Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
2:2-20 God responds to Habakkuk’s second complaint (1:12–2:1) without explaining why he chose to use the Babylonians. Rather, he assures Habakkuk that all violence and injustice will be punished. 2:2-5 Habakkuk’s mission was to make it clear to people that even if God’s justice seems slow in coming, it will come. 2:2 God instructs the prophet to write the message (literally vision) plainly so that it will be understood, preserved, and shared with others.
Commentary— Tyndale Open Study Notes (plain English)
2:2-20 God responds to Habakkuk’s second complaint (1:12–2:1) without explaining why he chose to use the Babylonians. Rather, he assures Habakkuk that all violence and injustice will be punished. 2:2-5 Habakkuk’s mission was to make it clear to people that even if God’s justice seems slow in coming, it will come. 2:2 God instructs the prophet to write the message (literally vision) plainly so that it will be understood, preserved, and shared with others.
Literal English (Darby)ⓘThe Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.The Darby Bible (1890) — a deliberately literal, word-for-word translation used here as the Old Testament comparison text.
And Jehovah answered me and said, Write the vision, and engrave it upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.
Hebrew (Masoretic Text)ⓘThe Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.The Masoretic Text — the authoritative Hebrew manuscript tradition behind most Old Testaments, standardized by Jewish scribes (the Masoretes) between roughly the 7th and 10th centuries AD.
King James VersionⓘKing James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
King James Version (1611) — the classic formal, word-for-word English translation. Historic and widely memorized, but uses Early Modern English vocabulary.
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
American Standard VersionⓘAmerican Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.American Standard Version (1901) — a more literal, precision-focused revision in the King James tradition.
And Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tablets, that he may run that readeth it.
World English BibleⓘWorld English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.World English Bible — a modern, public-domain update to the KJV/ASV formal style, without archaic language.
Yahweh answered me, “Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who runs may read it.
Bible in Basic EnglishⓘBible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.Bible in Basic English (1949) — deliberately written using a limited vocabulary of about 1,000 words.
And the Lord gave me an answer, and said, Put the vision in writing and make it clear on stones, so that the reader may go quickly.