Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” but you do not save? New Living Translation How long, O LORD, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. English Standard Version O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not hear? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Berean Standard Bible 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? King James Bible O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! New King James Version O LORD, how long shall I cry, And You will not hear? Even cry out to You, “Violence!” And You will not save. New American Standard Bible How long, LORD, have I called for help, And You do not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. NASB 1995 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. NASB 1977 How long, O LORD, will I call for help, And Thou wilt not hear? I cry out to Thee, “Violence!” Yet Thou dost not save. Legacy Standard Bible How long, O Yahweh, will I call for help, And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. Amplified Bible O LORD, how long will I call for help And You will not hear? I cry out to You, “Violence!” Yet You do not save. Christian Standard Bible How long, LORD, must I call for help and you do not listen or cry out to you about violence and you do not save? Holman Christian Standard Bible How long, LORD, must I call for help and You do not listen or cry out to You about violence and You do not save? American Standard Version O Jehovah, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save. Contemporary English Version Our LORD, how long must I beg for your help before you listen? How long before you save us from all this violence? English Revised Version O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto thee of violence, and thou wilt not save. GOD'S WORD® Translation How long, O LORD, am I to cry for help, but you will not listen? I cry out to you, "There's violence!" yet you will not come to the rescue. Good News Translation O LORD, how long must I call for help before you listen, before you save us from violence? International Standard Version "How long, LORD, must I cry out for help, but you won't listen? I'm crying out to you, 'Violence!' but you aren't providing deliverance. Majority Standard Bible 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? NET Bible How long, LORD, must I cry for help? But you do not listen! I call out to you, "Violence!" But you do not intervene! New Heart English Bible LORD, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you "Violence." and will you not save? Webster's Bible Translation O LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear! even cry out to thee of violence, and thou wilt not save! World English Bible Yahweh, how long will I cry, and you will not hear? I cry out to you “Violence!” and will you not save? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionUntil when, O YHWH, have I cried, "" And You do not hear? I cry to You, “Violence!” And You do not save. Young's Literal Translation Till when, O Jehovah, have I cried, And Thou dost not hear? I cry unto Thee -- 'Violence,' and Thou dost not save. Smith's Literal Translation How long, O Jehovah, did I cry for help, and thou wilt not bear? I will cry to thee violence, and thou wilt not save. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHow long, O Lord, shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? shall I cry out to thee suffering violence, and thou wilt not save? Catholic Public Domain Version How long, O Lord, shall I cry out, and you will not heed? Shall I shout to you while suffering violence, and you will not save? New American Bible How long, O LORD, must I cry for help and you do not listen? Or cry out to you, “Violence!” and you do not intervene? New Revised Standard Version O LORD, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen? Or cry to you “Violence!” and you will not save? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleO LORD, how long shall I cry, and thou wilt not hear? I cry to thee because of the plunderers, and thou wilt not deliver! Peshitta Holy Bible Translated How long, LORD JEHOVAH, will I cry, and you do not hear, and I cry out to you because of extortionists, and you do not deliver? OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917How long, O LORD, shall I cry, And Thou wilt not hear? I cry out unto Thee of violence, And Thou wilt not save. Brenton Septuagint Translation How long, O Lord, shall I cry out, and thou wilt not hearken? how long shall I cry out to thee being injured, and thou wilt not save? Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Habakkuk's Complaint1This is the burden that Habakkuk the prophet received in a vision: 2How long, O LORD, must I call for help but You do not hear, or cry out to You, “Violence!” but You do not save? 3Why do You make me see iniquity? Why do You tolerate wrongdoing? Destruction and violence are before me. Strife is ongoing, and conflict abounds.… Cross References Psalm 13:1-2 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. How long, O LORD? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me? / How long must I wrestle in my soul, with sorrow in my heart each day? How long will my enemy dominate me? Psalm 22:1-2 For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Doe of the Dawn.” A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Why are You so far from saving me, so far from my words of groaning? / I cry out by day, O my God, but You do not answer, and by night, but I have no rest. Jeremiah 14:9 Why are You like a man taken by surprise, like a warrior powerless to save? Yet You are among us, O LORD, and we are called by Your name. Do not forsake us! Lamentations 3:8 Even when I cry out and plead for help, He shuts out my prayer. Job 19:7 Though I cry out, ‘Violence!’ I get no response; though I call for help, there is no justice. Isaiah 59:1-2 Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. / But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear. Psalm 10:1 Why, O LORD, do You stand far off? Why do You hide in times of trouble? Psalm 74:9-10 There are no signs for us to see. There is no longer any prophet. And none of us knows how long this will last. / How long, O God, will the enemy taunt You? Will the foe revile Your name forever? Psalm 88:13-14 But to You, O LORD, I cry for help; in the morning my prayer comes before You. / Why, O LORD, do You reject me? Why do You hide Your face from me? Jeremiah 12:1 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? Matthew 27:46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” Luke 18:7-8 Will not God bring about justice for His elect who cry out to Him day and night? Will He delay in helping them? / I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice on their behalf. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?” Revelation 6:10 And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?” Romans 8:22-23 We know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until the present time. / Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. Treasury of Scripture O LORD, how long shall I cry, and you will not hear! even cry out to you of violence, and you will not save! how. Psalm 13:1,2 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me? … Psalm 74:9,10 We see not our signs: there is no more any prophet: neither is there among us any that knoweth how long… Psalm 94:3 LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? and thou wilt not save. Psalm 22:1,2 To the chief Musician upon Aijeleth Shahar, A Psalm of David. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? … Jeremiah 14:9 Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. Lamentations 3:8 Also when I cry and shout, he shutteth out my prayer. Jump to Previous Behaviour Cried Cry Ears Hear Help Outcry Salvation Save Shut Violence Violent Voice WiltJump to Next Behaviour Cried Cry Ears Hear Help Outcry Salvation Save Shut Violence Violent Voice WiltHabakkuk 1 1. Unto Habakkuk, complaining of the iniquity of the land,5. is shown the fearful vengeance by the Chaldeans. 12. He complains that vengeance should be executed by them who are far worse. How long, O LORD The phrase "How long, O LORD" captures a deep sense of urgency and desperation. In Hebrew, "O LORD" is "Yahweh," the covenant name of God, which emphasizes a personal relationship. The cry "How long" is a common lament in the Psalms and prophetic literature, reflecting a period of prolonged suffering or injustice. It suggests a trial of faith, where the believer is wrestling with the apparent silence of God. Historically, this reflects the period of moral and spiritual decline in Judah, where the prophet Habakkuk is witnessing rampant injustice and is earnestly seeking divine intervention. must I call for help but You do not listen or cry out to You, 'Violence!' but You do not save Persons / Places / Events 1. HabakkukA prophet in the Old Testament, Habakkuk is known for his dialogue with God, expressing deep concern over the moral and spiritual decline of Judah and the apparent silence of God in the face of injustice. 2. Judah The southern kingdom of Israel, where Habakkuk prophesied. During his time, Judah was experiencing significant moral and social decay, leading to Habakkuk's lament. 3. Violence and Injustice The societal conditions that prompted Habakkuk's cry to God. The prophet was deeply troubled by the rampant violence and injustice he witnessed. Teaching Points The Struggle with Divine SilenceBelievers often experience times when God seems silent. Habakkuk's honest dialogue with God encourages us to bring our questions and frustrations to Him in prayer. God's Sovereignty and Timing While God's timing may not align with our expectations, His sovereignty assures us that He is in control and working all things for His purposes. Faith in the Midst of Injustice Even when faced with overwhelming injustice, believers are called to maintain faith, trusting that God will ultimately bring justice and righteousness. The Role of Lament in Faith Lament is a biblical expression of faith, allowing believers to process grief and confusion while still holding onto hope in God's promises. Active Waiting on God While waiting for God's intervention, believers are encouraged to remain active in prayer, service, and seeking justice in their communities.(2) Even cry out.--The latter half of the verse is best rendered "Even cry unto thee 'Violence!' and thou wilt not save." The single word "violence!" (chamas) occurs elsewhere, as an appeal for assistance, used as we use the cry "murder!" "fire!" &c., among ourselves. (See Jeremiah 20:8, Job 19:7.)Verses 2-4. - 2. The prophet complains to God of the iniquity of his own nation, and its consequence. Verse 2. - Shall I cry; Septuagint, κέκραξομαι. The Hebrew is taken to imply that the prophet had long been complaining of the moral depravity of Judah, and calling for help against it There is no reference here, as Ewald fancies, to acts of violence committed by the Chaldeans, who, in fact, are announced as coming to chastise the wickedness of the chosen people (ver. 6). And thou wilt not hear! The continuance of evil unchecked is an anomaly in the prophet's eye; and, putting himself in the position of the righteous among the people, he asks how long this is to last. Even cry out unto thee of violence; better, I cry out unto thee, Violence. A similar construction is found in Job 19:7; Jeremiah 20:8. "Violence" includes all manner of wrong done to one's neighbour. Septuagint, Βοήσομαι πρὸς σὲ ἀδικούμενος, "I will cry unto thee being wronged," as if the wrong was done to the prophet himself. So the Vulgate, Vociferabor ad te vim patiens. But Habakkuk doubtless speaks in the person of the righteous, grieved at the wickedness he sees around, and the more perplexed as the Law led him to look for temporal rewards and punishments, if in the case of individuals, much more in that of the chosen nation (Leviticus 26, passim). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew How long,עַד־ (‘aḏ-) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while O LORD, יְהוָ֛ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel must I call for help שִׁוַּ֖עְתִּי (šiw·wa‘·tî) Verb - Piel - Perfect - first person common singular Strong's 7768: To be free, to halloo but You do not וְלֹ֣א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no hear, תִשְׁמָ֑ע (ṯiš·mā‘) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently or cry out אֶזְעַ֥ק (’ez·‘aq) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - first person common singular Strong's 2199: To shriek, to announce, convene publicly to You, אֵלֶ֛יךָ (’ê·le·ḵā) Preposition | second person masculine singular Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to “Violence!” חָמָ֖ס (ḥā·mās) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain but You do not וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no save? תוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃ (ṯō·wō·šî·a‘) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 3467: To be open, wide, free, to be safe, to free, succor Links Habakkuk 1:2 NIVHabakkuk 1:2 NLT Habakkuk 1:2 ESV Habakkuk 1:2 NASB Habakkuk 1:2 KJV Habakkuk 1:2 BibleApps.com Habakkuk 1:2 Biblia Paralela Habakkuk 1:2 Chinese Bible Habakkuk 1:2 French Bible Habakkuk 1:2 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Habakkuk 1:2 Yahweh how long will I cry (Hab Hb) |