Look at the proud one;This phrase introduces the contrast between the proud and the righteous. In the context of Habakkuk, the "proud one" can be seen as the Babylonians, who were known for their arrogance and oppressive conquests. Pride is a recurring theme in the Bible, often associated with downfall (
Proverbs 16:18). The proud rely on their own strength and wisdom, setting themselves against God.
his soul is not upright—
The soul of the proud is described as not upright, indicating moral and spiritual corruption. This reflects a heart that is not aligned with God's will. In biblical terms, an "upright" soul is one that is righteous and in right standing with God. The lack of uprightness suggests a life lived in opposition to divine principles, which ultimately leads to judgment.
but the righteous will live by faith—
This phrase is pivotal in both the Old and New Testaments. It contrasts the proud with the righteous, who are characterized by their faith. In the historical context, the righteous in Judah were called to trust in God despite the impending Babylonian invasion. This principle is foundational in Christian theology, emphasizing that righteousness comes through faith, not works. The Apostle Paul cites this verse inRomans 1:17 andGalatians 3:11 to support the doctrine of justification by faith. It is also referenced inHebrews 10:38, highlighting its enduring significance. This faith is not merely belief but a trust that leads to a life lived in accordance with God's will, pointing to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who embodies perfect faith and righteousness.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
HabakkukA prophet in the Old Testament who dialogues with God about the problem of evil and injustice in the world.
2.
The Proud OneRepresents those who are arrogant and self-reliant, often seen as the Babylonians in the context of Habakkuk's prophecy.
3.
The RighteousThose who are justified and live in accordance with God's will, characterized by their faith and trust in God.
4.
BabylonThe empire that God uses as an instrument of judgment against Judah, known for its pride and oppression.
5.
JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, facing impending judgment due to its own unfaithfulness and injustice.
Teaching Points
The Danger of PridePride leads to a distorted soul and ultimately to downfall. We must guard against self-reliance and arrogance.
Living by FaithTrue righteousness is characterized by faith. This faith is not passive but active trust and reliance on God in all circumstances.
Faith vs. WorksOur standing before God is based on faith, not our own efforts or achievements. This is a foundational truth for Christian living.
Perseverance in TrialsJust as Habakkuk was called to trust God amidst impending judgment, we are called to maintain our faith even when circumstances are challenging.
The Role of Faith in SalvationFaith is not just a one-time act but a continual way of life that sustains and guides the believer.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of Habakkuk 2:4?
2.How does "the righteous will live by faith" apply to daily Christian living?
3.What does Habakkuk 2:4 reveal about God's view of pride versus faith?
4.How is Habakkuk 2:4 connected to Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11?
5.In what ways can we cultivate faithfulness in challenging circumstances today?
6.How does living by faith influence our response to societal injustices?
7.What does "the righteous will live by faith" in Habakkuk 2:4 mean for believers today?
8.How does Habakkuk 2:4 relate to the concept of justification by faith?
9.Why is faith emphasized over works in Habakkuk 2:4?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Habakkuk 2?
11.(Habakkuk 2:4) How can “the righteous shall live by faith” be reconciled with other passages that emphasize strict adherence to the Law?
12.What does 'From Faith to Faith' signify?
13.How were Old Testament saints saved before Jesus?
14.What messages do the prophets convey about faith and justice?What Does Habakkuk 2:4 Mean
Look at the proud one“Look at the proud one” (Habakkuk 2:4) spotlights the person who trusts in himself instead of God.
• The prophet has just finished describing the Chaldeans—“they are guilty; their own strength is their god” (Habakkuk 1:11). That self-exalting spirit sums up pride.
•Proverbs 16:18 warns, “Pride goes before destruction,” andJames 4:6 reminds us that “God opposes the proud.”
• The command “Look” invites us to recognize pride wherever we see it—whether in ruthless nations, influential leaders, or hidden corners of our own hearts.
his soul is not upright“His soul is not upright” (Habakkuk 2:4) explains why pride is so deadly.
• An “upright” soul is straight, aligned with God’s character (Isaiah 26:7). A crooked soul bends toward self, deception, and injustice (Proverbs 11:3).
• Because the proud heart is warped, it cannot stand in God’s presence—“the wicked will not stand in the judgment” (Psalm 1:5).
• This inner distortion eventually shows itself outwardly;Habakkuk 2 unfolds five woes that expose violence, greed, and idolatry flowing from a twisted soul.
but the righteous will live by faithThe verse pivots from the ruin of pride to the security of faith: “but the righteous will live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4).
• Righteous describes people God counts as right with Him—like Abram, who “believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness” (Genesis 15:6).
• Live points to more than survival; it is the fullness of life God preserves for His own (Psalm 16:11;John 10:10).
• By faith highlights the means: we rely on God’s Word, not our own strength. Habakkuk himself models this, waiting quietly for the Lord even while Babylon advances (Habakkuk 3:16–19).
• The New Testament cites this line three times—Romans 1:17,Galatians 3:11,Hebrews 10:37–38—to show that justification and ongoing perseverance both rest on faith, not works.
• Practical implications:
– Faith looks upward—trusting God’s character when circumstances are dark.
– Faith looks outward—resting in Christ’s finished work instead of self-effort.
