Habakkuk 2:9

9 Woe to [him who] obtains profit [from] evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be saved from the hand of misfortune!

Habakkuk 2:9 Meaning and Commentary

Habakkuk 2:9

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house,
&c.] The bishops of Rome, being enriched by the donations of Constantine, were not satisfied, but coveted more; these are the greedy dogs Isaiah speaks of, that could never have enough, ( Isaiah 56:11 ) but were still seeking and gaping after more for themselves and families, and for their own house or church; which, from the time of their apostasy, became their own house, in distinction from, and in opposition to, the house or true church of God; and of those covetous bishops, or Rome Papal, are these and the following words to ( Habakkuk 2:9-14 ) to be understood: that he may set his nest on high:
in allusion to birds, especially the eagle, which builds its nest in high places, that it may be secure from any that would otherwise disturb it, or take it away: so these covetous and ambitious bishops, getting great wealth and riches, and large dominions into their hands, secular power and authority, as well as ecclesiastical, set themselves up, and advanced their see and seat, not only above all other bishops, but even above the kings and princes of the earth, above all that are called gods, ( 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ) and by such means endeavoured to gain their point, the main thing they had in view: that he may be delivered from the power of evil;
that they might be safe and secure against all worldly power, and be out of the jurisdiction of the princes of the earth, and in no danger of being dispossessed or crushed by them.

Habakkuk 2:9 In-Context

7 Will not your creditors suddenly rise up and awaken those who make you tremble? Then you shall be as plunder for them.
8 Because you plundered many nations, all the remaining nations will plunder you on account of the blood of humanity and violence [against the] land, [and against] cities and all who live in them.
9 Woe to [him who] obtains profit [from] evil gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to be saved from the hand of misfortune!
10 You have plotted shame for your house, cutting off many peoples and sinning against your life.
11 For the stone will cry out from the wall, and [the] plaster from [the] wood will answer it.
Scripture quotations marked (LEB) are from the Lexham English Bible. Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software. Lexham is a registered trademark of Logos Bible Software.