Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 1:2-4

Habakkuk 1:2-4. O Lord, how long shall I cry, &c. How long shall I complain unto thee of might overcoming right, and thou wilt not save or prevent it? The prophet here proposes the common objection against Providence, taken from the prosperity of the wicked, and their oppression of the righteous, which has often been a stumbling-block even to good men: see Jeremiah 12:1; Job 12:6; and Job 21:7; Psalm 37., 73. Why dost thou show me iniquity? Why hast thou caused me to live in such... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 1:1-11

1:1-2:5 HABAKKUK COMPLAINS AND GOD ANSWERSFirst complaint and answer (1:1-11)Despite Habakkuk’s zealous preaching and fervent prayer, Judah shows no sign of improvement. All around him the prophet sees violence, lawlessness, injustice and all sorts of other social evils. Knowing God is holy and just, he asks God how long will he allow this wickedness to go unpunished (1:1-4).God replies that he is preparing the Babylonians (Chaldeans) to punish Judah. God has not told the Judeans about this,... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Habakkuk 1:2

LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 . cry = cry for help in distress; as in Psalms 18:6 , Psalms 18:41 ; Psalms 22:24 . Compare Job 19:7 . Jeremiah 20:8 . Showing that the cry is not personal, but made in the name of all who suffered from the evil times. cry out = cry with a loud voice, implying the complaint. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:2

"O Jehovah, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save."What Christian has not experienced in his heart such questions as these? Rampant wickedness, blasphemy, atheism, rejection of sacred laws, and the arrogant confidence of evil men asserting themselves against truth and righteousness - one who is able to see such things in the light of the word of God may easily feel the frustration and latent doubt that nagged at the heart of Habakkuk.... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 1:2

2, 3. violence . . . Why dost thou show me iniquity?—Similar language is used of the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:9; Habakkuk 1:13), as here is used of the Jews: implying, that as the Jews sinned by violence and injustice, so they should be punished by violence and injustice (Habakkuk 1:13- :). Jehoiakim's reign was marked by injustice, treachery, and bloodshed (Jeremiah 22:3; Jeremiah 22:13-17). Therefore the Chaldeans should be sent to deal with him and his nobles according to their dealings with... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Habakkuk 1:2

In prayer the prophet asked Yahweh "how long" would he have to call for help before the Lord responded (cf. Habakkuk 2:6; Exodus 16:28; Numbers 14:11). God hears all prayers because He is omniscient, but Habakkuk meant that God had not given evidence of hearing by responding to his prayer. He had cried out to the Lord reminding Him of the violence that he observed in Judah, but the Lord had not provided deliverance (cf. Genesis 6:11; Genesis 6:13; Job 19:7). Normally where "justice" (Heb.... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Habakkuk 1:2-4

A. Habakkuk’s question about Judah 1:2-4This section is a lament and is similar to many psalms of lament (e.g., Psalms 6:3; Psalms 10:1-13; Psalms 13:1-4; Psalms 22:1-21; Psalms 74:1-11; Psalms 80:4; Psalms 88; Psalms 89:46; cf. Jeremiah 12:4; Zechariah 1:12). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Habakkuk 1:2-20

II. HABAKKUK’S QUESTIONS AND YAHWEH’S ANSWERS 1:2-2:20The prophet asked Yahweh two questions and received two answers. read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 1:1-17

The Prophet’s burden. The Answer of Jehovah1. Burden] RM ’oracle’: see on Isaiah 13:1.2, 3. How long?.. Why?] Even a prophet (Habakkuk 1:1) can ask such questions. He never denies the existence of God, but he cannot understand His seeming failure to interpose in human affairs. In the end, however, the despondency merges into a faith which can believe where it cannot see (Habakkuk 2:3; Habakkuk 3:17.).5. Behold ye among the heathen] For this we ought to read, ’Behold, ye treacherous’ (as in the... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Habakkuk 1:1-4

(1-4) Habakkuk complains of the apparent triumph of wickedness among his countrymen. read more

Group of Brands