Habakkuk 2:15-20

15 vae qui potum dat amico suo mittens fel suum et inebrians ut aspiciat nuditatem eius

16 repletus est ignominia pro gloria bibe tu quoque et consopire circumdabit te calix dexterae Domini et vomitus ignominiae super gloriam tuam

17 quia iniquitas Libani operiet te et vastitas animalium deterrebit eos de sanguinibus hominis et iniquitate terrae et civitatis et omnium habitantium in ea

18 quid prodest sculptile quia sculpsit illud fictor suus conflatile et imaginem falsam quia speravit in figmento fictor eius ut faceret simulacra muta

19 vae qui dicit ligno expergiscere surge lapidi tacenti numquid ipse docere poterit ecce iste coopertus est auro et argento et omnis spiritus non est in visceribus eius

20 Dominus autem in templo sancto suo sileat a facie eius omnis terra

Habakkuk 2:15-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO HABAKKUK 2

This chapter contains an answer from the Lord to the expostulations, pleadings, and reasonings of the prophet, in the name of the people. The preparation of the prophet to receive this answer is described, Hab 2:1 then follows the answer itself, in which he is bid to write and make plain the vision he had, that it might be easily read, Hab 2:2 and a promise is made, that vision should still be continued to the appointed time, at which time the Messiah would come; and this the righteous man, in opposition to the vain and proud man, is encouraged to live in the faith of, Hab 2:3,4 and then the destruction of the enemies of the people of God is threatened for their pride, ambition, covetousness, oppression, and murder, Hab 2:5-12 which would be unavoidable, Hab 2:13 and issue in the spread of the knowledge of the glory of God in the world, Hab 2:14 and also the ruin of other enemies is threatened, for drawing men into apostasy, and for their violence and idolatry, Hab 2:15-19 upon which would follow an universal silence in the earth, Hab 2:20.