King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 1:4 Mean?

Habakkuk 1:4 in the King James Version says “Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefo...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Habakkuk 1:4 · KJV

Context

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.

6

For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation, which shall march through the breadth of the land, to possess the dwellingplaces that are not theirs. breadth: Heb. breadths

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Habakkuk's complaint continues: 'Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth' (al-ken taphug torah velo-yetze lanetzach mishpat ki rasha makkif eth-hatzaddiq al-ken yetze mishpat me'uqqal). When moral order collapses, 'the law is slacked' (taphug torah)—God's Torah becomes numb, paralyzed, ineffective. 'Judgment doth never go forth' (lo-yetze lanetzach mishpat)—justice never emerges, never achieves victory. The cause: 'the wicked compass about the righteous' (rasha makkif eth-hatzaddiq)—evil people surround and overwhelm godly people. Result: 'wrong judgment proceedeth' (yetze mishpat me'uqqal)—perverted, twisted justice emerges from courts. This describes complete breakdown of moral order where law exists but isn't enforced, courts exist but render unjust verdicts, and the righteous minority is powerless against the wicked majority. Habakkuk asks: how long will God tolerate such conditions?

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Historical & Cultural Context

Judicial corruption in late-monarchy Judah was endemic. Prophets repeatedly denounced judges who took bribes (Isaiah 1:23, Micah 3:11), favored the rich (Amos 5:12), and oppressed the poor (Jeremiah 5:28). The very institutions designed to maintain justice had become instruments of oppression. This systematic corruption made exile inevitable—a society that perverts justice cannot long endure. Habakkuk's complaint reflects righteous indignation at seeing God's law trampled and His people oppressed. The historical context shows that judgment came swiftly: within 20 years of Habakkuk's prophecy, Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah exiled. God's apparent patience had limits; persistent injustice would face catastrophic consequences.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christians respond when legal and judicial systems systematically pervert justice?
  2. What does this passage teach about the relationship between moral corruption and eventual judgment?
  3. How can believers maintain hope and continue pursuing justice when wickedness seems to prevail?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
עַל1 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּן֙2 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

תָּפ֣וּג3 of 18

“is slacked”

H6313

to be sluggish

תּוֹרָ֔ה4 of 18

“Therefore the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

וְלֹֽא5 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יֵצֵ֥א6 of 18

“go forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

לָנֶ֖צַח7 of 18

“doth never”

H5331

properly, a goal, i.e., the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objecti

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט8 of 18

“and judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

כִּ֤י9 of 18
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

רָשָׁע֙10 of 18

“for the wicked”

H7563

morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person

מַכְתִּ֣יר11 of 18

“doth compass”

H3803

to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as restraining oneself)

אֶת12 of 18
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַצַּדִּ֔יק13 of 18

“about the righteous”

H6662

just

עַל14 of 18
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כֵּ֛ן15 of 18
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יֵצֵ֥א16 of 18

“go forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

מִשְׁפָּ֖ט17 of 18

“and judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

מְעֻקָּֽל׃18 of 18

“therefore wrong”

H6127

to wrest

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 1:4 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 1:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 1:21-23Psalms 94:20-21Psalms 119:126Job 21:7Ezekiel 9:9Jeremiah 12:1

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