Catholic Dictionary

Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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HABAKKUK

The author of the eighth book of the Minor Prophets, written about 600 B.C. It is a short, philosophic book of three chapters in which he complains of the injustices of life. Evil always triumphs, as evidenced in the ruthlessness of the Chaldeans in trampling on the rights of other peoples (Habbakkuk 1:6). One is startled by the insight he shows when he describes them as "A people feared and dreaded; from their might proceeds their right, their greatness" (Habakkuk 1:7). The prophet is comforted, however, by Yahweh's assurance that, in time, goodness will triumph. He concludes, "Calmly I await the day of anguish which is dawning on the people now attacking us" (Habakkuk 3:16).