Verse Lens · Expanded explanation
Habakkuk 2:6 Explained in Context
Use this verse as a doorway into the larger passage—not as an isolated saying.
Verse 6. 6Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
King James Version — public domain in the United States · Bible text and permissions
Quick Meaning
This verse gives the gathered peoples a taunt and opens the first woe against accumulating what is not the oppressor's.
The plundered take up the how long
This verse is one part of that explanation in Habakkuk 2:6-8. The complete section carries the connected meaning and how it should shape life.
Read It With
- Habakkuk 2:6-8
Read Habakkuk 2:6 with 2:6-8. This verse gives the gathered peoples a taunt and opens the first woe against accumulating what is not the oppressor's. The full unit establishes this movement: The peoples plundered by the insatiable conqueror taunt him: accumulated goods and oppressive debt cannot secure him, because survivors of his violence will become the agents or witnesses of reversal.
Why This Verse Appears Here
The first woe answers conquest at its economic point: taking from many does not create permanent possession but builds the case for reversal. Within that movement, this verse gives the gathered peoples a taunt and opens the first woe against accumulating what is not the oppressor's.
Read Habakkuk 2:6–8 together
Why these verses belong together: The first woe moves from plundered peoples' taunt to sudden reversal and its explicit reason.
Verse 6. 6 Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
Verse 7. 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?
Verse 8. 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.
Follow the Context
- All the gathered peoples take up a taunt and mocking riddle.
- The woe names accumulation of what is not the oppressor's and a burden of pledged goods.
- Those treated as debtors or prey rise suddenly.
- Because the oppressor plundered many and shed blood, the surviving peoples plunder him.
Phrase-by-Phrase Explanation
“how long”
In plain language: The victims' taunt turns the book's opening duration question against the plunderer.
Gives the gathered peoples a taunt and opens the first woe against accumulating what is not the oppressor's. Those reduced to objects of conquest are restored as speaking witnesses.
Why it matters: The wording carries textual, theological, ethical, or predictive risk that requires its full unit and stated limits.
How certain? probableWhat This Verse Is Not Saying
The taunt does not authorize indiscriminate looting or collective punishment.
What Remains True
Those reduced to objects of conquest are restored as speaking witnesses.
How It Can Shape Life
- Hear harmed communities and distinguish lawful accountability from revenge.
Teach It Back
Explain Habakkuk 2:6's contribution to Habakkuk 2:6-8: Gives the gathered peoples a taunt and opens the first woe against accumulating what is not the oppressor's. Include what the surrounding verses add, the stated uncertainty, and what this verse does not authorize.
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Continue in Context
Read the complete section for the connected explanation and how it should shape life. This verse is a doorway into that passage, not a saying that stands alone.
Read Habakkuk 2:6-8 — First Woe: Plunder Turns on the PlundererSources used for this Verse Lens
How certain is this explanation? probable
Where care is needed
The rare final term may refer to collateral, debts, or another burden rather than literal thick clay.
These are the sources used directly for this lens. Language, grammar, disagreements, and the complete source shelf remain attached to the full thought-unit research record.
Biblical text
King James (Authorized) Version — eng-kjv2006
eBible.org and CrossWire Bible Society
USFM archive eng-kjv2006_usfm.zip; source files dated 2026-08-19; downloaded 2026-08-24; archive SHA-256 aec1b3b26c622fd3d963d2bbac963016b9513246ffbfa20da00bb100372ea007; normalized corpus SHA-256 09aef51d90488aa7b9722b3fd9a93f4b25f6bf2064c5fd798fb39673c300ddf2.
Supports: Exact displayed Scripture, paragraph markers, supplied-word markup, and canonical verse coverage.
Exact location: Habakkuk 2:6-8, repository-pinned eng-kjv2006 USFM corpus
Open source ↗hebrew text and morphology
Open Scriptures Hebrew Bible: Habakkuk
Open Scriptures
Open Scriptures, release 2.2
Supports: Masoretic Hebrew wording, morphology, repeated terms, clause relationships, and base forms behind translation discussion.
Exact location: Open Scriptures MorphHB v.2.2, commit 6a5db284c715c18b239422e57bb89684e6a19f00, wlc/Hab.xml, 2:6-8
Open source ↗translation and translator notes
NET Bible: Habakkuk with translators' notes
Biblical Studies Press
Biblical Studies Press, 2006
Supports: Verse-level translation, Hebrew, text-critical, literary, historical, and uncertainty notes.
Exact location: NET Bible Habakkuk PDF, printed pp. 1772, translation and notes on 2:6-8
Open source ↗