English · CJB

Habakkuk2

Habakkuk is commanded to write down a divine vision, assuring its certain fulfillment and declaring that the just shall live by faith, while the proud will fall. The chapter then pronounces five woes against the wicked oppressor, condemning their insatiable greed, violent practices, shaming of others, and idolatry. It concludes by asserting the ultimate sovereignty of the LORD, before whom all the earth must be silent.

Habakkuk Waits for God's Answer

1
I will stand at my watchpost; I will station myself on the rampart. I will look to see what [God] will say through me and what I will answer when I am reproved. ​
2
Then ADONAI answered me; he said, "Write down the vision clearly on tablets, so that even a runner can read it. ​
3
For the vision is meant for its appointed time; it speaks of the end, and it does not lie. It may take a while, but wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. ​
4
"Look at the proud: he is inwardly not upright; but the righteous will attain life through trusting faithfulness. ​

The Five Woes Against the Oppressor

5
Truly, wine is treacherous; the arrogant will not live at peace but keeps expanding his desires like Sh'ol; like death, he can never be satisfied; he keeps collecting all the nations for himself, rallying to himself all the peoples. ​

Woe 1: Against Greed and Plunder

6
Won't all these take up taunting him and say about him, in mocking riddles, 'Woe to him who amasses other people's wealth! how long must it go on? and to him who adds to himself the weight of goods taken in pledge! ​
7
Won't your own creditors suddenly stand, won't those who make you tremble wake up? You will become their spoil.
8
Because you plundered many nations, all the rest of the peoples will plunder you; because of the bloodshed and violence done to the land, the city and all who live there.

Woe 2: Against Unjust Gain

9
"'Woe to him who seeks unjust gain for his household, putting his nest on the heights, in order to be safe from the reach of harm. ​
10
By scheming to destroy many peoples, you have brought shame to your house and forfeited your life.
11
For the very stones will cry out from the wall, and a beam in the framework will answer them. ​

Woe 3: Against Building on Bloodshed

12
"'Woe to him who builds a city with blood and founds a town on injustice, ​
13
so that people toil for what will be burned up, and nations exhaust themselves to no purpose. Isn't all this from ADONAI-Tzva'ot?
14
For the earth will be as full of the knowledge of ADONAI's glory as water covering the sea. ​

Woe 4: Against Shameful Exploitation

15
"'Woe to him who has his neighbor drink, adds his own poison and makes him drunk, in order to see him naked. ​
16
You are filled with shame, not glory. You, drink too, and stagger! The cup of ADONAI's right hand will be turned against you; your shame will exceed your glory. ​
17
For the violence done to the L'vanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of the wild animals will terrify you; because of the bloodshed and violence done to the land, the city and all who live there.'"

Woe 5: Against Idolatry

18
What good is an idol, once its maker has shaped it, a cast metal image and a teacher of lies, that its maker puts his trust in it, and goes on making non-gods, unable to talk? ​
19
Woe to him who tells a piece of wood, "Wake up!" or a speechless stone, "Rouse yourself!" Can this thing teach? Why, it's covered with gold and silver, without the slightest breath in it!
20
But ADONAI is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him. ​

Study Notes for Habakkuk 2

Verse 1

Habakkuk adopts the posture of a watchman, waiting to receive revelation and prepared to defend his complaint (Ch. 1) when God responds. The phrase 'what I shall answer when I am reproved' suggests the prophet anticipates correction for questioning God’s methods.

Verse 2

The command to 'write the vision' emphasizes clarity and permanence. The writing must be made plain upon large tablets so that a swift messenger ('he may run') can easily read and proclaim the message.

Verse 3

God assures Habakkuk that the judgment against Babylon is fixed at an 'appointed time.' The command to 'wait for it' emphasizes patience and reliance on divine timing, assuring the prophet that the fulfillment will surely come.

Verse 4

This verse is the theological center of the book and a cornerstone of Christian theology (quoted in Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; Heb. 10:38). It contrasts the arrogant oppressor ('his soul which is lifted up') who relies on self with the righteous who finds life through faithfulness or reliance (Hebrew: 'emunah').

Verse 5

This verse introduces the characteristics of the oppressor (Babylon), defined by insatiable ambition ('enlarges his desire as Sheol') and the destructive power of pride and drunkenness, illustrating their unstable and grasping nature.

Verse 6

The surrounding nations, once victims of Babylon, will unite to mock and condemn the empire. 'Thick clay' likely refers to the heavy burden of ill-gotten wealth or debt that drags the oppressor down.

Verse 9

This woe condemns selfish ambition aimed at securing safety and permanence through exploiting others ('set his nest on high'). Such attempts at earthly security through injustice are futile.

Verse 11

The imagery personifies the very materials used to build the unjustly gained structure. Creation itself bears witness against the injustice committed, showing that the crime cannot be hidden.

Verse 12

This oracle specifically condemns the founding of cities and states through violence and oppression, indicting the methods used by powerful empires like Babylon to achieve their infrastructure.

Verse 14

This verse provides a powerful theological contrast to the vanity of human effort (V. 13). Despite the current chaos and injustice, God’s ultimate purpose—the global recognition of His glory—will be achieved.

Verse 15

This woe condemns the practice of intentionally intoxicating others (often prisoners or enemies) to exploit them sexually or expose their weakness, bringing deep shame upon them.

Verse 16

The shame the oppressor inflicted will be returned upon them. The 'cup of the LORD’S right hand' is a metaphor for divine wrath and judgment which they will be forced to drink.

Verse 18

This final woe shifts the focus from the oppressor's actions to their false reliance on idols. It emphasizes the absurdity of trusting in a lifeless object crafted by human hands, which cannot save or teach.

Verse 20

This verse serves as a powerful doxological conclusion, contrasting the mute, lifeless idols (V. 19) with the living, sovereign God who resides in His heavenly temple. All creation must recognize His majesty and authority.

Use ← → arrow keys to navigate
Settings

Reading Style

Typeface

Font Size 19px

Reading Width 45 chars

Options