Habakkuk 1:4
Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.
Original Language Analysis
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
1 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּן֙
H3651
כֵּן֙
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
2 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
תּוֹרָ֔ה
Therefore the law
H8451
תּוֹרָ֔ה
Therefore the law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
4 of 18
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֵצֵ֥א
go forth
H3318
יֵצֵ֥א
go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
6 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
לָנֶ֖צַח
doth never
H5331
לָנֶ֖צַח
doth never
Strong's:
H5331
Word #:
7 of 18
properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
and judgment
H4941
מִשְׁפָּ֖ט
and judgment
Strong's:
H4941
Word #:
8 of 18
properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 18
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
רָשָׁע֙
for the wicked
H7563
רָשָׁע֙
for the wicked
Strong's:
H7563
Word #:
10 of 18
morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person
מַכְתִּ֣יר
doth compass
H3803
מַכְתִּ֣יר
doth compass
Strong's:
H3803
Word #:
11 of 18
to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as restraining oneself)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 18
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 18
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כֵּ֛ן
H3651
כֵּ֛ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
15 of 18
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יֵצֵ֥א
go forth
H3318
יֵצֵ֥א
go forth
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
16 of 18
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
Cross References
Psalms 119:126It is time for thee, LORD, to work: for they have made void thy law.Job 21:7Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?Jeremiah 12:1Righteous art thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?Ezekiel 9:9Then said he unto me, The iniquity of the house of Israel and Judah is exceeding great, and the land is full of blood, and the city full of perverseness: for they say, The LORD hath forsaken the earth, and the LORD seeth not.Isaiah 5:20Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!Exodus 23:2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:Exodus 23:6Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause.Deuteronomy 16:19Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous.Amos 5:12For I know your manifold transgressions and your mighty sins: they afflict the just, they take a bribe, and they turn aside the poor in the gate from their right.Hosea 10:4They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant: thus judgment springeth up as hemlock in the furrows of the field.
Historical Context
Judicial corruption in late-monarchy Judah was endemic. Prophets repeatedly denounced judges who took bribes (Isaiah 1:23, Micah 3:11), favored the rich (Amos 5:12), and oppressed the poor (Jeremiah 5:28). The very institutions designed to maintain justice had become instruments of oppression. This systematic corruption made exile inevitable—a society that perverts justice cannot long endure. Habakkuk's complaint reflects righteous indignation at seeing God's law trampled and His people oppressed. The historical context shows that judgment came swiftly: within 20 years of Habakkuk's prophecy, Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah exiled. God's apparent patience had limits; persistent injustice would face catastrophic consequences.
Questions for Reflection
- How should Christians respond when legal and judicial systems systematically pervert justice?
- What does this passage teach about the relationship between moral corruption and eventual judgment?
- How can believers maintain hope and continue pursuing justice when wickedness seems to prevail?
Analysis & Commentary
Habakkuk's complaint continues: 'Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth' (al-ken taphug torah velo-yetze lanetzach mishpat ki rasha makkif eth-hatzaddiq al-ken yetze mishpat me'uqqal). When moral order collapses, 'the law is slacked' (taphug torah)—God's Torah becomes numb, paralyzed, ineffective. 'Judgment doth never go forth' (lo-yetze lanetzach mishpat)—justice never emerges, never achieves victory. The cause: 'the wicked compass about the righteous' (rasha makkif eth-hatzaddiq)—evil people surround and overwhelm godly people. Result: 'wrong judgment proceedeth' (yetze mishpat me'uqqal)—perverted, twisted justice emerges from courts. This describes complete breakdown of moral order where law exists but isn't enforced, courts exist but render unjust verdicts, and the righteous minority is powerless against the wicked majority. Habakkuk asks: how long will God tolerate such conditions?