Habakkuk 2:16

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thou art filled {H7646} with shame {H7036} for glory {H3519}: drink {H8354} thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered {H6188}: the cup {H3563} of the LORD'S {H3068} right hand {H3225} shall be turned {H5437} unto thee, and shameful spewing {H7022} shall be on thy glory {H3519}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You are filled with shame, not glory. You, drink too, and stagger! The cup of ADONAI's right hand will be turned against you; your shame will exceed your glory.

Berean Standard Bible

You will be filled with shame instead of glory. You too must drink and expose your uncircumcision! The cup in the LORD’s right hand will come around to you, and utter disgrace will cover your glory.

American Standard Version

Thou art filled with shame, and not glory: drink thou also, and be as one uncircumcised; the cup of Jehovah’s right hand shall come round unto thee, and foul shame shall be upon thy glory.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 2:16 pronounces a severe divine judgment against the oppressive nation of Babylon, declaring a dramatic reversal of their fortunes. What they sought as "glory" through conquest and humiliation of others will be transformed into profound "shame" and public disgrace. The verse vividly depicts Babylon being forced to drink from the "cup of the LORD'S right hand," a symbol of divine wrath, leading to their utter exposure and degradation, a just recompense for their arrogant and violent actions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 2:16 is situated within the second chapter of the book, which contains a series of five "woes" (Hebrew: *hôy*) pronounced by God against the Chaldeans (Babylonians). These woes serve as God's response to the prophet Habakkuk's lament regarding the Lord's use of a wicked nation to punish Judah. Following God's declaration that "the righteous shall live by his faith" ([Habakkuk 2:4](/habakkuk/2-4 "Habakkuk 2:4 - The Righteous Live by Faith")), the subsequent woes detail the specific sins of Babylon—greed, violence, injustice, and idolatry—and the inevitable divine retribution. Verse 16 specifically follows the woe against those who make their neighbors drunk to expose their nakedness ([Habakkuk 2:15](/habakkuk/2-15 "Habakkuk 2:15 - Woe to Those Who Humiliate")), directly turning the tables on the oppressor by imposing a similar, yet divinely ordained, humiliation upon them.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Habakkuk is set against the backdrop of the late 7th century BCE, a tumultuous period for the ancient Near East. The Assyrian Empire was in decline, and the Neo-Babylonian Empire was rapidly rising to prominence under Nebuchadnezzar. Babylon was known for its military might, imperial ambitions, and often brutal conquest strategies, including the deportation of conquered peoples and the public humiliation of their leaders. The "cup" metaphor was a common ancient Near Eastern image for destiny or judgment, often associated with a king's decree or a god's wrath. The act of "uncovering the foreskin" or nakedness was a profound public disgrace, signifying utter vulnerability, loss of honor, and divine judgment, often inflicted upon defeated enemies or those condemned to shame.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Habakkuk and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Retribution and Justice**, asserting that God is not indifferent to human wickedness and will ultimately hold even His instruments of judgment accountable for their pride and cruelty. The radical **Reversal of Fortune** is another prominent theme, as Babylon's self-proclaimed "glory" is exposed as hollow and replaced with profound "shame," illustrating God's power to abase the proud and exalt the humble, a concept echoed in [Luke 1:52](/luke/1-52 "Luke 1:52 - The Magnificat: God's Reversal of Fortunes"). Furthermore, the graphic imagery highlights the theme of **Humiliation and Exposure**, revealing that all hidden sins will eventually be brought to light, and those who inflict shame will themselves be shamed. This divine accountability extends to all nations, reinforcing God's **Sovereignty over History and Nations**, as seen throughout prophetic literature, such as in [Isaiah 10:12](/isaiah/10-12 "Isaiah 10:12 - God's Judgment on Assyria").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Glory (Hebrew, _kâbôwd'_):** (H3519) From a root meaning "weight," this term primarily denotes splendor, honor, reputation, or copiousness. In Habakkuk 2:16, it refers to Babylon's perceived status, power, and the honor they sought through conquest and domination. The verse's irony lies in this very "glory" becoming the object of their shame.
* **Shame (Hebrew, _qâlôwn'_):** (H7036) This word signifies disgrace, dishonor, ignominy, or reproach. It often carries the implication of exposure or public humiliation. Here, it stands in stark contrast to "glory," highlighting the complete reversal of Babylon's desired outcome, as their actions lead directly to their own profound disgrace.
* **Shameful spewing (Hebrew, _qîyqâlôwn'_):** (H7022) This is a rare and particularly strong term, denoting intense disgrace or utter vileness, often associated with vomit or something repulsive. Its use emphasizes the extreme and disgusting nature of the humiliation that will befall Babylon, a direct consequence of their own vile deeds.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thou art filled with shame for glory:"** This opening clause immediately establishes the central paradox and the core of the judgment. Babylon, which has accumulated "glory" (power, wealth, reputation) through its oppressive actions, will find that glory transformed into utter "shame." Their very ambition and perceived success become the source of their downfall and disgrace.
* **"drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered:"** This command is a direct, ironic reversal of Babylon's actions described in the preceding verse ([Habakkuk 2:15](/habakkuk/2-15 "Habakkuk 2:15 - Woe to Those Who Humiliate")). Just as they made others drink and exposed their nakedness, they too will be forced to drink (from the cup of divine wrath) and suffer public humiliation. "Let thy foreskin be uncovered" is a graphic, visceral image of extreme public disgrace, vulnerability, and the stripping away of all dignity and honor, akin to being exposed naked.
* **"the cup of the LORD'S right hand shall be turned unto thee,"** This powerful metaphorical statement identifies the source and nature of the judgment. The "cup" symbolizes destiny, often divine wrath or judgment, as seen in other prophetic texts. The "LORD'S right hand" signifies God's sovereign power, authority, and active judgment. The phrase "shall be turned unto thee" indicates that the very judgment Babylon inflicted on others will now be directed back at them by the Almighty.
* **"and shameful spewing [shall be] on thy glory."** This concluding phrase reiterates and intensifies the judgment. The "shameful spewing" (a strong term for intense disgrace, akin to vomit) will literally be "on thy glory." This final image powerfully encapsulates the complete degradation and defilement of everything Babylon held dear and prided itself on. Their "glory" will not merely be diminished but utterly defiled and made repulsive.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 2:16 is rich in literary devices that amplify its message of divine judgment. The most prominent is **Irony** and **Paradox**, encapsulated in the phrase "filled with shame for glory." Babylon's pursuit of glory through violence and oppression directly leads to its ultimate disgrace, a profound reversal of expectations. The "cup of the LORD'S right hand" functions as a powerful **Metaphor**, symbolizing divine wrath and judgment, a common biblical image for destiny or suffering. Furthermore, the verse employs vivid **Graphic Imagery** and **Symbolism**, particularly in the command "let thy foreskin be uncovered" and the description of "shameful spewing." These images convey extreme public humiliation, vulnerability, and utter degradation, stripping away all pretense of dignity. The structure of the verse also demonstrates a form of **Inversion** or **Retributional Justice**, where the punishment mirrors the crime, emphasizing God's righteous recompense.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 2:16 profoundly articulates the biblical principle of divine retribution, where the proud and oppressive are brought low, and their self-exalting "glory" is transformed into utter "shame." This verse underscores God's unwavering commitment to justice, demonstrating that even nations used as instruments of His judgment are not exempt from accountability for their own wickedness. It serves as a stark warning against hubris, violence, and the exploitation of others, asserting that the Lord's hand will ultimately turn the tables on those who inflict suffering, forcing them to drink from the very cup of wrath they prepared for others. This divine reversal is a testament to God's sovereignty and His ultimate vindication of the oppressed.

