King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 2:13 Mean?

Habakkuk 2:13 in the King James Version says “Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themsel...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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? for: or, in vain?”

Habakkuk 2:13 · KJV

Context

11

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. beam: or, piece, or, fastening answer it: or, witness against it

12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! blood: Heb. bloods

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? for: or, in vain?

14

For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. with: or, by knowing the glory

15

Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

Read Habakkuk 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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? God declares the futility of unjust labor. Is it not of the LORD of hosts (הֲלוֹא הִנֵּה מֵאֵת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת/halo hinneh me'et YHWH tseva'ot)—this comes from the LORD of armies, the sovereign commander of heaven's forces. That the people shall labour in the very fire (וְיִיגְעוּ עַמִּים בְּדֵי־אֵשׁ/veyig'u ammim bedei-esh)—peoples exhaust themselves only for fire. Their labor produces nothing lasting; it all burns up. בְּדֵי (bedei) means 'enough for' or 'sufficient for'—they work just enough to fuel the fire of judgment.

And the people shall weary themselves for very vanity (וּלְאֻמִּים בְּדֵי־רִיק יִעָפוּ/ule'ummim bedei-riq yi'afu)—nations grow faint for mere emptiness. רִיק (riq) means empty, vain, nothing. All the effort, all the building, all the conquest—it amounts to nothing, produces nothing lasting. This echoes Ecclesiastes: 'Vanity of vanities, all is vanity' (Ecclesiastes 1:2). Work disconnected from God and justice produces nothing eternal. Jeremiah 51:58 quotes this verse directly about Babylon: 'The broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire; and the people shall labour in vain.' All human achievement apart from God ends in fire and vanity.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's magnificent buildings, built through such enormous labor, stood less than a century before the city declined. The Hanging Gardens, one of the ancient world's seven wonders, disappeared completely—archaeologists still debate their exact location. The walls, gates, and palaces gradually crumbled. By the time of Christ, Babylon was largely ruins. Centuries of labor produced structures that burned, crumbled, or vanished. The contrast with Jerusalem is striking: though destroyed multiple times, Jerusalem remains a living city, because it was built on God's purposes, not merely human ambition. The principle applies universally: work not grounded in God's justice and purposes ultimately produces nothing lasting (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Only what's done for God's kingdom endures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can you ensure your labor produces lasting fruit rather than 'very vanity' that ultimately burns?
  2. What is the difference between human ambition that ends in futility and work grounded in God's purposes that endures eternally?
  3. How does this verse challenge cultural definitions of success that emphasize achievement, building, and legacy apart from justice and righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
הֲל֣וֹא1 of 13
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

הִנֵּ֔ה2 of 13
H2009

lo!

מֵאֵ֖ת3 of 13
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 13

“Behold is it not of the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

צְבָא֑וֹת5 of 13

“of hosts”

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

וְיִֽיגְע֤וּ6 of 13

“shall labour”

H3021

properly, to gasp; hence, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

עַמִּים֙7 of 13

“that the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּדֵי8 of 13

“in the very”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

אֵ֔שׁ9 of 13

“fire”

H784

fire (literally or figuratively)

וּלְאֻמִּ֖ים10 of 13

“and the people”

H3816

a community

בְּדֵי11 of 13

“in the very”

H1767

enough (as noun or adverb), used chiefly with preposition in phrases

רִ֥יק12 of 13

“vanity”

H7385

emptiness; figuratively, a worthless thing; adverbially, in vain

יִעָֽפוּ׃13 of 13

“shall weary”

H3286

to tire (as if from wearisome flight)

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Habakkuk. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Habakkuk 2:13 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Habakkuk 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 51:58Proverbs 21:30Isaiah 50:11Genesis 11:6-9Malachi 1:4Isaiah 41:5-8

Test Your Knowledge

Habakkuk 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHabakkuk Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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