English Standard Version
Habakkuk 2:3
3For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
Habakkuk 2:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)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.
- New International Version (NIV)For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay.
- New King James Version (NKJV)For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
- New Living Translation (NLT)This vision is for a future time. It describes the end, and it will be fulfilled. If it seems slow in coming, wait patiently, for it will surely take place. It will not be delayed.
Context of Habakkuk 2:3
1I will take my stand at my watchpost and station myself on the tower, and look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint. 2And the Lord answered me: "Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. 4"Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. 5"Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples."
Read all of Habakkuk 2Habakkuk 2:3 word by word
כִּ֣י ע֤וֹד חָזוֹן֙ לַמּוֹעֵ֔ד וְיָפֵ֥חַ לַקֵּ֖ץ וְלֹ֣א יְכַזֵּ֑ב אִם־יִתְמַהְמָהּ֙ חַכֵּה־ל֔וֹ כִּֽי־בֹ֥א יָבֹ֖א לֹ֥א יְאַחֵֽר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- For the visionחָזוֹןchâzôn · visionH2377
- yet for an appointed timeמוֹעֵדmô‛êd mô‛êd mô‛âdâh · meeting: time appointedH4150
- but at the endקֵץqêts · endH7093
- it shall speakפּוּחַpûach · to breatheH6315
- and not lieכָּזַבkâzab · to lieH3576
- though it tarryמָהַהּmâhahh · to delayH4102
- waitחָכָהchâkâh · to waitH2442
- for it; because it will surelyבּוֹאbô' · to come (in): fulfillH935
- it will not tarryאָחַר'âchar · to delayH309
Cross-references for Habakkuk 2:3
- Jeremiah 27:7All the nations shall serve him and his son and his grandson, until the time of his own land comes. Then many nations and great kings shall make him their slave.
- Daniel 8:19He said, "Behold, I will make known to you what shall be at the latter end of the indignation, for it refers to the appointed time of the end.
- Daniel 9:24"Seventy weeks are decreed about your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to put an end to sin, and to atone for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal both vision and prophet, and to anoint a most holy place.
- Daniel 10:1In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a word was revealed to Daniel, who was named Belteshazzar. And the word was true, and it was a great conflict. And he understood the word and had understanding of the vision.
- Daniel 11:27And as for the two kings, their hearts shall be bent on doing evil. They shall speak lies at the same table, but to no avail, for the end is yet to be at the time appointed.
- Acts 1:7He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
- Acts 17:26And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,
- Galatians 4:2but he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:6And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
- Exodus 12:41At the end of 430 years, on that very day, all the hosts of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt.
- Psalms 102:13You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come.
- Jeremiah 25:12Then after seventy years are completed, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their iniquity, declares the Lord, making the land an everlasting waste.
- Hebrews 10:36For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.
- 2 Kings 6:33And while he was still speaking with them, the messenger came down to him and said, "This trouble is from the Lord! Why should I wait for the Lord any longer?"
- Psalms 27:14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!
- Psalms 130:5I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in his word I hope;
Commentaries on Habakkuk 2:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3The vision is yet for an appointed time - The Chaldeans, who are to ruin Judea, shall afterwards be ruined themselves: but they must do this work before they receive their wages; therefore the vision is for an appointed time. But at the end it shall speak. When his work of devastation is done, his day of retribution shall take place. Though it tarry - Though it appear to be long, do not be impatient; it will surely come; it will not tarry longer than the…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 3For the vision is yet for an (the) appointed time - oNot for the present, but to develop itself in the course of time, down to a season which God only knows; as it is subsequently repeated (Daniel 11:27, for it is for the appointed time, Daniel 11:35), “for the end is yet for the appointed time Daniel 8:19; for it is for the appointed time of the end;” and is explained Daniel 10:1, Daniel 10:14, “for the vision is yet for the days Daniel 8:26; for it is…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3it will surely come: At a future time known only to the Lord, he will step into earth's history and bring it to a proper end. He will support the righteous and judge the wicked. God's people must wait patiently, knowing that the divine plan is on schedule (see Hebrews 10:35–38).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. for--assigning the cause why it ought to be committed to writing: because its fulfilment belongs to the future. the vision is yet for an appointed time--(Da 10:14; 11:27, 35). Though the time appointed by God for the fulfilment be yet future, it should be enough for your faith that God hath spoken it (La 3:26). at the end it shall speak--Maurer translates, "it pants for the end." But the antithesis between, "it shall speak," and "not be silent," makes…Read the comment
Topics related to Habakkuk 2:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Habakkuk 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries