For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The vision, though it might seem slow to arrive, is actually described as "hastening" or even "panting" towards its appointed end. This imagery reveals an active, energetic force at work, driven by divine purpose, rather than a passive thing merely waiting to happen.
For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Habakkuk has just cried out to God about the rampant injustice and violence he sees, questioning why God allows it and doesn't intervene. God responds by revealing that He is about to raise up the Babylonians to enact judgment, a terrifying force that will sweep across the land. Habakkuk is then told to wait, for the vision of this judgment, though it may seem slow, is certain and will arrive at its appointed time.
Ever felt like God's promises are taking forever to come true? Habakkuk grappled with this, and the answer isn't simple impatience.
Habakkuk is waiting for God's justice to act against the wicked. He sees the oppression and cries out, 'How long?' (Habakkuk 1:2). But God's answer isn't immediate action; it's a vision that 'awaits its appointed time.' This means God has a specific moment, known only to Him, when His justice will be fully revealed and enacted. It's not a matter of God being unaware or unable, but of Him working according to His perfect, divine schedule. This 'appointed time' isn't arbitrary; it's precisely the moment when God's plan will be most gloriously fulfilled. Even if it seems slow to us, it's on track.
What happens when what God promises seems to take ages? Does that mean it's not real or true?
Habakkuk is told to wait, even if the vision 'seems slow.' This vision is not a pipe dream; it's a guarantee. The phrase 'it will surely come; it will not delay' speaks to the absolute certainty of God's promises. This isn't a 'maybe'; it's a 'definitely.' The language suggests an eagerness, almost a panting, from the vision itself to reach its fulfillment ('it hastens to the end'). God's Word and His plans are living, active, and moving towards completion. When we wait, it's not in passive resignation, but in active trust that the fulfillment is guaranteed and will arrive precisely when God intends, not a moment sooner or later than His perfect plan.
Understand the original words
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mo'ed · Hebrew Noun
The divinely ordained moment or deadline established by God's sovereignty, marking the fulfillment of His promises or judgments.
Habakkuk's message of enduring faith is deeply rooted in the trauma of impending and actual national disaster. The 'vision' he speaks of is God's promised judgment and future restoration, which felt agonizingly slow to people facing the overwhelming power of Babylon.
c. 627-586 BC
Prophetic Ministry of Jeremiah
Habakkuk's ministry likely occurred during the turbulent later years of the Kingdom of Judah, a period marked by the rise of Babylon and the prophetic warnings of Jeremiah. This era was filled with political instability and the looming threat of exile.
605 BC
Battle of Carchemish
This pivotal battle saw the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar, decisively defeat the Egyptians, establishing Babylonian dominance over the region. This victory significantly increased the immediate threat to Judah.
597 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
King Jehoiachin of Judah and many prominent citizens were deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. This event signaled the weakening of Judah and increased the prophet's anxiety about God's justice.
c. 587-586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This catastrophic event represented the fulfillment of much of the prophetic doom, leaving the people in despair.
c. 586-539 BC
Babylonian Exile
The period following the destruction of Jerusalem, during which the majority of the Jewish people lived in exile in Babylon. Habakkuk's message of waiting for God's appointed time offered hope amidst this profound national trauma.
This New Testament passage directly quotes and applies Habakkuk's promise of the Lord's certain and imminent return, assuring believers that the coming one will not delay.
2 Peter 3:9Peter echoes Habakkuk's assurance that God is not 'slow' or 'tardy' in His promises, but patiently working out His plan, encouraging believers to wait with steadfastness.
Romans 1:17Paul highlights Habakkuk's declaration that 'the righteous shall live by faith,' emphasizing that true righteousness and life come through trusting God's promises, even when fulfillment seems delayed.
Psalm 37:7This psalm reinforces Habakkuk's message by urging believers to 'be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him,' trusting that God's timing is perfect and His justice will prevail.
Isaiah 40:31This passage speaks to the renewal of strength for those who wait on the Lord, mirroring Habakkuk's encouragement to endure patiently, with the promise that those who do will find their strength renewed.
barnesHabakkuk 2:3: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
For the vision is yet for an (the) appointed time - o Not for the present, but to develop itself in the course of time, down to a season which God only knows; as it is subsequently repeated ( Daniel 11:27 , for it is for the appointed time, Daniel 11:35 ), "for the end is yet for the appointed time Daniel 8:19 ; fo…
clarkeHabakkuk 2:3: "For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."
The vision is yet for an appointed time - The Chaldeans, who are to ruin Judea, shall afterwards be ruined themselves: but they must do this work before they receive their wages; therefore the vision is for an appointed time. But at the end it shall speak. When his work of devastation is done, his day of retributio…
The vision, though it might seem slow to arrive, is actually described as "hastening" or even "panting" towards its appointed end. This imagery reveals an active, energetic force at work, driven by divine purpose, rather than a passive thing merely waiting to happen.
Habakkuk has just cried out to God about the rampant injustice and violence he sees, questioning why God allows it and doesn't intervene. God responds by revealing that He is about to raise up the Babylonians to enact judgment, a terrifying force that will sweep across the land. Habakkuk is then told to wait, for the vision of this judgment, though it may seem slow, is certain and will arrive at its appointed time.
Habakkuk has just cried out to God about the rampant injustice and violence he sees, questioning why God allows it and doesn't intervene. God responds by revealing that He is about to raise up the Babylonians to enact judgment, a terrifying force that will sweep across the land. Habakkuk is then told to wait, for the vision of this judgment, though it may seem slow, is certain and will arrive at its appointed time.
"For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay." — The vision, though it might seem slow to arrive, is actually described as "hastening" or even "panting" towards its appointed end. This imagery reveals an active, energetic force at work, driven by d…
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Last reviewed October 2026