Habakkuk 1:1

1 The oracle of God which Habak'kuk the prophet saw.

Habakkuk 1:1 Meaning and Commentary

Habakkuk 1:1

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.
] This prophecy is called a "burden", or something took up and carried, being what the prophet received from the Lord, and went with to the people of the Jews, and was a heavy burdensome prophecy to them; declaring the calamities that should come upon them by the Chaldeans, who would invade their land, and carry them captive; and Habakkuk, that brought this account, is called a "prophet", to give the greater sanction to it; and it was what he had in vision from the Lord represented unto him, and therefore should be credited. Abarbinel inquires why Habakkuk should be called a prophet, when none of the lesser prophets are, excepting Haggai and Zechariah; and thinks the reason of it is, to give weight to his prophecy, since it might be suspected by some whether he was one; there being none of those phrases to be met with in this prophecy as in others, as "the word of the Lord came" or "thus saith the Lord".

Habakkuk 1:1 In-Context

1 The oracle of God which Habak'kuk the prophet saw.

2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and thou wilt not hear? Or cry to thee "Violence!" and thou wilt not save?

3 Why dost thou make me see wrongs and look upon trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.

4 So the law is slacked and justice never goes forth. For the wicked surround the righteous, so justice goes forth perverted.

5 Look among the nations, and see; wonder and be astounded. For I am doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told.