Habakkuk 1:12 kjv

Art thou not from everlasting, O LORD my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O LORD, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction.

Habakkuk 1:12 nkjv

Are You not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, You have appointed them for judgment; O Rock, You have marked them for correction.

Habakkuk 1:12 niv

LORD, are you not from everlasting? My God, my Holy One, you will never die. You, LORD, have appointed them to execute judgment; you, my Rock, have ordained them to punish.

Habakkuk 1:12 esv

Are you not from everlasting, O LORD my God, my Holy One? We shall not die. O LORD, you have ordained them as a judgment, and you, O Rock, have established them for reproof.

Habakkuk 1:12 nlt

O LORD my God, my Holy One, you who are eternal ?
surely you do not plan to wipe us out?
O LORD, our Rock, you have sent these Babylonians to correct us,
to punish us for our many sins.

Habakkuk 1 verses

Habakkuk 1 12 Meaning

Habakkuk 1:12 opens Habakkuk's second lament, expressed as a confident declaration of faith in the face of perplexing divine action. He appeals to God's eternal nature, holiness, and covenant faithfulness, contrasting these with the destructive character of the Chaldeans (Babylonians). The verse asserts that God, though using this fierce nation, remains eternal and holy, implying that His people, by virtue of His nature, will not be utterly destroyed. Habakkuk affirms that God's purpose in raising the Chaldeans is for righteous judgment and discipline, rather than indiscriminate annihilation.

Habakkuk 1 12 Context

Habakkuk 1:12 initiates Habakkuk’s second prophetic complaint, immediately following God’s shocking revelation that He would use the Chaldeans (Babylonians), a brutal and swift nation, to bring judgment upon Judah (Hab 1:5-11). Habakkuk’s first lament concerned the rampant injustice and violence within Judah (Hab 1:2-4). God's response (Hab 1:5-11) elevates the crisis, proposing a terrifying external judgment far worse than the internal one.

Verse 12 showcases Habakkuk grappling with this new divine plan. His initial response is not outright defiance, but a fervent theological inquiry rooted in God's unchanging nature. He appeals to God's eternal character, holiness, and steadfastness as a "Rock" to understand how such a wicked instrument could be used by a righteous God, while simultaneously asserting the survival of His own people ("We shall not die"). He accepts, even declares, that God's purpose is for "judgment" and "correction"—a divine response to Judah's sin, rather than an arbitrary act. This verse sets the stage for the remainder of chapter 1, where Habakkuk further questions the justice of God allowing a more wicked nation to devour a less wicked one, and ultimately leads to God's further response in chapter 2 regarding the sovereignty of His timing and the ultimate vindication of the righteous by faith.

Habakkuk 1 12 Word analysis

• Are you not from everlasting (הֲלוֹא אַתָּה מִקֶּדֶם - Ha-lo atta mi-qedem)

  • הֲלוֹא (Ha-lo): "Are you not...?" A rhetorical interrogative demanding an affirmative answer, "Certainly you are!" It’s a strong assertion, not a hesitant question.
  • מִקֶּדֶם (mi-qedem): "from of old," "from ancient times," "from everlasting." Signifies God's eternality, His existence before all creation, His unchanging nature. It contrasts with the ephemeral rise and fall of nations. This establishes the foundation of Habakkuk’s faith and argument, implying God’s eternal plan and justice.

• O LORD (יְהוָה - YHWH, Adonai when read): The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel. It speaks of God's self-existence, His active presence, and His faithfulness to His promises. Habakkuk addresses Him intimately as the God of His covenant people.

• my God (אֱלֹהָי - Elohai): Emphasizes a personal and possessive relationship. It underlines Habakkuk’s reliance and faith, appealing to God as his sovereign ruler and object of worship.

• my Holy One (קְדוֹשִׁי - Qedoshee): Uniquely in Habakkuk's plea here, God is directly addressed as "my Holy One." Qadosh signifies set-apartness, moral purity, and transcendence. This term highlights God’s absolute purity, distinct from all sin and defilement, forming a sharp contrast with the perceived injustice or the unholy character of the Chaldeans He is using. It underscores that God, though using a corrupt instrument, remains utterly righteous.