– Faith looks forward—anticipating God’s ultimate vindication when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD” (Habakkuk 2:14).
summaryHabakkuk 2:4 draws a sharp contrast. Pride bends the soul away from God and leads to ruin, but faith straightens the heart toward God and brings true life. In every age the Lord sets before us the same choice: stand with the proud whose confidence is in themselves, or stand with the righteous who live—now and forever—by trusting Him.
(4)
Behold his soul. . . .--Better,
Behold his soul within him is puffed up, it is not upright. The soul of the Chaldaean invader is inflated with pride, self-dependence ousting from his mind all thoughts of God. It is therefore unsound and distorted. Habakkuk leaves the inference "and therefore it shall die" to be imagined, and hastens to the antithesis, "
But the righteous man shall live by his faith." The word
live is emphatic. The reward promised to patient waitings on God is
life--deliverance from destruction. How far the promise extends, and whether it includes that aspiration after future life which is plainly expressed by many Hebrew poets and prophets, we cannot determine. The student must be cautioned against such renderings as "he that is righteous-by-faith shall live," or, "he that is justified-by-faith shall live," which have been suggested by the Pauline quotations
Romans 1:17,
Galatians 3:11. If the adjective could be taken in this close collocation with the substantive, "he that is consistent in-his-confidence shall live" would be the only possible rendering. Thus whatever force we assign to St. Paul's citation, here, at least, the words have no doctrinal significance. Their ethical importance is, however, undeniable. (See Introduction 4)
Verse 4. - § 6.
The great principle is taught that the proud shall not continue, but the just shall live by faith. The prophecy commences with a fundamental thought, applicable to all God's dealings with man.
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him; literally,
behold, puffed up, his soul is not upright in him. This is a description of an evil character (especially of the Chaldean) in opposition to the character delineated in the following hemistich. One who is proud, presumptuous, thinks much of himself, despising others, and is not straightforward and upright before God, shall not live, shall not have a happy, safe life; he carries in himself the seeds of destruction. The result is not expressed in the first hemistich, but may be supplied from the next clause, and, as Knabenbauer suggests, may be inferred from the language in
Hebrews 10:38, 39, where, after quoting the Septuagint rendering of this passage,
Ἐὰν ὑποστείληται οὐκ εὐδοκεῖ ἡ ψυχή μου ἐν αὐτῷ, the writer adds, "But we are not of them that shrink back (
ὑποσταλῆς) unto perdition." Vulgate,
Ecce,
qui incredulus est, non erit recta anima ejus in semetipso, which seems to confine the statement to the case of one who doubts God's word.
But the just shall live by his faith. The "faith" here spoken of is a loving trust in God, confidence in his promises, resulting in due performance of his will. This hemistich is the antithesis to the former. The proud and perverse, those who wish to be independent of God, shall perish; but, on the other hand, the righteous shall live and be saved through his faith, on the condition that he puts his trust in God. The Hebrew accents forbid the union, "the just by faith," though, of course, no one can be just, righteous, without faith. The passage may be emphasized by rendering, "As to the just, through his faith he shall live." This famous sentence, which St. Paul has used as the basis of his great argument (
Romans 1:17;
Galatians 3:11; comp.
Hebrews 10:38), in its literal and contextual application implies that the righteous man will have perfect trust in God's promises and will be rewarded by being safe in the day of tribulation, with reference to the coming trouble at the hands of the Chaldeans. When the proud, greedy kingdom shall have sunk in ruin, the faithful people shall live secure. But the application is not confined to this circumstance. The promise looks beyond the temporal future of the Chaldeans and Israelites, and unto a reward that is eternal. We see how naturally the principle here enunciated is applied by the apostle to teach the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ. The LXX. gives,
Ὁ δὲ δίκαιος ἐκ πίστεώς μουζήσεται ι,ε. "by faith in me." The Speaker is God. St. Paul omits
μου. Habakkuk gathers into one sentence the whole principle of the Law, and indeed all true religion.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
Look atהִנֵּ֣ה(hin·nêh)Interjection
Strong's 2009:Lo! behold!the proud one;עֻפְּלָ֔ה(‘up·pə·lāh)Verb - Pual - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 6075:To swell, be elatedhis soulנַפְשׁ֖וֹ(nap̄·šōw)Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315:A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotionis notלֹא־(lō-)Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808:Not, noupright—יָשְׁרָ֥ה(yā·šə·rāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3474:To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperousbut the righteousוְצַדִּ֖יק(wə·ṣad·dîq)Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662:Just, righteouswill liveיִחְיֶֽה׃(yiḥ·yeh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421:To live, to reviveby his faith—בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹ(be·’ĕ·mū·nā·ṯōw)Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 530:Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity
Links
Habakkuk 2:4 NIVHabakkuk 2:4 NLTHabakkuk 2:4 ESVHabakkuk 2:4 NASBHabakkuk 2:4 KJV
Habakkuk 2:4 BibleApps.comHabakkuk 2:4 Biblia ParalelaHabakkuk 2:4 Chinese BibleHabakkuk 2:4 French BibleHabakkuk 2:4 Catholic Bible
OT Prophets: Habakkuk 2:4 Behold his soul is puffed up (Hab Hb) 
