Habakkuk 2:1-3

1 I will stand at my watch and station myself on the ramparts; I will look to see what he will say to me, and what answer I am to give to this complaint.^[a]

The LORD’s Answer

2 Then the LORD replied: “Write down the revelation and make it plain on tablets so that a herald^[b] may run with it.

3 For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it^[c] will certainly come and will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:1-3 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Isaiah 21:8
• 2. S Psalms 48:13
• 3. Psalms 85:8
• 4. S Psalms 5:3; S Ezekiel 3:17
• 5. S Isaiah 30:8; S Jeremiah 36:2; S Ezekiel 24:2; S Romans 4:24; Revelation 1:19
• 6. Daniel 11:27
• 7. Daniel 8:17; Daniel 10:14
• 8. S Psalms 27:14
• 9. S Ezekiel 12:25; Hebrews 10:37-38

Footnotes

• [a] Or "and what to answer when I am rebuked"
• [b] Or "so that whoever reads it"
• [c] Or "Though he linger, wait for him;" / "he"