• We shall not die. (לֹא נָמוּת - lo namut):

  • לֹא (lo): "not." A strong negation.
  • נָמוּת (namut): "we shall die," an imperfect verb, denoting future action or ongoing state. Combined with lo, it means "we will not die." This is a profound statement of faith amidst tribulation. It's an affirmation of hope and belief in God’s preservation of His covenant people, even if disciplined. It might imply physical preservation of a remnant, spiritual survival, or the enduring existence of God's chosen line/nation, based on His promises.

• O LORD, you have ordained them for judgment, and you, O Rock, have appointed them for correction.

  • ordained them for judgment (לְמִשְׁפָּט שַׂמְתּוֹ - le-mishpat samto):
    • לְמִשְׁפָּט (le-mishpat): "for judgment," "for justice." Mishpat means judgment, justice, a legal decision, or the just order of things. Here, it confirms that God’s use of the Chaldeans is purposeful and righteous—a judicial act to correct His people’s sin.
    • שַׂמְתּוֹ (samto): "You have set him/it," "You have placed him/it," "You have ordained him/it." This highlights God's sovereignty and deliberate action in appointing the Chaldeans as His instrument.
  • O Rock (צוּר - Tsur): An ancient, powerful epithet for God. Signifies immutability, strength, reliability, protection, refuge, and steadfast faithfulness. Habakkuk uses this as an anchor point for his argument—a steady foundation in a turbulent time.
  • appointed them for correction (וּלְהוֹכֵחַ יְסַדְתָּם - u-le-hokhe'ach yesadtam):
    • לְהוֹכֵחַ (le-hokhe'ach): "for rebuke," "for reproof," "for discipline," "for correction." This term often carries the nuance of chastisement that leads to repentance and restoration. It clarifies God's corrective rather than purely destructive intent for Judah.
    • יְסַדְתָּם (yesadtam): "You have founded them," "You have established them." Reinforces the divine sovereignty: God established this nation with a specific, corrective purpose concerning His people.

Habakkuk 1 12 Bonus section

• Polemical Implication: By emphasizing YHWH as "my God" and "my Holy One" who is "from everlasting," Habakkuk implicitly critiques the finite, mutable, and often cruel gods of surrounding nations, including Babylon. These pagan deities lacked genuine eternity, inherent holiness, and consistent justice. Habakkuk appeals to a God fundamentally different from such idols, highlighting His uniqueness.
• Theological Paradox: This verse introduces a core theological tension that the rest of the book grapples with: How can a Holy God use an unholy instrument to enact His holy judgment, especially when the instrument appears more wicked than the judged? Habakkuk presents this paradox, but his faith in God's nature ("everlasting," "Holy One," "Rock") is the initial anchor for finding understanding, despite the current confusion.
• Future Hope: The declaration "We shall not die" is a prophetic foreshadowing of the remnant's survival and the ultimate restoration of Israel. Even through severe judgment, God preserves a faithful remnant (e.g., in the New Testament, Rom 11:5, "a remnant chosen by grace") ensuring His covenant promises endure.

Habakkuk 1 12 Commentary

Habakkuk 1:12 is a powerful affirmation of theological truth embedded within a passionate lament. Habakkuk opens with rhetorical questions that act as declarations, stressing God’s eternal existence ("Are you not from everlasting?"), His covenant relationship ("O LORD, my God"), and His absolute moral purity ("my Holy One"). These attributes are the bedrock of Habakkuk’s faith, providing a non-negotiable theological framework even when confronted with God’s bewildering actions. By contrasting the ephemeral power of nations with the timeless sovereignty of God, Habakkuk confidently proclaims, "We shall not die." This isn't wishful thinking but a bold assertion based on God's unchanging nature and covenant promises—the Chaldeans, though used, cannot ultimately undo God's chosen people.

The prophet then accepts, rather than just questions, the divine plan for judgment by acknowledging God's hand in raising the Babylonians: "O LORD, you have ordained them for judgment, and you, O Rock, have appointed them for correction." The use of "judgment" and "correction" reveals God's righteous and redemptive purpose for the impending calamity. God is not acting arbitrarily, but as the just Judge, the unwavering "Rock" who uses severe discipline to refine and bring His people back to Himself. This verse highlights the crucial truth that even seemingly destructive events are orchestrated by a sovereign, holy God for purposes consistent with His perfect character—often discipline leading to restoration.