Habakkuk 2:4 kjv

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

Habakkuk 2:4 nkjv

"Behold the proud, His soul is not upright in him; But the just shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:4 niv

"See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright? but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness?

Habakkuk 2:4 esv

"Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

Habakkuk 2:4 nlt

"Look at the proud!
They trust in themselves, and their lives are crooked.
But the righteous will live by their faithfulness to God.

Habakkuk 2 verses

Habakkuk 2 4 Meaning

Habakkuk 2:4 is a foundational statement that sharply contrasts two spiritual realities and their corresponding destinies. It declares that the person whose soul is puffed up with pride, not possessing an upright inner character or alignment with divine truth, will stumble and fall. In stark contrast, the one who is righteous, in right standing with God, will find life, endure, and ultimately be saved not by their own efforts or arrogance, but by their faith or faithfulness to God. This verse encapsulates God's just character, revealing that true life and salvation are preserved for those who humbly trust in Him, particularly amidst overwhelming adversity or divine delay.

Habakkuk 2 4 Context

Habakkuk chapter 2 is a response from God to the prophet Habakkuk's lament and questions concerning divine justice. In Chapter 1, Habakkuk questions why God tolerates the wickedness within Judah and then, shockingly, why God would use the even more wicked Babylonians (Chaldeans) to punish Judah. God's response in Chapter 2, specifically verses 2-3, instructs Habakkuk to write down a vision that is yet for an appointed time and will certainly come to pass without delay. Verse 4 then immediately follows, providing a critical principle that explains how one should live and maintain integrity while awaiting this future fulfillment and enduring current injustices. It sets the standard for differentiating between the proud oppressor (like Babylon, or wicked Judahites) and the righteous believer who must live by trust in God amidst the unfolding of His judgment and promises. It’s a message of patience and spiritual discernment in an age of confusion and oppression.

Habakkuk 2 4 Word analysis

• הִנֵּה (hinnêh): "Behold," "Look," "Indeed." This particle functions as an interjection, drawing attention to the stark contrast being presented. It signifies an emphatic declaration, inviting the reader to ponder the weighty truth that follows.
• עֻפְּלָה (ʿūpělāh): This word, a Niphal perfect of ʿāphal, means "puffed up," "swollen," "arrogant," "haughty." It describes an inflated sense of self-importance or pride. In the context of the oppressors, it refers to their self-sufficient, arrogant nature, which refuses to acknowledge God's sovereignty or truth.
• נַפְשׁוֹ (napshōw): "his soul," "his being," "his self." The term nephesh in Hebrew often refers to the totality of a person's inner life – their mind, will, emotions, and desires, or simply their entire self. So, "his soul is puffed up" means his entire inner being, his very character, is characterized by arrogance.
• לֹא (lōʾ): "not." A negative particle, directly negating the quality described for the proud person.
• יָשְׁרָה (yāšěrāh): From the root yashar, meaning "straight," "right," "upright," "fitting." Here, it denotes an absence of integrity, moral straightness, or sincerity within the proud person. Their inner condition is crooked or perverse, not aligning with truth or divine righteousness.
• וְצַדִּיק (wetsaddîq): "But the righteous one." The conjunction waw serves as an adversative, marking a strong contrast. Tsaddîq refers to someone who is "just," "innocent," "righteous," or in a right relationship with God, conforming to His standards.
• בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ (beʾemūnāhṭōw): "by his faith," or "in his faithfulness." This is the pivotal word, ʾĕmûnāh (אֱמוּנָה), with the prefix be (by/in) and the possessive suffix ô (his). ʾĔmûnāh is a rich term in Hebrew, meaning "firmness," "steadfastness," "reliability," "trustworthiness," "fidelity," and "faith." While the New Testament emphasizes the "faith" aspect (Rom 1:17), the original context leans heavily on "faithfulness" or "steadfast loyalty" – living a life consistent with trust in God, even when the divine plan seems delayed or hard to grasp. This quality of active perseverance and integrity stems from deep-seated trust.
• יִחְיֶה (yiḥyeh): "he shall live," "he will live," "he will survive." From ḥāyāh, meaning "to live," "to revive," "to keep alive," "to prosper," "to recover." This refers to ultimate survival, spiritual vitality, true prosperity, and eternal salvation. It stands in direct contrast to the implicit demise of the proud. It speaks not just of physical existence but of a life sustained by God, experiencing His blessing and finding ultimate deliverance, even in dire circumstances.

