Habakkuk 2:6 kjv

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!

Habakkuk 2:6 nkjv

"Will not all these take up a proverb against him, And a taunting riddle against him, and say, 'Woe to him who increases What is not his?how long? And to him who loads himself with many pledges'?

Habakkuk 2:6 niv

"Will not all of them taunt him with ridicule and scorn, saying, "?'Woe to him who piles up stolen goods and makes himself wealthy by extortion! How long must this go on?'

Habakkuk 2:6 esv

Shall not all these take up their taunt against him, with scoffing and riddles for him, and say, "Woe to him who heaps up what is not his own ? for how long? ? and loads himself with pledges!"

Habakkuk 2:6 nlt

"But soon their captives will taunt them.
They will mock them, saying,
'What sorrow awaits you thieves!
Now you will get what you deserve!
You've become rich by extortion,
but how much longer can this go on?'

Habakkuk 2 verses

Habakkuk 2 6 Meaning

Habakkuk 2:6 declares that the Chaldean oppressor, symbolizing any nation or individual built on exploitation, will be publicly ridiculed and lamented over. The verse initiates a series of "woes" pronouncing divine judgment against specific sins of the wicked, particularly their unjust gain through plunder and violence. It highlights God's justice, asserting that ill-gotten wealth ultimately becomes a crushing burden, and the perpetrator will face public humiliation for their greed and tyranny.

Habakkuk 2 6 Context

Habakkuk prophesies during a tumultuous period in Judah (late 7th century BCE), anticipating the rise and oppression by the Chaldean (Babylonian) Empire. Chapter 1 presents Habakkuk's two laments: first, questioning why God permits injustice among His people (Hab 1:2-4), and second, expressing dismay that God would use the even more wicked Chaldeans as His instrument of judgment (Hab 1:12-17).

Chapter 2 is God's direct response. Before detailing the Chaldeans' demise, God declares the foundational truth that the "righteous shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4). The remainder of the chapter (Hab 2:5-20) then elaborates on the certain judgment awaiting the Babylonians, or any oppressive power characterized by their specific sins. Verse 6 introduces the first of five "woe oracles," which serve as a prophetic lament and satirical indictment, outlining the various crimes of the oppressor that will lead to their downfall and mockery by those they exploited. This section ensures Habakkuk, and Judah, that divine justice is meticulous and inescapable for those who act contrary to God's character and commands.

Habakkuk 2 6 Word analysis

• Will not all of these (הֲלוֹא אֵלֶּה כֻלָּם – hāloʾ ’ēlleh kullām): This is a rhetorical question in Hebrew, strongly implying an affirmative answer. It means "Surely all of these will," indicating the universal recognition and condemnation of the oppressor's fate. "All of these" refers to the peoples and nations the Chaldeans had plundered and oppressed.
• take up a proverb (יִשְׂאוּ מָשָׁל – yiś’û māšāl): Māšāl (מָשָׁל) means proverb, parable, taunt, or a weighty utterance. Here, it denotes a biting, satirical song or saying used to mock and ridicule the fallen oppressor. It suggests a well-known, public, and mocking declaration.
• against him (עָלָיו – ‘ālāw): Clearly directed at the wicked, greedy oppressor, primarily the Chaldean nation in this immediate context.
• and a taunting riddle (וּמְלִיצָה חִידוֹת – ûmlîṣâ ḥîdôt):
  • Mᵉlîṣâ (מְלִיצָה): Eloquent, satirical, or enigmatic speech, a jesting utterance. It implies sophisticated, pointed mockery.
  • Ḥîdâ (חִידָה): A riddle or enigma; something difficult to understand. In this context, it functions as a sarcastic and scornful challenge, hinting at the absurdity of the oppressor's presumed security and invincibility. It underlines the foolishness of their pride.
• Woe! (הוֹי – hôy): An interjection signaling an oracle of judgment or a lament. It is a cry of pain, warning, and an announcement of coming doom, often directed at the unjust. It carries an accusatory tone, marking a pronouncement of certain misery for the one addressed. This is the first of five "woe" declarations in Habakkuk 2.
• to him who piles up / increases (לְמַרְבֶּה – ləmarbeh): From the verb rābâ (רָבָה), meaning "to be many, multiply, increase." Here, it denotes excessive accumulation, often implying greed and ceaseless acquisition.
• what is not his (לֹא לוֹ – lōʾ lô): Explicitly emphasizes the illicit nature of the gain. It is plunder, theft, or wealth unjustly acquired through violence and conquest, not legitimate earnings.
• and who makes himself heavy with pledged goods / makes himself rich by extortion (וּמַכְבִּיד עָלָיו עַבְטִיט – ûmakbîḏ ‘ālāw ‘abṭîṭ):
  • Makbîḏ (מַכְבִּיד): From kābēd (כָּבֵד), "to be heavy," used in a causative sense, meaning "to make heavy," "burden," or "weigh down." This imagery suggests accumulating something that becomes a burden, not a blessing.
  • ‘Abṭîṭ (עַבְטִיט): A unique and difficult word in the Hebrew Bible. Most interpretations link it to "pledges" (those forcibly taken, or heavy loans/usury) or "thick clay/burden." It refers to a mass of ill-gotten wealth or debt that metaphorically weighs down and suffocates the accumulator. It embodies the spoils of oppression, extracted through duress, or debt amassed through ruinous usury. It signifies enrichment by preying on the weak, but these very gains become the oppressor's undoing.
• How long? (עַד מָה – ‘ad mâ): This expresses an outcry of impatience and frustration. It is a desperate plea to God or a rhetorical question to the oppressor, demanding an end to the injustice, signaling the limits of tolerance for tyranny. It echoes Habakkuk's own earlier lament and anticipates the justice to come.

