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Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/habakkuk/1.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/habakkuk/1.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you make me see iniquity, and why do you idly look at wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/habakkuk/1.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause <i>me</i> to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence <i>are</i> before me: and there are <i>that</i> raise up strife and contention.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/habakkuk/1.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Why do You show me iniquity, And cause <i>me</i> to see trouble? For plundering and violence <i>are</i> before me; There is strife, and contention arises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/habakkuk/1.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do You make me see disaster, And make <i>me</i> look at destitution? Yes, devastation and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/habakkuk/1.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/habakkuk/1.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Why dost Thou make me see iniquity, And cause <i>me</i> to look on wickedness? Yes, destruction and violence are before me; Strife exists and contention arises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Why do You make me see wickedness And cause <i>me</i> to look on trouble? Indeed, devastation and violence are before me; And there is strife, and contention is lifted up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/habakkuk/1.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Why do You make me see iniquity, And cause me to look on wickedness? For destruction and violence are before me; Strife continues and contention arises.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/habakkuk/1.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do you force me to look at injustice? Why do you tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do You force me to look at injustice? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Oppression and violence are right in front of me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict escalates. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/habakkuk/1.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Why dost thou show me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? for destruction and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention riseth up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/habakkuk/1.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Why do you make me watch such terrible injustice? Why do you allow violence, lawlessness, crime, and cruelty to spread everywhere? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/habakkuk/1.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and look upon perverseness? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there is strife, and contention riseth up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/habakkuk/1.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Why do you make me see wrongdoing? And why do you watch wickedness? Destruction and violence are in front of me. Quarrels and disputes arise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/habakkuk/1.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Why do you make me see such trouble? How can you stand to look on such wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are all around me, and there is fighting and quarreling everywhere. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/habakkuk/1.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Why are you forcing me to look at iniquity and to stare at wickedness? Social havoc and oppression are all around me; there are legal conflicts, and disputes abound.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/habakkuk/1.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/habakkuk/1.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Why do you force me to witness injustice? Why do you put up with wrongdoing? Destruction and violence confront me; conflict is present and one must endure strife. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/habakkuk/1.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you show me iniquity, and look at perversity? For destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/habakkuk/1.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Why dost thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for devastation and violence are before me: and there are that raise strife and contention.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/habakkuk/1.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Why do you show me iniquity, and look at perversity? For destruction and violence are before me. There is strife, and contention rises up. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/habakkuk/1.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do You show me iniquity, "" And cause [me] to behold perversity? And spoiling and violence [are] before me, "" And there is strife, and contention lifts [itself] up,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/habakkuk/1.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Why dost Thou shew me iniquity, And perversity dost cause to behold? And spoiling and violence are before me, And there is strife, and contention doth lift itself up,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/habakkuk/1.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore wilt thou cause me to see vanity and cause me to look at labor? and oppression and violence before me, and there will be contention, and strife will be raised up.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/habakkuk/1.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Why hast thou shewn me iniquity and grievance, to see rapine and injustice before me? and there is a judgment, but opposition is more powerful. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/habakkuk/1.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Why have you revealed to me iniquity and hardship, to see plunder and injustice opposite me? And there has been judgment, but the opposition is more powerful.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/habakkuk/1.