(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
(12-14) “Woe on the extension of Babylon by oppression and enforced labour. read more
(14) With the knowledge.—Better, as concerns the knowledge. See the same promise in Isaiah 11:9. It is here introduced in contrast to the short-lived glory of Babylon. The enslaved nations raised the Babylonian palaces only for the fire to destroy them. But Jehovah’s glory shall be made known all the world over, and shall not be effaced. 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
2:14 For the earth shall {l} be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.(l) In the destruction of the Babylonians his glory will appear through all the world. 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
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:1-20
Faith Triumphant1-4. The view from the watchtower.1. The prophet climbs his tower, for he must reach a vantage point, if he is to contemplate with real understanding and insight the confusion about his feet, i.e. occasioned by Chaldean aggressiveness and indifference to right. The tower is not, of course, a literal tower—some high and lonely place to which the prophet may retire; it simply suggests the inner light of revelation, by the aid of which he contemplates the perplexing situation. The... read more