Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! The conquered nations will take up a parable (יִשְׂאוּ מָשָׁל/yis'u mashal)—lift up a proverbial taunt song. The term מָשָׁל (mashal) can mean proverb, parable, or mocking poem. The oppressed will mock their former oppressor, pronouncing Woe (הוֹי/hoy)—a prophetic cry of judgment and lament.
To him that increaseth that which is not his (מַרְבֶּה לֹּא־לוֹ/marbeh lo-lo)—accumulating what doesn't belong to him. This describes imperial plunder—seizing the wealth, land, and people of conquered nations. How long? (עַד־מָתַי/ad-matai) echoes Habakkuk's original complaint (1:2)—the cry of all oppressed peoples wondering when justice will arrive. And to him that ladeth himself with thick clay (וּמַכְבִּיד עָלָיו עַבְטִיט/umakhbid alav avtit)—loading himself with heavy pledges or debts. Some translate עַבְטִיט (avtit) as 'pledges' (ill-gotten goods held as collateral), others as 'thick clay' (burden). Either way, the image is of someone weighted down with stolen wealth that will ultimately crush them. Proverbs 13:11 warns that wealth gained hastily will dwindle—Babylon's plunder becomes its burden.
Historical Context
Babylon's wealth came almost entirely from conquest and tribute. Nebuchadnezzar plundered Jerusalem's temple (2 Kings 24:13, 25:13-17), carried off treasures from Egypt, Tyre, and countless other cities. The Ishtar Gate and Hanging Gardens—Babylon's architectural wonders—were built with slave labor and plundered materials. Yet within decades, this wealth couldn't save Babylon from Persian conquest. The treasures flowed to new masters. The same pattern recurs: colonial empires built on plunder eventually lose their wealth. The taunt song proves prophetic—history remembers Babylon as the great oppressor whose fall is celebrated, not mourned.
Questions for Reflection
How does accumulating wealth or success through exploitation of others create a burden rather than a blessing?
What does it mean that ill-gotten gains become 'thick clay'—a weight that drags down rather than lifts up?
How should the certainty of this woe affect how believers pursue wealth, success, and influence in this world?
Analysis & Commentary
Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! The conquered nations will take up a parable (יִשְׂאוּ מָשָׁל/yis'u mashal)—lift up a proverbial taunt song. The term מָשָׁל (mashal) can mean proverb, parable, or mocking poem. The oppressed will mock their former oppressor, pronouncing Woe (הוֹי/hoy)—a prophetic cry of judgment and lament.
To him that increaseth that which is not his (מַרְבֶּה לֹּא־לוֹ/marbeh lo-lo)—accumulating what doesn't belong to him. This describes imperial plunder—seizing the wealth, land, and people of conquered nations. How long? (עַד־מָתַי/ad-matai) echoes Habakkuk's original complaint (1:2)—the cry of all oppressed peoples wondering when justice will arrive. And to him that ladeth himself with thick clay (וּמַכְבִּיד עָלָיו עַבְטִיט/umakhbid alav avtit)—loading himself with heavy pledges or debts. Some translate עַבְטִיט (avtit) as 'pledges' (ill-gotten goods held as collateral), others as 'thick clay' (burden). Either way, the image is of someone weighted down with stolen wealth that will ultimately crush them. Proverbs 13:11 warns that wealth gained hastily will dwindle—Babylon's plunder becomes its burden.