Habakkuk 2:9

“Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, etc.] The bishops of Rome, being enriched by the donations of Constantine, were not satisfied, but coveted more; these are the greedy dogs Isaiah speaks of, that could never have enough, (<235611>Isaiah 56:11) but were still seeking and gaping after more for themselves and families, and for their own house or church; which, from the time of their apostasy, became their own house, in distinction from, and in opposition to, the house or true church of God; and of those covetous bishops, or Rome Papal, are these and the following words to (<350209>Habakkuk 2:9-14) to be understood: that he may set his nest on high: in allusion to…”

“coveteth an evil covetousness--that is, a covetousness so surpassingly evil as to be fatal to himself. to his house--greedily seizing enormous wealth, not merely for himself, but for his family, to which it is destined to be fatal. The very same "evil covetousness" that was the cause of Jehoiakim's being given up to the Chaldean oppressor (Jer 22:13) shall be the cause of the Chaldean's own destruction. set his nest on high-- (Num 24:21; Jer 49:16; Oba 1:4). The image is from an eagle (Job 39:27). The royal citadel is meant. The Chaldean built high towers, like the Babel founders, to "be delivered from the power of evil" (Gen 11:4).”

“Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house - (or, with accents, “that coveteth covetousness or unjust gain, an evil to his house.”) What man coveteth seems gain, but is evil “to his house” after him, destroying both himself and his whole family or race with him . “That he may set his nest on high,” as an eagle, to which he had likened the Chaldee (Habakkuk 1:8. Compare Jeremiah 20:16). A pagan called “strongholds, the nests of tyrants.” The nest was placed “on high” which means also “heaven,” as it is said, Obadiah 1:4, “though thou set thy nest among the stars;” and the tower of Babel was to “reach unto heaven” Genesis 11:4; and the antichrist, whose symbol the King of…”

“To his house - His family which he would enrich, and raise high. Delivered - Kept secure and out of danger from all below him. Habakkuk 2:10”

“2:9-11 In the second taunt song, the Babylonians are condemned for their dishonest dealings. Since the Babylonians obtained the means to build big houses through deceit and dishonesty, they forfeited their lives.”

“that coveteth an evil covetousness: or, that gaineth an evil gain, Gen 13:10-13, Gen 19:26-38; Deu 7:25, Deu 7:26; Jos 7:21-26; Kg1 21:2-4, Kg1 21:19-24; Kg2 5:20-27; Job 20:19-28; Jer 22:13-19; Zac 5:1-4; Act 1:17-25; Jde 1:11 set: Psa 10:3-6, Psa 49:11, Psa 52:7; Pro 18:11, Pro 18:12; Isa 28:15, Isa 47:7-9; Jer 49:16; Oba 1:4 power of evil: Heb. palm of the hand Habakkuk 2:10”

“The second woe is pronounced upon the wickedness of the Chaldaean, in establishing for himself a permanent settlement through godless gain. Hab 2:9. "Woe to him who getteth a godless gain for his house, to set his nest on high, to save himself from the hand of calamity. Hab 2:10. Thou hast consulted shame to thy house, destruction of many nations, and involvest thy soul in guilt. Hab 2:11. For the stone out of the wall will cry, and the spar out of the wood will answer it." To the Chaldaean's thirst for robbery and plunder there is attached quite simply the base avarice through which he seeks to procure strength and durability for his house. בּצע בּצע, to get gain, has in itself the…”