Habakkuk 2 6 Bonus section

The "woe" oracles (Hab 2:6-20) represent a carefully structured literary form, characteristic of prophetic denunciations, especially against international powers. Each "woe" condemns a specific aspect of the Chaldeans' sin: unjust gain (v.6-8), covetousness leading to violence (v.9-11), bloodshed for gain (v.12-14), debasement of others (v.15-17), and idolatry (v.18-20). This detailed enumeration of sins against God and humanity demonstrates the comprehensive nature of divine justice. The final verses of chapter 2, culminating in the declaration "the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him" (Hab 2:20), serve as the climactic response to Habakkuk's questions, affirming God's absolute sovereignty and the certainty of His justice over all earthly powers and their temporary successes. This sets the stage for God's eventual intervention and the ultimate triumph of the righteous, underscoring that all forms of human oppression will be judged against the backdrop of His divine holiness and unwavering righteousness.

Habakkuk 2 6 Commentary

Habakkuk 2:6 initiates a solemn divine pronouncement, framed as a public mockery and a lament of "woe" against the Chaldean oppressor, yet applicable to any entity defined by its unjust acquisition. This verse is not merely descriptive but prescriptive, outlining God's certain judgment. The rhetorical question, "Will not all of them taunt him...?" signals a universal witness to the oppressor's downfall. The nations previously victimized will find satisfaction in openly ridiculing the fallen giant.

The core offense identified is acquiring wealth "what is not his" and becoming "heavy with pledged goods" or "rich by extortion." This vividly portrays the Babylonian empire's modus operandi: their prosperity was not earned through honest labor or trade, but by violent conquest, looting, and systematic oppression of conquered peoples. The phrase "makes himself heavy with pledged goods" metaphorically illustrates how ill-gotten gains become a literal and spiritual weight, burdensome and ultimately destructive. This contrasts sharply with God's design for wealth, which should be acquired justly and used righteously, serving as a blessing rather than a curse.

The declaration "Woe!" serves as a direct, irreversible condemnation. It announces that despite temporary power and apparent prosperity, the oppressor's reign built on injustice is fundamentally unstable and doomed. The question "How long?" articulated by the mocking nations echoes the prophet's initial laments, underscoring the anticipation for divine intervention and affirming that God's silence on injustice is not indifference but a prelude to sure and just judgment. The verse thus promises the vindication of God's character and the ultimate exposure and downfall of those who amass riches through unrighteous means, serving as a comfort to the oppressed and a warning to the wicked.