Habakkuk 2:3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ע֤וֹד
H5750
ע֤וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
חָזוֹן֙
For the vision
H2377
חָזוֹן֙
For the vision
Strong's:
H2377
Word #:
3 of 17
a sight (mentally), i.e., a dream, revelation, or oracle
לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד
is yet for an appointed time
H4150
לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד
is yet for an appointed time
Strong's:
H4150
Word #:
4 of 17
properly, an appointment, i.e., a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for
וְיָפֵ֥חַ
it shall speak
H6315
וְיָפֵ֥חַ
it shall speak
Strong's:
H6315
Word #:
5 of 17
to puff, i.e., blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to kindle (a fire), to scoff
לַקֵּ֖ץ
but at the end
H7093
לַקֵּ֖ץ
but at the end
Strong's:
H7093
Word #:
6 of 17
an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְכַזֵּ֑ב
and not lie
H3576
יְכַזֵּ֑ב
and not lie
Strong's:
H3576
Word #:
8 of 17
to lie (i.e., deceive), literally or figuratively
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
9 of 17
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙
though it tarry
H4102
יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙
though it tarry
Strong's:
H4102
Word #:
10 of 17
properly, to question or hesitate, i.e., (by implication) to be reluctant
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Cross References
Psalms 27:14Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.Ezekiel 12:25For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.Psalms 102:13Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.Daniel 10:14Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.Micah 7:7Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me.Isaiah 30:18And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.Acts 1:7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.Daniel 8:19And he said, Behold, I will make thee know what shall be in the last end of the indignation: for at the time appointed the end shall be.Luke 2:25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.Galatians 4:2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father.
Historical Context
Habakkuk's prophecy concerned events spanning decades: Babylon's conquest of Judah (beginning 605 BC), the exile period (586-539 BC), and Babylon's eventual fall to Persia (539 BC). From human perspective, these were long delays. Yet each occurred exactly when God ordained. The 70-year exile predicted by Jeremiah (Jeremiah 25:11-12, 29:10) ended precisely as promised. Daniel, reading Jeremiah's prophecy during exile, recognized the time was fulfilled (Daniel 9:2). This demonstrates God's meticulous sovereignty over historical timing. What seems like delay is actually perfect scheduling according to divine purposes. The same principle applies eschatologically—Christ's return may seem delayed, but will occur exactly when ordained (2 Peter 3:8-9).
Questions for Reflection
- How should believers balance urgent expectation of God's promises with patient acceptance of His timing?
- What does this passage teach about the certainty of prophetic fulfillment despite apparent delays?
- How can Christians maintain faith when God's promises seem slow to materialize?
Analysis & Commentary
God addresses the vision's timing: 'For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry' (ki-od chazon lamo'ed veyapheach laqqetz velo yekhazzev im-yithmahmeah chakkeh-lo ki-vo yavo lo ye'acher). The vision has an 'appointed time' (mo'ed)—divinely determined moment. 'At the end it shall speak' (veyapheach laqqetz)—it hastens toward its fulfillment. 'Not lie' (lo yekhazzev)—it's absolutely reliable. Though it seems delayed ('tarry,' hitmahmah), believers should 'wait for it' (chakkeh-lo) because 'it will surely come' (ki-vo yavo), 'it will not tarry' (lo ye'acher). This apparent contradiction—it may seem slow but won't actually be late—addresses human impatience versus divine timing. What seems delayed from human perspective arrives exactly on God's schedule. This requires faith: trusting God's promises despite apparent delay.