John Calvin Commentary Habakkuk 2:7

"Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booty unto them?" — Habakkuk 2:7 (ASV)

The Prophet continues with the subject we have already begun to explain, for he introduces here the common taunts against the king of Babylon and the whole tyrannical empire, by which many nations had been cruelly oppressed. He therefore says that enemies, who would bite him, would suddenly and unexpectedly rise up. Some interpret this as referring to worms, but incorrectly: for God not only inflicted punishment on the king when he was dead, but he also intended for there to be on earth an evident and memorable proof of his vengeance on the Babylonians, by which it might be made known to all that their cruelty could not be allowed to go unpunished.

The words, Shall not they rise suddenly, are emphatic, both regarding the question and the word, פתע, peto, suddenly. Indeed, we know that interrogations are more common in Hebrew than in Greek and Latin, and that they are stronger and more forceful. Our Prophet then speaks of what was undeniable. He adds, suddenly; for the Babylonians, relying on their own power, did not think that any evil was near them; and if anyone dared to rise up against them, this uprising would not have been so sudden that they would have been unable to resist in time and drive far away every danger. They indeed ruled far and wide, and we know that the wicked often feel secure when they find themselves fortified on all sides. But the Prophet declares here that evil was near them, which would suddenly overwhelm them. It now follows—