Habakkuk 2:12

12 "How terrible it will be for the Babylonians! They build cities by spilling the blood of others. They establish towns by committing crimes.

Habakkuk 2:12 Meaning and Commentary

Habakkuk 2:12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and establisheth
a city by iniquity!
] This is what the stone and beam should say, if others were silent. The town and city are the church of Rome, mystical Babylon, the great city, called spiritually Egypt and Sodom; the builder of this is the pope of Rome, the bishops of it in succession, who built it with blood: the pope of Rome received his title as head of the church from Phocas, that murdered the emperor Mauritius; the foundation of the church of Rome is the blood of the saints, shed in persecutions and wars; hence she is said to be drunk with the blood of them, and to have the blood of prophets and saints found in her, ( Revelation 17:5 ) ( 18:24 ) and it is established by unjust exactions of tribute from all countries subject to it, and by indulgences, processions, and various methods taken to extort money from the people, to support its pageantry, pomp, and grandeur; but there is a "woe" denounced against such that are concerned herein, and which will take place in due time, nor can it be awarded, as follows:

Habakkuk 2:12 In-Context

10 They have planned to wipe out many nations. But they have brought shame on their own kingdom. So they must pay with their own lives.

11 The stones in the walls of their homes will cry out. And the wooden beams will echo that cry.

12 "How terrible it will be for the Babylonians! They build cities by spilling the blood of others. They establish towns by committing crimes.

13 I am the LORD who rules over all. Human effort is no better than wood that feeds a fire. So the nations wear themselves out for nothing.

14 The oceans are full of water. In the same way, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of my glory.