Words-group by words-group analysis

• "הִנֵּה עֻפְּלָה נַפְשׁוֹ לֹא יָשְׁרָה בּוֹ" (Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright within him): This describes the arrogant individual, often the oppressor, whose inward state is corrupted by pride and a lack of moral integrity. This internal disorder directly contrasts with the order and righteousness of God. It highlights a spirit of self-reliance and resistance to divine truth, implying instability and ultimately, destruction. Their puffed-up nature means they cannot truly receive or act upon God's truth because their core being is bent and perverted by self-sufficiency.
• "וְצַדִּיק בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ יִחְיֶה" (But the righteous one shall live by his faith/faithfulness): This phrase stands as the divine antidote and alternative. The righteous person is characterized by emunah – an active, steadfast trust and loyalty to God. This isn't merely intellectual assent but a deeply lived faithfulness that perseveres through trials, maintains integrity, and consistently relies on God's character and promises. This active, obedient trust is the means by which they experience true life and ultimately obtain salvation, implying enduring spiritual and physical well-being. It is a divine declaration of how one is preserved and triumphs over adversity by clinging to God.

Habakkuk 2 4 Bonus section

The unique dialogue structure of Habakkuk, where the prophet boldly questions God (Hab 1:2-4, 12-17), provides a profound backdrop for this verse. God's declaration in Habakkuk 2:4 serves not only as an answer to Habakkuk's lament about unrighteousness and the delay of justice but also as a divine imperative for all people facing uncertain times. It calls for patient endurance (as explicitly mentioned in Hab 2:3 concerning the vision's delay) rooted in unwavering trust in God's perfect timing and righteous character. The phrase "his faith" (בֶּאֱמוּנָתוֹ) emphasizes that it is a personal and active quality; one must personally embrace this way of living. It also highlights the internal spiritual state as the determinant of one's destiny, echoing throughout Scripture the contrast between outward show and inward reality (e.g., Jer 17:9-10; Matt 23:27-28).

Habakkuk 2 4 Commentary

Habakkuk 2:4 is a pivotal declaration of divine justice and a profound statement on how humanity should relate to God. The verse immediately draws a clear dichotomy: the proud and crooked versus the righteous and faithful. The first half details the inherent flaw of the arrogant, whose inner being is devoid of straightness and truth. Such self-exaltation ultimately leads to ruin, as their lack of alignment with God's ways ensures their fall when divine judgment comes. They trust in their own strength or earthly power, which is ultimately fleeting.

In sharp contrast, the second half unveils God's unwavering principle for life: "the righteous one shall live by his faith." This "life" encompasses survival, spiritual vitality, and ultimate salvation. The crucial element is ʾĕmûnāh, which is more than mere intellectual belief; it's active trust, steadfast loyalty, and fidelity to God. In Habakkuk's context, as Judah awaited Babylon's invasion and longed for God's further intervention, ʾĕmûnāh meant holding fast to God's promises, enduring the present suffering, and continuing to walk in integrity, despite appearances. The New Testament, particularly through Paul (Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11) and the author of Hebrews (Heb 10:38), reinterprets this principle in the light of Christ, emphasizing saving "faith" in Jesus as the means of justification and eternal life. However, even in the New Testament, faith is rarely divorced from active trust and faithfulness (Jas 2:24). This verse provides enduring comfort and a summons to persevering faith for all who live between God's promises and their complete fulfillment, reminding them that true life is found only in humble, persistent reliance upon the Creator.