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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Habakkuk 2:13 Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/habakkuk/2-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/35_Hab_02_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Habakkuk 2:13 - Woe to the Chaldeans" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?" /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/habakkuk/2-13.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/habakkuk/2-13.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/habakkuk/">Habakkuk</a> > <a href="/habakkuk/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 13</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad13.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/habakkuk/2-12.htm" title="Habakkuk 2:12">◄</a> Habakkuk 2:13 <a href="/habakkuk/2-14.htm" title="Habakkuk 2:14">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/habakkuk/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people&#8217s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/habakkuk/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Has not the LORD of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard, but all in vain!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/habakkuk/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/habakkuk/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Behold, <i>is it</i> not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/habakkuk/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />Behold, <i>is it</i> not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/habakkuk/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Is it not indeed from the LORD of armies That peoples labor <i>merely</i> for fire, And nations become weary for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/habakkuk/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/habakkuk/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/habakkuk/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Is it not, behold, from Yahweh of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/habakkuk/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples labor [only] for the fire [that will destroy their work], And nations grow weary for nothing [that is, things which have no lasting value]?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/habakkuk/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it not from the LORD of Armies that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/habakkuk/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it not from the LORD of Hosts that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing? <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/habakkuk/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/habakkuk/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />But the LORD All-Powerful sends up in flames what nations and people work so hard to gain. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/habakkuk/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labour for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/habakkuk/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Isn't it from the LORD of Armies that people grow tired only to feed the flames and nations exhaust themselves for nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/habakkuk/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The nations you conquered wore themselves out in useless labor, and all they have built goes up in flames. The LORD Almighty has done this. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/habakkuk/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it not because of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies that people grow tired putting out fires, and nations weary themselves over nothing?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/habakkuk/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Be sure of this! The LORD who commands armies has decreed: The nations' efforts will go up in smoke; their exhausting work will be for nothing. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/habakkuk/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Look, isn't it of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/habakkuk/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/habakkuk/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/habakkuk/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Behold, isn’t it from Yahweh of Armies that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/habakkuk/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Behold, is it not from YHWH of Hosts "" And peoples are fatigued for fire, "" And nations for vanity are weary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/habakkuk/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Lo, is it not from Jehovah of Hosts And peoples are fatigued for fire, And nations for vanity are weary?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/habakkuk/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Behold, is it not from Jehovah of armies, and the peoples shall labor in a sufficiency of fire, and the peoples shall be wearied in a sufficiency of emptiness?<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/habakkuk/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Are not these things from the Lord of hosts? for the people shall labour in a great fire: and the nations in vain, and they shall faint. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/habakkuk/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />Are not these things before the Lord of hosts? For the people will labor amid a great fire, and the nations will labor in emptiness, and they will fail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/habakkuk/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Is this not from the LORD of hosts: peoples toil for what the flames consume, and nations grow weary for nothing! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/habakkuk/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor only to feed the flames, and nations weary themselves for nothing?