Habakkuk 2:12

12 "'How horrible it will be for the one who builds a city by slaughter and founds a town by crime.'

Habakkuk 2:12 Meaning and Commentary

Habakkuk 2:12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and establisheth
a city by iniquity!
] This is what the stone and beam should say, if others were silent. The town and city are the church of Rome, mystical Babylon, the great city, called spiritually Egypt and Sodom; the builder of this is the pope of Rome, the bishops of it in succession, who built it with blood: the pope of Rome received his title as head of the church from Phocas, that murdered the emperor Mauritius; the foundation of the church of Rome is the blood of the saints, shed in persecutions and wars; hence she is said to be drunk with the blood of them, and to have the blood of prophets and saints found in her, ( Revelation 17:5 ) ( 18:24 ) and it is established by unjust exactions of tribute from all countries subject to it, and by indulgences, processions, and various methods taken to extort money from the people, to support its pageantry, pomp, and grandeur; but there is a "woe" denounced against such that are concerned herein, and which will take place in due time, nor can it be awarded, as follows:

Habakkuk 2:12 In-Context

10 You have planned disgrace for your household by cutting off many people and forfeiting your own life.

11 A stone in the wall will cry out. A beam in the roof will answer it.

12 "'How horrible it will be for the one who builds a city by slaughter and founds a town by crime.'

13 Isn't it from the LORD of Armies that people grow tired only to feed the flames and nations exhaust themselves for nothing?

14 But the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD's glory like the water covers the sea.