Habakkuk 2
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
I will stand upon my watch - The prophets are always represented as watchmen, watching constantly for the comfort, safety, and welfare of the people; and watching also to receive information from the Lord: for the prophetic influence was not always with them, but was granted only at particular times, according to the will of God. When, in doubtful cases, they wished to know what God was about to do with the country, they retired from society and gave themselves to meditation and prayer, waiting thus upon God to hear what he would say In them. What he will say unto me - בי bi, In me - in my understanding and heart. And what I shall answer when I am reproved - What I shall say to God in behalf of the people; and what the Lord shall command me to say to the people. Some translate, "And what he will answer for my conviction." Or, "what shall be answered to my pleading."
Open source ↗THE PROPHET, WAITING EARNESTLY FOR AN ANSWER TO HIS COMPLAINTS (FIRST CHAPTER), RECEIVES A REVELATION, WHICH IS TO BE FULFILLED, NOT IMMEDIATELY, YET IN DUE TIME, AND IS THEREFORE TO BE WAITED FOR IN FAITH: THE CHALDEANS SHALL BE PUNISHED FOR THEIR CRUEL RAPACITY, NOR CAN THEIR FALSE GODS AVERT THE JUDGMENT OF JEHOVAH, THE ONLY TRUE GOD. (Hab. 2:1-20) stand upon . . . watch--that is, watch-post. The prophets often compare themselves, awaiting the revelations of Jehovah with earnest patience, to watchmen on an eminence watching with intent eye all that comes within their view (Isa 21:8, Isa 21:11; Jer 6:17; Eze 3:17; Eze 33:2-3; compare Psa 5:3; Psa 85:8). The "watch-post" is the withdrawal of the whole soul from earthly, and fixing it on heavenly, things. The accumulation of synonyms, "stand open . . . watch . . . set me upon . . . tower . . . watch to see" implies persevering fixity of attention. what he will say unto me--in answer to my complaints (Hab 1:13). Literally, "in me," God speaking, not to the prophet's outward ear, but inwardly. When we have prayed to God, we must observe what answers God gives by His word, His Spirit, and His providences. what I shall answer when I am reproved--what answer I am to make to the reproof which I anticipate from God on account of the liberty of my expostulation with Him. MAURER translates, "What I am to answer in respect to my complaint against Jehovah" (Hab 1:12-17).
Open source ↗I will stand upon my watch,.... These are the words of the prophet: so the Targum introduces them, "the prophet said;'' and this he said in character as a watchman, as all the prophets were: as a watchman takes the proper place he watches in and looks out, especially in time of danger and distress, if he can spy anyone bringing tidings, that he may receive it, and notify it to the people that have appointed him a watchman; so the prophet retired from the world, and gave himself up to meditation and prayer, and put himself in a waiting posture; looking up to the Lord, and expecting an answer to his expostulations with him, concerning the success of the enemies of God's people, and the calamities that were like to come upon them, that he might report it to them; see Isa 21:8, and set me upon the tower; a place of eminence, from which he could behold an object at a distance: it signifies a strait place, in which he was as one besieged; and may be an emblem of the straits and difficulties he was in, which he wanted to be extricated out of: the thoughts of his heart troubled him; he had a great many objections that rose up in his mind against the providences that were like to attend his people; he was beset with the temptations of Satan, and surrounded with objectors to what he had delivered, concerning the Chaldeans being raised up by God to the destruction of the Jewish nation; and, amidst these difficulties, he sets himself to reading the word of God, and meditation on it, to pray to God for instruction and information in this matter; as Asaph, in a like case, went into the sanctuary of the Lord, where he got satisfaction, Psa 73:2 as well as it may be expressive of the confidence he had in God, in his covenant and promises, which were as a fortress and strong tower to hi…
Open source ↗Hab 2:1-3 form the introduction to the word of God, which the prophet receives in reply to his cry of lamentation addressed to the Lord in Hab 1:12-17. Hab 2:1. "I will stand upon my watchtower, and station myself upon the fortress, and will watch to see what He will say in me, and what I answer to my complaint. Hab 2:2. Then Jehovah answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run who reads it. Hab 2:3. For the vision is yet fore the appointed end, and strives after the end, and does not lie: if it tarry, wait for it; for it will come, it does not fail." Hab 2:1 contains the prophet's conversation with himself. After he has poured out his trouble at the judgment announced, in a lamentation to the Lord (Hab 1:12-17), he encourages himself - after a pause, which we have to imagine after Hab 1:17 - to wait for the answer from God. He resolves to place himself upon his observatory, and look out for the revelation which the Lord will give to his questions. Mishmereth, a place of waiting or observing; mâtsōr, a fortress, i.e., a watch-tower or spying-tower. Standing upon the watch, and stationing himself upon the fortification, are not to be understood as something external, as Hitzig supposes, implying that the prophet went up to a steep and lofty place, or to an actual tower, that he might be far away from the noise and bustle of men, and there turn his eyes towards heaven, and direct his collected mind towards God, to look out for a revelation. For nothing is known of any such custom as this, since the cases mentioned in Exo 33:21 and Kg1 19:11, as extraordinary preparations for God to reveal Himself, are of a totally different kind from this; and the fact that Balaam the soothsayer went up to the top of a bare height, to look…
