Habakkuk 1:12

Authorized King James Version

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Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

Original Language Analysis

הֲל֧וֹא H3808
הֲל֧וֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אַתָּ֣ה H859
אַתָּ֣ה
Strong's: H859
Word #: 2 of 14
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
מִקֶּ֗דֶם Art thou not from everlasting H6924
מִקֶּ֗דֶם Art thou not from everlasting
Strong's: H6924
Word #: 3 of 14
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
יְהוָה֙ O LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהַ֛י my God H430
אֱלֹהַ֛י my God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 5 of 14
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
קְדֹשִׁ֖י mine Holy One H6918
קְדֹשִׁ֖י mine Holy One
Strong's: H6918
Word #: 6 of 14
sacred (ceremonially or morally); (as noun) god (by eminence), an angel, a saint, a sanctuary
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 14
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָמ֑וּת we shall not die H4191
נָמ֑וּת we shall not die
Strong's: H4191
Word #: 8 of 14
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
יְהוָה֙ O LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ O LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 9 of 14
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְמִשְׁפָּ֣ט them for judgment H4941
לְמִשְׁפָּ֣ט them for judgment
Strong's: H4941
Word #: 10 of 14
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
שַׂמְתּ֔וֹ thou hast ordained H7760
שַׂמְתּ֔וֹ thou hast ordained
Strong's: H7760
Word #: 11 of 14
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
וְצ֖וּר and O mighty God H6697
וְצ֖וּר and O mighty God
Strong's: H6697
Word #: 12 of 14
properly, a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally, a rock or boulder; figuratively, a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous)
לְהוֹכִ֥יחַ them for correction H3198
לְהוֹכִ֥יחַ them for correction
Strong's: H3198
Word #: 13 of 14
to be right (i.e., correct); reciprocal, to argue; causatively, to decide, justify or convict
יְסַדְתּֽוֹ׃ thou hast established H3245
יְסַדְתּֽוֹ׃ thou hast established
Strong's: H3245
Word #: 14 of 14
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult

Cross References

Deuteronomy 32:4He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.Psalms 90:2Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.Deuteronomy 33:27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.Jeremiah 30:11For I am with thee, saith the LORD, to save thee: though I make a full end of all nations whither I have scattered thee, yet will I not make a full end of thee: but I will correct thee in measure, and will not leave thee altogether unpunished.Jeremiah 46:28Fear thou not, O Jacob my servant, saith the LORD: for I am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I have driven thee: but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct thee in measure; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.Psalms 93:2Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting.Hebrews 13:8Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.Isaiah 40:28Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding.Isaiah 43:15I am the LORD, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King.Acts 3:14But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;

Analysis & Commentary

Habakkuk's second complaint begins: 'Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction' (halo attah miqqedem Yahweh Elohai Qedoshi lo namut Yahweh lemishpat samtam veTzur lehokhiach yesadto). The prophet anchors himself in God's eternal nature (miqqedem, from everlasting), His covenant relationship (Yahweh Elohai, LORD my God), and His holiness (Qedoshi). From this foundation, he reasons: 'we shall not die' (lo namut)—though judgment comes, the covenant people won't be utterly destroyed. He acknowledges God's sovereignty: 'thou hast ordained them for judgment' (lemishpat samtam)—Babylon exists by divine appointment to execute judgment. 'Established them for correction' (lehokhiach yesadto)—they're instruments of discipline, not ultimate destroyers. Yet this creates the problem verse 13 addresses: how can holy God use unholy Babylon?

Historical Context

Habakkuk's theology reflects deep understanding of covenant promises. God had promised Abraham that his descendants would be eternal (Genesis 17:7), promised David an everlasting kingdom (2 Samuel 7:16), and declared through prophets that a remnant would survive judgment (Isaiah 10:20-22). Despite coming catastrophe, these promises assured ultimate preservation. The prophet's confidence ('we shall not die') wasn't presumption but faith in God's character and word. Historical fulfillment proved him right—though Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah exiled, the people survived, returned, and from them came the Messiah. Even divine judgment on covenant people serves redemptive purposes, not final destruction.

Questions for Reflection