<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/habakkuk/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />All these things are from the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in fire, and the nations shall labor in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/habakkuk/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />All these things are from LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts; the nations shall be afflicted in fire and the peoples shall labor in futility<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/habakkuk/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labour for the fire, And the nations weary themselves for vanity?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/habakkuk/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Are not these things of the Lord Almighty? surely many people have been exhausted in the fire, and many nations have fainted.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ryPix4COoVE?start=330" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/habakkuk/2.htm">Woe to the Chaldeans</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">12</span>Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity! <span class="reftext">13</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: hă·lō·w (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">Is it not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2009.htm" title="2009: hin·nêh (Interjection) -- Lo! behold! Prolongation for hen; lo!">indeed</a> <a href="/hebrew/854.htm" title="854: mê·’êṯ (Prep-m:: DirObjM) -- With (denoting proximity). Probably from 'anah; properly, nearness, near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc.">from</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of Hosts</a> <a href="/hebrew/3021.htm" title="3021: wə·yî·ḡə·‘ū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjImperf-3mp) -- To toil, grow or be weary. A primitive root; properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil.">that the labor</a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: ‘am·mîm (N-mp) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">of the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/1767.htm" title="1767: bə·ḏê- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Sufficiency, enough. Of uncertain derivation; enough, used chiefly with preposition in phrases.">only feeds</a> <a href="/hebrew/784.htm" title="784: ’êš (N-cs) -- A fire. A primitive word; fire.">the fire,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3816.htm" title="3816: ū·lə·’um·mîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- People. Or l owm; from an unused root meaning to gather; a community.">and the nations</a> <a href="/hebrew/3286.htm" title="3286: yi·‘ā·p̄ū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To be weary, faint. A primitive root; to tire.">weary themselves</a> <a href="/hebrew/1767.htm" title="1767: bə·ḏê- (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- Sufficiency, enough. Of uncertain derivation; enough, used chiefly with preposition in phrases.">in</a> <a href="/hebrew/7385.htm" title="7385: rîq (N-ms) -- Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain. From ruwq; emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain.">vain?</a> </span><span class="reftext">14</span>For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm">Jeremiah 51:58</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/55-2.htm">Isaiah 55:2</a></span><br />Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/127-1.htm">Psalm 127:1</a></span><br />A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:14</a></span><br />I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/2-11.htm">Ecclesiastes 2:11</a></span><br />Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/65-23.htm">Isaiah 65:23</a></span><br />They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD—they and their descendants with them.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/3-10.htm">Micah 3:10</a></span><br />who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/51-18.htm">Jeremiah 51:18</a></span><br />They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/40-16.htm">Isaiah 40:16-17</a></span><br />Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. / All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/41-29.htm">Isaiah 41:29</a></span><br />See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/3-12.htm">1 Corinthians 3:12-15</a></span><br />If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, / his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. / If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/7-26.htm">Matthew 7:26-27</a></span><br />But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-58.htm">1 Corinthians 15:58</a></span><br />Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_peter/3-10.htm">2 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/18-17.htm">Revelation 18:17-19</a></span><br />For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance / and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. / Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?</p><p class="hdg">is it.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/11-6.htm">Genesis 11:6-9</a></b></br> And the LORD said, Behold, the people <i>is</i> one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/2_samuel/15-31.htm">2 Samuel 15:31</a></b></br> And <i>one</i> told David, saying, Ahithophel <i>is</i> among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/5-13.htm">Job 5:13,14</a></b></br> He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong… </p><p class="hdg">for very vanity.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/micah/4-4.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/hosea/11-7.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/isaiah/40-31.htm">Fatigued</a> <a href="/nahum/3-15.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/ezekiel/39-9.htm">Fuel</a> <a href="/nahum/2-10.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/nahum/3-5.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-7.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/micah/5-3.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-8.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/amos/6-13.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-10.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/micah/3-3.htm">People's</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-4.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-8.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/ezekiel/24-12.