King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 2:16 Mean?

Habakkuk 2:16 in the King James Version says “Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the LORD'S right ha...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. with: or, more with shame than with glory”

Habakkuk 2:16 · KJV

Context

14

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

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. with: or, more with shame than with 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? maker of: Heb. fashioner of his fashion

Read Habakkuk 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Divine reversal: Babylon forced others to drink and be shamed; now God forces Babylon to drink His cup of wrath. "Filled with shame for glory" (שָׂבַעְתָּ קָלוֹן מִכָּבוֹד/sava'ta qalon mikavod)—what Babylon considered glorious conquest becomes shameful exposure.

"Drink thou also" (שְׁתֵה גַם־אַתָּה/sheteh gam-attah) commands Babylon to experience what it inflicted. "Let thy foreskin be uncovered" (וְהֵעָרֵל/vehe'arel) uses circumcision imagery—being exposed as uncircumcised, uncovenant, outside God's people. The ultimate shame for one claiming divine favor.

"The cup of the LORD'S right hand" (כּוֹס יְמִין־יְהוָה/kos yemin-YHWH) is divine judgment—God's wrath poured out. This cup imagery recurs throughout Scripture (Psalm 75:8, Isaiah 51:17, Jeremiah 25:15-29), culminating in Christ drinking the cup of God's wrath at Gethsemane and Golgotha (Matthew 26:39). "Shameful spewing" (וְקִיקָלוֹן/veqiqalon)—violent vomiting from overdrinking—depicts utter disgrace replacing former glory.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon fell to Persia in 539 BC in circumstances involving literal drunkenness—Belshazzar's feast (Daniel 5) occurred the night Cyrus's forces entered the city. The empire that humiliated nations was itself humiliated, conquered without significant battle, its king killed, its glory ended. The 'cup' metaphor was fulfilled: God's judgment came exactly as prophesied.

The uncircumcision imagery would particularly resonate with Jews, for whom circumcision marked covenant identity. Babylon claimed divine mandate to rule but was exposed as outside God's covenant—pagans whose success was temporary permission, not permanent endorsement. When judgment came, their true status was revealed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the principle of divine reversal—the proud humiliated, the powerful brought low—operate throughout Scripture and history?
  2. What does it mean that Christ 'drank the cup' of God's wrath at the cross, experiencing the judgment we deserved?
  3. How should believers today avoid the arrogance that characterized Babylon—attributing success to personal merit rather than God's grace?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
שָׂבַ֤עְתָּ1 of 15

“Thou art filled”

H7646

to sate, i.e., fill to satisfaction (literally or figuratively)

קָלוֹן֙2 of 15

“with shame”

H7036

disgrace; (by implication) the pudenda

כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃3 of 15

“for glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

שְׁתֵ֥ה4 of 15

“drink”

H8354

to imbibe (literally or figuratively)

גַם5 of 15
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

אַ֖תָּה6 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וְהֵֽעָרֵ֑ל7 of 15

“thou also and let thy foreskin be uncovered”

H6188

to expose or remove the prepuce, whether literal (to go naked) or figurative (to refrain from using)

תִּסּ֣וֹב8 of 15

“shall be turned”

H5437

to revolve, surround, or border; used in various applications, literally and figuratively

עָלֶ֗יךָ9 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כּ֚וֹס10 of 15

“the cup”

H3563

a cup (as a container), often figuratively, some unclean bird, probably an owl (perhaps from the cup-like cavity of its eye)

יְמִ֣ין11 of 15

“right hand”

H3225

the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south

יְהוָ֔ה12 of 15

“of the LORD'S”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְקִיקָל֖וֹן13 of 15

“unto thee and shameful spewing”

H7022

intense disgrace

עַל14 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כְּבוֹדֶֽךָ׃15 of 15

“for glory”

H3519

properly, weight, but only figuratively in a good sense, splendor or copiousness

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Habakkuk. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Habakkuk 2:16 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Habakkuk 2:16 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 47:3Nahum 3:5-6Lamentations 4:21Isaiah 20:4Isaiah 49:26Jeremiah 25:26-29

Test Your Knowledge

Habakkuk 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHabakkuk Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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