Habakkuk 2:2-3

The Righteous Shall Live by His Faith

2 And the LORD answered me:¹"Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

3 For still ²the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, ³wait for it; ⁴it will surely come; it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HABAKKUK 2

This chapter contains an answer from the Lord to the expostulations, pleadings, and reasonings of the prophet, in the name of the people. The preparation of the prophet to receive this answer is described, Hab 2:1 then follows the answer itself, in which he is bid to write and make plain the vision he had, that it might be easily read, Hab 2:2 and a promise is made, that vision should still be continued to the appointed time, at which time the Messiah would come; and this the righteous man, in opposition to the vain and proud man, is encouraged to live in the faith of, Hab 2:3,4 and then the destruction of the enemies of the people of God is threatened for their pride, ambition, covetousness, oppression, and murder, Hab 2:5-12 which would be unavoidable, Hab 2:13 and issue in the spread of the knowledge of the glory of God in the world, Hab 2:14 and also the ruin of other enemies is threatened, for drawing men into apostasy, and for their violence and idolatry, Hab 2:15-19 upon which would follow an universal silence in the earth, Hab 2:20.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 In-Context

1 I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.

2 And the LORD answered me:"Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it.

3 For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end--it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.

4 "Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

5 "Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples."

6 Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own-- for how long?-- and loads himself with pledges!"

Cross References

• 1. Isaiah 8:1; Isaiah 30:8; [Revelation 1:19]
• 2. [Daniel 10:14]; See Ezekiel 7:5-7
• 3. Zephaniah 3:8; See Isaiah 8:17
• 4. Cited Hebrews 10:37; [2 Peter 3:9]