Habakkuk 2 13

Habakkuk 2:13 kjv

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

Habakkuk 2:13 nkjv

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain?

Habakkuk 2:13 niv

Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people's labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

Habakkuk 2:13 esv

Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing?

Habakkuk 2:13 nlt

Has not the LORD of Heaven's Armies promised
that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes?
They work so hard,
but all in vain!

Habakkuk 2 verses

Habakkuk 2 13 Meaning

Habakkuk 2:13 declares the divine origin of the futility faced by nations that build empires through violence and injustice. It poses a rhetorical question, asserting that it is the Lord of Hosts who orchestrates a judgment whereby human efforts expended on oppression and illicit gain will ultimately result in things consumed by fire or yielding absolutely nothing of lasting value. The immense labor and struggle of oppressors are divinely purposed to end in emptiness and destruction, demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and His justice.

Habakkuk 2 13 Context

Habakkuk 2:13 is part of a series of five pronouncements of "woe" (vv. 6-20) delivered by God through the prophet Habakkuk against the oppressor, primarily understood to be the Babylonian empire. This specific woe, starting in verse 12, targets the oppressor's reliance on violence and injustice to build and expand their empire, epitomized by constructing cities and fortifications "with blood and iniquity." The verse highlights the ultimate futility and destruction awaiting such human efforts, directly challenging the arrogant assumption that material achievements built through unrighteous means can endure or bring lasting security. Historically, Babylon had built vast, magnificent structures through slave labor and conquest, making this pronouncement particularly poignant for the original audience who were experiencing this oppressive power. The chapter as a whole serves to comfort the prophet and the Judahite people by assuring them that God, despite His temporary use of Babylon, would hold the wicked accountable and vindicate His righteous people.

Habakkuk 2 13 Word analysis

• הֲלֹא (halō’): An interrogative particle combined with a negative, functioning as a rhetorical question that anticipates a strong affirmative answer. It means "Is it not...?" or "Surely it is..." – forcefully emphasizing the undeniable divine origin of what follows.
• מֵאֵת (mē’ēṯ): Literally "from" or "from the hand of." It highlights the direct divine source of the described outcome, signifying a deliberate act of God's providence and judgment, not mere chance.
• יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת (YHWH tsĕvā’ōṯ): "The LORD of hosts." This crucial divine title pairs "YHWH" (God's personal, covenant name) with "Tseva'ot" (hosts/armies), underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and power over all spiritual and earthly forces. It assures that the one making this declaration possesses ultimate authority to execute judgment.
• וְיִגְעוּ (wəyiḡʿû): "and they toil," "they labor," or "they wear themselves out." This verb signifies intense, exhaustive effort, emphasizing the considerable energy and resources expended by the nations.
• עַמִּים (ʿammîm): "peoples." Refers to diverse groups, potentially encompassing subject nations forced to labor, or simply the various peoples comprising the empire. It highlights the vast human effort involved.
• בְּדֵי (bəḏê): This prepositional phrase translates to "for," "unto," or "to what is enough for." In this context, it implies building for something destined for fire, or providing fuel for fire. It points to destruction as the ultimate purpose or end of their labor.
• אֵשׁ (ʾēš): "fire." A powerful, recurrent symbol in Scripture for divine judgment, destruction, purification, and wrath. Here, it signifies the consuming end of structures and wealth amassed through injustice.
• וּלְאוּמִּים (wəle’ummîm): "and nations." A parallel term to 'ammim, often implying larger, political entities or realms. Its parallelism with 'ammim emphasizes the broad scope of the futility of such oppressive endeavors.
• יִרְגְּעוּ (yirɡĕʿû): "they weary themselves," "they exhaust themselves." A synonym to the earlier "yiḡʿû," reinforcing the idea of tremendous physical and mental exertion, painting a picture of relentless striving.
• עַיִן ('ayin): "nothing," "naught," "vanity," "emptiness." This word starkly expresses the ultimate worthlessness and ephemerality of the ill-gotten gains and empires built on injustice. All their strenuous effort results in emptiness, without lasting benefit or security.

