Habakkuk 2:3

For the vision [is] yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

For the vision {H2377} is yet for an appointed time {H4150}, but at the end {H7093} it shall speak {H6315}, and not lie {H3576}: though it tarry {H4102}, wait {H2442} for it; because it will surely {H935} come {H935}, it will not tarry {H309}.

For the vision is meant for its appointed time; it speaks of the end, and it does not lie. It may take a while, but wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay.

For the vision awaits an appointed time; it testifies of the end and does not lie. Though it lingers, wait for it, since it will surely come and will not delay.

For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hasteth toward the end, and shall not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not delay.

Habakkuk 2:3 is a pivotal verse in the book of Habakkuk, offering profound assurance amidst uncertainty and questioning. It speaks to the certainty of God's prophetic word and the importance of patient endurance while waiting for its fulfillment.

Context

The prophet Habakkuk was grappling with questions of divine justice and the apparent delay of God's intervention against the wickedness he observed in Judah. He also questioned God's plan to use the more wicked Babylonians to judge Judah. In response, God instructs Habakkuk to "write the vision, and make it plain upon tables" (Habakkuk 2:2), and then provides this crucial promise: the vision, though it might seem delayed, will surely come to pass at its appointed time.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing: The verse emphasizes that God operates on an "appointed time" (Hebrew: mo'ed), a sovereignly set and fixed moment for His plans to unfold. This is not a human timetable but God's perfect schedule.
  • Certainty of God's Word: "It shall speak, and not lie" assures the absolute reliability and truthfulness of God's prophecy. What God declares will inevitably come to fruition.
  • Patience and Perseverance: The instruction "though it tarry, wait for it" is a call to steadfast faith and patient endurance. Believers are encouraged not to grow weary or lose hope when God's promises seem slow in coming.
  • Inevitable Fulfillment: The repetition "it will surely come, it will not tarry" powerfully reinforces the absolute certainty of the vision's fulfillment. The seeming "tarrying" is not a true delay from God's perspective, but part of His perfect timing.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "appointed time" is mo'ed (מוֹעֵד), which often refers to a set festival or a designated meeting time, highlighting its fixed and certain nature. The phrase "it shall speak" comes from the verb puach (פּוּחַ), meaning "to breathe out," "to utter forth," or "to burst forth." This suggests the vision will manifest with power and clarity, not merely whisper. The word "tarry" is machah (מָחָה), meaning "to delay" or "linger." Its double use in the verse creates a powerful contrast: while it may *seem* to delay from a human perspective, it will ultimately *not* delay in God's perfect timing.

Practical Application

This verse offers immense comfort and challenge to believers today. It reminds us that God's promises, whether personal or prophetic, are utterly dependable. When we face periods of waiting, disappointment, or when circumstances seem contrary to what we believe God has promised, Habakkuk 2:3 calls us to:

  • Trust God's Sovereignty: His timing is perfect, even when it doesn't align with our expectations.
  • Cultivate Patience: Waiting is an active process of faith, not passive idleness. It involves holding onto God's word with unwavering confidence.
  • Persevere in Hope: The certainty of God's word provides a solid foundation for hope, knowing that what He has promised, He will surely perform. This powerful reassurance is echoed in the New Testament, particularly in Hebrews 10:37, which quotes this very verse to encourage believers to endure.

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 27:14

    Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

  • Hebrews 10:36

    For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

  • Hebrews 10:37

    For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

  • Ezekiel 12:25

    For I [am] the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.

  • Lamentations 3:25

    The LORD [is] good unto them that wait for him, to the soul [that] seeketh him.

  • Lamentations 3:26

    [It is] good that [a man] should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

  • Psalms 102:13

    Thou shalt arise, [and] have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favour her, yea, the set time, is come.
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