Habakkuk 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:"

Commentary

Gill's Exposition

Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine,.... Or rather, "how much less" or "more (o), wine dealing treacherously": or "a man of wine", as Aben Ezra supplies it; that is, a winebibber, as Kimchi and Ben Melech interpret it: and the sense in connection with the preceding verse Hab 2:4 is, if a Jew, elated with his works of righteousness, his soul is not right in him, "how much less" a drunken, treacherous, proud, and ambitious heathen? if the Scribes and Pharisees, who expected the coming of the Messiah, yet withdrew from him, and opposed themselves unto him when come, "how much more" will such persons set themselves against him and his interest, thus described? by whom are meant, not the Babylonian monarchs, Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar and the Chaldeans, as usually interpreted, though there are many things in the account applicable to them; but this is breaking the thread of the prophecy, which carries on the account of the enemies of Christ, and of his kingdom, from his first to his second coming; whereas to interpret this prophecy of the Chaldeans is to go back to times before the first coming of Christ; nor does it seem necessary to say anything more concerning them, since the people of God might be satisfied that these would be in their turn destroyed, and they delivered from them; and

that they, the Jews, could not be cut off as a people, since the promise of the Messiah, as springing from them, is firmly established; and it is so strongly asserted, that he should come at the appointed time, and not tarry: after which the prophet goes on to observe two different sorts of people among the Jews; one sort proud and vain glorious, who opposed themselves to Christ when he came; the other sort true believers in him, who lived by faith upon him: so things would stand among the Jews when Christ came, and so they did; there was a separation among them on his account: next the prophet proceeds to observe another sort of enemies to Christ and his interest among the heathens, which was not to be wondered at, and therefore introduced by a comparative particle, "how much more" or "less"; and who must be removed to make way for his kingdom and glory in the latter day, manifestly pointed at in Hab 2:14 now who can these be but the Romans, both Pagan and Papal in succession? and with these and their rulers, civil and ecclesiastical, do the characters given as well agree as with the Babylonian monarchy, and the Chaldeans, or better and therefore, after Cocceius and Van Till I shall choose to interpret the whole of them; and it is well known that several of the Roman emperors were greatly given to luxury and intemperance, the first character they stand described by in the text. Tiberius was greatly addicted to this vice; and, because of his greediness after wine (p), used to be called Biberius Caldius Mero, instead of Tiberius Claudius Nero; his successor Caligula spent the immense riches Tiberius had gathered together in less than a year's time in luxury and intemperance (q); and Claudius, that succeeded him, scarce ever went out of his doors but he was drunk (r); and Nero, who came after him to the empire, was of unusual luxury and sumptuousness, as the historian says (s); he used to keep on his banquets from the middle of the day to the middle of the night (t); to say nothing of Domitian, Commodus, and other emperors that followed after them: and these men were deceitful and treacherous, both to their friends and enemies; and it is no wonder that such as these should oppose themselves to the kingdom and interest of Christ, as they did. Kimchi interprets this of Nebuchadnezzar; and Jarchi of Belshazzar; and most interpreters think it refers to his drinking in the vessels of the temple, Dan 5:2 , he is a proud man; the Roman emperors were excessively proud, like the unjust judge, neither feared God, nor regarded man; nay, set up themselves for gods, and required divine worship to be given them. Caius Caligula claimed divine majesty to himself, and set himself up to be worshipped among his brother gods; he built a temple to his own deity, and appointed priests and sacrifices; and placed a golden image of himself in it, and clothed it every day with such a garment as he himself wore (u); he also set up his own image in the temple at Jerusalem. Nero suffered himself to be called lord and god by Tiridates king of the Armenians, with bended knees, and hands lift up to heaven. Domitian and Aurelianus took the same titles as Nero did; and Dioclesian would be worshipped as a god, and called himself the brother of the sun and moon; and no marvel that such men as these should be enemies to Christ, and persecutors of his people: neither keepeth at home; or "dwells not in the fold" (w); in the sheepfold of Christ, in his church, being none of his sheep, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel; and so it denotes a infidel, an heathen; a fit character for the Pagan emperors, who had no habitation in the house of God. Kimchi interprets it of Nebuchadnezzar's kingdom not being continued; or of his being driven from his habitation, his palace, from among men, to live with beasts; but it is the character, and not the punishment, of the person that is here pointed at: who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied; death and the grave, though such vast numbers are continually slain by the one, and laid in the other, yet are never satisfied; see Pro 27:20 . This describes the insatiable thirst of the Roman emperors after honour, riches, and universal monarchy; who were never satisfied with what they obtained: but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people; that is, subdued them, and made them provinces of the Roman empire, and tributary to it, even almost all the then known world; hence the Roman empire is called the whole world, Luk 2:1 so Agrippa, in his orations to the Jews, mentions all nations as subject to the Romans (x). (o) "quanto magis", Calvin, Drusius, Tarnovius, Cocceius, Van Till, Burkius. (p) Suetonius in Vita Tiberii, c. 42. (q) Ib. Vita Caligulae, c. 37. (r) Ib. Vita Claudii, c. 33. (s) Eutrop. Hist. Rom. l. 7. (t) Suetonius in Vita Neronis, c. 27. (u) Suetonius in Vita Caligulae, c. 22. (w) "qui non habitat; quod de mansionibus ovium imprimius dicitur", Cocceius; "qui non inhabitat grata", Van Till. (x) Apud Joseph de Bello Jud. l. 2. c. 16. sect. 4.

