Habakkuk 2:5

KJV

¶ 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:

KJV (with Strong's)

Yea also, because he transgresseth {H898} by wine {H3196}, he is a proud {H3093} man {H1397}, neither keepeth at home {H5115}, who enlargeth {H7337} his desire {H5315} as hell {H7585}, and is as death {H4194}, and cannot be satisfied {H7646}, but gathereth {H622} unto him all nations {H1471}, and heapeth {H6908} unto him all people {H5971}:

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

and wealth indeed betrays him. He is an arrogant man never at rest. He enlarges his appetite like Sheol, and like Death, he is never satisfied. He gathers all the nations to himself and collects all the peoples as his own.

American Standard Version

Yea, moreover, wine is treacherous, a haughty man, that keepeth not at home; who enlargeth his desire as Sheol, and he is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all peoples.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 2:5 serves as a scathing divine indictment against the proud and insatiable nature of the oppressive power, likely Babylon. The verse vividly portrays their destructive character, marked by a lack of self-control, an unquenchable desire for expansion likened to the grave, and a relentless drive to accumulate wealth and subjugate nations, all stemming from an arrogant and restless spirit that finds no contentment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 2:5 introduces the first of five "woes" (Habakkuk 2:6-20) pronounced by God against the Chaldeans (Babylonians), the very instrument God had raised up to judge Judah (Habakkuk 1:6). This verse follows God's profound declaration in [Habakkuk 2:4](/habakkuk/2-4 "Habakkuk 2:4 - The Righteous Live by Faith") that "the just shall live by his faith," contrasting the steadfastness of the righteous with the inherent instability and wickedness of the oppressor. The woes serve as God's definitive answer to Habakkuk's lament over divine justice, assuring the prophet that the proud and violent empire will not escape judgment, despite their apparent temporary success.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophet Habakkuk ministered in Judah during a tumultuous period, likely in the late 7th century BCE, as the Babylonian Empire was rapidly rising to prominence and threatening regional powers. The Babylonians were known for their military might, ruthless conquest, and vast imperial ambitions. Their culture was characterized by a pursuit of power, material wealth, and often excessive indulgence, reflecting the very traits condemned in this verse. The imagery of "wine" and "not keeping at home" would have resonated with contemporary understanding of a restless, aggressive, and perhaps morally dissolute conqueror.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Habakkuk and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **divine justice**, demonstrating that God will hold even His chosen instruments of judgment accountable for their pride and wickedness. The portrayal of the oppressor's boundless appetite highlights the theme of **insatiable greed and covetousness**, a destructive force that leads to exploitation and ultimately divine retribution, contrasting sharply with the contentment found in faith. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the **peril of pride and arrogance**, revealing how self-exaltation leads to instability, restlessness, and a relentless pursuit of power that ultimately alienates one from God and true peace. The exploitation of "all nations" foreshadows the universal scope of God's judgment and His ultimate sovereignty over all earthly kingdoms, a theme found throughout [prophetic books](/isaiah/13 "Isaiah 13 - Prophecy Against Babylon").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **proud (Hebrew, _yâhîyr'_):** From the root meaning "to be elated," this word describes someone arrogant, haughty, and self-exalting. In the context of Habakkuk 2:5, it characterizes the oppressor's inflated sense of self-importance and disregard for others, which fuels their destructive actions and prevents them from finding true rest or contentment.
* **desire (Hebrew, _nephesh'_):** While often translated as "soul" or "life," _nephesh_ here refers to the inner being's appetite, craving, or lust. The phrase "enlargeth his desire as hell" vividly portrays an insatiable, bottomless craving that drives the oppressor's actions. It signifies a spiritual emptiness that can never be filled by external acquisition, leading to perpetual dissatisfaction.
* **hell (Hebrew, _shᵉʼôwl'_):** This term refers to the grave or the underworld, the realm of the dead. It is consistently depicted in Scripture as a place that continually consumes and is never satisfied. Its use here as a simile for the oppressor's desire powerfully conveys the boundless, devouring, and destructive nature of their ambition, which, like the grave, relentlessly seeks to absorb everything into itself without ever reaching a point of fullness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine,"**: This opening clause points to the oppressor's moral depravity and lack of self-control. "Transgresseth" (Hebrew: _bâgad_) implies treachery, deceit, or unfaithfulness, suggesting that their actions are not merely accidental but stem from a deep-seated moral corruption. "By wine" can signify literal drunkenness leading to reckless behavior, or metaphorically, a state of spiritual intoxication with power and conquest, blurring moral boundaries and leading to unrestrained actions.
* **"[he is] a proud man, neither keepeth at home,"**: This phrase further defines the oppressor's character. He is "a proud man," driven by arrogance and self-exaltation. The inability to "keep at home" (Hebrew: _nâvâh_, to rest or dwell securely) highlights their restless, unstable, and aggressive nature. They are perpetually on the move, unable to find peace or contentment within their own borders, constantly seeking to expand their dominion.
* **"who enlargeth his desire as hell, and [is] as death, and cannot be satisfied,"**: This is the core of the oppressor's indictment. Their "desire" (appetite, ambition) is boundless, likened to "hell" (Sheol) and "death," both of which are never full and continually consume. This powerful simile emphasizes the insatiable nature of their greed and ambition. No amount of conquest or accumulation can bring them satisfaction, leading to a perpetual cycle of grasping for more.
* **"but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:"**: This final clause describes the practical outcome of their insatiable desire. Driven by their boundless ambition, they relentlessly conquer and exploit other nations and peoples, accumulating them as spoils of war. "Gathereth" (Hebrew: _ʼâçaph_, to gather, take away) and "heapeth" (Hebrew: _qâbats_, to collect, assemble) vividly depict the systematic subjugation and exploitation of humanity for their own selfish ends.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 2:5 is rich in **Simile** and **Metaphor**, particularly in its depiction of the oppressor's insatiable desire. The comparison of the oppressor's ambition to "hell" (Sheol) and "death" functions as a powerful **Simile**, emphasizing the bottomless, consuming, and destructive nature of their greed. Both Sheol and death are personified as entities that are never satisfied, continually devouring. This also borders on **Hyperbole**, as it exaggerates the extent of their appetite to an almost cosmic scale, conveying the truly boundless nature of their destructive ambition. The phrase "transgresseth by wine" can be seen as a **Metaphor** for moral dissolution and a loss of self-control, suggesting that their wickedness is fueled by a kind of spiritual intoxication with power. The entire verse uses vivid, almost visceral imagery to paint a picture of a restless, rapacious, and ultimately self-destructive character.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 2:5 presents a timeless theological truth about the destructive nature of unchecked human pride and insatiable greed. It reveals that such characteristics are not merely moral failings but are fundamentally antithetical to God's order and will inevitably lead to divine judgment. The oppressor's restless spirit and boundless appetite stand in stark contrast to the divine call for contentment and trust in God, foreshadowing the ultimate futility of seeking satisfaction in worldly accumulation. This divine judgment against the proud and rapacious is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, assuring believers that God is sovereign over all nations and will ultimately bring justice to the oppressed.

