Habakkuk 2:9 — Meaning and Application

King James Version

“Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! {coveteth...: or, gaineth and evil gain} {power...: Heb. palm of the hand}”

Habakkuk 2:9

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Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:

Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and {for} the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein. {blood: Heb. bloods}

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! {coveteth...: or, gaineth and evil gain} {power...: Heb. palm of the hand}

Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned {against} thy soul.

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. {beam: or, piece, or, fastening} {answer it: or, witness against it}

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Habakkuk 2:1

"I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved. {tower: Heb. fenced place} {unto me: or, in me} {when...: or, when I am argued with: Heb. upon my reproof, or, arguing}"

Habakkuk 2:2

"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make {it} plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it."

Habakkuk 2:3

"For the vision {is} yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry."

Habakkuk 2:4

"Behold, his soul {which} is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith."

Habakkuk 2:5

"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: {Yea...: or, How much more}"

Habakkuk 2:6

"Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth {that which is} not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay! {Woe...: or, Ho, he}"

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