Habakkuk 1:4

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

Therefore the law {H8451} is slacked {H6313}, and judgment {H4941} doth never {H5331} go forth {H3318}: for the wicked {H7563} doth compass {H3803} about the righteous {H6662}; therefore wrong {H6127} judgment {H4941} proceedeth {H3318}.

Therefore Torah is not followed; justice never gets rendered, because the wicked fence in the righteous. This is why justice comes out perverted.

Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

Therefore the law is slacked, and justice doth never go forth; for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore justice goeth forth perverted.

Habakkuk 1:4 is part of the prophet Habakkuk's initial complaint to God, where he laments the pervasive injustice and moral decay within Judah. This verse vividly portrays the societal breakdown he witnesses, setting the stage for a profound dialogue between the prophet and the Almighty concerning divine justice and sovereignty.

Context

The Book of Habakkuk, likely written in Judah during the late 7th century BC, precedes the Babylonian invasion. Habakkuk is unique among the prophetic books because it focuses more on a dialogue between the prophet and God rather than a direct message from God to the people. In this opening chapter, Habakkuk pours out his heart, questioning why God allows such wickedness and violence to persist in His own nation. Verse 4 encapsulates his distress over the failure of justice and the rampant oppression of the righteous, which he perceives as a state of divine inaction.

Key Themes

  • Breakdown of Justice: The core lament is that "the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth." This signifies a complete failure of the legal and judicial system, where justice is not only delayed but entirely absent or perverted. The divine law, the Torah, intended to guide and govern, has become ineffective.
  • Oppression of the Righteous: The phrase "the wicked doth compass about the righteous" vividly portrays the vulnerability and encirclement of those who seek to live righteously. They are overwhelmed by the pervasive influence and actions of the ungodly, leading directly to "wrong judgment." This mirrors the struggles of righteous individuals and communities throughout Scripture, such as the psalmist's wrestling with the prosperity of the wicked in Psalm 73.
  • Moral Decay and Societal Chaos: The verse paints a stark picture of a society spiraling into chaos due to its disregard for divine and human laws. When justice fails, corruption reigns, and the moral fabric of the nation unravels, leading to widespread suffering and confusion.

Linguistic Insights

  • The Hebrew word for "slacked" is pûg (פּוּג), which conveys the idea of growing numb, faint, or sluggish. It suggests that the law has lost its vitality, effectiveness, and power to restrain evil, becoming dull and powerless.
  • "Judgment" comes from the Hebrew mishpat (מִשְׁפָּט), referring to justice, legal decisions, and the righteous administration of law. The prophet laments that this *mishpat* is either absent or corrupted, leading to perverted verdicts.
  • "Compass about" is sābab (סָבַב), meaning to surround, encompass, or overwhelm. This emphasizes the pervasive and suffocating nature of the wicked's influence, making it difficult for the righteous to escape their oppressive grip.

Practical Application

Habakkuk's lament resonates deeply in any era where injustice, corruption, and the oppression of the innocent prevail. It reminds us that God is aware of the suffering caused by societal breakdown and the failure of justice. This verse challenges believers to not only recognize injustice but also to maintain faith in God's ultimate sovereignty and perfect justice, even when His timing or methods are not immediately clear.

It underscores the critical importance of upholding righteous laws and administering fair judgment in society, as the breakdown of these foundational principles leads to widespread suffering and moral decline. Ultimately, Habakkuk's complaint sets the stage for God's eventual response, which includes the powerful declaration that "the just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4), a pivotal theme picked up and expanded upon in the New Testament.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 119:126

    ¶ It is time for [thee], LORD, to work: [for] they have made void thy law.

  • Job 21:7

    ¶ Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?

  • Isaiah 1:21

    ¶ How is the faithful city become an harlot! it was full of judgment; righteousness lodged in it; but now murderers.

  • Isaiah 1:23

    Thy princes [are] rebellious, and companions of thieves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards: they judge not the fatherless, neither doth the cause of the widow come unto them.

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    ¶ Righteous [art] thou, O LORD, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of [thy] judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? [wherefore] are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Psalms 94:20

    Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?

  • Psalms 94:21

    They gather themselves together against the soul of the righteous, and condemn the innocent blood.

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