Tag Archives: Habakkuk 2:5

The Wine That Betrays: Syntactic Chiasm and Moral Irony in Habakkuk 2:5

וְאַף֙ כִּֽי־הַיַּ֣יִן בֹּוגֵ֔ד גֶּ֥בֶר יָהִ֖יר וְלֹ֣א יִנְוֶ֑ה אֲשֶׁר֩ הִרְחִ֨יב כִּשְׁאֹ֜ול נַפְשֹׁ֗ו וְה֤וּא כַמָּ֨וֶת֙ וְלֹ֣א יִשְׂבָּ֔ע וַיֶּאֱסֹ֤ף אֵלָיו֙ כָּל־הַגֹּויִ֔ם וַיִּקְבֹּ֥ץ אֵלָ֖יו כָּל־הָעַמִּֽים׃ In the prophetic book of Habakkuk, we find a vision that pierces through time—a condemnation not only of Judah’s enemies but of all who exalt themselves against divine justice. In Habakkuk 2:5, the prophet turns his gaze toward the arrogant oppressor, whose excess and pride are likened to wine that betrays, death that never fills, and Sheol that is never satisfied.… Learn Hebrew
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