King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 2:17 Mean?

Habakkuk 2:17 in the King James Version says “For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, a...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Habakkuk 2:17 · KJV

Fear & Courage

Context

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

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.

Read Habakkuk 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. Babylon's specific crimes are detailed. "The violence of Lebanon" (חֲמַס לְבָנוֹן/chamas Levanon) likely refers to deforestation—stripping Lebanon's famous cedars for building projects. "The spoil of beasts" (וְשֹׁד בְּהֵמוֹת/veshod behemot) indicates environmental destruction that terrorized wildlife.

But the primary indictment is bloodshed: "because of men's blood" (מִדְּמֵי אָדָם/middmey adam) and "violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein" (חֲמַס אֶרֶץ קִרְיָה וְכָל־יֹשְׁבֵי בָהּ/chamas eretz qiryah vekhol-yoshvey vah). Babylon's empire was built on slaughter—cities destroyed, populations massacred, blood soaking the earth. The word חָמָס (chamas, violence) appears twice, emphasizing the brutality of Babylon's methods.

Divine justice operates on the principle of measure-for-measure: "the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee"—the violence you inflicted will overwhelm you. Environmental exploitation and human bloodshed both cry out for judgment. God holds empires accountable not just for idolatry but for concrete violence against people and creation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's building projects were legendary—the Hanging Gardens, Ishtar Gate, massive temples and palaces—all requiring vast timber from Lebanon's forests. Nebuchadnezzar's inscriptions boast of importing cedars for construction. This environmental exploitation accompanied human exploitation: hundreds of thousands killed in military campaigns, entire populations enslaved or deported.

The destruction of Jerusalem (586 BC) exemplified Babylon's violence: prolonged siege causing mass starvation, breached walls, temple burned, city destroyed, population slaughtered or exiled. Archaeological evidence confirms widespread destruction throughout Judah. Habakkuk's indictment wasn't exaggeration but accurate accounting of imperial brutality. When Persia conquered Babylon (539 BC), poetic justice was served—the violent empire experienced violence.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage hold nations accountable for both environmental destruction and human violence?
  2. What does measure-for-measure justice teach about God's moral governance—that consequences match actions?
  3. How should Christians today address systemic violence—economic exploitation, environmental destruction, military aggression—in light of God's judgment against such practices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
כִּ֣י1 of 15
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

וַחֲמַס2 of 15

“For the violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

לְבָנוֹן֙3 of 15

“of Lebanon”

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

יְכַסֶּ֔ךָּ4 of 15

“shall cover”

H3680

properly, to plump, i.e., fill up hollows; by implication, to cover (for clothing or secrecy)

וְשֹׁ֥ד5 of 15

“thee and the spoil”

H7701

violence, ravage

בְּהֵמ֖וֹת6 of 15

“of beasts”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

יְחִיתַ֑ן7 of 15

“which made them afraid”

H2865

properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or (figuratively) by confusion and fear

מִדְּמֵ֤י8 of 15

“blood”

H1818

blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe

אָדָם֙9 of 15

“because of men's”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וַחֲמַס10 of 15

“For the violence”

H2555

violence; by implication, wrong; by metonymy unjust gain

אֶ֔רֶץ11 of 15

“of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

קִרְיָ֖ה12 of 15

“of the city”

H7151

a city

וְכָל13 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יֹ֥שְׁבֵי14 of 15

“and of all that dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בָֽהּ׃15 of 15
H0

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 2:17 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 2:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Habakkuk 2:8Psalms 55:23Zechariah 11:1Revelation 18:20-24Psalms 137:8Jeremiah 50:33-34

Places in This Verse

LebanonRegion · Modern: Jezzine · 33.54°N, 35.58°E57 verses across 16 books
View all places in Habakkuk 2 →

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