Habakkuk 2:14

Commentary on Habakkuk 2:14

1. The Text

Habakkuk 2:14 (King James Version):
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

This verse sits within a chapter of woes pronounced against Babylon, and it shines like a bright promise in the midst of judgement. It is a declaration of God’s ultimate purpose for history: His glory known, honoured, and enjoyed across the whole earth.

2. Literary and Historical Context

Habakkuk is a prophet wrestling with the problem of evil and injustice. He asks why God seems silent and why wickedness appears to triumph. God answers by revealing that He will judge Judah through the Babylonians, and then judge the Babylonians themselves. Chapter 2[i] contains five “woes” against Babylon’s violence, greed, idolatry, and oppression.

In the middle of these woes, God gives a promise that transcends the immediate historical moment. While human empires rise and fall, God’s purposes stand firm. The verse is a reminder that history is not spiralling out of control; it is moving toward a divinely appointed end.

3. Exegetical Insights

3.1 “The earth shall be filled”

This is not a tentative hope. It is a divine certainty. God Himself declares what shall be. Human rebellion cannot overturn His purposes.

3.2 “The knowledge of the glory of the Lord”

This is not mere intellectual awareness. In Scripture, “knowledge” often means relational, experiential understanding. It is knowing God as He truly is.

The “glory of the Lord” refers to His revealed character—His holiness, justice, mercy, power, and beauty. It is the radiance of who He is.

Compare:

Isaiah 6:3 (KJV):
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The earth is already full of God’s glory, but Habakkuk speaks of a future time when the earth will be full of the knowledge of that glory—when people recognise, honour, and delight in it.

3.3 “As the waters cover the sea”

This is a poetic way of saying “completely.”
There is no part of the sea that is not covered by water.
Likewise, there will be no corner of creation untouched by the knowledge of God.

This echoes:

Isaiah 11:9 (KJV):
“For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

Habakkuk draws on Isaiah’s vision of the Messianic age, pointing forward to the reign of Christ.

4. Theological Teaching

4.1 God’s Sovereignty Over History

Habakkuk 2 shows that God governs nations. Babylon’s rise and fall are under His control. The promise of verse 14 assures believers that God’s purposes will prevail despite present chaos.

4.2 The Mission of God

This verse reveals God’s global intention: that all peoples know Him. It anticipates the Great Commission.

Matthew 28:19–20 (KJV):
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”

The mission of the church is grounded in God’s mission to fill the earth with His glory.

4.3 The Hope of the Kingdom

This verse points forward to the new creation, where God’s glory is fully revealed and universally acknowledged.

Revelation 21:23 (KJV):
“And the city had no need of the sun… for the glory of God did lighten it.”

The promise of Habakkuk 2:14 is eschatological—it finds its ultimate fulfilment in Christ’s return.

5. Application to Modern Christian Living

5.1 Living with Confidence in Troubled Times

Habakkuk lived in a world marked by violence, injustice, and uncertainty. So do we.
This verse reminds us that God’s purposes are not thwarted by human evil.
Christians can live with calm confidence, knowing history is heading toward God’s appointed goal.

5.2 Participating in God’s Mission

Since God intends to fill the earth with the knowledge of His glory, believers are called to be witnesses of that glory.

We do this by:

• proclaiming the gospel
• living lives shaped by Christ’s character
• showing grace, justice, and compassion
• praying for the spread of the gospel
• supporting global mission

5.3 Worship as a Foretaste of the Future

Every act of worship anticipates the day when all creation will acknowledge God’s glory.
When we gather as God’s people, we participate in the future reality promised in this verse.

5.4 Persevering in Faith

Habakkuk 2:4 says:

Habakkuk 2:4 (KJV):
“The just shall live by his faith.”

This is the posture of those who trust God’s promise in verse 14.
We live by faith now, confident that God’s glory will one day be universally known.

6. Meditation Guide

6.1 Reflect

Sit quietly and reflect on the verse:

“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

Ask:

• What part of God’s glory do I need to know more deeply?
• Where do I see evidence of God’s glory in creation, Scripture, and Christ?
• How does this promise reshape my fears, anxieties, or frustrations?

6.2 Pray

• Thank God that He is sovereign over history.
• Ask Him to deepen your knowledge of His glory.
• Pray for the spread of the gospel in your community and across the world.
• Pray for perseverance in faith.

6.3 Act

Choose one concrete step this week that reflects God’s glory:

• an act of kindness
• a word of encouragement
• a moment of witness
• a commitment to prayer
• a renewed focus on worship

Let your life be a small but real contribution to God’s global purpose.

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[i] Habakkuk 2

King James Version

2 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.

2 And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

5 Yea also, because he transgresseth by wine, he is a proud man, neither keepeth at home, who enlargeth his desire as hell, and is as death, and cannot be satisfied, but gathereth unto him all nations, and heapeth unto him all people:

6 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!

7 Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?

8 Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

9 Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!

10 Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.

11 For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

12 Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!

13 Behold, is it not of the Lord of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?

14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.

15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness!

16 Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord’s right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory.

17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men’s blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.

18 What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

19 Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

20 But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.