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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1-4

Here, I. The prophet humbly gives his attendance upon God (Hab. 2:1): ?I will stand upon my watch, as a sentinel on the walls of a besieged city, or on the borders of an invaded country, that is very solicitous to gain intelligence. I will look up, will look round, will look within, and watch to see what he will say unto me, will listen attentively to the words of his mouth and carefully observe the steps of his providence, that I may not lose the least hint of instruction or direction. I will... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him ,.... This and the following clause describe two sorts of persons differently affected to the Messiah, and the promise of his coming. Here it points at such as were "incredulous", as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; that disbelieved his coming, and mocked and scoffed at the promise of it; as well as those that did not believe in him when he came, though he had all the characteristics of the Messiah; and damnation was the... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:4

Verse 4 This verse stands connected with the last, for the Prophet means to show that nothing is better than to rely on God’s word, how much soever may various temptations assault our souls. We hence see that nothing new is said here, but that the former doctrine is confirmed—that our salvation is rendered safe and certain through God’s promise alone, and that therefore we ought not to seek any other haven, where we might securely sustain all the onsets of Satan and of the world. But he sets... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:4

§ 6. The great principle is taught that the proud shall not continue, but the just shall live by faith. The prophecy commences with a fundamental thought, applicable to all God's dealings with man. Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; literally, behold, puffed up, his soul is not upright in him. This is a description of an evil character (especially of the Chaldean) in opposition to the character delineated in the following hemistich. One who is proud, presumptuous,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:4

The portraiture of a good man. "Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith." Whether the man whose soul is represented as "lifted up" refers to the unbelieving Jew or to the Babylonian, is an unsettled question amongst biblical critics; and a question of but little practical moment. We take the words as a portraiture of a good man. I. A GOOD MAN IS A HUMBLE MAN . This is implied. His soul is not "lifted up." Pride is not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:4-5

The unjust man and the just: a contrast. I. THEIR CHARACTERS . 1 . The unjust man. 2 . The just man. II. THEIR DESTINIES . 1 . That of the unjust—death. Though not stated, this may be inferred. 2 . That of the just—life. Not necessarily life physical and temporal, because the "justified" die no less than their neighbours ( Hebrews 9:27 ); but read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 2:4

Behold, his soul which is lifted up - literally, swollen Is not upright in him - The construction is probably that of a condition expressed absolutely. Lo, swollen is it, not upright is his soul in him. We should say, “His soul, if it be swollen , puffed up, is not upright in him.” The source of all sin was and is pride. It is especially the sin of all oppressors, of the Chaldee, of antichrists, and shall be of the antichrist. It is the parent of all heresy, and of all corruption and rejection... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 2:4

Habakkuk 2:4 . Behold, his soul which is lifted up That does not humbly adore and acquiesce in the justice and wisdom of the divine dispensations, but contends against them, and provides for his safety in a way of his own devising. The Vulgate renders this clause, Ecce qui incredulus est, non erit recta anima ejus in semetipso, “Behold he who is unbelieving, his soul will not be right in him.” And the version of the LXX. differs still more from our translation, Εαν υποστειληται , ουκ... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 2:1-5

Second complaint and answer (1:12-2:5)Habakkuk replies to God by asking a further question. If Judah is God’s people for ever, and if God is holy, how can he use Babylon to punish Judah when the Babylonians are more wicked than the Judeans (12-13)? It seems to Habakkuk that God has the same standards as the Babylonians. They treat the people of nations as if they were no better than fish in the sea - there to be caught for the fisherman’s enjoyment (14-15). The Babylonians’ power is their god.... read more

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