Habakkuk 2:8

Habakkuk 2:8 justifies the destruction of the Chaldeans, which is only just retribution for the cruelties perpetrated by them.

All the remnant of the people A threefold interpretation is possible: (1) those of the subdued nations who have survived the oppression and slaughter; (2) the nations with the exception of the Chaldeans, with no reference to any previous contact with the latter (in this case the translation “rest” would be preferable to “remnant”); (3) the nations that were able to withstand the Chaldeans, in distinction from those that were conquered. The first is to be preferred. The oppressed nations will rise and throw off the yoke.

Men’s blood The blood wantonly shed in the pursuit of a policy of conquest.

Violence See Habakkuk 1:9.

Land The reference is not to the land of Israel alone, but to the lands of all the nations that have suffered; hence, “land” must be understood in a collective sense, or the translation might be changed to “earth”; the whole earth has experienced their violence (Jeremiah 50:23; Jeremiah 51:7; Jeremiah 51:25).

City This cannot be restricted to Jerusalem or to any other particular city; it also is to be understood collectively. As the Chaldeans have spoiled others, so they will be spoiled in turn.