* [Proverbs 27:20](/proverbs/27-20 "Proverbs 27:20 - Sheol and Abaddon Never Satisfied"): "Sheol and Abaddon are never full, and the eyes of man are never satisfied."
* [Isaiah 5:8](/isaiah/5-8 "Isaiah 5:8 - Woe to those who join house to house"): "Woe unto them that join house to house, that lay field to field, till there be no place, that they may be placed alone in the midst of the earth!"
* [James 4:1-2](/james/4-1-2 "James 4:1-2 - Desires that battle within you"): "From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 2:5 offers a profound mirror for self-examination and a warning for contemporary society. The "proud man" who "cannot be satisfied" and relentlessly "gathereth unto him all nations" serves as an archetype not only for oppressive empires but also for individuals and cultures driven by consumerism, materialism, and unbridled ambition. This verse challenges us to consider where we seek our satisfaction. Is it in the endless accumulation of wealth, power, or possessions, which, like Sheol, can never be truly filled? Or is it in the spiritual contentment found in a relationship with God, as the following verse suggests, where "the just shall live by his faith"? True peace and stability are not found in outward expansion or self-exaltation, but in humility, self-control, and a spirit of generosity. The restless pursuit of "more" ultimately leads to emptiness and destruction, while a life rooted in faith and gratitude cultivates genuine well-being and allows us to be a blessing to others rather than a burden.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I exhibit an "insatiable desire" that, like "hell," can never be truly satisfied?**
* **How might pride and a lack of self-control contribute to my own restlessness or inability to "keep at home" spiritually or emotionally?**
* **What are the "nations" or "peoples" that I might be subtly "gathering" or "heaping" unto myself, rather than serving or releasing?**
* **How does the principle of "the just shall live by his faith" (Habakkuk 2:4) provide an antidote to the destructive character described in Habakkuk 2:5?**

### FAQ
**What does "transgresseth by wine" mean in this context?**

Answer: The phrase "transgresseth by wine" (KJV) or "treacherous by wine" (ESV) suggests a moral corruption and lack of self-control that is exacerbated or revealed by indulgence. It can imply literal drunkenness leading to reckless and deceitful behavior, but more broadly, it functions as a metaphor for being intoxicated by power, success, or worldly desires. This spiritual "drunkenness" leads the oppressor to act without restraint, to disregard moral boundaries, and to engage in treacherous dealings, ultimately fueling their insatiable ambition and exploitation of others. It highlights a fundamental instability and moral decay at the heart of their character, preventing them from finding true peace or "keeping at home" (finding contentment).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk 2:5, in its vivid portrayal of the proud, restless, and insatiably greedy oppressor, stands in stark contrast to the character and mission of Jesus Christ. While the oppressor "enlargeth his desire as hell" and "cannot be satisfied," Christ perfectly embodied humility and self-giving. He did not come to "gather unto him all nations" through conquest and exploitation, but to [gather them through sacrificial love](/john/12-32 "John 12:32 - And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself"). Unlike the proud man who "neither keepeth at home" in restless ambition, Jesus, though [He had nowhere to lay His head](/luke/9-58 "Luke 9:58 - The Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head"), found His perfect rest and satisfaction in fulfilling the Father's will (John 4:34). The "wine" that leads to transgression for the oppressor is transformed in Christ into the [wine of the New Covenant](/mark/14-24 "Mark 14:24 - This is my blood of the covenant"), symbolizing His blood poured out for the forgiveness of sins, an act of ultimate self-emptying rather than self-aggrandizement. The insatiable desire for power and accumulation, which brings death and destruction, is countered by Christ's call to [seek first the kingdom of God](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek first the kingdom of God"), promising true satisfaction and life in Him, the [Bread of Life](/john/6-35 "John 6:35 - I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger"). Thus, Christ is the ultimate antithesis and fulfillment, offering the only true satisfaction and rest that the proud and restless heart of humanity desperately seeks but can never find in worldly pursuits.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 5:11

Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, [that] they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, [till] wine inflame them!

Isaiah 5:12

And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the LORD, neither consider the operation of his hands.

Proverbs 27:20

¶ Hell and destruction are never full; so the eyes of man are never satisfied.

Proverbs 20:1

¶ Wine [is] a mocker, strong drink [is] raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

Proverbs 31:4

[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

Proverbs 31:5

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Isaiah 2:17

And the loftiness of man shall be bowed down, and the haughtiness of men shall be made low: and the LORD alone shall be exalted in that day.