Habakkuk 3:17

KJV

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:

KJV (with Strong's)

Although the fig tree {H8384} shall not blossom {H6524}, neither shall fruit {H2981} be in the vines {H1612}; the labour {H4639} of the olive {H2132} shall fail {H3584}, and the fields {H7709} shall yield {H6213} no meat {H400}; the flock {H6629} shall be cut off {H1504} from the fold {H4356}, and there shall be no herd {H1241} in the stalls {H7517}:

Complete Jewish Bible

For even if the fig tree doesn't blossom, and no fruit is on the vines, even if the olive tree fails to produce, and the fields yield no food at all, even if the sheep vanish from the sheep pen, and there are no cows in the stalls;

Berean Standard Bible

Though the fig tree does not bud and no fruit is on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the sheep are cut off from the fold and no cattle are in the stalls,

American Standard Version

For though the fig-tree shall not flourish, Neither shall fruit be in the vines; The labor of the olive shall fail, And the fields shall yield no food; The flock shall be cut off from the fold, And there shall be no herd in the stalls:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 3:17 presents a vivid and devastating picture of complete agricultural and economic collapse, detailing the failure of all major crops and the absence of livestock. This verse serves as the dire backdrop against which the prophet Habakkuk, having wrestled with God's justice and the impending Babylonian invasion, declares his unwavering and transcendent faith in the Lord, choosing to rejoice in God alone despite the most extreme circumstances of material deprivation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 3:17 is situated within a magnificent prayer or psalm of the prophet Habakkuk, found in the final chapter of his book. Chapters 1 and 2 record a profound dialogue between Habakkuk and God, where the prophet boldly questions God's apparent inaction concerning Judah's wickedness and then God's perplexing decision to use the even more wicked Babylonians as His instrument of judgment. The Lord responds by assuring Habakkuk that the righteous will live by faith ([Habakkuk 2:4](/habakkuk/2-4 "Habakkuk 2:4 - The Righteous Live by Faith")). Chapter 3 marks a dramatic shift from questioning to profound worship and trust. This prayer, structured much like a psalm, recounts God's past acts of power and deliverance, leading to a climactic declaration of faith in the face of future desolation. Verse 17 meticulously outlines the worst-case scenario of famine and economic ruin, setting the stage for the powerful affirmation of joy in the Lord that follows in [Habakkuk 3:18-19](/habakkuk/3-18-19 "Habakkuk 3:18-19 - Rejoicing in the Lord's Salvation").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Habakkuk ministered in Judah during a tumultuous period, likely in the late 7th century BC, just prior to the first Babylonian invasion of Jerusalem (605 BC) and the eventual destruction of the city and temple (586 BC). Judah was an agrarian society, heavily reliant on the produce of the land (figs, grapes, olives, grain) and the health of their livestock (sheep, cattle) for sustenance, trade, and economic stability. A complete failure of these resources, as depicted in this verse, would mean widespread famine, poverty, and societal collapse. Such a scenario was not merely theoretical but a very real and terrifying prospect for a people facing the might of the Babylonian army, which would employ siege tactics and scorched-earth policies that would devastate the land and its productivity. The imagery would resonate deeply with an audience whose very survival was tied to agricultural success.

* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 3:17 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book and broader biblical theology. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, even when God's methods are inscrutable to human understanding, as explored in [Habakkuk 1-2](/habakkuk/1-2 "Habakkuk 1-2 - Habakkuk's Dialogue with God"). Secondly, it powerfully articulates the theme of **Faith Beyond Circumstances**, challenging the listener to find their ultimate security and joy not in material prosperity or earthly provisions, but in the unchanging character and salvation of God. This is the bedrock upon which the prophet builds his declaration of rejoicing in [Habakkuk 3:18](/habakkuk/3-18 "Habakkuk 3:18 - Rejoicing in the Lord"). Finally, the verse highlights the theme of **Spiritual Resilience**, demonstrating a profound choice to maintain hope and worship even when all seems lost, echoing the steadfastness of figures like Job, who declared, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him" ([Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Trusting God in Adversity")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **kâchash (Hebrew, _kâchash'_):** From the Strong's data, this primitive root means "to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)." In Habakkuk 3:17, when it states "the labour of the olive shall fail," it conveys a sense of disappointment and unfulfillment. The olive tree, despite the effort put into its cultivation ("labour"), will not yield its expected produce, effectively "lying" or "disappointing" the hopes of the farmer. This word emphasizes the complete and utter failure of the agricultural output.
* **yᵉbûwl (Hebrew, _yᵉbûwl'_):** Derived from a root meaning "to bring," this word refers to "produce, i.e. a crop or (figuratively) wealth." The phrase "the fields shall yield no meat" in the KJV uses "meat" in its older sense of "food" or "sustenance," specifically referring to the agricultural yield from the fields, such as grain. This term comprehensively covers all cultivated produce, reinforcing the picture of widespread famine beyond just specific fruits.
* **gâzar (Hebrew, _gâzar'_):** This primitive root means "to cut down or off; (figuratively) to destroy, divide, exclude, or decide." When the text says "the flock shall be cut off from the fold," it signifies a complete severance or removal. This could imply the flocks being destroyed, stolen, or simply absent due to famine or disease, leaving the sheepfold empty. The word powerfully conveys the finality and totality of the loss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Although the fig tree shall not blossom":** This clause begins the litany of agricultural devastation, focusing on the fig tree, a staple fruit crop in ancient Israel. "Not blossom" indicates a failure at the very initial stage of fruit production, implying a complete lack of future yield.
* **"neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines":** Following the fig, the vine (grape) is mentioned, another crucial crop. The absence of "fruit" in the vines signifies a failure of the harvest itself, even if the plant might appear to grow. This reinforces the theme of barrenness and lack of sustenance.
* **"the labour of the olive shall fail":** The olive tree, vital for oil (for food, light, and anointing) and sometimes fruit, is next. "Labour" refers to the effort and cultivation invested in the olive groves. For this "labour" to "fail" means that despite human effort, the olive trees will not produce their expected yield, highlighting the futility of human endeavor in the face of divine judgment or natural disaster.
* **"and the fields shall yield no meat":** This broad statement encompasses all cultivated land ("fields") and their general produce ("meat" in the sense of food/grain). It signifies a comprehensive failure of staple crops, indicating widespread famine affecting the entire population, not just those relying on specific fruits.
* **"the flock shall be cut off from the fold":** Shifting from crops to livestock, "flock" refers to sheep and goats, essential for meat, milk, wool, and sacrifice. Being "cut off from the fold" implies their complete absence—whether through death, disease, or removal—leaving the enclosures empty and the community without these vital resources.
* **"and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls":** Finally, "herd" refers to cattle, crucial for plowing, meat, and dairy. Their absence "in the stalls" (their feeding places) completes the picture of total livestock depletion. This final clause underscores the absolute and comprehensive nature of the economic and agricultural ruin envisioned by the prophet.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 3:17 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark message. **Imagery** is central, painting a vivid and concrete picture of desolation: barren fig trees, fruitless vines, unproductive olive groves, empty fields, and deserted sheepfolds and cattle stalls. This sensory detail allows the reader to viscerally experience the depth of the impending famine. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** through its repetitive structure of "shall not blossom," "neither shall fruit be," "shall fail," "shall yield no meat," "shall be cut off," and "shall be no herd." This rhythmic repetition emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the failure, building a cumulative sense of dread and loss. Furthermore, the comprehensive listing of all major agricultural and livestock components (figs, vines, olives, fields, flocks, herds) functions as a **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting parts represent the whole. By listing the complete range of agricultural products and animals, the prophet signifies total and utter economic collapse, leaving no aspect of the agrarian economy untouched.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 3:17 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of true faith and joy. It asserts that genuine spiritual well-being is not contingent upon external circumstances or material prosperity, but is rooted solely in the unchanging character and redemptive power of God. The prophet's willingness to declare joy in the Lord *despite* total deprivation challenges believers to examine the source of their security and contentment. This verse underscores that God Himself is the ultimate and sufficient provision, even when all earthly sources fail. It anticipates a spiritual resilience that transcends physical want, finding strength and hope in God's salvation rather than in the fleeting abundance of the world.

