Why dost thou shew me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance? for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up strife and contention.

HABAKKUK 1:3KJV
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Habakkuk 1:3 (KJV)

What does Habakkuk 1:3 mean?

Habakkuk 1:3 shows the prophet Habakkuk questioning God about why he must witness so much wrongdoing, trouble, destruction, and violence around him, and why conflict and arguments are so common. Habakkuk is troubled by the evil he sees and is asking God why these things are allowed to continue.

In this verse, Habakkuk is speaking directly to God, expressing his distress over the state of his society. He sees injustice and harm everywhere—people are hurting each other, and there is constant fighting and strife. This verse sets the stage for the rest of the book, where Habakkuk seeks to understand how God can allow such suffering and evil among His people.

The Hebrew behind Habakkuk 1:3

  • "iniquity" (אָוֶן, 'aven): This word often refers to moral evil or wickedness, not just breaking rules but deep wrongdoing that harms others. Habakkuk is not just seeing minor faults, but serious corruption.
  • "grievance" (עָמָל, 'amal): This word can mean trouble, misery, or suffering caused by oppression. Habakkuk is being shown real hardship and pain, not just abstract problems.
  • "spoiling" (שֹׁד, shod) and "violence" (חָמָס, ḥamas): Both words point to physical harm and destruction—robbery, cruelty, and forceful acts. The society Habakkuk sees is marked by aggressive wrongdoing, not just passive neglect.
  • "strife" (רִיב, riv) and "contention" (מָדוֹן, madon): These words highlight ongoing arguments, disputes, and social conflict. The problems are not only physical but also relational, with constant fighting among people.

Why Habakkuk 1:3 matters

  • Habakkuk 1:3 helps readers see that even faithful people can struggle with the presence of evil and suffering, and can bring honest questions to God.
  • The verse emphasizes that the problems in Habakkuk’s society were deep and widespread, involving both violence and constant conflict, not just isolated incidents.
  • This verse connects to the larger message of Habakkuk, where the prophet’s questions lead to a deeper exploration of God’s justice and timing, inviting readers to wrestle with these issues themselves.

Where else these words appear

“contention” Hebrew H4066 · used in 18 verses

  • Psalms 80:6 Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves.
  • Proverbs 18:19 A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle.
  • Proverbs 26:20 Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.

“spoiling” Hebrew H7701 · used in 24 verses

  • Job 5:21 Thou shalt be hid from the scourge of the tongue: neither shalt thou be afraid of destruction when it cometh.
  • Isaiah 22:4 Therefore said I, Look away from me; I will weep bitterly, labour not to comfort me, because of the spoiling of the daughter of my people.
  • Hosea 7:13 Woe unto them! for they have fled from me: destruction unto them! because they have transgressed against me: though I have redeemed them, yet they have spoken lies against me.

“grievance” Hebrew H5999 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 41:51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.
  • Psalms 55:10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
  • Ecclesiastes 2:24 There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God.

“violence” Hebrew H2555 · used in 59 verses

  • Genesis 6:11 The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence.
  • Psalms 58:2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
  • Jeremiah 51:35 The violence done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say.