https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Habakkuk+2
12 tn The meaning of this line is unclear, primarily because of the uncertainty surrounding the second word,
עֲפְּלָה (
apÿlah). Some read this as an otherwise unattested verb
עָפַל (
afal, swell) from which are derived nouns meaning mound and hemorrhoid. This swelling is then understood in an abstract sense, swell with pride. This would yield a translation, As for the proud, his desires are not right within him (cf. NASB as for the proud one; NIV he is puffed up; NRSV Look at the proud!). A multitude of other interpretations of this line, many of which involve emendations of the problematic form, may be found in the commentaries and periodical literature. The present translation assumes an emendation to a Pual form of the verb
עָלַף (
alaf, be faint, exhausted). (See its use in the Pual in Isa 51:20, and in the Hitpael in Amos 8:13 and Jonah 4:8.) In the antithetical parallelism of the verse, it corresponds to
חָיָה (
khayah, live). The phrase
לֹא יָשְׁרָה נַפְשׁוֹ בּוֹ (
lo
yoshrah nafsho bo), literally, not upright his desire within him, is taken as a substantival clause that contrasts with
צַדִּיק (
tsadiq, the righteous one) and serves as the subject of the preceding verb. Here
נֶפֶשׁ (
nefesh) is understood in the sense of desire (see BDB 660-61 s.v.
נֶפֶשׁ for a list of passages where the word carries this sense).
13 tn Or righteous. The oppressed individuals mentioned in 1:4 are probably in view here.
14 tn Or will be preserved. In the immediate context this probably refers to physical preservation through both the present oppression and the coming judgment (see Hab 3:16-19).
15 tn Or loyalty; or integrity. The Hebrew word
אֱמוּנָה (
emunah) has traditionally been translated faith, but the term nowhere else refers to belief as such. When used of human character and conduct it carries the notion of honesty, integrity, reliability, faithfulness. The antecedent of the suffix has been understood in different ways. It could refer to Gods faithfulness, but in this case one would expect a first person suffix (the original form of the LXX has my faithfulness here). Others understand the vision to be the antecedent. In this case the reliability of the prophecy is in view. For a statement of this view, see J. J. M. Roberts,
Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 111-12. The present translation assumes that the preceding word [the person of] integrity is the antecedent. In this case the Lord is assuring Habakkuk that those who are truly innocent will be preserved through the coming oppression and judgment by their godly lifestyle, for God ultimately rewards this type of conduct. In contrast to these innocent people, those with impure desires (epitomized by the greedy Babylonians; see v. 5) will not be able to withstand Gods judgment (v. 4a).
https://net.bible.org/#!bible/Habakkuk+2
