King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 3:2 Mean?

Habakkuk 3:2 in the King James Version says “O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the ...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 3 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. speech: Heb. report, or, hearing revive: or, preserve alive”

Habakkuk 3:2 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

1

A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth. upon: or, according to variable songs, or, tunes, called in Hebrew, Shigionoth

2

O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy. speech: Heb. report, or, hearing revive: or, preserve alive

3

God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise. Teman: or, the south

4

And his brightness was as the light; he had horns coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power. horns: or, bright beams out of his side

Read Habakkuk 3 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Habakkuk's prayer petitions: 'O LORD, I have heard thy speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive thy work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy' (Yahweh shamati shim'akha yareti Yahweh pa'alekha beqerev shanim chayyehu beqerev shanim todhi'a berogez rachem tizkkor). Having heard God's plan to use Babylon, the prophet is 'afraid' (yareti)—properly terrified by coming judgment. Yet he prays: 'revive thy work' (chayyehu pa'alekha)—bring life to Your deeds, preserve Your purposes. 'In the midst of the years make known' (beqerev shanim todhi'a)—reveal Yourself during the crisis. Most crucially: 'in wrath remember mercy' (berogez rachem tizkkor)—while executing judgment, don't forget compassion. This is the prayer of one who accepts God's justice yet pleads for mercy. It demonstrates mature faith: not demanding God change His plans but asking Him to preserve His people through coming judgment. Habakkuk submits to divine will while interceding for divine compassion.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This prayer anticipates the exile and pleads for preservation through it. God answered: though Jerusalem was destroyed and Judah exiled, a remnant survived and returned. In the midst of wrath (Babylonian conquest), God remembered mercy (preserving a people, maintaining covenant hope, ultimately sending Messiah from this preserved remnant). Daniel prayed similarly during exile (Daniel 9), acknowledging deserved judgment while pleading for mercy. These prayers demonstrate that accepting God's justice and pleading for His mercy aren't contradictory but complementary. Believers can simultaneously affirm 'we deserve judgment' and petition 'please show mercy.' God's character includes both justice and mercy, and prayer appeals to both.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can believers simultaneously accept that judgment is deserved yet plead for divine mercy?
  2. What does it mean to ask God to 'revive' His work during times of judgment or difficulty?
  3. How does this prayer model appropriate intercession—submitting to God's will while petitioning for compassion?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
יְהוָ֗ה1 of 15

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

שָׁמַ֣עְתִּי2 of 15

“I have heard”

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

שִׁמְעֲךָ֮3 of 15

“thy speech”

H8088

something heard, i.e., a sound, rumor, announcement; abstractly, audience

יָרֵאתִי֒4 of 15

“and was afraid”

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

יְהוָ֗ה5 of 15

“O LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

פָּֽעָלְךָ֙6 of 15

“thy work”

H6467

an act or work (concretely)

בְּקֶ֥רֶב7 of 15

“in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

שָׁנִ֖ים8 of 15

“of the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

חַיֵּ֔יהוּ9 of 15

“revive”

H2421

to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive

בְּקֶ֥רֶב10 of 15

“in the midst”

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

שָׁנִ֖ים11 of 15

“of the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

תּוֹדִ֑יעַ12 of 15

“make known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

בְּרֹ֖גֶז13 of 15

“in wrath”

H7267

commotion, restlessness (of a horse), crash (of thunder), disquiet, anger

רַחֵ֥ם14 of 15

“mercy”

H7355

to fondle; by implication, to love, especially to compassionate

תִּזְכּֽוֹר׃15 of 15

“remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

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 3:2 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 3:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 85:6Psalms 90:13-17Hosea 6:2-3Isaiah 51:9-11Lamentations 3:32Habakkuk 3:16

Test Your Knowledge

Habakkuk 3 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHabakkuk Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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