Meaning, commentary and cross references
Habakkuk 2:14
“For the earth will be filled
with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.”In other translations
KJV · King James Version
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
NIV · New International Version
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.
WEB · World English Bible
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, as the waters cover the sea.
What does Habakkuk 2:14 mean?
John Gill · Exposition of the Entire Bible, on Habakkuk 2:14
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,.... Of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ; of the glory of his person, as the Son of God, and truly God; which is essential to him, and underived; the same with his Father's, and what transcends the glory of all created beings; and of the glory of his office as Mediator, which itself is glorious and honourable: and this his glory lies in his fitness for it; in his faithful performance of it, and the honour given him by his Father upon it; as well as in the fulness of grace in him, which makes him appear glorious to his people; and who are continually giving glory to him as the Lord their righteousness, by exercising…
John Gill, Exposition of the Entire Bible (1746–63). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Matthew Henry · Commentary on the Whole Bible, on Habakkuk 2:5–14
[2.] It was the honour of God, as a God of impartial justice and irresistible power; for by the ruin of the Chaldean monarchy (which all the world could not but take notice of) the earth was filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, Hab 2:14. The Lord is known by these judgments which he executes, especially when he is pleased to look upon proud men and abase them, for he thereby proves himself to be God alone, Job 40:11, Job 40:12. See what good God brings out of the staining and sinking of earthly glory; he thereby manifests and magnifies his own glory, and fills the earth with the knowledge of it as plentifully as the waters cover the sea, which lie deep, spread far, and shall…
Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
John Calvin · Commentaries, on Habakkuk 2:14
14. For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. 14. Quia replebitur terra cognitione gloriae Jehovae, sicuti aquae operiunt mare. The Prophet briefly teaches us here, that so remarkable would be God's judgement on the Babylonians that his name would thereby be celebrated through the whole world.
John Calvin, Commentaries (Calvin Translation Society English text). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Context: Habakkuk 2:11–17 (WEB)
11For the stone will cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the woodwork will answer it. 12Woe to him who builds a town with blood, and establishes a city by iniquity! 13Behold, isn’t it from the LORD of Armies that the peoples labor for the fire, and the nations weary themselves for vanity? 14For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, as the waters cover the sea. 15“Woe to him who gives his neighbor drink, pouring your inflaming wine until they are drunk, so that you may gaze at their naked bodies! 16You are filled with shame, and not glory. You will also drink and be exposed! The cup of the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and disgrace will cover your glory. 17For the violence done to Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of the animals will terrify you, because of men’s blood and for the violence done to the land, to every city and to those who dwell in them.
Cross references
- Isaiah 11:9
They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
- Psalms 22:27
- Psalms 72:19
- Isaiah 6:3
One called to another, and said, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of Armies! The whole earth is full of his glory!”
- Psalms 86:9
- Zechariah 14:8–9
It will happen in that day that living waters will go out from Jerusalem, half of them toward the eastern sea, and half of them toward the western sea. It will be so in summer and in winter.
- Psalms 67:1–2
- Revelation 11:15
The seventh angel sounded, and great voices in heaven followed, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ. He will reign forever and ever!”