Source: Gill's Exposition (Public Domain)

Hebrew Word Studies (24 words)

H0637 אַף
Definition:

Genesis 40:16* (*with pronoun, as rather often) Ialsoin my dream,Numbers 16:14;Deuteronomy 2:11*;Deuteronomy 2:20*2 Samuel 20:14(see Dr)2 Kings 2:14*Esther 5:12; more frequently in poetry, especially Genesis 40:16* (*with pronoun, as rather often) Ialsoin my dream,Numbers 16:14;Deuteronomy 2:11*;Deuteronomy 2:20*2 Samuel 20:14(see Dr)2 Kings 2:14*Esther 5:12; more frequently in poetry, especially

H3588 כִּי
Definition:

Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic, Phoenicianכ. Probably from the same demonstrative basis found inhere, and in certain pronouns, as Aramaicדֵּךְthis(WSG 110 f.); perhaps also ultimately akin withthat, in order that, andthen, enclitic,

Possible Meanings:
  • for (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
  • when (semantic_range)
H3196 יַיִן
Definition:

9wine(Late Hebrewid.; Ethiopic:vitis, vinea, vinum; Arabic(black)grapes, see HomZMG 1889, 654; Sabeanויןvineyard, MordtZMG 1887, 364Homl.c. 659(both after Glaser); Assyrianinuin vocabularies, but this 9wine(Late Hebrewid.; Ethiopic:vitis, vinea, vinum; Arabic(black)grapes, see HomZMG 1889, 654; Sabeanויןvineyard, MordtZMG 1887, 364Homl.c. 659(both after Glaser); Assyrianinuin vocabularies, but this

H0898 בָּגד
Definition:

2014t.;ImperfectיִבְגֹּדMalachi 2:155t.;נִבְגַּדMalachi 2:10;Infinitive absoluteבָּגוֺדIsaiah 48:8;Jeremiah 5:11;constructבְּגֹדIsaiah 33:1;בִּגְדוֺExodus 21:8;ParticipleבֹּגֵדProverbs 22:1211t.;בּוֺג 2014t.;ImperfectיִבְגֹּדMalachi 2:155t.;נִבְגַּדMalachi 2:10;Infinitive absoluteבָּגוֺדIsaiah 48:8;Jeremiah 5:11;constructבְּגֹדIsaiah 33:1;בִּגְדוֺExodus 21:8;ParticipleבֹּגֵדProverbs 22:1211t.;בּוֺג

Possible Meanings:
  • garment (semantic_range)
  • covering (semantic_range)
H1397 גֶּבֶר
Definition:

539t.;גָּ֑בֶרJob 3:313t.; constructגְּבַּרPsalm 18:26(=2 Samuel 22:26גִּבּוֺרbutᵐ5ᵑ6readגֶּבֶר); pluralגְּבָריםJeremiah 41:1610t.; — man as strong, distinguished from women, children, and non-combatan 539t.;גָּ֑בֶרJob 3:313t.; constructגְּבַּרPsalm 18:26(=2 Samuel 22:26גִּבּוֺרbutᵐ5ᵑ6readגֶּבֶר); pluralגְּבָריםJeremiah 41:1610t.; — man as strong, distinguished from women, children, and non-combatan

Possible Meanings:
  • mighty one (semantic_range)
H3093 יָהִיר
Definition:

