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.
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Habakkuk Waits for God's Answer

1
I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. ​
2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it. ​
3
For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. ​
4
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. ​

The Five Woes Against the Oppressor

5
Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people: ​

Woe 1: Against Greed and Plunder

6
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! ​
7
Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
8
Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

Woe 2: Against Unjust Gain

9
Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! ​
10
Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.
11
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. ​

Woe 3: Against Building on Bloodshed

12
Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! ​
13
Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. ​

Woe 4: Against Shameful Exploitation

15
Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! ​
16
Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. ​
17
For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

Woe 5: Against Idolatry

18
What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols? ​
19
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
20
But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence 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.

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