Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Habakkuk 2:4 KJV
About the Book of Habakkuk
Habakkuk is unusual because the prophet speaks to God, not to the people. He asks why wickedness in Judah goes unpunished, and is stunned to hear that God will use the fierce Babylonians as his tool. He then asks how a holy God can use such a nation. The answers arrive in a series of woes, and the book closes with a prayer-song in which Habakkuk chooses to trust God even if every harvest fails.
- Testament: Old Testament
- Genre: Prophecy
- Chapters: 3
- Verses: 56
Who Wrote Habakkuk, and When?
Author: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Habakkuk.
When it was written: Probably late 600s BC, shortly before Babylon's rise to dominance.
Main Themes in Habakkuk
- Honest questions to God
- Waiting on justice
- Trust when nothing makes sense
A Key Verse: Habakkuk 2:4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Paul later quotes this line in Romans and Galatians as a cornerstone of faith.
Reading Tip
The closing chapter has musical notes, so it was probably sung. Habakkuk is a good book for anyone who has complained to God and wondered whether that was allowed. Use the randomizer above to land on a verse in Habakkuk, then press Show context to read the verses around it.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many chapters and verses are in Habakkuk?
Habakkuk has 3 chapters and 56 verses in the King James Version.
Who wrote Habakkuk?
Author: Traditionally attributed to the prophet Habakkuk. When it was written: Probably late 600s BC, shortly before Babylon's rise to dominance.
What is Habakkuk about?
Habakkuk is unusual because the prophet speaks to God, not to the people. He asks why wickedness in Judah goes unpunished, and is stunned to hear that God will use the fierce Babylonians as his tool. He then asks how a holy God can use such a nation. The answers arrive in a series of woes, and the book closes with a prayer-song in which Habakkuk chooses to trust God even if every harvest fails.
Can I get a random verse from only Habakkuk?
Yes. This page picks a random verse from Habakkuk only. Every one of its 56 verses has an equal chance.