10:37

For yet “a very little while”: Paul here introduces a series of quotations that are apparently taken from the Greek Septuagint version of the Hebrew Scriptures. First, he quotes Isa 26:20 (“for a brief moment”). The context of Isa 26:20 describes how God’s people would be saved from their enemies. The other quotations found at Heb 10:37, 38 are taken from the book of Habakkuk. Paul likely refers to these faith-strengthening accounts in order to assure his readers that it would be for a limited time only that they would need to endure trials and persecutions.​—Heb 10:32-36.

“the one who is coming will arrive and will not delay”: Paul apparently based this quotation on Hab 2:3 as rendered in the Greek Septuagint version. The Hebrew text reads: “For it [the vision] will without fail come true. It will not be late!” However, the Septuagint text could be translated: “For he will surely come and will not delay,” focusing attention on a coming person rather than the vision. In this context, it may be that “the one who is coming” refers to Jehovah God, who in fulfillment of Habakkuk’s vision, will come to execute judgment, or vengeance, against the oppressors of His people. (Compare Re 1:8.) However, it is also possible that this expression refers to the Messiah, Jesus Christ, whom Jehovah will use to execute his judgment. In other scriptures, Jesus is called “the Coming One” and “the one who comes in Jehovah’s name.”​—Mt 11:3 and study note; 23:39; Lu 7:19; compare Re 22:20.