Habakkuk 1:13
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 righteous than he?
Original Language Analysis
טְה֤וֹר
Thou art of purer
H2889
טְה֤וֹר
Thou art of purer
Strong's:
H2889
Word #:
1 of 17
pure (in a physical, chemical, ceremonial or moral sense)
עֵינַ֙יִם֙
eyes
H5869
עֵינַ֙יִם֙
eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
2 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
מֵרְא֣וֹת
than to behold
H7200
מֵרְא֣וֹת
than to behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
3 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
תַבִּיט֙
not look
H5027
תַבִּיט֙
not look
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
5 of 17
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
עָמָ֖ל
on iniquity
H5999
עָמָ֖ל
on iniquity
Strong's:
H5999
Word #:
7 of 17
toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תוּכָ֑ל
and canst
H3201
תוּכָ֑ל
and canst
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
9 of 17
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
לָ֤מָּה
H4100
לָ֤מָּה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
תַבִּיט֙
not look
H5027
תַבִּיט֙
not look
Strong's:
H5027
Word #:
11 of 17
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
בּֽוֹגְדִ֔ים
thou upon them that deal treacherously
H898
בּֽוֹגְדִ֔ים
thou upon them that deal treacherously
Strong's:
H898
Word #:
12 of 17
to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage
תַּחֲרִ֕ישׁ
and holdest thy tongue
H2790
תַּחֲרִ֕ישׁ
and holdest thy tongue
Strong's:
H2790
Word #:
13 of 17
to scratch, i.e., (by implication) to engrave, plough; hence (from the use of tools) to fabricate (of any material); figuratively, to devise (in a bad
בְּבַלַּ֥ע
devoureth
H1104
בְּבַלַּ֥ע
devoureth
Strong's:
H1104
Word #:
14 of 17
to make away with (specifically by swallowing); generally, to destroy
רָשָׁ֖ע
when the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁ֖ע
when the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
15 of 17
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
Cross References
Psalms 50:3Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about him.Psalms 10:15Break thou the arm of the wicked and the evil man: seek out his wickedness till thou find none.2 Samuel 4:11How much more, when wicked men have slain a righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?Isaiah 21:2A grievous vision is declared unto me; the treacherous dealer dealeth treacherously, and the spoiler spoileth. Go up, O Elam: besiege, O Media; all the sighing thereof have I made to cease.Isaiah 33:1Woe to thee that spoilest, and thou wast not spoiled; and dealest treacherously, and they dealt not treacherously with thee! when thou shalt cease to spoil, thou shalt be spoiled; and when thou shalt make an end to deal treacherously, they shall deal treacherously with thee.Isaiah 64:12Wilt thou refrain thyself for these things, O LORD? wilt thou hold thy peace, and afflict us very sore?Acts 2:23Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:Psalms 73:3For I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.Psalms 83:1Keep not thou silence, O God: hold not thy peace, and be not still, O God.Psalms 50:21These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes.
Historical Context
Written circa 605 BC as Babylon emerged as dominant power, shortly before Nebuchadnezzar's first invasion of Judah. Habakkuk questioned how holy God could use wicked Babylon to punish Judah, who despite corruption remained more righteous than pagan oppressors. This philosophical problem intensified during exile when God's people suffered under brutal pagans. The prophet's wrestling models honest dialogue with God—not irreverent doubt but faith seeking understanding. His resolution (3:17-19) demonstrates that trust in God's character transcends circumstances: though everything fails, 'yet I will rejoice in the LORD.'
Questions for Reflection
- How do I reconcile God's holiness with His sovereignty over evil and suffering in my life and the world?
- Am I willing to trust God's character when His ways seem inscrutable, or do I demand complete understanding before obedience?
Analysis & Commentary
Habakkuk's theodicy question addresses God's character: 'You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?' The Hebrew 'tahor enayim' (pure of eyes) emphasizes God's absolute holiness—He cannot approve or tolerate evil. Yet apparent divine passivity while Babylon destroys Judah creates philosophical tension. This verse articulates the believer's struggle when God's revealed character seems inconsistent with His providence. The prophet doesn't deny God's purity but seeks understanding. God's answer (chapter 2) affirms that judgment is certain, timing is sovereign, and 'the righteous shall live by faith' (2:4)—a text foundational to Reformation theology (Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, Hebrews 10:38).