Habakkuk 2:4 - Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

Bible Comments

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos (App-6), emphasizing the twofold answer to the prophet's prayer: the fate of the wicked in the coming judgment, and the preservation and eternal lot of the righteous. Supply the Ellipsis: "Behold [the proud one]".

his: i.e. the Chaldean's of Habakkuk 1. or the lawless one described in Hab. and in the verses which follow.

soul. Hebrew. nephesh. App-13.

the just. a righteous one. Quoted in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 1:3; Galatians 1:11. Compare Hebrews 10:38.

live: i.e. live for ever in resurrection life. See notes on Leviticus 18:5. The wicked go on living, without faith, if it refers to this life; therefore "live" must refer to. future life. The Hebrew accents place the emphasis on "shall live"; not "the just by his faith", but "a just one, by his faith, will live", and make the contrast not between faith and unbelief, but between the fate of each perishing and living for ever. In Romans 1:17 the context places the emphasis on " the righteous "; in Galatians 1:3; Galatians 1:11 it is placed on "faith".

Habakkuk 2:4

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.