Habakkuk 2:13

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?

Behold, is it not of the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635} that the people {H5971} shall labour {H3021} in the very {H1767} fire {H784}, and the people {H3816} shall weary {H3286} themselves for very {H1767} vanity {H7385}?

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?

Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?

Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

Context of Habakkuk 2:13

Habakkuk 2:13 is part of a series of five "woes" pronounced by the prophet Habakkuk against the oppressive Babylonian (Chaldean) empire. After God revealed that He would use the Babylonians to judge Judah, Habakkuk then received a vision detailing God's ultimate judgment against Babylon itself for its arrogance, greed, violence, and idolatry. This particular verse falls within the third woe (verses 12-14), which condemns those who build a city with bloodshed and iniquity. It specifically highlights the futility and self-destructive nature of the Babylonians' conquests and their vast building projects, achieved through the oppression of others, as also mentioned in Habakkuk 2:12.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Sovereignty and Judgment: The rhetorical question, "is it not of the LORD of hosts," strongly affirms that the ultimate outcome and the judgment upon the Babylonians' efforts are a direct decree from God. This emphasizes God's supreme authority and control over human history and the destinies of nations, even the most powerful empires.
  • Futility of Unrighteous Labor: The verse declares that the intense efforts of the Babylonians ("labour in the very fire") to build their empire through conquest and oppression are ultimately pointless. Their exhaustive toil leads only to "vanity," meaning emptiness and futility. Their seemingly grand achievements will not endure or bring lasting satisfaction, a theme profoundly explored in books like Ecclesiastes 1:2.
  • Retributive Justice: The very methods by which Babylon rose—violence and destruction—are portrayed as consuming their own efforts. The "fire" they inflicted upon others will ultimately exhaust and consume their own work, demonstrating a principle of divine retribution.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "the LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sebaoth) signifies God's absolute power and authority over all heavenly and earthly forces and armies. It emphasizes His might in executing judgment. The term "vanity" (Hebrew: hebel) conveys emptiness, futility, and meaninglessness. It often refers to things that are fleeting, insubstantial, or ultimately without profit, like a mere breath or vapor.

Practical Application

Habakkuk 2:13 serves as a timeless warning that human endeavors, no matter how impressive or seemingly successful, if built upon injustice, pride, or apart from God's righteous will, are ultimately destined for futility. It challenges individuals and societies to examine the foundations of their ambitions and achievements. Are we investing our energy in things that endure, or are we "labouring in the very fire" for temporary gains that will ultimately prove to be mere "vanity"? The verse encourages us to seek lasting value and to build our lives on principles of truth and justice, recognizing that true success and peace come from God, not from the fleeting power or ill-gotten gain of the world. This resonates with the New Testament teaching that gaining the whole world at the cost of one's soul is profitless.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Jeremiah 51:58

    Thus saith the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.

  • Isaiah 50:11

    Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass [yourselves] about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks [that] ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.

  • Isaiah 41:5

    The isles saw [it], and feared; the ends of the earth were afraid, drew near, and came.

  • Isaiah 41:8

    But thou, Israel, [art] my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend.

  • Malachi 1:4

    Whereas Edom saith, We are impoverished, but we will return and build the desolate places; thus saith the LORD of hosts, They shall build, but I will throw down; and they shall call them, The border of wickedness, and, The people against whom the LORD hath indignation for ever.

  • Psalms 127:1

    ¶ A Song of degrees for Solomon. Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh [but] in vain.

  • Psalms 127:2

    [It is] vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows: [for] so he giveth his beloved sleep.

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