Habakkuk 1:4

Habakkuk 1:4

Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous; therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.

a. NLT: The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted.

b. NIV: Therefore the law is paralyzed, and justice never prevails. The wicked hem in the righteous, so that justice is perverted.

c. YLT: Therefore doth law cease, And judgment doth not go forth for ever, For the wicked is compassing the righteous, Therefore wrong judgment goeth forth.

d. Amplified Bible: Therefore the law is slackened and justice and a righteous sentence never go forth, for the [hostility of the] wicked surrounds the [uncompromisingly] righteous; therefore justice goes forth perverted.

e. Septuagint: Therefore the law is frustrated, and judgment proceeds not effectually, for the ungodly [man] prevails over the just; therefore perverse judgment will proceed.

f. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/Writings: That is why the Torah is weakened and justice never emerges. Since the wicked surround the righteous, therefore justice emerges distorted.]

1. “Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment doth never go forth…”

a. Therefore the law [8451 * towrah] ]Strong: from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

b. is slacked [6313 * puwg] [Strong: a primitive root; to be sluggish:--cease, be feeble, faint, be slacked.] [Gesenius; to grow numb, be feeble, be benumbed, to be feeble, to be benumbed.]

1). This Hebrew word is only used four times in the Old Testament, the other three instances are revealing.

a). Genesis 45:26  And told him, saying, Joseph is yet alive, and he is governor over all the land of Egypt. And Jacob's heart fainted, for he believed them not.

b). Psalm 38:8 I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart.

c). Psalm 77:2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted.

2). Wherever the law is slacked you can be sure that wicked people and wickedness is going to be praised.

a). Proverbs 28:4 They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them.

3). In our churches today the Word is being slacked and because of that the people in the churches are not making correct judgments concerning many things which should be easy.

c. and judgment [4941 * mishphat] [Strong: from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.]

d. doth never [5331 * netsach] [Strong: from 5329; properly, a goal, i.e. the bright object at a distance travelled towards; hence (figuratively), splendor, or (subjectively) truthfulness, or (objectively) confidence; but usually (adverbially), continually (i.e. to the most distant point of view); --alway(-s), constantly, end, (+ n-)ever(more), perpetual, strength, victory.]

e. go forth [3318 * yatsa’] [Strong: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any time, X to (and fro), utter.]

2. “…for the wicked doth compass about the righteous…”

a. the wicked [7563 * rasha’] [Strong: from 7561; morally wrong; concretely, an (actively) bad person:--+ condemned, guilty, ungodly, wicked (man), that did wrong.]

b. doth compass [3803 * kathar] [Strong: a primitive root; to enclose; hence (in a friendly sense) to crown, (in a hostile one) to besiege; also to wait (as restraining oneself):--beset round, compass about, be crowned inclose round, suffer.] [Gesenius: to surround, to encircle.]

c. the righteous [6662 * tsaddiyq] [Strong: from 6663; just:--just, lawful, righteous (man).]

1). The reason for the reality of the law being slackened and judgment is not being handed down is “the wicked doth compass about the righteous”. I am reminded of a Scripture in Psalms that I believe sheds more light on this situation.

a). Psalm 12:8 The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted.

2). The point in this verse is that when vile men are exalted, especially in leadership, it is a sign that they are surrounded by wicked people. This kind of leadership will also generate more ungodliness.

b). Ecclesiastes 8:11 Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.

3. “…therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.”

a. therefore wrong [6127 * ‘aqal] [Strong: a primitive root; to wrest:--wrong.]

b. judgment [4941 * mishphat] [Strong: from 8199; properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, individual or collective), including the act, the place, the suit, the crime, and the penalty; abstractly, justice, including a participant's right or privilege (statutory or customary), or even a style:--+ adversary, ceremony, charge, X crime, custom, desert, determination, discretion, disposing, due, fashion, form, to be judged, judgment, just(-ice, -ly), (manner of) law(-ful), manner, measure, (due) order, ordinance, right, sentence, usest, X worthy, + wrong.]

c. proceedeth [3318 * yatsa’] [Strong: a primitive root; to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim.:--X after, appear, X assuredly, bear out, X begotten, break out, bring forth (out, up), carry out, come (abroad, out, thereat, without), + be condemned, depart(-ing, -ure), draw forth, in the end, escape, exact, fail, fall (out), fetch forth (out), get away (forth, hence, out), (able to, cause to, let) go abroad (forth, on, out), going out, grow, have forth (out), issue out, lay (lie) out, lead out, pluck out, proceed, pull out, put away, be risen, X scarce, send with commandment, shoot forth, spread, spring out, stand out, X still, X surely, take forth (out), at any time, X to (and fro), utter.]

1). Wrong judgment proceeds out of leadership because they are vile individuals that were put there or exalted by a majority of wicked people.