Habakkuk 1:2-4 - Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

Bible Comments

Complaint against Yahweh for His Tolerance of Wrong-doing. In bitter remonstrance with Yahweh, the prophet asks how long he must cry Violence! and look on wretchedness and trouble, robbery, strife and contention, the failure of justice and the general paralysis of law, while Yahweh remains silent, indifferent, or powerless.

Habakkuk 1:2. violence: probably the burden of the cry.

Habakkuk 1:3. iniquity. perverseness: rather wretchedness or misery..·. trouble.

Habakkuk 1:4. law: moral direction or instruction from Yahweh. slacked: lit. benumbed, paralysed. compass about: i.e. circumvent in his plans, and impede in his rights.

Habakkuk 1:2-4

2 O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save!

3 Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

4 Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wronga judgment proceedeth.