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Why do you let me see iniquity? why do you simply gaze at evil? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife and discord. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/habakkuk/1.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Why do you make me see wrongdoing and look at trouble? Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/habakkuk/1.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Why dost thou show me iniquity and deceit? For I see violence and evil; justice was on my side, but the judge accepted bribes.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/habakkuk/1.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Why have you shown me evil and deceit, and I see plunder and evil? Judgment was before me and the Judge accepts a bribe<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/habakkuk/1.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Why dost Thou show me iniquity, And beholdest mischief? And why are spoiling and violence before me? So that there is strife, and contention ariseth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/habakkuk/1.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Wherefore hast thou shown me troubles and griefs to look upon, misery and ungodliness? judgment is before me, and the judge receives a reward.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ryPix4COoVE?start=15" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/1.htm">Habakkuk's Complaint</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">2</span>How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? <span class="reftext">3</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4100.htm" title="4100: lām·māh (Interrog) -- What? how? anything. ">Why</a> <a href="/hebrew/7200.htm" title="7200: ṯar·’ê·nî (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms:: 1cs) -- To see. A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively.">do You make me see</a> <a href="/hebrew/205.htm" title="205: ’ā·wen (N-ms) -- From an unused root perhaps meaning properly, to pant; strictly nothingness; also trouble. Vanity, wickedness; specifically an idol.">iniquity?</a> <a href="/hebrew/5027.htm" title="5027: tab·bîṭ (V-Hifil-Imperf-2ms) -- To look. A primitive root; to scan, i.e. Look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care.">Why do You tolerate</a> <a href="/hebrew/5999.htm" title="5999: wə·‘ā·māl (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Trouble, labor, toil. From amal; toil, i.e. Wearing effort; hence, worry, wheth. Of body or mind.">wrongdoing?</a> <a href="/hebrew/7701.htm" title="7701: wə·šōḏ (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Violence, havoc, devastation, ruin. Or showd; from shuwd; violence, ravage.">Destruction</a> <a href="/hebrew/2555.htm" title="2555: wə·ḥā·mās (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Violence, wrong. From chamac; violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. Unjust gain.">and violence</a> <a href="/hebrew/5048.htm" title="5048: lə·neḡ·dî (Prep-l:: 1cs) -- From nagad; a front, i.e. Part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually over against or before.">are before me.</a> <a href="/hebrew/7379.htm" title="7379: rîḇ (N-ms) -- Strife, dispute. Or rib; from riyb; a contest.">Strife</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">is ongoing,</a> <a href="/hebrew/4066.htm" title="4066: ū·mā·ḏō·wn (Conj-w:: N-ms) -- Strife, contention. From diyn; a contest or quarrel.">and conflict</a> <a href="/hebrew/5375.htm" title="5375: yiś·śā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- Or nacah ('abad); a primitive root; to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absol. And rel.">abounds.</a> </span><span class="reftext">4</span>Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never goes forth. For the wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/12-1.htm">Jeremiah 12:1</a></span><br />Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-5</a></span><br />For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. / They have no struggle in their death; their bodies are well-fed. / They are free of the burdens others carry; they are not afflicted like other men.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-9</a></span><br />Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power? / Their descendants are established around them, and their offspring before their eyes. / Their homes are safe from fear; no rod of punishment from God is upon them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-1.htm">Psalm 37:1-2</a></span><br />Of David. Do not fret over those who do evil; do not envy those who do wrong. / For they wither quickly like grass and wilt like tender plants.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/8-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 8:14</a></span><br />There is a futility that is done on the earth: There are righteous men who get what the actions of the wicked deserve, and there are wicked men who get what the actions of the righteous deserve. I say that this too is futile.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/10-1.htm">Psalm 10:1-2</a></span><br />Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble? / In pride the wicked pursue the needy; let them be caught in the schemes they devise.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/5-26.htm">Jeremiah 5:26-28</a></span><br />For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-14.htm">Isaiah 59:14-15</a></span><br />So justice is turned away, and righteousness stands at a distance. For truth has stumbled in the public square, and honesty cannot enter. / Truth is missing, and whoever turns from evil becomes prey. The LORD looked and was displeased that there was no justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/7-2.htm">Micah 7:2-4</a></span><br />The godly man has perished from the earth; there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; they hunt one another with a net. / Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together. / The best of them is like a brier; the most upright is sharper than a hedge of thorns. The day for your watchmen has come, the day of your visitation. Now is the time of their confusion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/94-3.htm">Psalm 94:3-4</a></span><br />How long will the wicked, O LORD, how long will the wicked exult? / They pour out arrogant words; all workers of iniquity boast.