Habakkuk 2:4

The LORD Answers Again · Habakkuk 2:1–5
Read Habakkuk 2

Translations

Modern
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
Traditional
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Literal
Behold, one is not puffed up whose soul is upright within him, and the righteous one will live by his faith.
Latin
Ecce qui incredulus est, non erit recta anima ejus in semetipso; justus autem in fide sua vivet.

Original

Hebrew
English
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—

Notes

  • God knows when proud people live only for themselves. Their dishonest lives show that they are not righteous. They refuse God’s instruction and choose what seems right to them (Proverbs 12:15; 21:8, 29; 29:27). In contrast, the righteous stand in the right relationship with God. They accept God’s righteous standards and live them out in their daily lives.

  • faith: Hebrew ’emunah. This word translates the Hebrew ’emunah ("steadfastness, trust"). In Genesis, the same Hebrew root (’mn) describes Abram’s trust in God (Genesis 15:6). God transforms how people think and choose when they trust him so they can follow God’s holy standards faithfully. See also Romans 1:16–17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:37–39.

Habakkuk's mission was to tell people that God's justice may seem slow, but it will definitely come.

God answers Habakkuk's second complaint (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1) but does not explain why he chose the Babylonians. Instead, he assures Habakkuk that he will punish all violence and injustice.

Events

Glossary

Bible, Quotations of the Old Testament in the New Testament Book of Habakkuk Faith Faithfulness Last Judgment Letter to the Romans Righteousness

Topics

Character of Saints: Just Faith: Enjoined Justification Before God by Faith: Revealed Under the Old Testament Age Justification: General Scriptures Concerning Pride: A Characteristic: The Wicked Pride: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Righteousness: General Scriptures Concerning Titles and Names of Saints: Just, The Uprightness: The Wicked: Have Not, in Heart