Habakkuk 2 · Verse 1

Habakkuk 2:1

I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
Habakkuk 2:1, King James Version

Habakkuk 2:1 in other translations

BSBI will stand at my guard post and station myself on the ramparts. I will watch to see what He will say to me, and how I should answer when corrected.
WEBI will stand at my watch and set myself on the ramparts, and will look out to see what he will say to me, and what I will answer concerning my complaint.
ASVI will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what he will speak with me, and what I shall answer concerning my complaint.
YLTOn my charge I stand, and I station myself on a bulwark, and I watch to see what He doth speak against me, and what I do reply to my reproof.
DARBYI will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will look forth to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer as to my reproof.
BBEI will take my position and be on watch, placing myself on my tower, looking out to see what he will say to me, and what answer he will give to my protest.
WebsterI will stand upon my watch, and seat myself upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

What does Habakkuk 2:1 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown

Ha 2:1-20. The Prophet, Waiting Earnestly for an Answer to His Complaints (First Chapter), Receives a Revelation, Which Is to Be Fulfilled, Not Immediately, Yet in Due Time, and Is Therefore to Be Waited for in Faith: The Chaldeans Shall Be Punished for Their Cruel Rapacity, nor Can Their False GodS Avert the Judgment of Jehovah, the Only True God.

1. stand upon ... watch--that is, watch-post. The prophets often compare themselves, awaiting the revelations of Jehovah with earnest patience, to watchmen on an eminence watching with intent eye all that comes within their view (Is 21:8, 11; Jr 6:17; Eze 3:17; 33:2, 3; compare Psa 5:3; 85:8). The "watch-post" is the withdrawal of the whole soul from earthly, and fixing it on heavenly, things. The accumulation of synonyms, "stand upon ... watch ... set me upon ... tower ... watch to see" implies persevering fixity of attention. what he will say unto me--in answer to my complaints (Ha 1:13). Literally, "in me," God speaking, not to the prophet's outward ear, but inwardly. When we have prayed to God, we must observe what answers God gives by His word, His Spirit, and His providences. what I shall answer when I am reproved--what answer I am to make to the reproof which I anticipate from God on account of the liberty of my expostulation with Him. Maurer translates, "What I am to answer in respect to my complaint against Jehovah" (Ha 1:12-17).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Adam Clarke's Commentary

Introduction

The prophet, waiting for a return to his expostulation, is answered by God that the time for the destruction of the Jewish polity by the Chaldeans is not only fixed in the Divine counsel, but is awfully near; and he is therefore commanded to write down the vision relative to this appalling subject in the most legible characters, and in the plainest language, that all who read it with attention (those just persons who exercise an unwavering faith in the declaration of God respecting the violent irruption of the merciless Babylonians) may flee from the impending vengeance, Hab 2:1-4. The fall of the Chaldeans, and of their ambitious monarch is then predicted, Hab 2:5-10; and, by a strong and bold personification, the very stone and wood of those magnificent buildings, which the Babylonish king had raised by oppression and bloodshed, pronounce his wo, and in responsive taunts upbraid him, Hab 2:11, Hab 2:12. The prophet then beautifully sets forth the absolute impotence of every effort, however well conducted, which is not in concert with the Divine counsel: for though the wicked rage, and threaten the utter extermination of the people of God; yet when the Set time to favor Zion is come, the destroyers of God's heritage shall themselves be destroyed, and "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God, as the waters cover the sea," Hab 2:13, Hab 2:14. See Psa 102:13-16. For the cup of idolatry which Babylon has given to many nations, she will receive of the Lord's hand the cup of fury by the insurrection of mighty enemies (the Medes and Persians) rushing like wild beasts to destroy her, Hab 2:15. In the midst of this distress the prophet very opportunely asks in what the Babylonians had profited by their idols, exposes the absurdity of trusting in them, and calls upon the whole world to stand in awe of the everlasting Jehovah, Hab 2:16-19. Verse 1 I will stand upon my watch - The prophets are always represented as watchmen, watching constantly for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the people; and watching also to receive information from the Lord: for the prophetic influence was not always with them, but was granted only at particular times, according to the will of God. When, in doubtful cases, they wished to know what God was about to do with the country, they retired from society and gave themselves to meditation and prayer, waiting thus upon God to hear what he would say In them. What he will say unto me - בי bi, In me - in my understanding and heart. And what I shall answer when I am reproved - What I shall say to God in behalf of the people; and what the Lord shall command me to say to the people. Some translate, "And what he will answer for my conviction." Or, "what shall be answered to my pleading."

