Old Testament
Habakkuk 2:5
Read the Bible in clear, modern English—easy to understand, faithful to the meaning, and written for everyday readers.
Indeed, because he sins through wine, he is a proud man who does not stay at home. He enlarges his desire like hell and is like death, never satisfied, gathering all nations to himself and collecting all peoples.
Compare translations
Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:
What Habakkuk 2:5 means
Plain-English insight for readers
In this verse, Habakkuk describes a proud and greedy person who is driven by excessive desires, symbolized by wine. This individual is never satisfied, constantly seeking more, much like death that consumes everything. Their ambition leads them to gather nations and peoples, reflecting a relentless pursuit of power and control. This imagery highlights the destructive nature of unchecked desires and pride, suggesting that such behavior ultimately leads to ruin. The verse serves as a warning against the dangers of allowing one's ambitions to spiral out of control, emphasizing the need for humility and contentment. It illustrates how pride can lead to a life that is restless and unfulfilled, as the person is always chasing after more without ever finding true satisfaction. This passage encourages readers to reflect on their own desires and the potential consequences of allowing pride to dictate their actions.
How to apply Habakkuk 2:5 to your life
This verse challenges us to examine our own desires and ambitions. Are we driven by pride and an insatiable need for more? It encourages us to seek contentment and humility, recognizing that true fulfillment comes from within, not from external pursuits.
Curated for this public verse page. Habakkuk Summary
Explore more of the Bible
Learn the Bible through its people and places
Get to know the people in Scripture through illustrated stories, and explore the places where they lived and traveled.
Illustrated scene from Moses's story: Israel Enslaved in Egypt (Exodus 1:8–22)
Meet the people of the Bible
Follow their lives in order, with illustrated scenes and Bible passages that tell their stories.
Moses
Photo: Diego Delso, via Wikimedia Commons. License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Source. Location: Tell es-Sultan, Jericho, West Bank. Resized for the web.
Explore the places of the Bible
See where biblical events happened, why each place matters, and what archaeology helps us understand.
Jericho
The city of palm trees, whose walls fell in Joshua's day.
Get full access with one subscription
Explore the people and places of the Bible. Read summaries of every book, with images and clear explanations covering every chapter. Access all these features and our Bible study tools with one subscription.
See PlansAsk AI about Habakkuk 2:5
Ask a question about this verse and get a clear answer, with Bible references you can read for yourself.
Every Bible book, explained chapter by chapter
Explore summaries of every book of the Bible, with images and easy-to-understand explanations covering every chapter.
Keep studying Habakkuk 2:5
Related Bible verses
Related topics
At a Glance — the Book of Habakkuk
- Author
- Habakkuk the prophet
- Written
- Around 610 BC
- Genre
- Prophecy
- Original Audience
- The kingdom of Judah
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick, clear answers about this verse
What does Habakkuk 2:5 mean?
Habakkuk 2:5 describes a proud and greedy person whose excessive desires, represented by wine, lead to a restless pursuit of power. This individual is never satisfied, much like death, and seeks to gather nations and peoples, illustrating the destructive nature of unchecked ambition.
What is the meaning of pride in Habakkuk 2:5?
In Habakkuk 2:5, pride refers to an inflated sense of self-importance that drives a person to pursue their desires relentlessly. This pride leads to a life of dissatisfaction and a constant need for more, ultimately resulting in destruction.
How does Habakkuk 2:5 relate to ambition?
Habakkuk 2:5 illustrates how unchecked ambition can lead to a never-ending pursuit of more, driven by pride and greed. The verse warns that such ambition, while seemingly powerful, ultimately leads to emptiness and destruction.
What lessons can we learn from Habakkuk 2:5?
From Habakkuk 2:5, we learn the importance of examining our desires and ambitions. It encourages us to seek contentment and humility, reminding us that true fulfillment comes from within rather than from external pursuits.
Daily Verse — straight to your inbox
A verse and a 2-sentence plain-English explanation, every morning. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.