Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
HABAKKUK 2:5KJVWhat does Habakkuk 2:5 mean?
Habakkuk 2:5 describes a person who is never satisfied, whose greed and ambition drive him to take more and more, gathering nations and people to himself like death or the grave that never has enough. The verse uses the image of someone corrupted by wine and pride, always reaching beyond his home, never content with what he has.
In this verse, the prophet Habakkuk is speaking God's message about the coming judgment on the Babylonians, who are known for their conquests and insatiable appetite for power. The verse paints a vivid picture of their restless ambition, comparing it to the grave (Sheol) and death, both of which never stop claiming more. This sets the stage for the warnings and woes that follow in the chapter.
The Hebrew behind Habakkuk 2:5
- "transgresseth" (וּאַף כִּי־הַיָּיִן בּוֹגֵד, H898, boged) means to act treacherously or be unfaithful. Here, it suggests that wine leads to reckless or untrustworthy behavior, possibly hinting at the Babylonians’ excess and lack of restraint.
- "proud" (הִיא גֶּבֶר יָהִיר, H3093, yahiyr) means arrogant or haughty. This word highlights the attitude of the person or nation described—full of self-importance and unwilling to be contained.
- "hell" (שְׁאוֹל, H7585, sheol) refers to the grave or the realm of the dead. The comparison shows just how endless and consuming this desire is, like a grave that never stops taking in more.
- "satisfied" (שָׂבַע, H7646, sava) means to be filled or content. The verse stresses that no matter how much is gathered, this person or nation is never truly satisfied, always wanting more.
Why Habakkuk 2:5 matters
- Habakkuk 2:5 clarifies that the root problem is not just outward conquest, but an inner restlessness and pride that can never be satisfied, no matter how much is gained.
- The verse connects the Babylonians’ actions to a universal human tendency toward greed and ambition, making the warning broader than just one nation.
- This verse sets up the following “woes” in Habakkuk, showing why judgment is coming: the endless appetite for more is both destructive and self-defeating.