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/ezekiel/22-28.htm">Using</a> <a href="/jonah/2-8.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/amos/5-5.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/lamentations/5-5.htm">Weary</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-5.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zephaniah/2-10.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-6.htm">Determined</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/25-18.htm">Fatigued</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-18.htm">Fire</a> <a href="/isaiah/9-5.htm">Fuel</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-16.htm">Grow</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-9.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-20.htm">Indeed</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-17.htm">Labor</a> <a href="/habakkuk/3-6.htm">Nations</a> <a href="/malachi/1-10.htm">Nought</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-9.htm">Peoples</a> <a href="/matthew/2-4.htm">People's</a> <a href="/zephaniah/2-7.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/haggai/2-17.htm">Toil</a> <a href="/malachi/2-9.htm">Using</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Vain</a> <a href="/zechariah/10-2.htm">Vanity</a> <a href="/zechariah/11-8.htm">Weary</a> <a href="/matthew/7-23.htm">Working</a><div class="vheading2">Habakkuk 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-1.htm">Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is shown that he must wait by faith.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">5. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-5.htm">The judgment upon the Chaldean for unsatiableness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-9.htm">for covetousness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">12. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-12.htm">for cruelty,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">15. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">for drunkenness,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/habakkuk/2-18.htm">and for idolatry.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/habakkuk/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/habakkuk/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/habakkuk/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the sovereignty and authority of God, often referred to as the "LORD of Hosts," a title that underscores His command over the armies of heaven and earth. This title is used frequently in the Old Testament to highlight God's power and control over all creation (e.g., <a href="/isaiah/1-9.htm">Isaiah 1:9</a>, <a href="/jeremiah/11-20.htm">Jeremiah 11:20</a>). It sets the stage for understanding that what follows is under divine orchestration and judgment. The rhetorical question implies that the events described are not random but are part of God's purposeful plan.<p><b>that the labor of the people only feeds the fire</b><br>This part of the verse suggests futility in human efforts when they are not aligned with God's will. The imagery of labor feeding the fire can be seen as a metaphor for the fruitlessness of endeavors that are destined for destruction. In the context of Habakkuk, this reflects the impending judgment on Babylon, whose conquests and achievements would ultimately be consumed. This echoes themes found in Ecclesiastes, where human toil is often described as vanity when disconnected from God (<a href="/ecclesiastes/1-14.htm">Ecclesiastes 1:14</a>).<p><b>and the nations weary themselves in vain?</b><br>The phrase highlights the futility of the nations' efforts apart from God's purposes. Historically, this can be seen in the rise and fall of empires, such as Babylon, which despite their power and achievements, ultimately faced downfall. This is a common biblical theme, as seen in <a href="/psalms/127.htm">Psalm 127:1</a>, which states that unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain. It serves as a reminder of the transient nature of human power and the ultimate sovereignty of God over the affairs of nations.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/h/habakkuk.htm">Habakkuk</a></b><br>A prophet in the Old Testament who dialogues with God about the justice and sovereignty of divine actions.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_of_hosts.htm">The LORD of Hosts</a></b><br>A title for God emphasizing His supreme authority and command over the heavenly armies.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_peoples.htm">The Peoples</a></b><br>Refers to the nations and groups of people who labor and toil.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_nations.htm">The Nations</a></b><br>Represents the collective groups of people outside of Israel, often seen as pursuing their own agendas apart from God.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_fire.htm">The Fire</a></b><br>Symbolic of destruction or futility, representing the ultimate end of human efforts apart from God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_sovereignty_of_god.htm">The Sovereignty of God</a></b><br>Recognize that God is in control of all nations and their efforts. Human endeavors are ultimately subject to His will.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_futility_of_human_effort_without_god.htm">The Futility of Human Effort Without God</a></b><br>Understand that labor and achievements apart from God’s purpose are ultimately in vain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/divine_judgment_and_purpose.htm">Divine Judgment and Purpose</a></b><br>Acknowledge that God uses the efforts of nations to fulfill His divine purposes, even when they seem futile.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_aligning_with_god's_will.htm">The Importance of Aligning with God’s Will</a></b><br>Encourage believers to seek God’s guidance in their work and efforts to ensure they are not laboring in vain.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/e/eternal_perspective.htm">Eternal Perspective</a></b><br>Cultivate an eternal perspective that values spiritual accomplishments over temporal achievements.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_habakkuk_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Habakkuk 2</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_can_malachi_4_1's_'day'_consume_the_wicked.htm">In Malachi 4:1, how can a literal 'day' consume the wicked like stubble without any known natural phenomenon matching this description?