Open source ↗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 watch to see what he will say in me" (so it may be read), "what the Spirit of prophecy in me will dictate to me, by way of answer to my complaints." Even in a ordinary way, God not only speaks to us by his word, but speaks in us by our own consciences, whispering to us, This is the way, walk in it; and we must attend to the voice of God in both. The prophet's standing upon his tower, or high place, intimates his prudence, in making use of the helps and means he had within his reach to know the mind of God, and to be instructed concerning it. Those that expect to hear from God must withdraw from the world, and get above it, must raise their attention, fix their thought, study the scriptures, consult experiences and the experienced, continue instant in prayer, and thus set themselves upon the tower. His standing upon his watch intimates his patience, his constancy and resolution; he will wait the time, and weather the point, as a watchman does, but he will have an answer; he will know what God will say to him, not only for his own satisfaction, but to enable him as a prophet to give satisfaction to others, and answer their exceptions, when he is reproved or argued with. Herein the prophet is an example to us. 1. When we are tossed and perplexed with doubts concerning the methods of P…
Open source ↗2:1 I will . . . stand at my guardpost: Like a sentinel on duty (see also 2 Sam 18:24-28; 2 Kgs 9:17-20; Ezek 33:2-6), Habakkuk waited expectantly to see how God would answer his complaint, even if that meant being reproved by the Lord.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
עָמַד (ʻâmad, H5975) — to stand, in various relations (literal and figurative, intransitive and transitive) מִשְׁמֶרֶת (mishmereth, H4931) — watch, i.e. the act (custody), or (concretely) the sentry, the post; objectively… יָצַב (yâtsab, H3320) — to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue מָצוֹר (mâtsôwr, H4692) — something hemming in, i.e. (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege,… צָפָה (tsâphâh, H6822) — properly, to lean forward, i.e. to peer into the distance; by implication, to observe,… רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… שׁוּב (shûwb, H7725) — to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not… תּוֹכֵחָה (tôwkêchâh, H8433) — chastisement; figuratively (by words) correction, refutation, proof (even in defence)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) חָזוֹן (châzôwn, H2377) — a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle בָּאַר (bâʼar, H874) — to dig; by analogy, to engrave; figuratively, to explain לוּחַ (lûwach, H3871) — probably meaning to glisten; a tablet (as polished), of stone, wood or metal רוּץ (rûwts, H7323) — to run (for whatever reason, especially to rush) קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of…
Open source ↗חָזוֹן (châzôwn, H2377) — a sight (mentally), i.e. a dream, revelation, or oracle מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after פּוּחַ (pûwach, H6315) — to puff, i.e. blow with the breath or air; hence, to fan (as a breeze), to utter, to… כָּזַב (kâzab, H3576) — to lie (i.e. deceive), literally or figuratively מָהַהּ (mâhahh, H4102) — properly, to question or hesitate, i.e. (by implication) to be reluctant חָכָה (châkâh, H2442) — properly, to adhere to; hence, to await בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) אָחַר (ʼâchar, H309) — to loiter (i.e. be behind); by implication to procrastinate
Open source ↗נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… עָפַל (ʻâphal, H6075) — to swell; figuratively, be elated יָשַׁר (yâshar, H3474) — to be straight or even; figuratively, to be (causatively, to make) right, pleasant,… צַדִּיק (tsaddîyq, H6662) — just חָיָה (châyâh, H2421) — to live, whether literally or figuratively; causatively, to revive אֱמוּנָה (ʼĕmûwnâh, H530) — literally firmness; figuratively security; morally fidelity
Open source ↗בָּגַד (bâgad, H898) — to cover (with a garment); figuratively, to act covertly; by implication, to pillage יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication יָהִיר (yâhîyr, H3093) — elated; hence, arrogant גֶּבֶר (geber, H1397) — properly, a valiant man or warrior; generally, a person simply נָוָה (nâvâh, H5115) — to rest (as at home); causatively (through the implied idea of beauty ), to celebrate… רָחַב (râchab, H7337) — to broaden (intransitive or transitive, literal or figurative) נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in… שְׁאוֹל (shᵉʼôwl, H7585) — Hades or the world of the dead (as if a subterranean retreat), including its accessories… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… שָׂבַע (sâbaʻ, H7646) — to sate, i.e. fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively) אָסַף (ʼâçaph, H622) — to gather for any purpose; hence, to receive, take away, i.e. remove (destroy, leave… גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… קָבַץ (qâbats, H6908) — to grasp, i.e. collect עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative מָשָׁל (mâshâl, H4912) — properly, a pithy maxim, usually of metaphorical nature; hence, a simile (as an adage,… מְלִיצָה (mᵉlîytsâh, H4426) — an aphorism; also a satire חִידָה (chîydâh, H2420) — a puzzle, hence, a trick, conundrum, sententious maxim אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) כָּבַד (kâbad, H3513) — to be heavy, i.e. in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous,… עַבְטִיט (ʻabṭîyṭ, H5671) — something pledged, i.e. (collectively) pawned goods
