Habakkuk 2:13
New International Version
Has not the LORD Almighty determined that the people’s labor is only fuel for the fire, that the nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

New Living Translation
Has not the LORD of Heaven’s Armies promised that the wealth of nations will turn to ashes? They work so hard, but all in vain!

English Standard Version
Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor merely for fire, and nations weary themselves for nothing?

Berean Standard Bible
Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?

King James Bible
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?

New King James Version
Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labor to feed the fire, And nations weary themselves in vain?

New American Standard Bible
“Is it not indeed from the LORD of armies That peoples labor merely for fire, And nations become weary for nothing?

NASB 1995
“Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing?

NASB 1977
“Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing?

Legacy Standard Bible
Is it not, behold, from Yahweh of hosts That peoples toil for fire, And nations grow weary for nothing?

Amplified Bible
“Is it not indeed from the LORD of hosts That peoples labor [only] for the fire [that will destroy their work], And nations grow weary for nothing [that is, things which have no lasting value]?

Christian Standard Bible
Is it not from the LORD of Armies that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Is it not from the LORD of Hosts that the peoples labor only to fuel the fire and countries exhaust themselves for nothing?

American Standard Version
Behold, is it not of Jehovah of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

Contemporary English Version
But the LORD All-Powerful sends up in flames what nations and people work so hard to gain.

English Revised Version
Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labour for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Isn't it from the LORD of Armies that people grow tired only to feed the flames and nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

Good News Translation
The nations you conquered wore themselves out in useless labor, and all they have built goes up in flames. The LORD Almighty has done this.

International Standard Version
Is it not because of the LORD of the Heavenly Armies that people grow tired putting out fires, and nations weary themselves over nothing?

Majority Standard Bible
Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain?

NET Bible
Be sure of this! The LORD who commands armies has decreed: The nations' efforts will go up in smoke; their exhausting work will be for nothing.

New Heart English Bible
Look, isn't it of the LORD of hosts that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?

Webster's Bible Translation
Behold, is it not from the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

World English Bible
Behold, isn’t it from Yahweh of Armies that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity?
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Behold, is it not from YHWH of Hosts "" And peoples are fatigued for fire, "" And nations for vanity are weary?

Young's Literal Translation
Lo, is it not from Jehovah of Hosts And peoples are fatigued for fire, And nations for vanity are weary?

Smith's Literal Translation
Behold, is it not from Jehovah of armies, and the peoples shall labor in a sufficiency of fire, and the peoples shall be wearied in a sufficiency of emptiness?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Are not these things from the Lord of hosts? for the people shall labour in a great fire: and the nations in vain, and they shall faint.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Are not these things before the Lord of hosts? For the people will labor amid a great fire, and the nations will labor in emptiness, and they will fail.

New American Bible
Is this not from the LORD of hosts: peoples toil for what the flames consume, and nations grow weary for nothing!

New Revised Standard Version
Is it not from the LORD of hosts that peoples labor only to feed the flames, and nations weary themselves for nothing?
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
All these things are from the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in fire, and the nations shall labor in vain.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
All these things are from LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts; the nations shall be afflicted in fire and the peoples shall labor in futility
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts That the peoples labour for the fire, And the nations weary themselves for vanity?

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Are not these things of the Lord Almighty? surely many people have been exhausted in the fire, and many nations have fainted.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woe to the Chaldeans
12Woe to him who builds a city with bloodshed and establishes a town by iniquity! 13Is it not indeed from the LORD of Hosts that the labor of the people only feeds the fire, and the nations weary themselves in vain? 14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.…

Cross References
Jeremiah 51:58
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Babylon’s thick walls will be leveled, and her high gates consumed by fire. So the labor of the people will be for nothing; the nations will exhaust themselves to fuel the flames.”

Isaiah 55:2
Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods.

Psalm 127:1
A song of ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain; unless the LORD protects the city, its watchmen stand guard in vain.

Ecclesiastes 1:14
I have seen all the things that are done under the sun, and have found them all to be futile, a pursuit of the wind.

Ecclesiastes 2:11
Yet when I considered all the works that my hands had accomplished and what I had toiled to achieve, I found everything to be futile, a pursuit of the wind; there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Isaiah 65:23
They will not labor in vain or bear children doomed to disaster; for they will be a people blessed by the LORD—they and their descendants with them.

Micah 3:10
who build Zion with bloodshed and Jerusalem with iniquity.

Jeremiah 51:18
They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

Isaiah 40:16-17
Lebanon is not sufficient for fuel, nor its animals enough for a burnt offering. / All the nations are as nothing before Him; He regards them as nothingness and emptiness.

Isaiah 41:29
See, they are all a delusion; their works amount to nothing; their images are as empty as the wind.

1 Corinthians 3:12-15
If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw, / his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work. / If what he has built survives, he will receive a reward. ...

Matthew 7:26-27
But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. / The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

2 Peter 3:10
But the Day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar, the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and its works will be laid bare.

Revelation 18:17-19
For in a single hour such fabulous wealth has been destroyed!” Every shipmaster, passenger, and sailor, and all who make their living from the sea, will stand at a distance / and cry out at the sight of the smoke rising from the fire that consumes her. “What city was ever like this great city?” they will exclaim. / Then they will throw dust on their heads as they weep and mourn and cry out: “Woe, woe to the great city, where all who had ships on the sea were enriched by her wealth! For in a single hour she has been destroyed.”


