חֲבַקּוּק (cha.vaq.quq)
cha.vaq.quq
Habakkuk
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Ḥăḇaqquq refers to the prophet who authored the biblical book bearing his name. It appears only twice in Scripture, both times introducing the divine oracle recorded in Habakkuk 1:1. The sources identify him as a figure from the period of the Divided Monarchy, likely active during the twelfth or thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign.
Etymological analysis suggests the name means "embrace." While this root connection is noted in standard lexicons, the text itself does not elaborate on whether this imagery carries specific theological weight within the prophetic message. The primary function of the name in the biblical record is simply to identify the messenger who received the vision concerning the Chaldeans.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Habakkuk means "embrace," a quiet image for a prophet who stood in the gap between heaven and earth. He did not offer easy answers when he saw injustice rising around him. Instead, he held his questions close to God, bringing his honest confusion into the divine presence.
This word reminds us that faith is not the absence of doubt, but the courage to stay in conversation with God. When life feels chaotic or unjust, we are invited to bring our raw feelings to Him. He can hold our uncertainty without demanding we have all the answers immediately.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- of/ Habakkuk1×
- Habakkuk1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- לַ/חֲבַקּ֣וּק1×
- חֲבַקּ֖וּק1×
Key Verses
-
Habakkuk 1:1
The revelation which Habakkuk the prophet saw.
This verse introduces Habakkuk as the prophet who received a specific revelation, establishing his role as the messenger of this challenging oracle.
-
Habakkuk 3:1
A prayer of Habakkuk, the prophet, set to victorious music.
Here the name appears again to identify the author of a prayer set to music, showing how his initial questions evolved into worship.