Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing? New Living Translation 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! English Standard Version Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing? Berean Standard Bible 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? King James Bible 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? New King James Version Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain? New American Standard Bible “Is it not indeed from the LORD of armies That peoples labor merely for fire, And nations become weary for nothing? NASB 1995 “Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing? NASB 1977 “Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing? Legacy Standard Bible Is it not, behold, from Yahweh of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing? Amplified Bible “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]? Christian Standard Bible Is it not from the LORD of Armies that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing? Holman Christian Standard Bible Is it not from the LORD of Hosts that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing? American Standard Version Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? Contemporary English Version But the LORD All-Powerful sends up in flames what nations and people work so hard to gain. English Revised Version Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labour for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? GOD'S WORD® Translation Isn't it from the LORD of Armies that people grow tired only to feed the flames and nations exhaust themselves for nothing? Good News Translation 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. International Standard Version Is it not because of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies that people grow tired putting out fires, and nations weary themselves over nothing? NET Bible 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. New Heart English Bible Look, isn't it of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? Webster's Bible Translation 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? Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIs 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? World English Bible Behold, isn’t it from Yahweh of Armies that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionBehold, is it not from YHWH of Hosts "" And peoples are fatigued for fire, "" And nations for vanity are weary? Young's Literal Translation Lo, is it not from Jehovah of Hosts And peoples are fatigued for fire, And nations for vanity are weary? Smith's Literal Translation 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? Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAre 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. Catholic Public Domain Version 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. New American Bible Is this not from the LORD of hosts: peoples toil for what the flames consume, and nations grow weary for nothing! New Revised Standard Version Is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor only to feed the flames, and nations weary themselves for nothing? Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAll these things are from the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in fire, and the nations shall labor in vain. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated All these things are from LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts; the nations shall be afflicted in fire and the peoples shall labor in futility OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labour for the fire, And the nations weary themselves for vanity? Brenton Septuagint Translation Are not these things of the Lord Almighty? surely many people have been exhausted in the fire, and many nations have fainted. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Woe to the Chaldeans…12Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity! 13Is 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? 14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.… Cross References Jeremiah 51:58 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.” Isaiah 55:2 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. Psalm 127:1 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. Ecclesiastes 1:14 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. Ecclesiastes 2:11 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. Isaiah 65:23 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. Micah 3:10 who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity. Jeremiah 51:18 They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish. Isaiah 40:16-17 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. Isaiah 41:29 See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 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. ... Matthew 7:26-27 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!” 1 Corinthians 15:58 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. 2 Peter 3:10 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. Revelation 18:17-19 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.” Treasury of Scripture 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? is it. Genesis 11:6-9 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is 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… 2 Samuel 15:31 And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness. Job 5:13,14 He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong… for very vanity. Jump to Previous Almighty Armies Determined Fatigued Fire Fuel Grow Hosts Indeed Labor Nations Nought Peoples People's Pleasure Themselves Toil Using Vain Vanity Weary WorkingJump to Next Almighty Armies Determined Fatigued Fire Fuel Grow Hosts Indeed Labor Nations Nought Peoples People's Pleasure Themselves Toil Using Vain Vanity Weary WorkingHabakkuk 2 1. Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is shown that he must wait by faith.5. The judgment upon the Chaldean for unsatiableness, 9. for covetousness, 12. for cruelty, 15. for drunkenness, 18. and for idolatry. Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts 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., Isaiah 1:9, Jeremiah 11:20). 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. that the labor of the people only feeds the fire and the nations weary themselves in vain? Persons / Places / Events 1. HabakkukA prophet in the Old Testament who dialogues with God about the justice and sovereignty of divine actions. 2. The LORD of Hosts A title for God emphasizing His supreme authority and command over the heavenly armies. 3. The Peoples Refers to the nations and groups of people who labor and toil. 4. The Nations Represents the collective groups of people outside of Israel, often seen as pursuing their own agendas apart from God. 5. The Fire Symbolic of destruction or futility, representing the ultimate end of human efforts apart from God. Teaching Points The Sovereignty of GodRecognize that God is in control of all nations and their efforts. Human endeavors are ultimately subject to His will. The Futility of Human Effort Without God Understand that labor and achievements apart from God’s purpose are ultimately in vain. Divine Judgment and Purpose Acknowledge that God uses the efforts of nations to fulfill His divine purposes, even when they seem futile. The Importance of Aligning with God’s Will Encourage believers to seek God’s guidance in their work and efforts to ensure they are not laboring in vain. Eternal Perspective Cultivate an eternal perspective that values spiritual accomplishments over temporal achievements. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Habakkuk 2In Malachi 4:1, how can a literal 'day' consume the wicked like stubble without any known natural phenomenon matching this description? How can the prophet's frustration over God's silence (Habakkuk 1:2) be reconciled with other biblical passages emphasizing God's swift intervention? Isaiah 18:4: How does the imagery of God quietly observing nations square with other passages where God is depicted as actively intervening? Why does God seem silent when people pray?(13) In the very fire . . . for very vanity. The preposition is the same in both clauses, and means "for an equivalent in." The sense is sufficiently conveyed if we render "labour only for the fire . . . weary themselves all for nothing." The same expressions occur in Jeremiah's denunciation of Babylon (Jeremiah 51:58). 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."Verse 13. - Is it not of the Lord of hosts? Hath not God ordained that this, about to be mentioned, should be the issue of all this evil splendour? That the people shall labour in the very fire; rather, that the peoples labour for the fire; i.e. 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 (Isaiah 40:16). Jeremiah (Jeremiah 51:58) applies these and the following words to the destruction of Babylon. This is indeed to weary themselves for very vanity. Babylon, when it was finally taken, was given over to fire and sword (comp. Jeremiah 50:32; Jeremiah 51:30, etc.). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew Is it notהֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w) Adverb - Negative particle Strong's 3808: Not, no indeed הִנֵּ֔ה (hin·nêh) Interjection Strong's 2009: Lo! behold! from מֵאֵ֖ת (mê·’êṯ) Preposition-m | Direct object marker Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel of Hosts צְבָא֑וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ) Noun - common plural Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign that the labor וְיִֽיגְע֤וּ (wə·yî·ḡə·‘ū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3021: To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil of the people עַמִּים֙ (‘am·mîm) Noun - masculine plural Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock only feeds בְּדֵי־ (bə·ḏê-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough the fire, אֵ֔שׁ (’êš) Noun - common singular Strong's 784: A fire and nations וּלְאֻמִּ֖ים (ū·lə·’um·mîm) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural Strong's 3816: A community weary themselves יִעָֽפוּ׃ (yi·‘ā·p̄ū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 3286: To be weary, faint in בְּדֵי־ (bə·ḏê-) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough vain? רִ֥יק (rîq) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 7385: Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain Links Habakkuk 2:13 NIVHabakkuk 2:13 NLT Habakkuk 2:13 ESV Habakkuk 2:13 NASB Habakkuk 2:13 KJV Habakkuk 2:13 BibleApps.com Habakkuk 2:13 Biblia Paralela Habakkuk 2:13 Chinese Bible Habakkuk 2:13 French Bible Habakkuk 2:13 Catholic Bible OT Prophets: Habakkuk 2:13 Behold isn't it of Yahweh of Armies (Hab Hb) |
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