Habakkuk · Chapter 2 · Faith
Habakkuk 2:4 — Bible Verse Meaning & Context
Trust does not require seeing. Keep this close.
1080 × 1080 · Square
Background
— or pick from our presets below —
Processed locally — your photo never leaves your device.
Every download includes a small bibleverses.au mark so others can find us too.
Both translations, side by side
WEB · World English Bible
"Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith."
KJV · King James Version
"Behold, his soul5315 which is lifted up6075 is not upright3474 in him: but the just6662 shall live2421 by his faith530."
How the translations differ: The WEB is a modern public-domain revision of the 1901 ASV; the KJV dates to 1611. The KJV uses which, lifted, just, shall, while the WEB renders these as puffed, righteous, will. Both translate the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text — the differences are stylistic, not theological.
In context
Habakkuk 2:4 in Habakkuk 2
A Bible verse rarely stands alone. Here is Habakkuk 2:4 read with the verses immediately before and after — the surrounding flow of Habakkuk 2. Read the full chapter →
- v.2 Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it.
- v.3 For the vision is yet for the appointed time, and it hurries toward the end, and won’t prove false. Though it takes time, wait for it; because it will surely come. It won’t delay.
- v.4 Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.
- v.5 Yes, moreover, wine is treacherous. A haughty man who doesn’t stay at home, who enlarges his desire as Sheol, and he is like death, and can’t be satisfied, but gathers to himself all nations, and heaps to himself all peoples.
- v.6 Won’t all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion! How long?’
Book background
About the Book of Habakkuk
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Genre
- Minor prophet
- Author
- Habakkuk
- Date written
- c. 612–589 BC
- Audience
- Judah on the brink of exile
- Chapters
- 3
Habakkuk wrestled honestly with God: why does He tolerate evil? God's answer — "the righteous shall live by his faith" (2:4) — became the foundational text of Paul's gospel in Romans and Galatians. The book ends with one of the Bible's great affirmations of faith in scarcity (3:17-18).
Setting: Written as Babylon's threat loomed.
Key themes: justice · faith · sovereignty · patience · rejoicing
Memorisation aid
How to memorise Habakkuk 2:4
Habakkuk 2:4 contains 20 words in 4 clauses. Learn one clause at a time, then chain them. The first-letter mnemonic (FLM) under each clause is a memory hook — once you can speak the FLM from memory, the full clause follows.
- 1
Behold
B
- 2
his soul is puffed up
HSIPU
- 3
It is not upright in him
IINUIH
- 4
but the righteous will live by his faith.
BTRWLB
Frequently asked
FAQ about Habakkuk 2:4
What does Habakkuk 2:4 say?
Habakkuk 2:4 reads: "Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith." — from the Old Testament, Habakkuk (Minor prophet). The full verse is shown above with both the World English Bible (WEB) and King James Version (KJV) translations side by side.
What book of the Bible is Habakkuk 2:4 in?
Habakkuk 2:4 is in the book of Habakkuk, traditionally attributed to Habakkuk and written around c. 612–589 BC. Habakkuk is minor prophet in the Old Testament, originally addressed to Judah on the brink of exile. Best known for "the righteous shall live by his faith".
What is Habakkuk 2:4 about?
Habakkuk 2:4 is primarily a Bible verse about Faith. Within Habakkuk, Habakkuk wrestled honestly with God: why does He tolerate evil? God's answer — "the righteous shall live by his faith" (2:4) — became the foundational text of Paul's gospel in Romans and Galatians. Read the full passage above with surrounding context.
What is the difference between Habakkuk 2:4 in WEB and KJV?
Habakkuk 2:4 in the World English Bible (WEB) reads: "Behold, his soul is puffed up. It is not upright in him, but the righteous will live by his faith.". The King James Version (KJV) reads: "Behold, his soul5315 which is lifted up6075 is not upright3474 in him: but the just6662 shall live2421 by his faith530.". The WEB is a modern public-domain translation that updates the KJV's 1611 English while keeping a similar formal-equivalence style. Both render the same underlying Greek or Hebrew text.
How long is Habakkuk 2:4?
Habakkuk 2:4 is 20 words in the WEB translation (98 characters), broken into 4 clauses. It is short and well-suited to memorisation. Estimated reading time is about 6 seconds.
How can I memorise Habakkuk 2:4?
To memorise Habakkuk 2:4, split it into its 4 natural clauses and learn one at a time. Repeat the full verse out loud five times, then write it from memory. Saving the verse as a photo wallpaper using our verse image studio helps daily review — the visual association with a memorable background dramatically improves recall.
Why does Habakkuk 2:4 matter in Habakkuk?
Habakkuk wrestled honestly with God: why does He tolerate evil? God's answer — "the righteous shall live by his faith" (2:4) — became the foundational text of Paul's gospel in Romans and Galatians. The book ends with one of the Bible's great affirmations of faith in scarcity (3:17-18). Habakkuk 2:4 sits within this larger story — Habakkuk as a whole emphasises justice, faith, sovereignty.
How can I apply Habakkuk 2:4 today?
Many readers use Habakkuk 2:4 as a daily reminder verse — saving it as a phone wallpaper, sharing it on Pinterest, or memorising it for prayer. The verse studio on this page lets you download Habakkuk 2:4 on 52 different backgrounds for free. Pair the verse with the surrounding chapter context shown above to understand its full meaning before applying it.
More designs
10 verses to read next
A fresh set of verses every visit — each on its own photo background. Tap any card to open the full study page.
-
Psalms 23:1
“A Psalm by David. Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
Read context →
-
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
Read context →
-
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.”
Read context →
-
Romans 8:28
“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Read context →
-
Matthew 6:33
“But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Read context →
-
1 John 4:8
“He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.”
Read context →
-
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.”
Read context →
-
Psalm 23:1
“Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing.”
Read context →
-
Proverbs 3:6
“In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”
Read context →
-
Matthew 7:7
““Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.”
Read context →
More featured verses in Habakkuk
Browse Habakkuk →