Habakkuk 1:12-17

Habakkuk 1:12-17

[12] Art thou not from everlasting,  my God,  mine Holy One?  we shall not die.  thou hast ordained  them for judgment;  and, O mighty God,  thou hast established  them for correction.  [13] 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  [14] And makest  men  as the fishes  of the sea,  as the creeping things,  that have no ruler  over them? [15] 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.  [16] Therefore they sacrifice  unto their net,  and burn incense  unto their drag;  because by them  their portion  is fat,  and their meat  plenteous.  [17] Shall they therefore empty  their net,  and not spare  continually  to slay  the nations? 

What does Habakkuk 1:12-17 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

This section is another lament (cf. Habakkuk 1:2-4). It expresses the problem of excessive punishment.