What does Habakkuk 2:14 Mean?

Study Notes

For the earth shall be filled
Cf. Isaiah 11:9 which fixes the time when "the earth," etc. It is when David's righteous Branch has set up the kingdom. (See "Kingdom (O.T.),"; 2 Samuel 7:9 ; Zechariah 12:8 also, "Kingdom (N.T.),"; Luke 1:31-33 ; 1 Corinthians 15:28 . Habakkuk's phrase marks an advance on that of Isaiah. In the latter it is "the knowledge of the Lord." That, in a certain sense, is being diffused now; but in Habakkuk it is "the knowledge of the glory of the Lord," and that cannot be till He is manifested in glory; Matthew 24:30 ; Matthew 25:31 ; Luke 9:26 ; 2 Thessalonians 1:7 ; 2 Thessalonians 2:8 ; Judges 1:14 . The transfiguration was a foreview of this. Luke 9:26-29 .

Verse Meaning

Rather than the earth being filled with the glory of Babylon, it will one day be filled with knowledge of God"s glory, as comprehensively as the waters cover the sea (cf. Numbers 14:21; Psalm 72:19; Isaiah 6:3; Isaiah 11:9; Jeremiah 31:34). This has yet to be. This prediction refers to the ultimate destruction of Babylon in the eschatological future (cf. Revelation 16:19 to Revelation 18:24). [source][source]

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The Babylon in view in the Book of Habakkuk was mainly the Neo-Babylonian Empire, but ever since Babel ( Genesis 11:1-9) "Babylon" had a symbolic meaning as well as a literal one. Symbolically it represented all ungodly peoples who rose up in self-reliance to glorify themselves and reach heaven by their own works. God destroyed the Neo-Babylonian Empire in539 B.C, but what Babylon represents will continue until God destroys it when Jesus Christ returns to the earth to set up His new order in the Millennium (cf. Revelation 17-18). [source][source]

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Context Summary

Having prayed, the prophet expected an answer and looked out for it. When it came, there would be no mistaking it. But until we see eye to eye, we must live by simple faith in God. Note that wonderful clause in Habakkuk 2:4, which is referred to so often afterward. See Romans 1:17; Galatians 2:16; Galatians 3:11. Life in this age, as in that, may be obtained and maintained by faith in the ever-living God. Through long waiting-times the only source of continued life is the faith which draws all from God. From Habakkuk 2:5 onwards, the prophet enumerates Babylon's sins: her pride, love of strong drink, rapacity, and violence. It could not be God's will that the mighty city should flourish on the anguish of the world.

From scenes of anarchy and riot which foretell Chaldea's doom, we pass into Jehovah's temple, where peaceful silence reigns! Let us live in that secret place! "The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him!" [source]

Chapter Summary: Habakkuk 2

¹  Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is shown that he must wait by faith
⁵  The judgment upon the Chaldean for unsatiableness,
⁹  for covetousness,
¹²  for cruelty,
¹⁵  for drunkenness,
¹⁸  and for idolatry