(6-20) The destruction of the Chaldæans has hitherto been only implied. It is now plainly foretold in a denunciatory song, put into the mouths of the invader’s victims. In this song there are five strophes, of three verses each, 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-17; 18-20. read more
(7) Bite.—This verb nâshac also means “to oppress with usury,” and this is its force here. Thy turn shall come, and men shall exact usury from thee. Similarly, the verb translated “vex” is, literally, to shake violently, in allusion to a creditor’s forcible seizure of his debtor. (Comp. Matthew 18:28.) The prediction of Habakkuk in these verses was fulfilled by the rise of the Medo-Persian power, and the capture of Babylon by the forces of Cyrus, cir. B.C. 538. read more
The Free-thinker Among the Prophets Habakkuk 2:1 Tradition has much to tell of Habakkuk the Prophet, but history has nothing. He belongs to a class who have made history; he is the kind of man whom God sends to usher in new stages, and launch new epochs of knowledge and action. Look at the spirit of his questioning. I. It was a temper which, with all its daring, was always reverent, and in its utter frankness was completely sincere. This man never rails against God; he is never irreverent,... read more
Habakkuk 2:1-20Habakkuk 2:5-20The dramatic piece Habakkuk 1:2-17; Habakkuk 2:1-4 is succeeded by a series of fine taunt-songs, starting after an introduction from Habakkuk 2:6 b, then Habakkuk 2:9, Habakkuk 2:11, Habakkuk 2:15, and Habakkuk 2:18-19, and each opening with "Woe!" Their subject is, if we take Budde’s interpretation of the dramatic piece, the Assyrian and not the Chaldean tyrant. The text, as we shall see when we come to it, is corrupt. Some words are manifestly wrong, and the... read more
CHAPTER 2 The Ungodliness of the Chaldeans and Their Destruction 1. The waiting prophet and the message he received (Habakkuk 2:1-4 ) 2. The five-fold woe upon the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 2:5-20 ) Habakkuk 2:1-4 . It seems there was no immediate answer to the plea of the prophet. He then speaks to himself and expresses his attitude. “I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and I will wait to see what He will say to me, and what I shall answer as to my complaint.” He watches like... read more
2:7 Shall {g} they not rise suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall oppress thee, and thou shalt be for booty to them?(g) That is, the Medes and persians, that would destroy the Babylonians? read more
HABAKKUK THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH Nothing is known of the personal history of Habakkuk, and little as to the time when he prophesied. He is placed by some successor to Zephaniah, for he makes no mention of Assyria and yet refers to the approach of the Babylonian invasion. See Habakkuk 1:6 ; Habakkuk 2:3 ; Habakkuk 3:2 ; Habakkuk 3:16-19 . The book seems to have been written by himself, as we judge from Habakkuk 1:2 , and Habakkuk 2:1-2 . His “burden” begins by lamenting the iniquity of... read more
On the Look Out Habakkuk 2:0 "I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch" ( Hab 2:1 ). This was the conclusion of asking questions of the most painful and distressing kind. Here then is a lesson for all time. A strong-headed man like Habakkuk, whose very name suggests, etymologically, "strong embrace of God," has his questions; he is puzzled and perplexed by the whole play of things: the tragedy seems to have no beginning, no key, no end. Habakkuk therefore puts... read more
What vision is this? The whole prophecy of Isaiah is called a vision. Isaiah 1:1 . And that we know to have been concerning the Lord Jesus and his gospel. And is not this the same? Was not Jesus sent forth in what is called the fulness of time? Galatians 4:4 . I humbly conceive that this is the meaning of the passage, and that it points to Christ. And under this view the several expressions are easily to be understood. read more
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Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Habakkuk 2:6-8
(6-8) Woe on the reckless rapacity which has spared neither life nor property. read more