Treasury of Scripture

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labor in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

is it.

Genesis 11:6-9
And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do…

2 Samuel 15:31
And one told David, saying, Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom. And David said, O LORD, I pray thee, turn the counsel of Ahithophel into foolishness.

Job 5:13,14
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong…

for very vanity.

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Almighty Armies Determined Fatigued Fire Fuel Grow Hosts Indeed Labor Nations Nought Peoples People's Pleasure Themselves Toil Using Vain Vanity Weary Working
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Almighty Armies Determined Fatigued Fire Fuel Grow Hosts Indeed Labor Nations Nought Peoples People's Pleasure Themselves Toil Using Vain Vanity Weary Working
Habakkuk 2
1. Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is shown that he must wait by faith.
5. The judgment upon the Chaldean for unsatiableness,
9. for covetousness,
12. for cruelty,
15. for drunkenness,
18. and for idolatry.














Is it not indeed
This phrase introduces a rhetorical question, a common device in Hebrew literature, which implies an obvious truth. The prophet Habakkuk is emphasizing the certainty of the statement that follows. In the Hebrew text, the use of rhetorical questions often serves to provoke reflection and self-examination among the listeners or readers. It invites the audience to consider the divine origin of the events being described, underscoring the sovereignty and omniscience of God.

from the LORD of Hosts
The title "LORD of Hosts" (Yahweh Sabaoth) is a powerful designation for God, emphasizing His supreme authority over all heavenly and earthly armies. This title is used frequently in the Old Testament to convey God's might and His role as a divine warrior. In the context of Habakkuk, it serves to remind the reader that God is in control of the nations and their destinies. Historically, this title reassured the Israelites of God's protection and His ability to execute judgment against their enemies.

that the labor of the peoples
The "labor of the peoples" refers to the efforts and toil of nations, particularly those who are not aligned with God's purposes. In the ancient Near Eastern context, nations often engaged in extensive building projects, military campaigns, and economic endeavors to establish their power and legacy. However, Habakkuk points out the futility of these efforts when they are not rooted in God's will. The Hebrew word for "labor" (עָמָל, amal) can also imply toil or trouble, suggesting that such efforts are burdensome and ultimately unproductive.

is only fuel for the fire
This vivid imagery conveys the idea that the achievements of the nations, when not aligned with God's purposes, are destined for destruction. The metaphor of "fuel for the fire" suggests that all human endeavors, no matter how grand, are temporary and will be consumed if they are not in accordance with God's eternal plan. In a broader biblical context, fire often symbolizes judgment and purification, indicating that God will ultimately refine and judge the works of humanity.

and the nations exhaust themselves in vain
The phrase highlights the futility and emptiness of the nations' efforts apart from God. The Hebrew word for "vain" (הֶבֶל, hebel) is often translated as "meaningless" or "breath," emphasizing the transient and insubstantial nature of human endeavors without divine purpose. Historically, this reflects the cyclical rise and fall of empires, which, despite their might and ambition, ultimately fail to achieve lasting significance without God's blessing. This serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's efforts with God's will to achieve true and lasting impact.

(13) In the very fire . . . for very vanity. The preposition is the same in both clauses, and means "for an equivalent in." The sense is sufficiently conveyed if we render "labour only for the fire . . . weary themselves all for nothing." The same expressions occur in Jeremiah's denunciation of Babylon (Jeremiah 51:58). Both prophets predict that Jehovah shall render all this compulsory service fruitless. Jeremiah adds the explanatory clauses, "the broad walls of Babylon shall be utterly broken, and her high gates shall be burned with fire."

Verse 13. - Is it not of the Lord of hosts? Hath not God ordained that this, about to be mentioned, should be the issue of all this evil splendour? That the people shall labour in the very fire; rather, that the peoples labour for the fire; i.e. that the Chaldees and such like nations expended all this toil on cities and fortresses only to supply food for fire, which, the prophet sees, will be their end (Isaiah 40:16). Jeremiah (Jeremiah 51:58) applies these and the following words to the destruction of Babylon. This is indeed to weary themselves for very vanity. Babylon, when it was finally taken, was given over to fire and sword (comp. Jeremiah 50:32; Jeremiah 51:30, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Is it not
הֲל֣וֹא (hă·lō·w)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

indeed
הִנֵּ֔ה (hin·nêh)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

from
מֵאֵ֖ת (mê·’êṯ)
Preposition-m | Direct object marker
Strong's 853: Untranslatable mark of the accusative case

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֑וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

that the labor
וְיִֽיגְע֤וּ (wə·yî·ḡə·‘ū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3021: To gasp, to be exhausted, to tire, to toil

of the people
עַמִּים֙ (‘am·mîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

only feeds
בְּדֵי־ (bə·ḏê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough

the fire,
אֵ֔שׁ (’êš)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 784: A fire

and nations
וּלְאֻמִּ֖ים (ū·lə·’um·mîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3816: A community

weary themselves
יִעָֽפוּ׃ (yi·‘ā·p̄ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 3286: To be weary, faint

in
בְּדֵי־ (bə·ḏê-)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1767: Sufficiency, enough

vain?
רִ֥יק (rîq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7385: Emptiness, a worthless thing, in vain


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 2:13 Behold isn't it of Yahweh of Armies (Hab Hb)
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