24a presumptuous man, (who is)haughty, scoffer is his name(+עוֺשֶׂה בְּעֶבְרַת זָדוֺן);גֶּבֶר יָהִיר וְלֹא יִנְוֶ֑˜ֿHabakkuk 2:5.Topical LexiconDefinition and Scopeיָהִיר denotes one who is swollen wi 24a presumptuous man, (who is)haughty, scoffer is his name(+עוֺשֶׂה בְּעֶבְרַת זָדוֺן);גֶּבֶר יָהִיר וְלֹא יִנְוֶ֑˜ֿHabakkuk 2:5.Topical LexiconDefinition and Scopeיָהִיר denotes one who is swollen wi

Possible Meanings:
  • proud (semantic_range)
H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H5115 נוה
Definition:

A primitive root; to rest (as at home); causatively (through the implied idea of beauty (comparenaveh)), to celebrate (with praises) -- keept at home, prepare an habitation.see HEBREWnavehBrown-Driver A primitive root; to rest (as at home); causatively (through the implied idea of beauty (comparenaveh)), to celebrate (with praises) -- keept at home, prepare an habitation.see HEBREWnavehBrown-Driver

Possible Meanings:
  • pasture (semantic_range)
  • meadow (semantic_range)
H0834 אֲשֶׁר
Definition:

1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff 1according to TsepreghiDiss. Lugd. p. 171MühlauBö. Lb. ii. 79 n.StaMorg. Forsch. 1875, 188; Lb. § 167HomZMG 1878, 708 ff.Müll§ 153SayceHebraica. ii. 51LagM. i. 255 &especially KraeHebraica. vi. 298 ff

Possible Meanings:
  • Asher (semantic_range)
  • happy one (semantic_range)
  • Felix (semantic_range)
  • the tribe (semantic_range)
H7337 רָחַב
Definition:

1, +עַלagainst(i.e. to devour, in figure; compareHiph`il); consecutiveלְבָבֵךְ׳וּפָחַד וְרIsaiah 60:5be widened, enlarged, relieved, and expanded with joy (compareHiph`il 2); 3 feminine singularוְרָֽח 1, +עַלagainst(i.e. to devour, in figure; compareHiph`il); consecutiveלְבָבֵךְ׳וּפָחַד וְרIsaiah 60:5be widened, enlarged, relieved, and expanded with joy (compareHiph`il 2); 3 feminine singularוְרָֽח

Possible Meanings:
  • broad (semantic_range)
H7585 שְׁאוֹל
Definition:

11seeשְׁאוֺל1belowשְׁאוֺל,שְׁאֹלnoun femininePsalm 86:13(apparentlymasculineJob 26:6compareIsaiah 14:9, see AlbrZAW xvi(1896), 51)She®°ôl,underworld(√ dubious;שׁאל, i.e.palce of inquiry(reference to n 11seeשְׁאוֺל1belowשְׁאוֺל,שְׁאֹלnoun femininePsalm 86:13(apparentlymasculineJob 26:6compareIsaiah 14:9, see AlbrZAW xvi(1896), 51)She®°ôl,underworld(√ dubious;שׁאל, i.e.palce of inquiry(reference to n

Possible Meanings:
  • Shᵉ’ōl (semantic_range)
  • place of inquiry (semantic_range)
H5315 נֶפֶשׁ
Definition:

6(so evenGenesis 2:19;Numbers 31:28;1 Kings 19:2see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42SS)soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion(Ecclus 3:18; 4:1 (twice in verse); Ecclesias 6(so evenGenesis 2:19;Numbers 31:28;1 Kings 19:2see AlbrZAW xvi (1896), 42SS)soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, appetite, emotion, and passion(Ecclus 3:18; 4:1 (twice in verse); Ecclesias

Possible Meanings:
  • take breath (semantic_range)
  • refresh oneself (semantic_range)
  • take breath (semantic_range)
  • refresh oneself (semantic_range)
H1931 הוּא
Definition:

23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both 23Kt, seeהוּא.הוּאmasculineהִיאfeminine(plural masculineהֵ֫מָּה,הֵם; feminineהֵ֫נָּה,הֵן[the latter only with prefixes]; see these words),pronoun of the 3rd person singular,he, she, used also(in both

H4194 מָוֶת
Definition:

17death; — absolute׳מDeuteronomy 19:6+;מָֽ֫וְתָהPsalm 116:15; constructמוֺתGenesis 25:11+; suffixמוֺתִוGenesis 27:2+; plural constructמוֺהֵיEzekiel 28:10; suffixבְּמֹתָיוIsaiah 53:9; —1death, opposed 17death; — absolute׳מDeuteronomy 19:6+;מָֽ֫וְתָהPsalm 116:15; constructמוֺתGenesis 25:11+; suffixמוֺתִוGenesis 27:2+; plural constructמוֺהֵיEzekiel 28:10; suffixבְּמֹתָיוIsaiah 53:9; —1death, opposed