* [Psalm 75:8](/psalm/75-8 "Psalm 75:8 - The Cup of God's Wrath")
* [Proverbs 16:18](/proverbs/16-18 "Proverbs 16:18 - Pride Goes Before Destruction")
* [Revelation 18:6](/revelation/18-6 "Revelation 18:6 - Babylon's Judgment: Double Repayment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 2:16 offers a sobering yet comforting message for believers today. It reminds us that while evil and oppression may seem to triumph for a time, God's justice is ultimately unavoidable. This should cultivate humility in our own lives, guarding against pride, self-exaltation, and any tendency to exploit or demean others for our own gain. The verse calls us to examine our motivations and actions, ensuring that our pursuit of "glory" or success is not built upon the shame or suffering of others. For those experiencing injustice or oppression, it provides a powerful assurance that God sees, God remembers, and God will act. We are called to trust in His perfect timing and righteous judgment, knowing that He will ultimately bring about a reversal for the proud and a vindication for the humble. This truth empowers us to live righteously, even when it seems the wicked prosper, holding fast to the conviction that God's moral order will prevail.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what ways might I, or my community, be tempted to seek "glory" at the expense of others' dignity or well-being?**
* **How does this verse encourage me to trust in God's justice, even when I see injustice seemingly unpunished in the world?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate humility and avoid the pitfalls of pride and oppression in my personal life and interactions?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the "cup of the LORD'S right hand" in this verse?**

Answer: The "cup" is a powerful biblical metaphor representing a person's destiny or lot, often specifically divine judgment or wrath. When it's described as "the cup of the LORD'S right hand," it emphasizes that this judgment is not random but is administered directly by God Himself, whose "right hand" symbolizes His power, authority, and active intervention. In this context, it signifies that Babylon will be forced to drink the full measure of divine indignation, a just recompense for the suffering and humiliation they inflicted on others, as seen in passages like [Psalm 75:8](/psalm/75-8 "Psalm 75:8 - The Cup of God's Indignation").

**How does "let thy foreskin be uncovered" relate to the overall message of shame?**

Answer: This phrase is a graphic and deeply humiliating image. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, public nakedness, especially the exposure of one's private parts, was a profound sign of disgrace, defeat, and utter vulnerability. It symbolized the stripping away of all honor, dignity, and protection. By commanding Babylon's "foreskin to be uncovered," God declares that their hidden wickedness will be exposed, and they will suffer extreme public shame, mirroring the humiliation they inflicted on their victims. It's a stark visual representation of their complete degradation and loss of power.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk 2:16, with its vivid portrayal of a proud nation drinking the cup of divine wrath and being covered in shame, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While Babylon's shame was a consequence of their sin, Christ, though sinless, willingly drank the bitter cup of God's wrath against humanity's sin, as agonizingly prayed in [Gethsemane](/matthew/26-39 "Matthew 26:39 - Jesus Prays in Gethsemane"). He endured the ultimate humiliation, being exposed and shamed on the cross, becoming "a curse for us" ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Yet, paradoxically, His shame became our glory, and His humiliation led to His exaltation, as God "highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name" ([Philippians 2:8-9](/philippians/2-8-9 "Philippians 2:8-9 - Christ's Humiliation and Exaltation")). Furthermore, Christ is the righteous judge who will ultimately execute the "cup of the wine of the fury of God's wrath" ([Revelation 16:19](/revelation/16-19 "Revelation 16:19 - The Seventh Bowl of Wrath")) upon all unrepentant pride and oppression, ensuring that every arrogant kingdom, like Babylon, will face its just recompense. Thus, Habakkuk's prophecy foreshadows both the atoning work of Christ, who took our shame, and His future role as the one who brings ultimate justice to all the earth.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 47:3

Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen: I will take vengeance, and I will not meet [thee as] a man.

Nahum 3:5

Behold, I [am] against thee, saith the LORD of hosts; and I will discover thy skirts upon thy face, and I will shew the nations thy nakedness, and the kingdoms thy shame.

Nahum 3:6

And I will cast abominable filth upon thee, and make thee vile, and will set thee as a gazingstock.

Hosea 4:7

As they were increased, so they sinned against me: [therefore] will I change their glory into shame.

Isaiah 49:26

And I will feed them that oppress thee with their own flesh; and they shall be drunken with their own blood, as with sweet wine: and all flesh shall know that I the LORD [am] thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob.

Jeremiah 51:57

And I will make drunk her princes, and her wise [men], her captains, and her rulers, and her mighty men: and they shall sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith the King, whose name [is] the LORD of hosts.

Lamentations 4:21

¶ Rejoice and be glad, O daughter of Edom, that dwellest in the land of Uz; the cup also shall pass through unto thee: thou shalt be drunken, and shalt make thyself naked.