en_tn_condensed/hab/02/09.md

# General Information:

Yahweh continues to answer Habakkuk and to speak of the Chaldeans as if they were one man. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# the one who carves out evil gains

A person making a profit by violent means is spoken of as if he were "carving out" gains from something. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# the one who carves out evil gains for his house

Possible meanings are 1) the word "house" is a metaphor in which the Babylonian empire is spoken of as if it were a house that the man builds by means of profits that he gained through violence. Alternate translation: "the one who builds his house with riches that he gained through violence" or 2) the word "house" is a metonym for "family" and the man has made his family rich through violence. Alternate translation: "the one who makes his family rich by violent means" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]] and [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])

# so he can set his nest on high to keep himself safe from the hand of evil

The person who builds his house is spoken of as if he were a bird that builds its nest in a high place. The man thinks that his house is secure and free from danger, just as predators are unable to reach the nest. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor]])

# safe from the hand of evil

Here the word "hand" is a metonym for power, and the word "evil" is a metonym for people who do evil things. Alternate translation: "safe from the power of evil" or "safe from people who will harm him" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy]])