The Book of Habakkuk
Habakkuk wrestles honestly with God over injustice — 'why dost thou shew me iniquity?' — and learns to live by faith, rejoicing in God even when circumstances fail.
- Testament
- Old (3 chapters)
- Type
- Minor Prophet
- Date
- Around 612-589 BC, on the eve of Babylon's rise.
Honest argument with God
Habakkuk does not pretend. He asks God hard questions — why does evil prosper? — and God answers, and Habakkuk argues some more. The book validates the prayer of complaint as a form of faith.
The just shall live by faith
'The just shall live by his faith' (2:4) is one of the most quoted Old Testament verses in the New Testament — anchoring Paul's argument in Romans (1:17) and Galatians (3:11), and Luther's reformation. Faith is not absence of questions; it is trust amid them.
Key verses (KJV)
“The just shall live by his faith.” — Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV)
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.” — Habakkuk 2:14 (KJV)
“Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines... yet I will rejoice in the LORD.” — Habakkuk 3:17-18 (KJV)
How to read Habakkuk
Three chapters — read in one sitting. The closing prayer-poem (3:17-19) is one of the great expressions of faith in suffering anywhere in Scripture.
Read Habakkuk on your iPhone
Read the full book of Habakkuk in Quiethaven — choose your translation, read offline, and pick up where you left off. Pair it with a daily verse and a prayer timer.
Read Habakkuk free on iPhone.
Download on the App StoreMore Old Testament books
From the blog
Frequently asked questions
What is the Book of Habakkuk about?
Habakkuk is a book of Minor Prophet, running to 3 chapters. Its main threads: Honest argument with God; The just shall live by faith.
Who wrote the Book of Habakkuk?
Habakkuk; little else known.
Where does Habakkuk come in the Bible?
Habakkuk is one of the 39 books of the Old Testament in the Protestant canon, grouped with the Minor Prophet books. You can walk the canon in order using the previous and next links on this page.