New English Translation
Habakkuk 2:3
3For the message is a witness to what is decreed; it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass – it will not arrive 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 watch post; I will remain stationed on the city wall. I will keep watching, so I can see what he says to me and can know how I should answer when he counters my argument. 2The Lord responded: “Write down this message! Record it legibly on tablets, so the one who announces it may read it easily. For the message is a witness to what is decreed; it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass – it will not arrive late. 4Look, the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness. 5Indeed, wine will betray the proud, restless man! His appetite is as big as Sheol’s; like death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations; he seizes 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 nations must serve him and his son and grandson until the time comes for his own nation to fall. Then many nations and great kings will in turn subjugate Babylon.
- Daniel 8:19Then he said, “I am going to inform you about what will happen in the latter time of wrath, for the vision pertains to the appointed time of the end.
- Daniel 9:24“Seventy weeks have been determined concerning your people and your holy city to put an end to rebellion, to bring sin to completion, to atone for iniquity, to bring in perpetual righteousness, to seal up the prophetic vision, and to anoint a most holy place.
- Daniel 10:1In the third year of King Cyrus of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel (who was also called Belteshazzar). This message was true and concerned a great war. He understood the message and gained insight by the vision.
- Daniel 11:27These two kings, their minds filled with evil intentions, will trade lies with one another at the same table. But it will not succeed, for there is still an end at the appointed time.
- Acts 1:7He told them, “You are not permitted to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority.
- Acts 17:26From one man he made every nation of the human race to inhabit the entire earth, determining their set times and the fixed limits of the places where they would live,
- Galatians 4:2But he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father.
- 2 Thessalonians 2:6And so you know what holds him back, so that he will be revealed in his own time.
- Exodus 12:41At the end of the 430 years, on the very day, all the regiments of the Lord went out of the land of Egypt.
- Psalms 102:13You will rise up and have compassion on Zion. For it is time to have mercy on her, for the appointed time has come.
- Jeremiah 25:12“‘But when the seventy years are over, I will punish the king of Babylon and his nation for their sins. I will make the land of Babylon an everlasting ruin. I, the Lord, affirm it!
- Hebrews 10:36For you need endurance in order to do God’s will and so receive what is promised.
- 2 Kings 6:33He was still talking to them when the messenger approached and said, “Look, the Lord is responsible for this disaster! Why should I continue to wait for the Lord to help?”
- Psalms 27:14Rely on the Lord! Be strong and confident! Rely on the Lord!
- Psalms 130:5I rely on the Lord, I rely on him with my whole being; I wait for his assuring 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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries