What does Habakkuk 2:5-8 mean?
"Habakkuk 2:5-8 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: 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." - Habakkuk 2:5-8
In the book of Habakkuk in the Bible, chapter 2 verse 5-8 in the King James Version reads: "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: 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! Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? 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."
This passage from the book of Habakkuk is a message of judgment against those who are proud, greedy, and unjust. It is an indictment against someone who has built their wealth and power through oppression and exploitation.
The passage opens with a condemnation of the proud man who transgresses by wine. This can be interpreted as a metaphor for indulgence and excess. The proud man is portrayed as someone who is never satisfied, constantly enlarging his desires and seeking to accumulate more wealth, power, and influence. This insatiable greed is likened to hell and death, emphasizing the destructive nature of his actions.
The passage goes on to condemn the proud man for gathering unto himself all nations and people, likely through conquest and exploitation. This reflects a theme of imperialistic ambition and the abuse of power. The language used here conveys a sense of inevitability and judgment, as it is prophesied that all those who have been oppressed and exploited will rise up against him.
The passage then warns the proud man of the consequences of his actions. It speaks of those who will taunt and criticize him, pointing out the injustice of his ways. It warns of sudden retribution and the loss of all that has been gained through exploitation. The use of the metaphor of being "for booties unto them" paints a vivid picture of the proud man being stripped of his ill-gotten gains.
The passage concludes by attributing the downfall of the proud man to the spoiling of many nations and the violence and bloodshed that have been perpetrated. This emphasizes the theme of justice and retribution for those who have been oppressed and victimized. It serves as a warning against the consequences of arrogance, greed, and exploitation.
Overall, this passage from the book of Habakkuk serves as a powerful condemnation of pride, greed, and injustice. It speaks to the consequences of such behavior and warns of the inevitable retribution that will come. It also highlights the theme of justice and the eventual downfall of those who oppress and exploit others. This passage continues to resonate as a timeless and relevant commentary on the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of moral integrity and justice.
Have questions about Habakkuk 2:5-8?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Habakkuk 2:5-8 Artwork
Habakkuk 2:5-8 - "Indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. “Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’ Will not your creditors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their prey. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed human blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them."
"Indeed, wine betrays him; he is arrogant and never at rest. Because he is as greedy as the grave and like death is never satisfied, he gathers to himself all the nations and takes captive all the peoples. “Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, ‘Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?’ Will not your creditors suddenly arise? Will they not wake up and make you tremble? Then you will become their prey. Because you have plundered many nations, the peoples who are left will plunder you. For you have shed human blood; you have destroyed lands and cities and everyone in them." - Habakkuk 2:5-8
Habakkuk 2:8 - "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."
Habakkuk 2:1-3
Habakkuk 3:5 - "Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet."
Habakkuk 2:5 - "¶ 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:"
Habakkuk 2:12 - "¶ Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!"
Habakkuk 2:14 - "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea."
Habakkuk 2:11 - "For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it."
Habakkuk 1:1 - "The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see."
Habakkuk 1:5 - "¶ Behold ye among the heathen, and regard, and wonder marvellously: for I will work a work in your days, which ye will not believe, though it be told you."
Habakkuk 2:2 - "And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."
Habakkuk 2:20 - "But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him."
Habakkuk 3:1 - "A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth."
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?"
Habakkuk 2:3 - "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."
Habakkuk 3:8 - "Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?"
Habakkuk 2:4 - "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."
"The burden which Habakkuk the prophet did see." - Habakkuk 1:1
Habakkuk 2:7 - "Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?"
Habakkuk 1:8 - "Their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves: and their horsemen shall spread themselves, and their horsemen shall come from far; they shall fly as the eagle that hasteth to eat."
habakkuk 2:5 “Indeed, because he transgresses by wine, He is a proud man, And he does not stay at home. Because he enlarges his desire as hell, And he is like death, and cannot be satisfied, He gathers to himself all nations And heaps up for himself all peoples.
"Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet." - Habakkuk 3:5
Habakkuk 2:10 - "Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul."
"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth." - Habakkuk 3:1
"A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth." - Habakkuk 3:1
Habakkuk 2:15 - "¶ 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!"
"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." - Habakkuk 2:8
"For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea." - Habakkuk 2:14
"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." - Habakkuk 2:1