For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "a little while" is an intense understatement, emphasizing the very short duration remaining until Christ's return. By adding the definite article "the" to "coming one," the author transforms Habakkuk's prophecy about a "vision" into a direct reference to the Messiah himself.
For, “Yet a little while, and the coming one will come and will not delay;
English Standard Version (ESV)
The author is urging the readers to persevere through hardship, reminding them that the promised salvation is still coming, even if it seems delayed. He then quotes from Habakkuk, adapted to refer to the Messiah, emphasizing that though the timing is uncertain, the one who is coming will arrive soon and without fail. This promise serves as a foundation for the conviction that righteousness is found in faith, a theme that will be further explored.
The Bible sometimes talks about time in ways that feel compressed, almost like a divine shorthand. This verse uses a unique phrase to emphasize just how near the promised fulfillment is.
The phrase 'yet a little while' in this verse is a powerful indicator of nearness. The original Greek uses a doubled word, 'mikron hōson hōson,' literally meaning 'a little, how much, how much!' It's a poetic and emphatic way to say 'a very, very short time.'
This isn't just a casual statement. It's a deliberate choice by the writer of Hebrews to convey a sense of urgency and imminence. It echoes a similar phrase found in Isaiah 26:20, which speaks of hiding for a brief moment until God's judgment passes. In both cases, the intent is to communicate that a period of waiting, though present, will be surprisingly short before a significant divine intervention occurs.
This intense phrasing underscores the writer's message of endurance. For the early Christians facing persecution, this promise of a 'very, very short time' before Christ's return or a decisive divine action was a vital source of hope and strength.
Who is this 'Coming One' that the Bible speaks of with such assurance? And why is His arrival described as both certain and imminent?
The identity of 'he that shall come' is central here. While the original prophet Habakkuk referred to 'the vision' or God's judgment, the writer of Hebrews, along with later Jewish thought, understood this prophecy as pointing to the Messiah. The addition of the definite article ('the Coming One') in the Greek language solidifies this Messianic application.
This 'Coming One' is Jesus Christ. The text assures us that 'He will come and will not delay.' This isn't just wishful thinking; it's a divine promise grounded in God's faithfulness. Even if there's a perceived delay, His arrival is certain and will happen precisely when God has ordained.
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This concept speaks to multiple comings of Christ:
This verse draws on Habakkuk's prophecy, originally about the Babylonian exile. The author of Hebrews re-applies it to the Christian hope, assuring believers that Christ's promised return and ultimate judgment/salvation, though seemingly delayed, are certain and near, especially in light of the impending destruction of Jerusalem.
c. 605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Under King Jehoiakim, the Babylonians under Nebuchadnezzar deported many Judean nobles and skilled workers, including Daniel, to Babylon. This marked the beginning of the Babylonian exile.
587/586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Second Deportation
Nebuchadnezzar destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon. This catastrophic event deeply impacted Jewish identity and theology.
c. 520 BC
Rebuilding of the Temple
Under the Persian Empire, Zerubbabel led the return of some exiles and the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem. This effort faced significant opposition and delays.
c. 400 BC
Habakkuk's Prophecy
The prophet Habakkuk grappled with the injustice in Judah and the impending Babylonian invasion, crying out to God about the delay of justice. God's response in Habakkuk 2:3-4 assured that the vision of judgment and restoration would surely come.
c. 4 BC - AD 30/33
Jesus' Ministry and Resurrection
The promised Messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, lived, taught, performed miracles, died, and was resurrected. His coming was a pivotal event, fulfilling many Old Testament prophecies.
c. AD 62-68— this verse
Writing of the Epistle to the Hebrews
The author, likely writing to Jewish Christians facing persecution and tempted to revert to Judaism, penned this letter. The recipients felt the immense pressure of their circumstances and the delay of Christ's promised return.
AD 70
Destruction of the Second Temple
The Romans destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, a devastating event for the Jewish people. For Jewish Christians, this marked the definitive end of the Old Covenant era and a powerful confirmation of Christ's warnings.
This passage provides the original phrasing for 'for yet a little while,' emphasizing a brief period of hiding before a divine intervention, echoing the sense of imminent but delayed deliverance.
Habakkuk 2:3-4This is the primary source of the quote, originally speaking of a 'vision' that would surely come. The author of Hebrews applies it to the coming of Christ, highlighting God's faithfulness to His promises despite apparent delays.
Matthew 11:3Here, John the Baptist asks if Jesus is 'the one who is to come,' showing that 'the Coming One' was a recognized Messianic title, reinforcing the application of Hebrews 10:37 to Jesus.
Romans 1:17Paul quotes Habakkuk 2:3-4 in the context of the righteousness of God being revealed through faith. This passage, like Hebrews, connects God's coming promise with the life of faith.
James 5:8James also urges patience, stating, 'You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand,' mirroring the encouragement to endure until the promised arrival.
ellicottHebrews 10:37: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
(37) The connection is this: “Ye have need of endurance” for “the end is not yet” ( Matthew 24:6 ); ye shall “receive the promise,” for the Lord shall surely come, and that soon. A little while.—Rather, a very little while. The expression is remarkable and unusual; it is evidently taken from Isaiah 26:20—“Come my people . . . hide thyself for a little moment until the indignation be overpast.” The sub…
cambridgeHebrews 10:37: "For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry."
37 . yet a little while ] The original has a very emphatic phrase ( μικρὸν ὅσον ὅσον ) to imply the nearness of Christ’s return, “yet but a very very little while.” The phrase occurs in the LXX. in Isaiah 26:20 . The quotations in this and the next verse are adapted from Habakkuk 2:3-4 . In the original it is “the vision” which will not tarry, but the writer quotes from the LXX., only inserting the de…
The phrase "a little while" is an intense understatement, emphasizing the very short duration remaining until Christ's return. By adding the definite article "the" to "coming one," the author transforms Habakkuk's prophecy about a "vision" into a direct reference to the Messiah himself.
The author is urging the readers to persevere through hardship, reminding them that the promised salvation is still coming, even if it seems delayed. He then quotes from Habakkuk, adapted to refer to the Messiah, emphasizing that though the timing is uncertain, the one who is coming will arrive soon and without fail. This promise serves as a foundation for the conviction that righteousness is found in faith, a theme that will be further explored.
The author is urging the readers to persevere through hardship, reminding them that the promised salvation is still coming, even if it seems delayed. He then quotes from Habakkuk, adapted to refer to the Messiah, emphasizing that though the timing is uncertain, the one who is coming will arrive soon and without fail. This promise serves as a foundation for the conviction that righteousness is found in faith, a theme that will be further explored.
"For,
“Yet a little while,
and the coming one will come and will not delay;" — The phrase "a little while" is an intense understatement, emphasizing the *very* short duration remaining until Christ's return. By adding the definite article "the" to "coming one," the author trans…
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Last reviewed October 2026