges earth and heaven, underscoring that the Lord “is exalted over all the peoples” (Psalm 99:2) and cannot be confined to human boundaries.

Prophetic and Redemptive Resonance

Habakkuk’s solitary use of רוֹם links the prophet’s vision with the broader prophetic proclamation that God will decisively intervene in history. The towering imagery anticipates the ultimate exaltation of the Messiah, who “was taken up in glory” (1 Timothy 3:16) and now reigns “far above all rule and authority” (Ephesians 1:21). Thus, the word subtly foreshadows Christ’s ascension, tying Old Testament hope to New Testament fulfillment.

Ministry Implications

1. Awe in Worship: Recognizing God’s incomparable height encourages reverence. Corporate worship should mirror Habakkuk’s wonder, exalting the One whose throne is “high and lifted up” (Isaiah 6:1).
2. Assurance in Trials: The prophet’s context of impending Chaldean invasion reminds believers that divine exaltation guarantees ultimate victory, even when circumstances appear chaotic.
3. Humility in Service: If God alone rightly occupies the highest place, all human pride is misplaced. Ministry leadership must be characterized by downward mobility that points upward to Christ (Philippians 2:5-11).

Illustrative Cross-References

• Psalm 18:16: “He reached down from on high and took hold of me.”
• Isaiah 33:5: “The Lord is exalted, for He dwells on high.”
• John 3:13: “No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven—the Son of Man.”

Summary

רוֹם functions in Habakkuk 3:10 as a vivid emblem of God’s supreme elevation. By portraying the deep waters lifting their hands toward this lofty realm, the text proclaims the Lord’s irresistible authority over creation, history, and redemption. For the church today, the word calls forth worshipful awe, steadfast hope, and Christ-centered humility.

ר֖וֹם רום rō·wm Rom rōwmInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts