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Who is the Author?
Other than knowing the name of the prophet who wrote this book, we have no other information that tells us more about this prophet’s background. “Habakkuk” comes from a Hebrew root meaning “to embrace,” denoting a “favorite” (namely, of God) and a “struggler” (for his country’s good). Some ancient authors represent him as belonging to the tribe of Levi; others (such as Pseudo Epiphanius) connect him to the tribe of Simeon. The inscription to Bel and the dragon in the Septuagint asserts the former, and Hab. 3:19 perhaps favorsthis.1 Rabbinic tradition suggests that Habakkuk was the son of the Shunammite woman mentioned in 2 Kings 4, whom Elisha restored to life. This is apparently based solely on the meaning of Habakkuk’s name, “embrace,” and Elisha’s words to the Shunammite, “You shall embrace a son” (2 Kings 4:16, NASB). All conjecture and speculation aside, it is perhaps sufficient to say that Habakkuk was an officially ordained prophet who took part in temple liturgical singing. He was well educated, deeply sensitive, and in his literary style was as much a poet as a prophet. Above all, he was God’s choice servant who penned one of the most penetrating books of the Old Testament.2 Like Haggai and Zechariah, Habakkuk is identified only as “the prophet.” Whereas a prophet is usually a spokesman for God, and Habakkuk did that as well, the book starts with the prophet calling a time out to question and complain to the divine Coach on thesidelines.3 Here we see that Habakkuk is one of the few people given the opportunity to have a dialogue with God. Overall, Habakkuk knew his problems, asked his questions, and received God’s answers. As a result of his dialogue with God, he exchanged his doubts and perplexities for a strong faith (expressed in chapter 3).4