Habakkuk contains 3 chapters, 56 verses and 1,475 words in the King James. It is the sixth largest of the Minor Prophets in terms of verses and the eighth largest in terms of word count. It is also the seventh oldest of this set of Biblical books.
[Timeline of the Minor Prophets]
Date Written, Location
Habakkuk wrote his book, likely within the Kingdom of Judah, around 626 B.C. It was penned at a time when King Josiah, who took the throne in 640 as the last righteous sovereign of Judah, reigned over God's people. Josiah's rule lasted until 609 B.C.
The Author
Habakkuk's name means "embrace" (Strong's Concordance #H2265). The Bible is silent regarding any details about his life such as where he lived, who was his father, whether or not he was married and so on.
Jewish tradition states he was likely a Levite due to his ownership of musical instruments (Habakkuk 3:19). According to the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia article on the prophet, only a Levite was authorized to use an instrument to accompany his songs in the Temple.
The prophet's death and burial is also absent in Scripture. Jewish tradition places his grave in the territory of Naphtali a few miles northwest of the Sea of Galilee. Another tradition places his burial in Tuyserkan located in the western section of modern Iran.
Habakkuk Chapter Outline
Chpt. 1: Habakkuk opens his book by complaining that, to him, God doesn't seem to care that his people were indulging in violence and strife. He openly wonders why his prayers are not being answered as God's laws are being rejected and the wicked are allowed to oppress the righteous.
[Are God's Laws Still Relevant?]
God's answer to Habakkuk was that he will cause a completely unexpected and amazing event to take place. When Habakkuk wrote his book the mighty and brutal Assyrians, who had destroyed the Kingdom of Israel in 723 B.C., were at their peak. God promised he would raise up the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 1:6), who were a part of the empire, to fulfill his will.
Chpt. 2: Habakkuk goes to a tower to pray, meditate and wait for God to communicate again with him. The Lord's response, in a vision, includes the eternal spiritual principle that the righteous should live by faith (verse 4).
The Lord then reveals five "woes" which showcases some of the sins he hates. The Eternal hates greed and violent covetousness (verses 5 - 11), murder for the sake of gain (verse 12), and drunks whose goal is to get others drunk so that they also can make a fool of themselves (verses 15 - 16). He also hates the incredibly stupid pursuit of idolatry.
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it (Habakkuk 2:18 - 19).
Chpt. 3: The entirety of chapter 3 is Habakkuk's praise of God in the form of a worship song not unlike those found in the book of Psalms.
[How to Worship in Spirit and Truth]
The prophet rejoices over the manifestation of God's glory and his righteous judgment to come upon those who pursue sin. He also thanks the Lord for his salvation and for strengthening him.
Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation. The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places . . . (Habakkuk 3:18 - 19).