Words-Group analysis:

• "הֲלֹא מֵאֵת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת" (halō’ mē’ēṯ YHWH tsĕvā’ōṯ - "Is it not from the LORD of hosts"): This phrase powerfully asserts divine authorship and control over the future events. It's a statement of absolute sovereignty. The rhetorical question functions as a forceful affirmation, emphasizing that the impending judgment is not coincidental or arbitrary, but directly willed and executed by the supreme Ruler of the universe.
• "וְיִגְעוּ עַמִּים בְּדֵי אֵשׁ" (wəyiḡʿû ‘ammîm bəḏê ’ēš - "and peoples toil for fire"): This clause vividly describes the tragic outcome of human ambition built on unrighteousness. "Toil for fire" signifies that all the laborious efforts in building cities, empires, and wealth through oppression are inherently directed towards their own destruction. What is built becomes fuel for God's judgment, serving no enduring purpose.
• "וּלְאוּמִּים יִרְגְּעוּ עַיִן" (wəle’ummîm yirɡĕʿû ‘ayein - "and nations weary themselves for nothing"): This parallel clause reinforces the point of utter futility. Despite the tremendous physical and emotional exhaustion invested, the grand accomplishments of oppressive nations amount to "nothing." There is no lasting legacy, no true security, and no ultimate satisfaction for those who operate outside of God's just principles. It’s an ultimate condemnation of empty glory.

Habakkuk 2 13 Bonus section

The Hebrew word rendered "fire" (ēš) in this verse has profound resonance throughout the Old Testament, often depicting God's holiness, His consuming presence, and His unsparing judgment against sin (e.g., Sodom and Gomorrah, Korah's rebellion, or even the testing of sacrifices). Its specific usage here signifies that the grand accomplishments of the oppressors, rather than offering security, will literally be consumed by a divinely ordained destructive force. The pairing of "peoples toil for fire" with "nations weary themselves for nothing" highlights a devastating parallel: active destructive outcome alongside complete emptiness. The emphasis shifts from the immense human effort to the insignificant, perishable, and futile outcome, contrasting human pride with God's ultimate verdict. This woe stands as an eternal testament against those who exploit human labor and dignity for personal or national gain, asserting that divine justice will ensure their mighty works will return to dust, and their effort for vain things.

Habakkuk 2 13 Commentary

Habakkuk 2:13 is a powerful statement of divine justice, encapsulating the principle that human efforts born of injustice and violence are ultimately futile and destined for ruin by the sovereign hand of God. The verse is couched as a rhetorical question, powerfully asserting that it is undeniably from the "LORD of hosts" – the almighty God of heavenly armies – that nations toil for a destiny of destruction and exert themselves for absolute nothingness.

The core message is one of divine reversal: the very things nations labor so exhaustively to build through conquest and exploitation—their fortified cities, vast empires, and accumulated wealth—will become fuel for fire, symbolizing God's purifying judgment and utter destruction. Their arduous construction becomes their ultimate undoing. The subsequent declaration that nations "weary themselves for nothing" emphasizes the complete worthlessness of such endeavors in God's eternal perspective. This is not simply about failure but about the emptiness of achievements gained outside God's righteousness. Their striving yields no lasting peace, security, or blessing, only weariness and ultimate devastation.

This verse serves as a stark warning to all who seek power, riches, or glory through unjust means. It affirms God's unwavering control over the rise and fall of nations, ensuring that no human empire built on pride and oppression can ultimately escape His righteous judgment. It provides deep comfort and reassurance to the oppressed that their God sees their suffering and will bring their oppressors to account, demonstrating that His kingdom, not temporary human constructs, is what truly endures. Practically, it calls believers to discern between lasting labor for God's kingdom and the transient, futile pursuits of the world, emphasizing the vanity of ambition apart from divine purpose.