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-17.htm">Malachi 2:17</a></span><br />You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/lamentations/3-34.htm">Lamentations 3:34-36</a></span><br />To crush underfoot all the prisoners of the land, / to deny a man justice before the Most High, / to subvert a man in his lawsuit—of these the Lord does not approve.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-21.htm">Isaiah 1:21-23</a></span><br />See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness resided within her, but now only murderers! / Your silver has become dross; your fine wine is diluted with water. / Your rulers are rebels, friends of thieves. They all love bribes and chasing after rewards. They do not defend the fatherless, and the plea of the widow never comes before them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/24-12.htm">Matthew 24:12</a></span><br />Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-28.htm">Romans 1:28-32</a></span><br />Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them up to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done. / They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Why do you show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/12-1.htm">Psalm 12:1,2</a></b></br> To the chief Musician upon Sheminith, A Psalm of David. Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/55-9.htm">Psalm 55:9-11</a></b></br> Destroy, O Lord, <i>and</i> divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/73-3.htm">Psalm 73:3-9</a></b></br> For I was envious at the foolish, <i>when</i> I saw the prosperity of the wicked… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/29-22.htm">Abounds</a> <a href="/nahum/3-1.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/nahum/1-9.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/isaiah/3-13.htm">Arises</a> <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Ariseth</a> <a href="/psalms/10-14.htm">Beholdest</a> <a href="/amos/8-10.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/nahum/2-11.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/jeremiah/50-24.htm">Conflict</a> <a href="/hosea/4-4.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/nahum/1-10.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/amos/3-10.htm">Devastation</a> <a href="/nahum/3-19.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/ecclesiastes/6-10.htm">Exists</a> <a href="/micah/7-10.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/nahum/3-11.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/nahum/2-7.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/colossians/3-13.htm">Grievance</a> <a href="/micah/7-18.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/micah/3-10.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/nahum/3-16.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/hosea/7-15.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/hosea/10-13.htm">Perversity</a> <a href="/micah/5-5.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/nahum/3-17.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/nahum/1-6.htm">Riseth</a> <a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Show</a> <a href="/hosea/12-1.htm">Spoiling</a> <a href="/micah/6-2.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/psalms/101-5.htm">Tolerate</a> <a href="/nahum/1-12.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Violence</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/hosea/11-6.htm">Wasting</a> <a href="/nahum/3-19.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/nahum/1-2.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/isaiah/34-8.htm">Wrongs</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/romans/3-7.htm">Abounds</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Acts</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-7.htm">Arise</a> <a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">Arises</a> <a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">Ariseth</a> <a href="/matthew/7-3.htm">Beholdest</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Bitter</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-15.htm">Cause</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-3.htm">Conflict</a> <a href="/luke/22-24.htm">Contention</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-17.htm">Destruction</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-17.htm">Devastation</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-12.htm">Evil-Doing</a> <a href="/matthew/6-30.htm">Exists</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Eyes</a> <a href="/zechariah/14-3.htm">Fighting</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-3.htm">Fixed</a> <a href="/matthew/5-23.htm">Grievance</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Iniquity</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-5.htm">Injustice</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-7.htm">Itself</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-1.htm">Lift</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Mischief</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Perversity</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-6.htm">Raise</a> <a href="/mark/5-42.htm">Rises</a> <a href="/john/11-29.htm">Riseth</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-9.htm">Shew</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-9.htm">Show</a> <a href="/zechariah/2-8.htm">Spoiling</a> <a href="/matthew/12-25.htm">Strife</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Tolerate</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-16.htm">Trouble</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-9.htm">Violence</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Violent</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-15.htm">Wasting</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-13.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm">Wrong</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-11.htm">Wrongs</a><div class="vheading2">Habakkuk 1</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/1-1.htm">Unto Habakkuk, complaining of the iniquity of the land,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">is shown the fearful vengeance by the Chaldeans.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/1-12.htm">He complains that vengeance should be executed by them who are far worse.