Habakkuk, << HAB uh kuhk or huh BAK uhk, >> Book of, is a book of the Old Testament, or Hebrew Bible. The book is named for Habakkuk, an Israelite prophet. A reference to the Chaldeans in the book indicates that Habakkuk lived about 600 B.C.
The Book of Habakkuk is only 56 verses long. It consists of two parts. The prophecies appear in the form of laments and responses in Chapters 1 and 2. Chapter 3 is a hymn. In one of his prophecies, Habakkuk asks why the innocent and good should suffer with the wicked. God answers, “The just shall live by his faith” (Hab. 2:4). Habakkuk closes with a hymn on God’s victory over His enemies. Some scholars think the last chapter was composed for use in temple worship. The book formed the basis of an important ancient Biblical commentary found in the Dead Sea Scrolls (see Dead Sea Scrolls ).
