Read this if you…
- want a prophet who actually argues with God instead of just transmitting messages
- like the problem of evil tackled head-on: why does a holy God use the wicked Babylonians as his instrument?
- care about a book that ends in a hymn of faith with no answer received — 'though the fig tree shall not blossom, yet I will rejoice in the Lord'
Skip this if you…
- don't want to read explicitly religious/Christian texts
Depicted in Art
Habakkuk sits with his lunch basket; an angel leans from the niche, grabs him by the hair, and points the way to Daniel.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini, 1661
Carved wooden choir-stall back panel of Habakkuk standing with scroll, in low relief.
Felipe Bigarny
Woodcut bust of Habakkuk holding a banderole, from the Old Testament section of the Nuremberg Chronicle.
Michael Wolgemut, 1493
Castilian Renaissance panel of Jacob and Habakkuk in dialogue, robed and turning toward each other.
Maestro de Támara
Illuminated half-figure of Habakkuk on parchment, holding a scroll, from a folio of the Klosterneuburg Gospel Work.
1340
Spanish Renaissance panel of Habakkuk standing with scroll, robed and bearded, against an architectural backdrop.
Juan Correa de Vivar, 1534
Recommended Editions
King James Version
Oxford University Press · 1611
The most influential and commonly quoted translation in English. The prose rhythm everyone else is responding to, even modern translations.
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Notable Quotes
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
- Martin Luther, Reformation theologian, 1483–1546: "Here I felt that I was altogether born again and had entered paradise itself through open gates."
- Augustine of Hippo, Church Father & theologian, 354–430: "The just lives by faith, for we do not as yet see our good."
- F.F. Bruce, biblical scholar, 1910–1990: "To rejoice in God for his own sake is evidence of pure faith."
- John Calvin, Reformation theologian, 1509–1564: Calvin devoted a full verse-by-verse commentary to Habakkuk, prizing the closing prayer as 'dictated for his people' to sustain their faith through exile.
- Apostle Paul, Apostle & New Testament author, 1st c.: Paul made Habakkuk 2:4 — 'the just shall live by faith' — the cornerstone of his gospel, quoting it in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11.