ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Habakkuk 2

2:2–20 God’s Response. The Lord assures Habakkuk that he will punish all the wicked, at the right time.

Hab. 2:2 Write the vision. This message from God was to be recorded as a permanent witness, since it would not be quickly fulfilled. So he may run who reads it may refer to a messenger reporting the vision throughout the nation. Or it may refer to those who hear the message and flee the coming judgment.

Hab. 2:3 the vision awaits its appointed time. God’s timing for the fulfillment of the message will be perfect. wait for it. While Judah’s judgment will begin quite soon (586 b.c.), God’s punishment of the Babylonians will not happen until 539.

Hab. 2:4 his soul. The singular form refers to the Babylonian nation as a whole, but with a primary reference to the king. A proud person relies on himself, whereas a righteous person relies on God. The phrase but the righteous shall live by his faith is quoted in the NT to emphasize that people are saved by grace through faith (Rom. 1:17; Gal. 3:11; compare Eph. 2:8). It is also quoted to show that Christians should live by faith (Heb. 10:38–39). The kind of faith that Habakkuk describes, and that the NT authors affirm, is a continuing trust in God and his promises, even in the darkest days.

Hab. 2:5 His greed is as wide as Sheol. Sometimes in the OT, Sheol is the place of the dead where everyone went, yet which never filled up (see Prov. 30:15–16).

Hab. 2:6–20 This taunt against the Babylonians consists of five “woe oracles” (vv. 6, 9, 12, 15, 19). They show why Babylon deserves its coming punishment (compare Isa. 5:8–23).

Hab. 2:6 all these. That is, all the nations that Babylon has destroyed (see Isa. 14:9–11). Woe. Trouble. The Babylonians are condemned for their excessive greed in conquering other nations.

Hab. 2:7 debtors. The loot that the Babylonians have taken from other nations is actually only “on loan” to them until a stronger nation claims it.

Hab. 2:8 blood of man. God will someday hold the Babylonians accountable for bloodshed (see 1:17; Gen. 9:6).

Hab. 2:9 Woe. Babylon is condemned for collecting stolen goods and relying on wealth for protection. set his nest on high. Like the eagle that builds its nest in unreachable spots, the Babylonians tried to build a city inaccessible to their enemies (see Isa. 14:4–15; compare Obad. 3–4).

Hab. 2:11 stone will cry out. The stones were taken from other nations’ buildings or purchased with stolen goods. They will testify against Babylon.

Hab. 2:12 Woe. Babylon is condemned for its violence and injustice.

Hab. 2:13 Lord of hosts. Yahweh is the commander of the heavenly armies, all of which do his will; see note on Amos 3:13. peoples labor merely for fire. God controls man’s future and will punish injustice. Babylon’s cities will ultimately be destroyed or given to others.

Hab. 2:14 The glory of the Lord is his special presence with his people. The glory “filled” the tabernacle and temple (Ex. 40:34–35; 1 Kings 8:11). Several texts look forward to a day when God’s glory fills the whole earth (Num. 14:21; Ps. 72:19; Isa. 6:3, esv footnote).

Hab. 2:15 Woe. Babylon is condemned for violence against its neighbors. gaze at their nakedness. That is, strip their land bare to dishonor them (compare Gen. 9:20–22).

Hab. 2:16 shame. Babylon will experience the same shame it inflicted on others (see note on v. 15). cup. A symbol of divine punishment on Babylon (see Isa. 51:17, 22; Jer. 25:15–17; Rev. 14:10).

Hab. 2:17 violence done to Lebanon. Babylon used the famed cedars of Lebanon for its massive building projects (see Isa. 14:8).

Hab. 2:18 Idols are worthless and lifeless objects unworthy of the faith placed in them (compare Jer. 10:14–15). Teacher of lies highlights the deceptive nature of idols.

Hab. 2:19 overlaid with gold and silver. Idols were often highly decorated in an effort to enhance their prestige.

Hab. 2:20 But the Lord. There is a great contrast between silent, lifeless idols and the awesome living God. He alone deserves the honor too often given to worthless idols.