Habakkuk 2:9-11

Wo to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house

“Which Nebuchadnezzar strove to aggrandize, and which Cyrus cut off.” Newcome. The translation of the LXX. accords exactly with ours: but the Hebrew, בצע בצע רע, seems to be more exactly rendered by Dr. Wheeler, “Wo unto him that procureth wicked gain for his family:” that is, who endeavours to raise it to a state of wealth and pre-eminence by sinful means. That he may set his nest on high May exalt himself and his family to such power and greatness, that they shall be out of the reach of all their enemies; that he may be delivered from the power of evil May be kept secure and out of danger from all below him. This is spoken of Nebuchadnezzar, his family and kingdom; that as birds, guided by instinct, build their nests on the top of rocks and trees, or other places; so the king of Babylon thought, by getting possession of many places strong by their situation, on lofty eminences difficult to come at, as well as by their fortifications, that he, his family, and kingdom, should always be safe and out of danger from any enemy; or, as it is expressed in the text, from the hand of evil. Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, &c. Thy cruelty toward others will turn at last to thy own confusion, and utter extirpation. And hast sinned against thy own soul Hast done that which will bring destruction on thyself. For the stone shall cry out of the wall, &c. The walls of so many cities thrown down, and the ruins of a multitude of houses, will bear witness of thy injustice and cruelty.