* [Philippians 4:11-13](/philippians/4-11-13 "Philippians 4:11-13 - Contentment in All Circumstances")
* [Job 13:15](/job/13-15 "Job 13:15 - Trusting God Even in Death")
* [Psalm 46:1-3](/psalms/46-1-3 "Psalm 46:1-3 - God Our Refuge and Strength")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 3:17 offers a timeless and challenging call to radical faith in an often uncertain world. In an age where security is often equated with financial stability, material possessions, or societal comforts, this verse forces us to confront the true foundation of our hope and joy. It encourages us to cultivate a deep, abiding trust in God that remains unshaken even when our "fig trees" (our jobs, health, relationships, or economic systems) fail to blossom, and our "flocks" (our perceived sources of security) are cut off. The prophet's example teaches us that authentic worship and spiritual resilience are not dependent on what we have, but on who God is—our unchanging strength and salvation. This passage invites us to shift our gaze from the transient nature of earthly provisions to the eternal sufficiency of our Creator, learning to find contentment and even joy in Him alone, regardless of the surrounding circumstances. It is a powerful reminder that true life is found not in abundance, but in an unwavering relationship with the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where do I primarily seek my security and joy in life? Is it in my possessions, my job, my relationships, or in God alone?**
* **How do I react when my "fig trees" (my plans, expectations, or sources of comfort) fail to blossom? Do I despair, or do I find strength in God?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper, more resilient faith that can rejoice in the Lord even in times of lack or loss?**

### FAQ
**What does "the fields shall yield no meat" mean in this verse?**

Answer: In Habakkuk 3:17, the King James Version's use of "meat" does not refer to animal flesh as it commonly does today. Instead, it uses an older English meaning of "food" or "sustenance." The Hebrew word translated as "meat" here is *yᵉbûwl* (יְבוּל), which specifically means "produce" or "yield" from the land. Therefore, "the fields shall yield no meat" means that the cultivated fields will produce no crops or grain, signifying a complete failure of the harvest and widespread famine. This is consistent with the preceding and following clauses that describe the failure of other agricultural products like figs, vines, and olives, and the absence of livestock. The verse paints a comprehensive picture of total economic and agricultural devastation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk 3:17, though a prophecy of impending judgment and a testament to faith in the Old Testament, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. The prophet's declaration of joy in the Lord despite the failure of all earthly provisions powerfully foreshadows the Christian's ultimate security and sufficiency found in Christ alone. When all "fig trees" of this world—our material comforts, societal structures, and even our very lives—ultimately fail or are "cut off," our hope is not in their blossoming but in the resurrected Christ. He is the true "bread of life" ([John 6:35](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - Jesus, the Bread of Life")), who sustains us spiritually even when physical sustenance is scarce. Just as Habakkuk found his strength in the Lord God, believers in the New Covenant find their strength, joy, and salvation in Jesus, who conquered death and provides an eternal inheritance that cannot be taken away ([1 Peter 1:3-5](/1_peter/1-3-5 "1 Peter 1:3-5 - A Living Hope")). The promise of God being our "strength" and enabling us to "walk on high places" ([Habakkuk 3:19](/habakkuk/3-19 "Habakkuk 3:19 - God My Strength")) is fully realized in Christ, who empowers us to live victoriously above the trials of this world, knowing that "in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" ([Romans 8:37](/romans/8-37 "Romans 8:37 - More Than Conquerors")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Jeremiah 5:17

And they shall eat up thine harvest, and thy bread, [which] thy sons and thy daughters should eat: they shall eat up thy flocks and thine herds: they shall eat up thy vines and thy fig trees: they shall impoverish thy fenced cities, wherein thou trustedst, with the sword.

Joel 1:16

Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, [yea], joy and gladness from the house of our God?

Joel 1:18

How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

Amos 4:6

¶ And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Amos 4:10

I have sent among you the pestilence after the manner of Egypt: your young men have I slain with the sword, and have taken away your horses; and I have made the stink of your camps to come up unto your nostrils: yet have ye not returned unto me, saith the LORD.

Deuteronomy 28:15

¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Deuteronomy 28:18

Cursed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.