Habakkuk 2:5

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 2:5-14

The prophet having had orders to write the vision, and the people to wait for the accomplishment of it, the vision itself follows; and it is, as divers other prophecies we have met with, the burden of Babylon and Babylon's king, the same that was said to pass over and offend, Hab. 1:11. It reads the doom, some think, of Nebuchadnezzar, who was principally active in the destruction of Jerusalem, or of that monarchy, or of the whole kingdom of the Chaldeans, or of all such proud and oppressive... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 2:5

Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine ,.... Or rather, "how much less" or "more F15 ואף כי "quanto magis", Calvin, Drusius, Tarnovius, Cocceius, Van Till, Burkius. , wine dealing treacherously": or "a man of wine", as Aben Ezra supplies it; that is, a winebibber, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it: and the sense in connection with the preceding verse Habakkuk 2:4 is, if a Jew, elated with his works of righteousness, his soul is not right in him, "how much less" a drunken,... 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:5

Verse 5 The Prophet has taught us that a tranquil state of mind cannot be otherwise had than by recumbing on the grace of God alone; and that they who elate themselves, and fly in the air, and feed on the wind, procure for themselves many sorrows and inquietudes. But he now comes to the king of Babylon, and also to his kingdom; for in my judgement he speaks not only of the king, but includes also that tyrannical empire with its people, and represents them as a great company of robbers. He then... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:5

§ 7. The character of the Chaldeans in some particulars is intimated. The general proposition in the former hemistich of Habakkuk 2:4 is here applied to the Chaldeans, in striking contrast to the lot of the just in the latter clause. Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine. This should be, And moreover, wine is treacherous. A kind of proverbial saying ( Proverbs 20:1 ). Vulgate, Quomodo vinum potantem decipit. There is no word expressive of comparison in the original, though it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:5

Moral wrong: some of its national phases. "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." No doubt Habakkuk was reviled like the other prophets on account of his terrible predictions, as recorded in the preceding chapter (verses 6 and 11). From this verse to the nineteenth the prophet unfolds new visions... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 2:5

This general rule the prophet goes on to apply in words which belong in part to all oppressors and in the first instance to the Chaldaean, in part yet more fully to the end and to antichrist. “Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine” (or better, “Yea, how much more, since wine is a deceiver , as Solomon says, Proverbs 20:1, “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever erreth thereby shall not be wise;” and Proverbs 23:32, “In the end it biteth like a serpent and pierceth like an... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Habakkuk 2:5

Habakkuk 2:5. Yea also, because he Namely, the king of Babylon; transgresseth by wine Hereby Belshazzar, his city and kingdom, fell a prey to Darius and Cyrus. He is a proud man Insolent in his behaviour toward all, whether subjects, strangers, or conquered enemies; such pride shall have a fall. Neither keepeth at home Is always abroad, warring upon some nation or other. The sense, some think, would be plainer, if the words were thus translated: Moreover, like a man transgressing... 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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