Habakkuk 2:1-8 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

I will stand upon my watch - The prophets are always represented as watchmen, watching constantly for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the people; and watching also to receive information from the Lord: for the prophetic influence was not always with them, but was granted only at particular times, according to the will of God. When, in doubtful cases, they wished to know what God was about to do with the country, they retired from society and gave themselves to meditation and prayer,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:2

Write the vision - Carefully take down all that I shall say. Make it plain upon tables - Write it in a full plain, legible hand. That he may run that readeth it - That he who attentively peruses it may speed to save his life from the irruption of the Chaldeans, by which so many shall be cut off. The prophet does not mean that the words are to be made so plain, that a man running by may easily read them, and catch their meaning. This interpretation has been frequently given; and it... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:3

The vision is yet for an appointed time - The Chaldeans, who are to ruin Judea, shall afterwards be ruined themselves: but they must do this work before they receive their wages; therefore the vision is for an appointed time. But at the end it shall speak. When his work of devastation is done, his day of retribution shall take place. Though it tarry - Though it appear to be long, do not be impatient; it will surely come; it will not tarry longer than the prescribed time, and this time is... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up - He that presumes on his safety without any special warrant from God, is a proud man; and whatever he may profess, or think of himself, his mind is not upright in him. But he that is just by faith shall live - he that believes what God hath said relative to the Chaldeans besieging Jerusalem, shall make his escape from the place, and consequently shall save his life. The words in the New Testament are accommodated to the salvation which believers in Christ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:5

Because he transgresseth by wine - From the present translation, it is not easy to see either reason or meaning in the first clause of this verse. Newcome translates, "Moreover, as a mighty man transgresseth through wine, he is proud, and remaineth not at rest." Houbigant thus: "For he, though he be a despiser, and powerful, and proud, yet shall he not have rest." Nebuchadnezzar is here represented in his usual character, proud, haughty, and ambitious; inebriated with his successes, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:6

Shall not all these take up a parable against him - His ambition, derangement, and the final destruction of his mighty empire by the Persians, shall form the foundation of many sententious sayings among the people. "He who towered so high, behold how low he is fallen!" "He made himself a god; behold, he herds with the beasts of the field!" "The disturber of the peace of the world is now a handful of dust!" read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:7

Shall they not rise up suddenly - Does not this refer to the sudden and unexpected taking of Babylon by Cyrus, whose troops entered into the city through the bed of the Euphrates, whose waters they had diverted by another channel; so that the Babylonians knew nothing of the matter till they saw the Persian soldiers rise up as in a moment, in the very heart of their city? read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:8

For the violence of the land - Or, for the violence done to the land of Judea, and to the city of Jerusalem. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

Verse 1 We have seen in the first chapter Habakkuk 1:2 that the Prophet said in the name of all the faithful. It was indeed a hard struggle, when all things were in a perplexed state and no outlet appeared. The faithful might have thought that all things happened by chance, that there was no divine providence; and even the Prophet uttered complaints of this kind. He now begins to recover himself from his perplexities; and he ever speaks in the person of the godly, or of the whole Church. For... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:2

Verse 2 The Prophet now shows by his own example that there is no fear but that God will give help in time, provided we bring our minds to a state of spiritual tranquillity, and constantly look up to him: for the event which the Prophet relates, proves that there is no danger that God will frustrate their hope and patience, who lift up their minds to heaven, and continue steadily in that attitude. Answer me, he says, did Jehovah, and said. There is no doubt but that the Prophet accommodates... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:5

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:6

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:8

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:2

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