Bible Strands
Habakkuk 2:4
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright—but the righteous will live by faith—
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — God addresses the proud one directly within the second oracle (Hab 2:2–20), a series of woe-pronouncements against the Chaldeans. The prophet Habakkuk delivers the word.
The words — עֻפֶּלָה ('u.pe.Lah, "swollen") describes the proud one's soul as inflated, a word used only here in the Hebrew Bible. אֱמוּנָה ('e.mu.na.H, "faithfulness") is not mere belief but the quality of being reliable and trustworthy.
The thread — Paul quotes this verse in Romans 1:17, Galatians 3:11, and Hebrews 10:38, making it the hinge for the New Testament's argument that righteousness comes through faithfulness rather than law-keeping.
Why it lands — The verse sets a binary: live by the inflation of self or live by faithfulness, and the "will live" (יִחְיֶה) is a future promise, not a present description. It asks the reader to identify which posture governs their life.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.
Cross-references
- Romans 1:17 For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
- Hebrews 10:38 But My righteous one will live by faith; and if he shrinks back, I will take no pleasure in him.”
- Galatians 3:11 Now it is clear that no one is justified before God by the law, because, “The righteous will live by faith.”
- Galatians 2:16 know that a man is not justified by works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have believed in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.
- John 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
- 1 John 5:10 Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.
- Luke 18:14 I tell you, this man, rather than the Pharisee, went home justified. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
- Daniel 4:37 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, for all His works are true and all His ways are just. And He is able to humble those who walk in pride.
- Daniel 5:20 But when his heart became arrogant and his spirit was hardened with pride, he was deposed from his royal throne, and his glory was taken from him.
- 1 Peter 5:5 Young men, in the same way, submit yourselves to your elders. And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”