Habakkuk 2:4 faith or faithfulness?

27.09.2022

Some try to argue that Habakkuk should be translated ""but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness", however I will critique this view.

Objection: The word "emunah" is never translated as faith in Hebrew except in Habakkuk 2:4 and in other instances it is translated as "faithfulness"

Answer: The word "emunah" is derived from the term "aman" which is used in Genesis 15:6 for the word "believed", in all likelihood Habakkuk is referencing Abraham in this passage, saying just as Abraham believed the just also live by faith. If Habakkuk was referencing Abraham, the word "emunah" would be a natural choice as it is derived from the word used in Genesis 15:6.

Additionally, the word is occasionally translated "trust" or "truth", which are closer to the meaning of "faith". Clendenen, E. Ray also argued that the Qumran community understood it as referring to faith.

John Calvin who was fluent in Hebrew also supported the Hebrew translation of "faith", stating: "As tgwma, amunat, is in Hebrew truth, so some regard it as meaning integrity; as though the Prophet had said, that the just man has more safety in his faithfulness and pure conscience, than there is to the children of this world in all those munitions in which they glory. But in this case they frigidly extenuate the Prophet's declaration; for they understand not what that righteousness of faith is from which our salvation proceeds. It is indeed certain that the Prophet understands by the word tgwma, amunat, that faith which strips us of all arrogance, and leads us naked and needy to God, that we may seek salvation from him alone, which would otherwise be far removed from us."

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