King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 1:3 Mean?

Habakkuk 1:3 in the King James Version says “Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Habakkuk 1:3 · KJV

Context

1

The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see.

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 wrong judgment proceedeth. wrong: or, wrested

5

Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Habakkuk's complaint intensifies: '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' (lammah tar'eni aven ve'amal tabbit veshod vechamas lenegdi vayehi riv ummadon yissa). The prophet sees injustice (aven, iniquity), trouble (amal, toil/grievance), destruction (shod, spoiling), violence (chamas), strife (riv), and contention (madon) permeating Judean society. God doesn't merely allow Habakkuk to see this corruption—the verbs 'shew me' (tar'eni) and 'cause me to behold' (tabbit) suggest God actively directs the prophet's attention to it, making him acutely aware of moral breakdown. This creates the problem: why would God make His prophet intimately aware of evil yet not immediately intervene? The question resonates with all sensitive believers who, once awakened to injustice and suffering, cannot ignore it yet wonder why God seems slow to act.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Habakkuk describes conditions in Judah under corrupt kings Jehoiakim and perhaps Jehoiachin. Jeremiah, prophesying contemporaneously, confirms this picture: widespread idolatry, oppression of the poor, corrupt judges, false prophets, and leadership profiting from injustice (Jeremiah 22:13-17, 26:20-23). The legal system had broken down, the righteous were oppressed, and wickedness flourished openly. Habakkuk's complaint wasn't exaggeration but accurate diagnosis of terminal societal corruption. This moral collapse would soon result in Babylonian conquest and exile—divine judgment executed through human agency. The prophet's lament models how godly people should respond to systemic injustice: not cynical resignation but anguished prayer seeking divine intervention.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why might God make believers acutely aware of injustice and suffering without immediately intervening?
  2. How should Christians balance prophetic denunciation of social evil with patience for God's timing?
  3. What does this passage teach about bringing honest, even difficult questions to God in prayer?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 12 words
לָ֣מָּה1 of 12
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

תַרְאֵ֤נִי2 of 12

“Why dost thou shew”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אָ֙וֶן֙3 of 12

“me iniquity”

H205

strictly nothingness; also trouble, vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol

וְעָמָ֣ל4 of 12

“grievance”

H5999

toil, i.e., wearing effort; hence, worry, whether of body or mind

תַּבִּ֔יט5 of 12

“and cause me to behold”

H5027

to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care

וְשֹׁ֥ד6 of 12

“for spoiling”

H7701

violence, ravage

וְחָמָ֖ס7 of 12

“and violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

לְנֶגְדִּ֑י8 of 12
H5048

a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before

וַיְהִ֧י9 of 12
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רִ֦יב10 of 12

“strife”

H7379

a contest (personal or legal)

וּמָד֖וֹן11 of 12

“and contention”

H4066

a contest or quarrel

יִשָּֽׂא׃12 of 12

“are before me and there are that raise up”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Habakkuk. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Habakkuk 1:3 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Habakkuk 1:3 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 55:9-11Micah 7:1-4Jeremiah 20:8Jeremiah 9:2-6Ecclesiastes 5:8Ecclesiastes 4:1

Test Your Knowledge

Habakkuk 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHabakkuk Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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