Scofield Reference Bible Notes
Habakkuk 2

Hab 2:2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Write the vision

Inspiration. Zec 7:7. (Exo 4:15; Rev 22:19.)

that he may run that readeth it

Not, as usually quoted, "that he that runneth may read," but, "that he may run that readeth"; i.e. as a messenger of the "vision." Cf. Zec 2:4, 5.

Hab 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

vision

To the watching prophet comes the response of the "vision" (Hab 2:2-20). Three elements are to be distinguished:

1. The moral judgment of Jehovah upon the evils practised by dispersed Israel (Hab 2:5-13, 15-19).
2. The future purpose of God that, "the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea" (Hab 2:14). That this revelation awaits the return of the Lord in glory is shown
   1. by the parallel passage in Isa 11:9-12; and
   2. by the quotation of Hab 2:3 in Heb 10:37, 38 where the "it" of the "vision" becomes "he" and refers to the return of the Lord. It is then, after the "vision" is fulfilled, that "the knowledge of the glory," etc, shall fill the earth. But
3. meantime, "the just shall live by his faith." This great evangelic word is applied to Jew and Gentile in Rom 1:17; to the Gentiles in Gal 3:11-14; and to Hebrews (especially) in Heb 10:38. This opening of life to faith alone, makes possible not only the salvation of the Gentiles during the dispersion of Israel "among the nations" (Hab 1:5; Gal 3:11-14), but also makes possible a believing remnant in Israel while the nation, as such, is in blindness and unbelief, (Scofield Romans 11:1-5, note), with neither priesthood nor temple, and consequently unable to keep the ordinances of the law. Such is Jehovah! In disciplinary government His ancient Israel is cast out of the land and judicially blinded (2Co 3:12-15), but in covenanted mercy the individual Jew may resort to the simple faith of Abraham (Gen 15:6; Rom 4:1-5) and be saved. But this does not set aside the Palestinian (Scofield Deuteronomy 30:1-9, refs. and Davidic (Scofield 2 Samuel 7:8-16, refs. Covenants, for "the earth shall be filled," etc. (Hab 2:14), and Jehovah will again be in His temple (Hab 2:20). Cf. Rom 11:25-27.

it will surely come, it will not tarry

Hab 2:3, 4. Heb 10:37, 38.

Hab 2:4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

upright in him

Righteousness. Mal 3:18. (Gen 6:9; Luk 2:25.)

the just shall live

Rom 1:17; Gal 3:11; Heb 10:38.

faith

Faith. Mat 8:10. (Gen 3:20; Heb 11:39.)

Hab 2:5 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:

hell

Sheol is, in the O.T., the place to which the dead go.

1. Often, therefore, it is spoken of as the equivalent of the grave, merely, where all human activities cease; the terminus toward which all human life moves (e.g. Genesis 42:38, grave; Job 14:13, grave; Psalms 88:3, grave).
2. To the man "under the sun," the natural man, who of necessity judges from appearances, sheol seems no more than the grave—the end and total cessation, not only of the activities of life, but of life itself (Ecc 9:5, 10).
3. But Scripture reveals sheol as a place of sorrow (2Sa 22:6; Psa 18:5; 116:3), in which the wicked are turned (Psa 9:17), and where they are fully conscious (Isa 14:9-17; Eze 32:21; see, especially, Jon 2:2; what the belly of the great fish was to Jonah that sheol is to those who are therein). The sheol of the O.T. and hades of the N.T. (Scofield Luke 16:23, note) are identical.

Hab 2:6 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!

take up a parable against him

Mic 2:4.

Hab 2:8 Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

thou hast spoiled many nations

Isa 33:1.

Hab 2:9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

set his nest on high

Jer 49:16; Oba 1:4.

Hab 2:12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood

Jer 22:13; Eze 24:9; Mic 3:10; Nah 3:1.

Hab 2:13 Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

is it not of the LORD

Or, it is not of the LORD, etc., i.e. though permitted in His providence, not His plan. Cf. Mic 4:2-4.

Hab 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

the knowledge of the glory of the LORD

Isa 11:9.

Cf. Isa 11:9, which fixes the time when "the earth," etc. It is when David's righteous Branch has set up the kingdom. (See "Kingdom (O.T.)," 2Sa 7:9; Zec 12:8; also, "Kingdom (N.T.)," Luk 1:31-33; 1Co 15:28.) Habakkuk's phrase marks an advance on that of Isaiah. In the latter it is "the knowledge of the Lord." That, in a certain sense, is being diffused now; but in Habakkuk it is "the knowledge of the glory of the Lord," and that cannot be till He is manifested in glory (Mat 24:30; 25:31; Luk 9:26; 2Th 1:7; 2:8; Jde 1:14). The transfiguration was a foreview of this (Luk 9:26-29).

Hab 2:18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

a teacher of lies

Jer 10:8, 14; Zec 10:2.

trusteth

Scofield Psalm 2:12, note.

Hab 2:20 But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

let all the earth keep silence before him

Zep 1:7; Zec 2:13.