God’s Word Translation
Habakkuk 2:3
3The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late.
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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)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.
- 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.
Context of Habakkuk 2:3
1I will stand at my guard post. I will station myself on the wall. I will watch to see what he will say to me and what answer I will get to my complaint. 2Then the Lord answered me, “Write the vision. Make it clear on tablets so that anyone can read it quickly. The vision will still happen at the appointed time. It hurries toward its goal. It won’t be a lie. If it’s delayed, wait for it. It will certainly happen. It won’t be late. 4“Look at the proud person. He is not right in himself. But the righteous person will live because of his faithfulness. 5Also because wine is treacherous he is arrogant and never rests. He has a large appetite like the grave. He is like death—never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself. He collects all the people to himself.
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 nations will serve him, his son, and his grandson until Babylon is defeated. Then many nations and great kings will make him their slave.
- Daniel 8:19He said, “I will tell you what will happen in the last days, ⌞the time of God’s⌟ anger, because the end time has been determined.
- Daniel 9:24“Seventy sets of seven time periods have been assigned for your people and your holy city. These time periods will serve to bring an end to rebellion, to stop sin, to forgive wrongs, to usher in everlasting righteousness, to put a seal on a prophet’s vision, and to anoint the Most Holy One.
- Daniel 10:1In Cyrus’ third year as king of Persia, a message was revealed to Daniel (who had been renamed Belteshazzar). The message was true. It was about a great war. Daniel understood the message because he was given insight during the vision.
- Daniel 11:27The two kings will both plan to do evil. They will sit at the same table and tell lies. But they will not succeed, because the end must wait until the appointed time.
- Acts 1:7Jesus told them, “You don’t need to know about times or periods that the Father has determined by his own authority.
- Acts 17:26From one man he has made every nation of humanity to live all over the earth. He has given them the seasons of the year and the boundaries within which to live.
- Galatians 4:2He is placed under the control of guardians and trustees until the time set by his father.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:6You know what it is that now holds him back, so that he will be revealed when his time comes.
- Exodus 12:41After exactly 430 years all the Lord’s people left Egypt in organized family groups.
- Psalms 102:13You will rise and have compassion on Zion, because it is time to grant a favor to it. Indeed, the appointed time has come.
- Jeremiah 25:12“When the 70 years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation for their crimes, declares the Lord. I will turn Babylon into a permanent wasteland.
- Hebrews 10:36You need endurance so that after you have done what God wants you to do, you can receive what he has promised.
- 2 Kings 6:33While he was still talking to them, the messenger arrived. He said to Elisha, “This severe famine is from the Lord. Why should I wait any longer for the Lord ⌞to help us⌟?”
- Psalms 27:14Wait with hope for the Lord. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the Lord.
- Psalms 130:5I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and with hope I wait for his word.
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
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