Habakkuk

Composition

The book of Habakkuk, also known as the prophecy of Habakkuk, is a book in the Old Testament and the eighth of twelve named for one of the minor prophets. The others are Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi. Its placement between Nahum and Zephaniah is in keeping with its subject matter and relationship to both. In the Hebrew Bible the writings of the minor prophets do not appear as twelve books. Instead, they are contained in the second section of a single book, Nevi’im, or The Prophets. This grouping, referred to as the Latter Prophets, also includes the writings of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel. The first section of Nevi’im comprises Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings. Scholars have reason to believe Habakkuk lived at the same time as Ezekiel, Jeremiah, Obadiah, and Zephaniah.

Habakkuk may have lived and written about 600 BCE, when the kingdom of Judah was ruled by Jehoiakim or Josiah. Some scholars believe the book of Habakkuk may have been written after 626 BCE and before 612 BCE. This time frame is dependent on interpretation of the text, which describes one group as wicked and another as righteous. If the former are the Assyrians and the latter Judaeans, the text dates to the time before the fall of the Assyrian Empire in 612 BCE. Furthermore, the book includes a positive mention of the Chaldeans, a dynasty of Babylon that attained power when they revolted against the Assyrians in 626 BCE. The Babylonians laid siege to Jerusalem in 597 BCE, so Habakkuk may have written his account shortly before that event.

One of four scrolls found in the Qumran Cave in 1947—the Dead Sea Habakkuk Scroll—has been dated to the latter half of the first century BCE. It contains text from the first two chapters of Habakkuk but nothing from the third. It also includes commentary on the Habakkuk texts.

Summary

Habakkuk writes about his vision, which reveals the enemy of his people and the destruction that results. The book includes a lamentation and God’s response. The book, which consists of three chapters, addresses Isaiah’s interpretation of why God either directly impacts or refrains from involvement in human events. It consists of two chapters encompassing Habakkuk’s complaint, the Lord’s answer, Habakkuk’s second complaint, the Lord’s answer, and Habakkuk’s prayer. The third chapter is a psalm that provides instructions regarding musical performance. The book can also be divided into three major parts, which consist of dialogues between Habakkuk and God, a lamentations, and the psalm.

The first two chapters are described as “the oracle of God which Habakkuk the prophet saw” and “a prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.” Shigionoth is a Hebrew term for the proper way a musical psalm should be performed. The interpretation of the content is dependent on the time of its writing. If the Assyrians are the wicked oppressors, Habakkuk anticipates their fall from power. The content of his vision may be referenced in the woes he describes in 2:6–20 (New International Version). For example, “Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed.”

Habakkuk’s first complaint likely refers to Jehoiakim, a brutal and oppressive king who ruled Judah from 609 to 598 BCE. The king was placed on the throne by Necho, an Egyptian conqueror, and after Nebuchadnezzar the Chaldean defeated the Egyptians, Jehoiakim declared his loyalty to Nebuchadnezzar in 604. Habakkuk complains that the “law is paralyzed.” This is a reference to the Torah and Judea’s turning away from God. The prophet seems to be concerned initially with the people of Judah, who should be abiding by the Torah. The people have begun to worship idols as Habakkuk laments, “Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance?” He indicates he has been praying for God’s intercession for some time; this is one of many “how long?” passages in the Old Testament. God explains that he will use the Chaldeans to end this wickedness and the king’s brutality. However, the Chaldeans also are violent, perhaps even more so, and Habakkuk again appeals to God, asking why he would do this. God replies that when the Chaldeans have served their purpose, he will dispense with them. The Chaldeans were actively conquering lands, so if the events of Habakkuk occurred shortly before the Chaldeans gained control of Judah, Habakkuk would have been aware of the looming threat.

Habakkuk seeks to understand why God acts, or does not act. He cannot comprehend permitting the suffering, persecution, oppression, and corruption he sees, nor can he understand why God does not appear to act. Furthermore, God’s answer serves to confuse him more. He questions how God can use Babylonians, who he sees as violent and destructive, to do his will.

The psalm of Habakkuk is believed to have been composed as a song. Evidence is found in the words “upon Shigionoth,” which is believed to indicate it may follow various tunes. In three places the word selah appears. This may refer to a vocal pause or some alteration, for example in modulation or a change of instrument. The final line is “For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.”

Themes

Habakkuk is one of three books of the minor prophets that relates to the fall of Assyria, the rise of Babylon, and the effects of these events on the kingdom of Judah. The others are Nahum, who foresees Assyria’s demise, and Zephaniah, who primarily focuses on issues in Judah. Habakkuk looks at both Judah’s internal concerns, including religious politics, and the threat of the Babylonians. In the first line of the first chapter, the work is described as a prophecy received by Habakkuk. However, scholars have interpreted it in varying ways, for example, as a work of liturgy, or worship; an account of a prophet’s visions; or a theodicy, which is an explanation of why a good God allows evil in the world.

The book of Habakkuk differs greatly in tone from much of the Old Testament. The prophet in this case is respectful of God, yet the communication is more of a conversation than is typically seen. Habakkuk presents his confusion about events to God and accepts God’s explanation. God’s answer is not introduced formally as the Word of God, as it is announced elsewhere in scripture. He returns with more questions. God again responds, although the prophet must accept that he will never understand. He proceeds to praise God.

The major theme of this work is God’s influence in human activities, notably the question of how God can allow suffering and the enemies of the Israelites to conquer and destroy. Habakkuk questions God twice, receives answers both times, and professes his faith in God. Although Habakkuk is deeply troubled by the external threats his people face, he is also concerned about internal strife and corruption. Habakkuk views the kingdom of Judah as God’s chosen people despite the internal problems he sees. Regardless of how wicked they are, he describes them as “more righteous” than the Babylonians, who God is sending against them in judgment. When he questions God’s actions in this matter, God assures him the Babylonians will eventually be destroyed.

Another theme is undying faith. God tells Habakkuk about some of the actions he is setting in motion, but still the prophet questions him. In the end, God tells him to be patient, for eventually all the enemies of Judea will be punished for their wickedness. God says, “the righteous person will live by his faithfulness.” In the second chapter, God addresses the enemies who will be punished in the future, repeating, “For you have shed human blood.” Habakkuk concludes the second chapter, The Lord is in his holy temple; / let all the earth be silent before him.” The prophet proceeds with his prayer or psalm, asking God to reveal his splendor in Habakkuk’s time, yet also promising to “wait patiently.”

The book of Habakkuk also addresses the belief that good will triumph over evil. God tells Habakkuk that the wickedness of Judah will be punished by the Babylonians, who are likewise wicked and will be punished in time. The message is that eventually all wicked nations, and by extension all evil, will someday be punished. This message extends to all people’s of Earth, regardless of national borders or cultures.

Another theme is that God’s influence in the world continues, although it may not be apparent or understood. God’s use of wicked peoples to bring justice is inexplicable in Habakkuk’s eyes. Nevertheless, Habakkuk accepts that he cannot know God’s plan, but trusts that God is at work.

Bibliography

“The Commentary on Habakkuk Scroll.” The Digital Dead Sea Scrolls, dss.collections.imj.org.il/Habakkuk. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

“Habakkuk 1 New International Version (NIV).” Bible Gateway, 2022, www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Habakkuk%201&version=NIV. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.

Hadjiev, Tchavdar S. Joel, Obadiah, Habakkuk, Zephaniah: An Introduction and Study Guide. T&T Clark, 2020.

Lim, Timothy H. The Earliest Commentary on the Prophecy of Habakkuk. Oxford UP, 2020.

Peckham, Brian. “The Vision of Habakkuk.” The Catholic Biblical Quarterly, vol. 48, no. 4, 1986, pp. 617–636. Accessed 21 Apr. 2022.