Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk's Complaint

1 The burden which Habakkuk the prophetProphet: נָבִיא (Navi). The Hebrew navi (נָבִיא) means prophet—one who speaks God's word to the people. Prophets received divine revelation and declared God's message, often calling Israel to repentance and foretelling future events. did see.

2 O LORDLord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai). When 'LORD' appears in small capitals, it represents the Tetragrammaton YHWH (יְהוָה), God's personal covenant name meaning 'I AM.' When 'Lord' appears normally, it's Adonai (אֲדֹנָי), meaning 'my Lord,' emphasizing sovereignty., how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! Salvation: Jeremiah 14:9. References Lord: Psalms 94:3, Revelation 6:10. Parallel theme: Lamentations 3:8

3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention. Sin: Jeremiah 20:8. Parallel theme: Ecclesiastes 4:1, 5:8, Ezekiel 2:6, Matthew 10:16, 2 Peter 2:8

4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgmentJudgment: מִשְׁפָּט (Mishpat). The Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט) means judgment or justice—God's righteous decisions and ordinances. God is the Judge of all the earth who 'shall do right' (Genesis 18:25), executing perfect justice. doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth. Judgment: Exodus 23:2, 23:6, Hosea 10:4. Word: Psalms 119:126. Evil: Job 21:7, Isaiah 5:20. Righteousness: Deuteronomy 16:19, Jeremiah 12:1, Amos 5:12. Parallel theme: Ezekiel 9:9 +5

The Lord's Answer

5 Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believeBelieve: אָמַן (Aman). The Hebrew aman (אָמַן) means to believe or confirm—the root of 'Amen.' It conveys firm trust and reliability. Abraham 'believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness' (Genesis 15:6)., though it be told you. Faith: Lamentations 4:12. Parallel theme: Isaiah 29:9, 29:14, Jeremiah 18:18, Daniel 9:12, Zephaniah 1:2

6 For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not their's. Resurrection: Isaiah 23:13. Parallel theme: 2 Kings 24:2, Jeremiah 5:15, 25:9

7 They are terrible and dreadful: their judgment and their dignity shall proceed of themselves.

8 Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat. Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 28:49, Jeremiah 4:13, 5:6, Ezekiel 17:3, Hosea 8:1, Zephaniah 3:3

9 They shall come all for violence: their faces shall sup up as the east wind, and they shall gather the captivity as the sand.

10 And they shall scoff at the kings, and the princes shall be a scorn unto them: they shall deride every strong hold; for they shall heap dust, and take it. Kingdom: 2 Chronicles 36:6, 36:10, Isaiah 14:16. Parallel theme: Jeremiah 32:24

11 Then shall his mind change, and he shall pass over, and offend, imputing this his power unto his godGod: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim). The Hebrew Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) is a plural form denoting majesty and fullness of deity. Though grammatically plural, it takes singular verbs when referring to the one true God, suggesting the Trinity's plurality within unity..

Habakkuk's Second Complaint

12 Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine HolyHoly: קָדוֹשׁ (Qadosh). The Hebrew qadosh (קָדוֹשׁ) means holy or set apart—separated from common use for God's purposes. God is 'the Holy One of Israel,' utterly distinct from creation in moral perfection. One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Judgment: Deuteronomy 32:4. References Lord: Jeremiah 30:11, 46:28. Eternal Life: Deuteronomy 33:27, Psalms 90:2, 93:2, Isaiah 40:28. Holy: Isaiah 43:15, Acts 3:14. Parallel theme: Hebrews 13:8 +5

13 Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteousRighteous: צַדִּיק (Tzaddik). The Hebrew tzaddik (צַדִּיק) describes one who is righteous, just, or lawful—conforming to God's standard. From the root tzedek (צֶדֶק), meaning righteousness or justice. than he? Evil: Psalms 10:15, 73:3, Acts 2:23. Righteousness: 2 Samuel 4:11. Parallel theme: Psalms 50:3, 50:21, 83:1, Isaiah 21:2, 33:1, 64:12 +5

14 And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?

15 They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. Parallel theme: Psalms 10:9, Jeremiah 16:16, Amos 4:2

16 Therefore they sacrificeSacrifice: זֶבַח (Zevach). The Hebrew zevach (זֶבַח) denotes a sacrifice or offering—an animal slaughtered for worship. Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed Christ, 'the Lamb of God' (John 1:29). unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous. Parallel theme: Habakkuk 1:11, Deuteronomy 8:17, Ezekiel 28:3, Daniel 4:30, 5:23

17 Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?