Look at the proud one
The Hebrew word for "proud" here is "עֻפְלָה" (uphlah), which conveys a sense of arrogance and self-reliance. In the context of Habakkuk, this pride is often associated with the Babylonians, who were known for their military might and oppressive conquests. Historically, pride is a recurring theme in the Bible, often leading to downfall, as seen in the accounts of Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar, and others. This phrase serves as a warning against the dangers of self-exaltation and the false security it brings.

his soul is not upright—
The term "upright" in Hebrew is "יָשָׁר" (yashar), meaning straight or level. An "upright" soul is one that aligns with God's will and moral standards. The phrase suggests a moral and spiritual deficiency in the proud one, indicating a life not in harmony with God's righteousness. This reflects a broader biblical principle that true righteousness is not merely external but deeply rooted in one's inner being and relationship with God.

but the righteous
The Hebrew word for "righteous" is "צַדִּיק" (tzaddik), which denotes someone who is just, lawful, and in right standing with God. In the Old Testament, righteousness is often associated with faithfulness to God's covenant and commandments. This sets a contrast between the proud and the righteous, highlighting the different paths and outcomes of their lives. The righteous are those who seek to live according to God's standards, relying on His guidance and strength.

will live
The verb "live" in Hebrew is "חָיָה" (chayah), which means to have life, to remain alive, or to flourish. In this context, it implies more than mere physical survival; it suggests a life that is spiritually vibrant and eternally secure. This echoes the biblical promise that those who trust in God will experience true life, both now and in the age to come. It is a life marked by peace, purpose, and fulfillment in God's presence.

by his faith—
The Hebrew word for "faith" is "אֱמוּנָה" (emunah), which encompasses faithfulness, trust, and steadfastness. This phrase is pivotal, as it underscores the principle that righteousness is not achieved through human effort but through faith in God. This concept is foundational in both the Old and New Testaments, famously quoted in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11, emphasizing that faith is the means by which believers are justified and live out their relationship with God. It is a call to trust in God's promises and His character, even amidst uncertainty and trials.

(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 μου ζήσεται 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 ...


Look at
הִנֵּ֣ה (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 elated

his soul
נַפְשׁ֖וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

is not
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

upright—
יָשְׁרָ֥ה (yā·šə·rāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3474: To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous

but the righteous
וְצַדִּ֖יק (wə·ṣad·dîq)
Conjunctive waw | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

will live
יִחְיֶֽה׃ (yiḥ·yeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2421: To live, to revive

by his faith—
בֶּאֱמוּנָת֥וֹ (be·’ĕ·mū·nā·ṯōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 2:4 Behold his soul is puffed up (Hab Hb)