H3808 לֹא
Definition:

11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, 11) {lo}; a primitive particle; not (the simple or abs. Negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles (as follows) -- X before, + or else, ere, + except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay,

H7646 שָׂבַע
Definition:

); —Qal79Perfect3masculine singularשָׂבַע1 Chronicles 23:1,׳וְשׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 31:20; 3pluralשָׂבֵ֑עוּIsaiah 9:19,׳ושׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 14:29;Deuteronomy 26:12, etc.;Imperfect3masculine s ); —Qal79Perfect3masculine singularשָׂבַע1 Chronicles 23:1,׳וְשׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 31:20; 3pluralשָׂבֵ֑עוּIsaiah 9:19,׳ושׂconsecutiveDeuteronomy 14:29;Deuteronomy 26:12, etc.;Imperfect3masculine s

Possible Meanings:
  • seven (semantic_range)
H0622 אָסַף
Definition:

23+;אָסַפְתָּPsalm 85:4, etc.;Imperfectיֶּאֱסֹף2 Kings 5:3;יַאַסְפֵנִיPsalm 27:10, etc.; alsoוַיֹּסֶף2 Samuel 6:1; 2masculine singularתֹּסֵףPsalm 104:29; 1singularאֹסְפָהMicah 4:6; so probably (suffix 23+;אָסַפְתָּPsalm 85:4, etc.;Imperfectיֶּאֱסֹף2 Kings 5:3;יַאַסְפֵנִיPsalm 27:10, etc.; alsoוַיֹּסֶף2 Samuel 6:1; 2masculine singularתֹּסֵףPsalm 104:29; 1singularאֹסְפָהMicah 4:6; so probably (suffix

Possible Meanings:
  • store (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H1471 גּוֹי
Definition:

2nation, people(Late Hebrewid. Gentiles, Phoenicianגוcommunity,, Sabeanגוid., DHMZMG 1883, 348) —׳גGenesis 12:2121t.; suffix 1 singularגּוֺיִZephaniah 2:9,גּוֺיֶ֑ךָPsalm 106:5,גּוֺיֵךְKtEzekiel 36:13, 2nation, people(Late Hebrewid. Gentiles, Phoenicianגוcommunity,, Sabeanגוid., DHMZMG 1883, 348) —׳גGenesis 12:2121t.; suffix 1 singularגּוֺיִZephaniah 2:9,גּוֺיֶ֑ךָPsalm 106:5,גּוֺיֵךְKtEzekiel 36:13,

H6908 קָבַץ
Definition:

1;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְבָּץֿPsalm 41:7,וַיִּקְכֹּץGenesis 41:48+, etc.;Imperativemasculine singularקְבֹץ1 Kings 18:19, masculine pluralקִבְצוּ1 Samuel 7:5+;Infinitive constructsuffixלְקָבְצ 1;Imperfect3masculine singularיִקְבָּץֿPsalm 41:7,וַיִּקְכֹּץGenesis 41:48+, etc.;Imperativemasculine singularקְבֹץ1 Kings 18:19, masculine pluralקִבְצוּ1 Samuel 7:5+;Infinitive constructsuffixלְקָבְצ

Possible Meanings:
  • gather (semantic_range)
  • collect (semantic_range)
  • gather (semantic_range)
  • collect (semantic_range)
  • assemble (semantic_range)
H0413 אֶל
Definition:

22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE 22;1 Samuel 5:26;1 Samuel 15:22;1 Samuel 29:19), with suffixאֵלַי,אֵלֶיךָ,אֵלַיִךְ, etc.אֵלֵינוּ,אֲלֵיכֶם& (5 t.)אֲלֵכֶם,אֲלֵיהֶם&אֲלֵהֶם(both very often); onceאֵלֵימוֺPsalm 2:5,אֲלֵיהֶן, onceאֲלֵהֶןE

Possible Meanings:
  • these (semantic_range)
H3605 כֹּל
Definition:

8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA 8 Kt.),noun masculinethe whole, all(Moabite, Phoenician,id.; Aramaicכּוֺל,; Arabic; Sabeanכל, compare DHMEpigr. Denk. 36-38; EthiopicAssyriankullatu) — absoluteכֹּל, constructכֹּלGenesis 2:5,16,20 #NA

H5971 עַם
Definition:

Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow Fromamam; a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock -- folk, men, nation, people.see HEBREWamamBrow

Possible Meanings:
  • with (semantic_range)

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