Habakkuk

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Prophet Habakkuk Tomb ap 002

Habakuk mausoleum Tuyserkan Iran

Habakkuk is a book of the Hebrew Bible, attributed to the prophet Habakkuk. It is placed among the Twelve Minor Prophets in the Tanakh and is a part of the Prophets section in the Christian Old Testament. The book primarily addresses the question of why God allows evil to persist in the world, focusing on the social injustice and rampant violence of Habakkuk's time. It is distinctive for its dialogue structure between Habakkuk and God, which explores themes of faith, justice, and theodicy.

Content and Structure

The Book of Habakkuk is divided into three chapters. The first chapter begins with Habakkuk's lament over the widespread injustice and lawlessness in the land of Judah, questioning why God permits such evil. God responds by revealing that the Babylonians, a fierce and impetuous nation, will be the instrument of divine judgment on Judah for its sins.

The second chapter contains Habakkuk's second complaint, questioning how God, being just, can use the more wicked Babylonians to punish Judah. God assures Habakkuk that the Babylonian empire will also receive judgment for their own wickedness and instructs him to write down the vision that it may be remembered. This chapter includes the well-known statement, "the righteous shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4), which has had a significant impact on Jewish and Christian thought.

The third chapter is a prayer or psalm, expressing Habakkuk's ultimate faith in God's justice and mercy, despite the present circumstances. It concludes with a statement of trust in God, regardless of the external situations.

Themes and Interpretation

The Book of Habakkuk deals with profound questions about the nature of evil and the justice of God's actions in the world. It challenges the complacency of people towards injustice and calls for faith in difficult times. The dialogue between Habakkuk and God highlights the struggle of faith when confronted with the reality of evil and suffering.

The statement "the righteous shall live by his faith" in Habakkuk 2:4 has been influential in both Jewish and Christian theology, emphasizing faith as the basis for righteousness in the eyes of God. This concept is particularly noted in the New Testament, where it is cited in several letters of Paul the Apostle to argue that faith, rather than adherence to the Mosaic Law, is the basis for righteousness before God.

Historical Context

The Book of Habakkuk is believed to have been written in the late 7th century BCE, during the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. This was a period marked by social injustice and the threat of Babylonian invasion. The exact identity of Habakkuk is not known, and little information is provided about him within the text itself.

Influence

The Book of Habakkuk has been influential in both religious and literary contexts. Its themes of faith and justice have been explored in various commentaries and works of theology. The dialogue form of the book has also been noted for its literary qualities, providing a dramatic exploration of its themes.

See Also

• Twelve Minor Prophets
• Prophets of the Old Testament
• Theodicy
• Book of Jeremiah
• Book of Nahum