Habakkuk 2:9

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!

Woe {H1945} to him that coveteth {H1214} an evil {H7451} covetousness {H1215} to his house {H1004}, that he may set {H7760} his nest {H7064} on high {H4791}, that he may be delivered {H5337} from the power {H3709} of evil {H7451}!

"'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.

Woe to him who builds his house by unjust gain, to place his nest on high and escape the hand of disaster!

Woe to him that getteth an evil gain for his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the hand of evil!

Habakkuk 2:9 is part of a series of "woes" pronounced by God through the prophet Habakkuk, primarily directed at the oppressive Babylonian (Chaldean) empire, but serving as timeless warnings against specific sins. This particular woe targets the sin of covetousness and the false sense of security it breeds.

Context

The prophet Habakkuk grappled with God's justice, questioning why the wicked Babylonians were allowed to oppress Judah. God's response in chapter 2 outlines that while He uses nations for His purposes, He will ultimately bring judgment upon those who commit injustice and live by sinful principles. Verses 6-20 list five "woes" against the Chaldeans, highlighting their pride, injustice, violence, and idolatry. Verse 9 specifically addresses their insatiable desire for wealth gained through oppressive means and their misguided belief that such riches provide ultimate protection.

Key Themes

  • Unjust Gain and Greed: The phrase "coveteth an evil covetousness" emphasizes a deep-seated, wicked desire for illicit wealth. It speaks to the accumulation of possessions and power through dishonest or violent means, rather than honest labor. This is a recurring theme in prophetic literature, warning against the dangers of oppression for selfish gain.
  • False Security: The imagery of setting "his nest on high" evokes a bird building its nest in an inaccessible place, symbolizing a perceived invulnerability and self-sufficiency derived from accumulated wealth. The wicked believe their riches and power will "deliver them from the power of evil," suggesting an attempt to escape consequences, divine judgment, or even death itself through their own means.
  • Divine Judgment: Despite the perceived security, the "woe" declaration signifies that such ill-gotten gains and the false sense of safety they provide will ultimately lead to God's certain judgment. No human stronghold can withstand God's justice, a truth echoed in Proverbs 11:4.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "coveteth" here is bāṣaʿ (בָּצַע), which carries the connotation of "cutting off," "making dishonest gain," or "profiting by violence." It's stronger than mere longing; it implies an aggressive, unjust acquisition. The repetition of the root in "evil covetousness" (beṣaʿ rāʿ) intensifies the condemnation, highlighting the inherently corrupt nature of this desire and its outcomes. The imagery of "setting his nest on high" (lāśûm qinnô bammārôm) vividly portrays the attempt to establish an impregnable fortress of security through ill-gotten gains.

Practical Application

Habakkuk 2:9 serves as a timeless warning against the allure of wealth acquired through unethical means and the deceptive promise of security it offers. In any age, individuals and nations can fall prey to greed, seeking to insulate themselves from life's troubles or accountability through material possessions or power. This verse reminds us that true security comes not from accumulated riches or human strength, but from God alone. It calls believers to examine their motives for seeking wealth and to trust in divine providence rather than relying on the fleeting protection of earthly treasures, as Jesus taught in Matthew 6:19-21.

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 49:16

    Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, [and] the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.

  • Jeremiah 22:13

    Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong; [that] useth his neighbour's service without wages, and giveth him not for his work;

  • Jeremiah 22:19

    He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem.

  • Genesis 13:10

    ¶ And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it [was] well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, [even] as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.

  • Genesis 13:13

    But the men of Sodom [were] wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.

  • Deuteronomy 7:25

    The graven images of their gods shall ye burn with fire: thou shalt not desire the silver or gold [that is] on them, nor take [it] unto thee, lest thou be snared therein: for it [is] an abomination to the LORD thy God.

  • Deuteronomy 7:26

    Neither shalt thou bring an abomination into thine house, lest thou be a cursed thing like it: [but] thou shalt utterly detest it, and thou shalt utterly abhor it; for it [is] a cursed thing.

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