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; 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This reflects the prophet's deep concern for the moral decay in Judah. The term "iniquity" refers to gross injustice or wickedness, which was rampant during the time of King Jehoiakim. This period was marked by idolatry and social injustice, as described in <a href="/2_kings/23-36.htm">2 Kings 23:36-24</a>:5. The prophet's question echoes the sentiments found in <a href="/psalms/73.htm">Psalm 73</a>, where the psalmist struggles with the prosperity of the wicked.<p><b>Why do You tolerate wrongdoing?</b><br>Here, Habakkuk questions God's apparent patience with evil. This reflects a theological tension between God's holiness and His patience. The prophet is perplexed by God's seeming inactivity in the face of rampant sin. This theme is also present in <a href="/job/21-7.htm">Job 21:7-15</a>, where Job questions why the wicked live prosperous lives. The patience of God is a recurring theme in Scripture, as seen in <a href="/2_peter/3-9.htm">2 Peter 3:9</a>, where it is explained that God's patience is meant to lead people to repentance.<p><b>Destruction and violence are before me.</b><br>Habakkuk describes the societal conditions he observes, characterized by chaos and aggression. The terms "destruction" and "violence" suggest a breakdown of social order, likely due to internal corruption and external threats. This mirrors the conditions described in <a href="/jeremiah/6-7.htm">Jeremiah 6:7</a>, where violence and destruction are also prevalent. The historical context includes the threat of Babylonian invasion, which would eventually lead to the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.<p><b>Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.</b><br>The prophet notes the persistent nature of discord and contention among the people. This ongoing strife indicates a society in turmoil, lacking justice and peace. The Hebrew words used here suggest legal disputes and personal conflicts, highlighting the failure of leadership and the judicial system. This situation is reminiscent of the period of the Judges, where "everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (<a href="/judges/21-25.htm">Judges 21:25</a>). The presence of such conflict underscores the need for divine intervention and foreshadows the coming judgment and eventual restoration.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/habakkuk.htm">Habakkuk</a></b><br>A prophet in the Old Testament who is known for his dialogue with God, expressing his concerns about the prevalence of evil and injustice.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/judah.htm">Judah</a></b><br>The southern kingdom of Israel, where Habakkuk prophesied. During his time, Judah was experiencing moral and spiritual decline.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>The Almighty, to whom Habakkuk directs his questions and concerns about the state of the world.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/i/iniquity_and_wrongdoing.htm">Iniquity and Wrongdoing</a></b><br>The moral and ethical corruption that Habakkuk observes in his society.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/d/destruction_and_violence.htm">Destruction and Violence</a></b><br>The physical manifestations of the moral decay that Habakkuk laments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/u/understanding_god's_tolerance_of_evil.htm">Understanding God's Tolerance of Evil</a></b><br>God’s patience with evil is not indifference; it is an opportunity for repentance and redemption.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_reality_of_a_fallen_world.htm">The Reality of a Fallen World</a></b><br>The presence of iniquity and violence is a reminder of the fallen state of the world and the need for divine intervention.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_believer_in_a_troubled_world.htm">The Role of the Believer in a Troubled World</a></b><br>Believers are called to be agents of change, promoting justice and peace in their communities.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/trusting_in_god's_sovereignty.htm">Trusting in God's Sovereignty</a></b><br>Even when circumstances seem dire, trust that God is in control and His plans are ultimately for good.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_lament.htm">The Importance of Lament</a></b><br>Lament is a biblical way to process grief and confusion, bringing our honest questions and emotions before God.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_habakkuk_1.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Habakkuk 1</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_micah_2_with_divine_mercy.htm">How do we reconcile the severity of God's threats in Micah 2 against claims of divine mercy elsewhere in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/1_thess._5_3__sudden_ruin_vs._peace.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:3 - How do we reconcile sudden destruction coming on unbelievers with historical evidence of prolonged periods of peace?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_habakkuk_1_2_with_swift_god.htm">How can the prophet's frustration over God's silence (Habakkuk 1:2) be reconciled with other biblical passages emphasizing God's swift intervention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_habakkuk_1_2-4_explain_injustice.htm">How does Habakkuk 1:2-4 reconcile a just God with prolonged injustice and unanswered cries for help?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/habakkuk/1.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(3) <span class= "bld">Why dost thou shew me iniquity? . . .</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">Why dost thou show me distress and look upon grievance; oppression and violence are before me; and there is strife, and contention exalts itself.