King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 2:9 Mean?

Habakkuk 2:9 in the King James Version says “Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered f...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Habakkuk 2:9 · KJV

Salvation

Context

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

10

Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.

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

Read Habakkuk 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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! The second woe addresses security through exploitation. Coveteth an evil covetousness (בֹּצֵעַ בֶּצַע רָע/botze'a betza ra)—literally 'gains gain of evil,' using repetition for emphasis. בֶּצַע (betza) means unjust gain, profit obtained through violence or fraud. To his house (לְבֵיתוֹ/leveito)—for his dynasty, family, or institution.

That he may set his nest on high (לָשׂוּם בַּמָּרוֹם קִנּוֹ/lasum bammarom qinno)—to place his nest in an elevated, supposedly secure position. The image comes from eagles building nests in high cliffs (Jeremiah 49:16, Obadiah 4), thinking themselves unreachable. That he may be delivered from the power of evil (לְהִנָּצֵל מִכַּף־רָע/lehinnatzel mikkaf-ra)—to escape misfortune's grasp. The irony is devastating: pursuing security through evil guarantees insecurity. Building wealth or power through oppression creates the conditions for eventual destruction. The very 'evil' one tries to escape through wicked gain becomes the means of judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon built massive fortifications—the famous walls, the Ishtar Gate, elevated palaces—attempting to create an impregnable city. Herodotus described walls so wide chariots could turn on top. Nebuchadnezzar's palace was raised on artificial platforms. This architecture expressed the theology: we have made ourselves secure through our own power. Yet these defenses failed. Cyrus's army entered by diverting the river. No human security system can protect against divine judgment. The same pattern appears in modern history: the Maginot Line, the Berlin Wall, gated communities, offshore accounts—all attempts to create security through human means that ultimately fail. True security comes only through righteousness, not wealth or power (Proverbs 11:4, 18:11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does pursuing security through unjust gain actually create insecurity rather than safety?
  2. What are modern equivalents of 'setting one's nest on high'—attempting to make oneself secure through wealth, status, or power?
  3. Where is true security found, and how does this differ from the false security offered by wealth and human achievement?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
ה֗וֹי1 of 11

“Woe”

H1945

oh!

בֹּצֵ֛עַ2 of 11

“to him that coveteth”

H1214

to break off, i.e., (usually) plunder; figuratively, to finish, or (intransitively) stop

בֶּ֥צַע3 of 11

“covetousness”

H1215

plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)

רָֽע׃4 of 11

“an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

לְבֵית֑וֹ5 of 11

“to his house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

לָשׂ֤וּם6 of 11

“that he may set”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בַּמָּרוֹם֙7 of 11

“on high”

H4791

altitude, i.e., concretely (an elevated place), abstractly (elevation, figuratively (elation), or adverbially (aloft)

קִנּ֔וֹ8 of 11

“his nest”

H7064

a nest (as fixed), sometimes including the nestlings; figuratively, a chamber or dwelling

לְהִנָּצֵ֖ל9 of 11

“that he may be delivered”

H5337

to snatch away, whether in a good or a bad sense

מִכַּף10 of 11

“from the power”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רָֽע׃11 of 11

“an evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

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 2:9 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 2:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 49:16Jeremiah 22:13-19Psalms 52:7Jude 1:111 Kings 21:2-4Job 20:19-28

Test Your Knowledge

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

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