God's righteousness in the Book of Habakkuk: An exegetical study with a contemporary application

Abstract

The concept of God's righteousness is a prevailing theme in the book of Habakkuk. It is portrayed through the notions of justice and mercy. A careful exegetical study of the terms "violence" (ḥāmās) (1:2, 3, 9; 2:8, 17), "save" (yāšǎʿ) (1:2), "justice"/"judgement" (mišpāṭ) (1:4, 7, 12), "wicked" (rāšāʿ) (1:4, 13; 3:13), righteous (ṣǎddîq) (1:4, 13; 2:4), "mercy" (ḥāmǎl) (1:17), "wrath"/"tremble(d)" (rōḡěz/rāḡǎz) (3:2, 7, 16), and mercy (rāḥǎm) (3:2), as they appear in Habakkuk, may lead to a greater comprehension of the concept of righteousness. Righteousness is often antithetically understood as either justice or mercy. In Habakkuk, however, it becomes clear that both justice and mercy are valid and inseparable expressions of righteousness. God's righteousness as an Old Testament concept must be first understood in its original context apart from Christology before it is assimilated into the faith community. It can then influence the way it is contemporarily perceived.