</span>" The question, "Why dost thou . . . <span class= "ital">look upon</span> grievance?" is illustrated by <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm" title="You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and can not look on iniquity: why look you on them that deal treacherously, and hold your tongue when the wicked devours the man that is more righteous than he?">Habakkuk 1:13</a>, "Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil." <span class= "ital">Grievance,</span> or "trouble wilfully caused." Heb. <span class= "ital">amal,</span> associated again with <span class= "ital">aven,</span> a term of similar import, in <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm" title="His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.">Psalm 10:7</a>; <a href="/psalms/55-11.htm" title="Wickedness is in the middle thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.">Psalm 55:11</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/habakkuk/1.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 3.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Why dost thou show me</span> - <span class="accented">Why dost thou let me see</span> daily with my own eyes - iniquity abounding, the very evil which Balaam says (<a href="/numbers/23-21.htm">Numbers 23:21</a>) the Lord had not found in Israel? <span class="cmt_word">Cause me to behold grievance.</span> This should be, <span class="accented">Dost thou look upon perverseness?</span> He asks how God can look on this evil and leave it unpunished. The LXX. and the Vulgate translate the word <span class="accented">amal</span> "trouble," or "labour;" Keil, "distress." In this case it means the trouble and distress which a man inflicts on others, as wrong doing seems to be generally spoken cf. <span class="cmt_word">Spoiling and violence are before me.</span> "Spoiling" is robbery that causes desolation. "Violence" is conduct that wrongs one's neighbour. The two words are often joined; <span class="accented">e.g.</span> <a href="/jeremiah/6-7.htm">Jeremiah 6:7</a>; <a href="/amos/3-10.htm">Amos 3:10</a>. Vulgate, <span class="accented">praedam et injustitiam.</span> These are continually coming before the prophet's eyes. <span class="cmt_word">There are that raise up strife and contention;</span> better, <span class="accented">there is strife, and contention is raised.</span> This refers to the abuse of the Law by grasping, quarrelsome nobles. Septuagint, "Against me judgment hath gone, and the judge receiveth bribes." So the Syriac and Arabic. The Vulgate gives, <span class="accented">Factum est judicium, et contradictio potentior</span>, where <span class="accented">judicium</span> is used in a bad sense. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Why</span><br /><span class="heb">לָ֣מָּה</span> <span class="translit">(lām·māh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interrogative<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4100.htm">Strong's 4100: </a> </span><span class="str2">What?, what!, indefinitely what</span><br /><br /><span class="word">do You make me see</span><br /><span class="heb">תַרְאֵ֤נִי</span> <span class="translit">(ṯar·’ê·nî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7200.htm">Strong's 7200: </a> </span><span class="str2">To see</span><br /><br /><span class="word">iniquity?</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֙וֶן֙</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·wen)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_205.htm">Strong's 205: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Why do You tolerate</span><br /><span class="heb">תַּבִּ֔יט</span> <span class="translit">(tab·bîṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5027.htm">Strong's 5027: </a> </span><span class="str2">To scan, look intently at, to regard</span><br /><br /><span class="word">wrongdoing?</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעָמָ֣ל</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘ā·māl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5999.htm">Strong's 5999: </a> </span><span class="str2">Toil, wearing effort, worry, wheth, of body, mind</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Destruction</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹׁ֥ד</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šōḏ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7701.htm">Strong's 7701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Violence, havoc, devastation, ruin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and violence</span><br /><span class="heb">וְחָמָ֖ס</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḥā·mās)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2555.htm">Strong's 2555: </a> </span><span class="str2">Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[are] before me.</span><br /><span class="heb">לְנֶגְדִּ֑י</span> <span class="translit">(lə·neḡ·dî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5048.htm">Strong's 5048: </a> </span><span class="str2">A front, part opposite, a counterpart, mate, over against, before</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Strife</span><br /><span class="heb">רִ֦יב</span> <span class="translit">(rîḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7379.htm">Strong's 7379: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strife, dispute</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is ongoing,</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיְהִ֧י</span> <span class="translit">(way·hî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> </span><span class="str2">To fall out, come to pass, become, be</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and conflict</span><br /><span class="heb">וּמָד֖וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(ū·mā·ḏō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4066.htm">Strong's 4066: </a> </span><span class="str2">A contest, quarrel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">abounds.</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשָּֽׂא׃</span> <span class="translit">(yiś·śā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5375.htm">Strong's 5375: </a> </span><span class="str2">To lift, carry, take</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/habakkuk/1-3.htm">Habakkuk 1:3 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/habakkuk/1-3.htm">OT Prophets: Habakkuk 1:3 Why do you show me iniquity (Hab Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/habakkuk/1-2.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Habakkuk 1:2"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Habakkuk 1:2" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/habakkuk/1-4.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Habakkuk 1:4"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Habakkuk 1:4" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>