Habakkuk 2:7

"Won’t all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, ‘Woe to him who increases that which is not his, and who enriches himself by extortion! How long?’"

Key Reflection

The people of Judah would have understood this verse to speak directly about the corrupt leaders and wealthy individuals who were amassing wealth through unjust means, such as exploitation and oppression of their own citizens. The original audience would likely have seen these words as a prophecy of divine judgment against those who enriched themselves at others' expense, reflecting the social and economic injustices prevalent in Judah during Habakkuk's time.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Shall not they rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee? -The destruction of the wicked is ever sudden at last. Such was the floodLuke 17:26-27, the destruction of Sodom, of Pharaoh, of the enemies of God’s people through the Judges, of Sennacherib, Nineveh, Babylon by the Medes and Persians. Such shall the end beMatthew 24:43-44;Matthew 25:13;Luke 17:26-30;Luke 21:34-35;1Th 5:3;2 Peter 3:10;Revelation 16:15. As he by his oppressions had pierced others (it is the word used of the oppression of usury), so should it be done to him.

Related Verses

More from Habakkuk 2

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