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Habakkuk 2:1-4
When tossed and perplexed with doubts about the methods of Providence, we must watch against temptations to be impatient. When we have poured out complaints and requests before God, we must observe the answers God gives by his word, his Spirit, and providences; what the Lord will say to our case. God will not disappoint the believing expectations of those who wait to hear what he will say unto them. All are concerned in the truths of God's word. Though the promised favour be deferred long, it will come at last, and abundantly recompense us for waiting. The humble, broken-hearted, repenting sinner, alone seeks to obtain an interest in this salvation. He will rest his soul on the promise, and on Christ, in and through whom it is given. Thus he walks and works, as well as lives by faith, perseveres to the end, and is exalted to glory; while those who distrust or despise God's all-sufficiency will not walk uprightly with him. The just shall live by faith in these precious promises, while the performance of them is deferred. Only those made just by faith, shall live, shall be happy here and for ever.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Habakkuk 2:1 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

עַל\־'al-atH5921
מִשְׁמַרְתִּ֣יmish.mar.Tipost myH4931
אֶעֱמֹ֔דָה'e.'e.Mo.dahI will standH5975
וְאֶֽתְיַצְּבָ֖הve.'et.ya.tze.Vahand I will take my standH3320
עַל\־'al-onH5921
מָצ֑וֹרma.Tzor[the] fortificationH4692
וַאֲצַפֶּ֗הva.'a.tza.Pehso I may watchH6822
לִרְאוֹת֙lir.'Otto seeH7200
מַה\־mah-what?H4100
יְדַבֶּר\־ye.da.ber-will he speakH1696
בִּ֔יBiby me
וּמָ֥הu.Mahand what?H4100
אָשִׁ֖יב'a.Shivwill I bring backH7725
עַל\־'al-onH5921
תּוֹכַחְתִּֽי\׃to.khach.Ticomplaint myH8433

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Habakkuk 2:1

  • Isaiah 21:8

    And he cried, A lion: My lord, I stand continually upon the watchtower in the daytime, and I am set in my ward whole nights:

  • Isaiah 62:6

    I have set watchmen upon thy walls, O Jerusalem, which shall never hold their peace day nor night: ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence,

  • 2 Samuel 18:24

    And David sat between the two gates: and the watchman went up to the roof over the gate unto the wall, and lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold a man running alone.

  • Psalms 85:8

    I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace unto his people, and to his saints: but let them not turn again to folly.

  • Psalms 73:16-17

    When I thought to know this, it was too painful for me; Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then understood I their end.

  • Psalms 5:3

    My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

  • 2 Corinthians 13:3

    Since ye seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.

  • Jeremiah 12:1

    Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments: Wherefore doth the way of the wicked prosper? wherefore are all they happy that deal very treacherously?

  • Job 23:5-7

    I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.

  • Isaiah 21:11-12

    The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night: if ye will enquire, enquire ye: return, come.

  • Job 31:37

    I would declare unto him the number of my steps; as a prince would I go near unto him.

  • Habakkuk 1:12-17

    Art thou not from everlasting, O Lord my God, mine Holy One? we shall not die. O Lord, thou hast ordained them for judgment; and, O mighty God, thou hast established them for correction. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he? And makest men as the fishes of the sea, as the creeping things, that have no ruler over them? They take up all of them with the angle, they catch them in their net, and gather them in their drag: therefore they rejoice and are glad. …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1 Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is shewn that he must wait by faith.
5 The judgment upon the Chaldean for unsatiableness,
9 for covetousness,
12 for cruelty,
15 for drunkenness,
18 and for idolatry.

stand.
Ps 73:16,17; Isa 21:8,11,12
tower. Heb. fenced place.
2Sa 18:24; 2Ki 9:17; 17:9; Isa 21:5; 62:6
and will.
1:12-17; Ps 85:8
unto me. or, in me.
2Co 13:3; Ga 1:16
when I am reproved. or, when I am argued with. Heb. upon myreproof, or arguing.
Job 23:5-7; 31:35,37; Jer 12:1

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Habakkuk 2:1

    I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

  • Habakkuk 2:2

    And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Read all of Habakkuk 2

Habakkuk 2:1 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		SOBRE mi guarda estaré, y sobre la fortaleza afirmaré el pie, y atalayaré para ver qué hablará en mí, y qué tengo de responder á mi pregunta.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		*Je me placerai en observation et je me tiendrai sur la tour, et je veillerai pour voir ce qu’il me dira, et ce que je répliquerai quand il contestera avec moi.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Auf meine Warte will ich treten und auf den Turm mich stellen, und will spähen, um zu sehen, was er mit mir reden wird, und was ich erwidern soll auf meine Klage -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Super custodiam meam stabo, et figam gradum super munitionem: et contemplabor ut videam quid dicatur mihi, et quid respondeam ad arguentem me.