King James Version
What Does Habakkuk 2:7 Mean?
“Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?”
Habakkuk 2:7 · KJV
Context
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: Yea: or, How much more
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! Woe: or, Ho, he
7
Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
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. blood: Heb. bloods
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! coveteth: or, gaineth and evil gain power: Heb. palm of the hand
Commentary
KJV Study CommentaryShall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them? The rhetorical question expects the answer: yes, absolutely. Those you oppressed shall rise up suddenly (יָקוּמוּ פֶתַע/yaqumu feta)—will arise unexpectedly, without warning. That shall bite thee (נֹשְׁכֶיךָ/noshkheikha)—literally your 'biters,' using imagery of creditors extracting payment with interest (the verb נָשַׁךְ/nashakh means both 'bite' and 'charge interest').
And awake that shall vex thee (יִקְצוּ מְזַעְזְעֶיךָ/yiqtzu meza'ze'eikha)—your 'shakers' or 'tormentors' will awaken from sleep. The oppressed, once passive victims, become active agents of judgment. And thou shalt be for booties unto them (וְהָיִיתָ לִמְשִׁסּוֹת לָמוֹ/vehayita limshissot lamo)—you will become plunder for them, suffering the same fate you inflicted. This is the lex talionis (law of retaliation) on a cosmic scale—oppressors become the oppressed, plunderers become the plundered. The principle is clear: violence breeds violence, oppression creates the conditions for future revolt. Those who live by the sword die by the sword (Matthew 26:52).
And awake that shall vex thee (יִקְצוּ מְזַעְזְעֶיךָ/yiqtzu meza'ze'eikha)—your 'shakers' or 'tormentors' will awaken from sleep. The oppressed, once passive victims, become active agents of judgment. And thou shalt be for booties unto them (וְהָיִיתָ לִמְשִׁסּוֹת לָמוֹ/vehayita limshissot lamo)—you will become plunder for them, suffering the same fate you inflicted. This is the lex talionis (law of retaliation) on a cosmic scale—oppressors become the oppressed, plunderers become the plundered. The principle is clear: violence breeds violence, oppression creates the conditions for future revolt. Those who live by the sword die by the sword (Matthew 26:52).
KJV Study — Public Domain
Historical & Cultural Context
Babylon fell exactly as described—suddenly and from within. In 539 BC, Cyrus the Persian diverted the Euphrates River and entered Babylon while its king Belshazzar feasted (Daniel 5). Former subject peoples within the Babylonian Empire welcomed Persian rule as liberation. Some former Babylonian territories became Persian satrapies; others gained independence. The plunderers were plundered, the enslavers enslaved. History repeatedly demonstrates this principle: colonial powers face independence movements, slave societies face revolts, oppressive regimes face revolutions. Judgment comes through the very mechanisms of injustice employed—the oppressed rise against oppressors.
Reflection Questions
- How does injustice create the conditions for its own judgment through eventual backlash and revolt?
- What does this passage teach about the self-defeating nature of oppression and exploitation?
- How should awareness of this principle affect how individuals, businesses, and nations treat those with less power?
Original Language Analysis
Hebrew · 9 wordsהֲל֣וֹא1 of 9
H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
פֶ֗תַע2 of 9
“suddenly”
H6621a wink, i.e., moment (used only [with or without preposition] adverbially, quickly or unexpectedly)
יָק֙וּמוּ֙3 of 9
“Shall they not rise up”
H6965to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
נֹשְׁכֶ֔יךָ4 of 9
“that shall bite”
H5391to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan
מְזַעְזְעֶ֑יךָ6 of 9
“that shall vex”
H2111properly, to shake off, i.e., (figuratively) to agitate (as with fear)
וְהָיִ֥יתָ7 of 9
H1961to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לָֽמוֹ׃9 of 9
H0Study 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 2:7 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 2:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge