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.
Read it in contextHabakkuk’s Second Complaint
Start reading at Habakkuk 1:12 (Habakkuk 1:12 to Habakkuk 1:17).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The prophet questions the use of a violent nation and is told to attend to the appointed vision and live by faith.
1:12Art 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.
1:13Thou 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?
1:14And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them?
1:15They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad.
1:16Therefore they sacrifice unto their net, and burn incense unto their drag; because by them their portion is fat, and their meat plenteous.
1:17Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare continually to slay the nations?
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Habakkuk is the named prophet and the speaker of the book's prayer. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:1; Habakkuk 3:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Habakkuk 1:1–2:20): Habakkuk brings his complaints to the LORD and receives an answer concerning violence and the Chaldeans. The woes address the arrogant oppressor. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah's community facing violence and the Babylonian threat, with the vision to be written so it can be read. Much of the book is a dialogue between the prophet and the LORD. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:2; Habakkuk 1:6; Habakkuk 2:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Habakkuk’s Second Complaint. Read Habakkuk 1:12 through Habakkuk 1:17 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The prophet questions the use of a violent nation and is told to attend to the appointed vision and live by faith. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The rise of the Chaldeans forms the announced historical setting, but the book does not provide a precise royal date for the dialogue. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The questions concern wrongdoing among the people and the threat of an invading power; the prayer ranges through remembered scenes of the LORD's acts. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Habakkuk’s Second Complaint (Habakkuk 1:12 to Habakkuk 1:17).
Start reading at Habakkuk 1:12. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament cites the statement that the just shall live by faith. Its use should retain the original contrast between arrogant wrongdoing and faithful endurance. See Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Bring hard questions honestly before God and distinguish complaint from the answer received. The closing confession models trust that does not depend on present abundance. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk 1
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The prophet's complaint about injustice receives an answer announcing the rising Chaldean power.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The prophet questions the use of a violent nation and is told to attend to the appointed vision and live by faith.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer.