Habakkuk 2 14

Habakkuk 2:14 kjv

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

Habakkuk 2:14 nkjv

For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14 niv

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14 esv

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD as the waters cover the sea.

Habakkuk 2:14 nlt

For as the waters fill the sea,
the earth will be filled with an awareness
of the glory of the LORD.

Habakkuk 2 verses

Habakkuk 2 14 Meaning

Habakkuk 2:14 declares a future certainty: the earth will be comprehensively filled with an experiential knowledge of the inherent majesty, character, and manifest power of the LORD. This global revelation will be as profound, pervasive, and inescapable as the waters that fill and cover the entire ocean, leaving no part untouched or unknown. It speaks to God's ultimate sovereignty and the eventual, universal acknowledgment of His divine worth.

Habakkuk 2 14 Context

Habakkuk 2:14 is part of God's second answer to the prophet Habakkuk's complaints. Habakkuk struggled with the apparent injustice of God allowing the wicked (Babylonians) to prosper and oppress His people (Hab 1:12-17). In response, God unveils His plan, beginning with a declaration that the "righteous shall live by his faith" (Hab 2:4), followed by a series of five "woes" pronounced against the oppressor (Hab 2:6-20). These woes highlight God's righteous judgment against those who build their kingdoms on violence, covetousness, and idolatry. Amidst this judgment, Habakkuk 2:14 shines forth as a magnificent eschatological promise. It provides ultimate hope by transcending the immediate turmoil of the Babylonian invasion. It assures Habakkuk, and by extension God's people, that despite the present darkness and seemingly unchecked evil, God's purpose will ultimately prevail, His justice will be perfectly administered, and His glory will be universally manifest and known across the entire creation. It sets the stage for the universal worship of the one true God, explicitly contrasting with the futility of idols mentioned later in the chapter (Hab 2:18-19) and culminating in the command for silence before the LORD (Hab 2:20).

Habakkuk 2 14 Word analysis

• For the earth (כִּי־תִמָּלֵא הָאָרֶץ, ki-timale ha'aretz):

  • "For" (כִּי, ki): Introduces the reason or explanation for the preceding judgment and assurance. It ties this glorious future promise to God's definitive response to injustice.
  • "the earth" (הָאָרֶץ, ha'aretz): Refers to the entire globe, not merely the land of Israel. This signifies the universal, global scope of God's future reign and revelation, transcending geographical or ethnic boundaries.

• will be filled (תִמָּלֵא, timale):

  • From the root mala (מָלֵא), meaning "to be full," "to fill completely," or "to satisfy."
  • The form here indicates a future, passive (or reflexive), complete action. It implies a thorough and comprehensive saturation, where no part remains empty or untouched. This fullness is not a partial or limited state but one of utter completion. It emphasizes a divinely orchestrated fulfillment rather than a human endeavor.

• with the knowledge (דֵּעָה, de'ah):

  • From the root yada (יָדַע), meaning "to know," "to perceive," "to discern," or "to experience."
  • This is not merely intellectual acquaintance or theoretical information, but a profound, intimate, and experiential understanding. It implies a personal recognition, acknowledgment, and reverence of God. This knowledge transforms and brings true insight into His character, will, and supreme authority.

• of the glory (כְּבוֹד, kevod):

  • From the root kavod (כָּבוֹד), meaning "glory," "honor," "splendor," "reputation," or "weight/heaviness."
  • Refers to God's intrinsic majesty, His revealed attributes, His manifest power, and the resplendent display of His perfect character. It is the visible emanation of His divine essence, demonstrating His worthiness of worship and supreme authority. This "glory" directly contrasts with the fleeting and vain "glory" of idols and human kingdoms.

• of the LORD (יְהוָה, YHWH):

  • The unpronounceable tetragrammaton, representing the covenant name of God. It signifies His self-existent, eternal, immutable nature and His active presence as the sovereign Lord of all creation. The specific mention of YHWH emphasizes that it is the one true God, distinct from any false deities, whose glory will be revealed.

• as the waters (כַּמַּיִם, kammayim):

  • "as" (כַּ, ka): A comparative particle indicating likeness or similarity, drawing a direct analogy.
  • "waters" (מַּיִם, mayim): Universal and life-giving element. In this simile, "waters" metaphorically convey overwhelming abundance, natural pervasiveness, and all-encompassing presence.

• cover the sea (מְכַסִּים אֶת־הַיָּם, mekhasim et-hayam):

  • "cover" (מְכַסִּים, mekhasim): From kasah (כָּסָה), meaning "to cover," "to conceal," "to clothe," or "to inundate."
  • In this context, it speaks of an extensive, pervasive, and thorough covering, implying saturation and depth. Just as every part of the seabed is covered by water, every corner of the earth and every aspect of life will be permeated by the knowledge of God's glory.
  • "the sea" (הַיָּם, hayam): Represents the vast, immense, and deep expanse of the oceans. The sea metaphor emphasizes the boundless nature of this future knowledge; it is universally extensive and profoundly deep.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD": This is a powerful, declarative prophecy of a universal and transforming revelation. It indicates that God's ultimate plan is not only justice against wickedness but the triumphant and global display of His own worthiness and power, leading to universal acknowledgment. It speaks of a time when the deepest truths about God will be inescapable and evident to all of humanity, transforming how they perceive reality.
  • "as the waters cover the sea": This striking simile vividly illustrates the totality and omnipresence of the promised knowledge. It highlights the completeness (no uncovered parts), natural pervasiveness (water naturally fills the sea), and overwhelming abundance of this future revelation. It's an image of inescapable saturation, where God's truth will be as fundamental and ever-present as the water is to the sea.

Habakkuk 2 14 Bonus section

• Certainty and Divine Action: The passive/reflexive form "will be filled" indicates a future reality brought about by God's sovereign action, not dependent on human effort alone. This guarantees the fulfillment of the prophecy regardless of current obstacles. It is a divine declaration, an oath-like statement of what God will accomplish.
• Progressive Revelation to Ultimate Consummation: While the complete fulfillment of this verse is eschatological—pointing to the Messianic Kingdom and the new heavens and earth—there are partial, foreshadowing fulfillments in the spread of the Gospel (the "good news" that reveals God's glory in Christ, 2 Cor 4:6) and the work of the Holy Spirit. However, the full global saturation remains a future promise.
• Contrast with Human Pride: This verse stands as a powerful counter-statement to the fleeting and self-proclaimed "glory" of human empires, tyrants, and idols, all of which will ultimately be brought to nothing. It underscores that true glory belongs to the LORD alone.
• Implications for Mission: The divine promise of the earth being filled with the knowledge of God's glory provides both motivation and assurance for the spreading of God's word and the good news of Jesus Christ. Believers participate in God's grand purpose, knowing that their efforts are aligned with a guaranteed future.

Habakkuk 2 14 Commentary

Habakkuk 2:14 stands as a profound prophetic declaration, offering ultimate hope amidst present tribulation. It contrasts sharply with the contemporary political instability and the moral decay described in Habakkuk's time, asserting God's long-term, immutable plan for cosmic redemption. This verse promises that God's intrinsic majesty, holiness, and sovereignty—His "glory"—will not remain veiled but will be unveiled in such a pervasive manner that it becomes universally known and acknowledged throughout all the earth. The "knowledge" here is not merely intellectual understanding but a deep, spiritual, and transformative experience of God's presence and power. The imagery of "waters cover the sea" is a powerful hyperbole, conveying absolute saturation and universality. Just as no part of the sea floor is bare, so no part of the earth or its inhabitants will remain ignorant or untouched by the manifestation of God's glory in that future era. This prophecy looks forward to the establishment of God's Kingdom on earth in its fullness, often understood as the reign of the Messiah, when God's light will fully dispel the spiritual darkness that covers humanity (cf. Isa 60:2). It underpins the certainty of divine justice and God's ultimate victory over all opposing forces, ensuring that every form of pride, idolatry, and rebellion will eventually give way to the global worship and recognition of YHWH, the one true God.