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) פֶּתַע (pethaʻ, H6621) — a wink, i.e. moment(used only (with or without preposition) adverbially, quickly or… נָשַׁךְ (nâshak, H5391) — to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan יָקַץ (yâqats, H3364) — to awake (intransitive) זוּעַ (zûwaʻ, H2111) — properly, to shake off, i.e. (figuratively) to agitate (as with fear) מְשִׁסָּה (mᵉshiççâh, H4933) — plunder
Open source ↗שָׁלַל (shâlal, H7997) — to drop or strip; by implication, to plunder רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אָדָם (ʼâdâm, H120) — ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.) דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… חָמָס (châmâç, H2555) — violence; by implication, wrong; by meton. unjust gain אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! בָּצַע (bâtsaʻ, H1214) — figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) בֶּצַע (betsaʻ, H1215) — plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… קֵן (qên, H7064) — a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling מָרוֹם (mârôwm, H4791) — altitude, i.e. concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively… נָצַל (nâtsal, H5337) — to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense כַּף (kaph, H3709) — the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of…
Open source ↗יָעַץ (yâʻats, H3289) — to advise; reflexively, to deliberate or resolve בֹּשֶׁת (bôsheth, H1322) — shame (the feeling and the condition, as well as its cause); by implication… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) קָצָה (qâtsâh, H7096) — to cut off; (figuratively) to destroy; (partially) to scrape off רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… נֶפֶשׁ (nephesh, H5315) — properly, a breathing creature, i.e. animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in…
Open source ↗אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone זָעַק (zâʻaq, H2199) — to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene… קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) כָּפִיס (kâphîyç, H3714) — a girder עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;…
Open source ↗הוֹי (hôwy, H1945) — oh! בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… דָּם (dâm, H1818) — blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice… כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… קִרְיָה (qiryâh, H7151) — building; a city עֶוֶל (ʻevel, H5766) — (moral) evil
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָבָא (tsâbâʼ, H6635) — a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized forwar (an army);… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יָגַע (yâgaʻ, H3021) — properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil דַּי (day, H1767) — enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases אֵשׁ (ʼêsh, H784) — fire (literally or figuratively) לְאֹם (lᵉʼôm, H3816) — a community יָעַף (yâʻaph, H3286) — to tire (as if from wearisome flight) רִיק (rîyq, H7385) — emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain
Open source ↗אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4390) — to fill or (intransitively) be full of, in a wide application (literally and figuratively) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… כָּבוֹד (kâbôwd, H3519) — properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַיִם (mayim, H4325) — water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen כָּסָה (kâçâh, H3680) — properly, to plump, i.e. fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
Then the lookout shouted: “Day after day, my lord, I stand on the watchtower; night after night I stay at my post.
On your walls, O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD shall take no rest for yourselves,
Now David was sitting between the two gates when the watchman went up to the roof of the gateway by the wall, looked out, and saw a man running alone.
I will listen to what God the LORD will say; for He will surely speak peace to His people and His saints; He will not let them return to folly.
In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.
since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.
Righteous are You, O LORD, when I plead before You. Yet about Your judgments I wish to contend with You: Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease?
I would give account of all my steps; I would approach Him like a prince.)—
Now the watchman standing on the tower in Jezreel saw Jehu’s troops approaching, and he called out, “I see a company of troops!” “Choose a rider,” Joram commanded. “Send him out to meet them and ask, ‘Have you come in peace?’”
to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,