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_habakkuk_1_2_with_swift_god.htm">How can the prophet's frustration over God's silence (Habakkuk 1:2) be reconciled with other biblical passages emphasizing God's swift intervention?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_isaiah_18_4's_imagery_align.htm">Isaiah 18:4: How does the imagery of God quietly observing nations square with other passages where God is depicted as actively intervening?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god_silent_during_prayer.htm">Why does God seem silent when people pray?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/habakkuk/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) <span class= "bld">In the very fire . . . for very vanity.</span> The preposition is the same in both clauses, and means "for an equivalent in." The sense is sufficiently conveyed if we render "<span class= "ital">labour only for the fire</span> . . . <span class= "ital">weary themselves all for nothing.</span>" The same expressions occur in Jeremiah's denunciation of Babylon (<a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm" title="Thus said the LORD of hosts; The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labor in vain, and the folk in the fire, and they shall be weary.">Jeremiah 51:58</a>). Both prophets predict that Jehovah shall render all this compulsory service fruitless. Jeremiah adds the explanatory clauses, "the broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire."<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/habakkuk/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 13.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Is it not of the Lord of hosts?</span> Hath not God ordained that this, about to be mentioned, should be the issue of all this evil splendour? <span class="cmt_word">That the people shall labour in the very fire;</span> rather, <span class="accented">that the peoples labour for the fire</span>; <span class="accented">i.e.</span> that the Chaldees and such like nations expended all this toil on cities and fortresses only to supply food for fire, which, the prophet sees, will be their end (<a href="/isaiah/40-16.htm">Isaiah 40:16</a>). Jeremiah (<a href="/jeremiah/51-58.htm">Jeremiah 51:58</a>) applies these and the following words to the destruction of Babylon. This is indeed <span class="cmt_word">to weary themselves for very vanity</span>. Babylon, when it was finally taken, was given over to fire and sword (comp. <a href="/jeremiah/50-32.htm">Jeremiah 50:32</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/51-30.htm">Jeremiah 51:30</a>, etc.). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Is it not</span><br /><span class="heb">הֲל֣וֹא</span> <span class="translit">(hă·lō·w)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">indeed</span><br /><span class="heb">הִנֵּ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(hin·nêh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Interjection<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2009.htm">Strong's 2009: </a> </span><span class="str2">Lo! behold!</span><br /><br /><span class="word">from</span><br /><span class="heb">מֵאֵ֖ת</span> <span class="translit">(mê·’êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-m | Direct object marker<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> </span><span class="str2">Untranslatable mark of the accusative case</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Hosts</span><br /><span class="heb">צְבָא֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that the labor</span><br /><span class="heb">וְיִֽיגְע֤וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·yî·ḡə·‘ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3021.htm">Strong's 3021: </a> </span><span class="str2">To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the people</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמִּים֙</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">only feeds</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּדֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḏê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1767.htm">Strong's 1767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sufficiency, enough</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the fire,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵ֔שׁ</span> <span class="translit">(’êš)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_784.htm">Strong's 784: </a> </span><span class="str2">A fire</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and nations</span><br /><span class="heb">וּלְאֻמִּ֖ים</span> <span class="translit">(ū·lə·’um·mîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3816.htm">Strong's 3816: </a> </span><span class="str2">A community</span><br /><br /><span class="word">weary themselves</span><br /><span class="heb">יִעָֽפוּ׃</span> <span class="translit">(yi·‘ā·p̄ū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3286.htm">Strong's 3286: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be weary, faint</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּדֵי־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḏê-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1767.htm">Strong's 1767: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sufficiency, enough</span><br /><br /><span class="word">vain?</span><br /><span class="heb">רִ֥יק</span> <span class="translit">(rîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7385.htm">Strong's 7385: </a> </span><span class="str2">Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/habakkuk/2-13.htm">Habakkuk 2:13 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/habakkuk/2-13.htm">OT Prophets: Habakkuk 2:13 Behold isn't it of Yahweh of Armies (Hab Hb) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/habakkuk/2-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Habakkuk 2:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Habakkuk 2:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/habakkuk/2-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Habakkuk 2:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Habakkuk 2:14" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>