Habakkuk 1:12

Authorized King James Version

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.

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

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection