Habakkuk 2:15

Translations

Modern

Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!

Traditional

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!

Literal

Woe to the one giving drink to his neighbor, pouring out your rage and even to make him drunk, in order to look upon his nakedness!

Latin

Væ qui potum dat amico suo mittens fel suum, et inebrians ut aspiciat nuditatem ejus!

Original

Hebrew

English

Woe to him who gives drink to his neighbors, pouring it from the wineskin until they are drunk, in order to gaze at their nakedness!

Notes

Habakkuk 2:15–17

In the fourth taunt song, the Babylonians face condemnation for their shameful acts against people, animals, and the environment. They are like a man who pretends to be friendly but, after getting his neighbors drunk, takes everything from them. However, the Babylonians will face disgrace after drinking from the cup of the Lord’s judgment (see Jeremiah 25:15–17; compare John 18:11).

Habakkuk 2:6–20

Five taunt songs describe God's future judgment on the Babylonians and others who act violently and unjustly (Habakkuk 2:6–8, 9–11, 12–14, 15–17, 18–20). God lets them bring about their own destruction. Those who suffer will repeat these taunts when the wicked face judgment (see Habakkuk 1:14–17). Each taunt includes:

a statement of sorrow,
a judgment, and
the reason for God's judgment.

Habakkuk 2:2–20

God answers Habakkuk's second complaint (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1) but does not explain why he chose the Babylonians. Instead, he assures Habakkuk that he will punish all violence and injustice.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Confusion and God’s Purpose

Events

Prophecies of Habakkukc. 607 BC

Related verses

Jeremiah 51:7
Babylon was a gold cup in the hand of the LORD, making the whole earth drunk. The nations drank her wine; therefore the nations have gone mad.
Genesis 9:22
And Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brothers outside.
Revelation 17:2
The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and those who dwell on the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her immorality.”
Revelation 17:6
I could see that the woman was drunk with the blood of the saints and witnesses for Jesus. And I was utterly amazed at the sight of her.
Revelation 18:3
All the nations have drunk the wine of the passion of her immorality. The kings of the earth were immoral with her, and the merchants of the earth have grown wealthy from the extravagance of her luxury.”
Hosea 7:5
The princes are inflamed with wine on the day of our king; so he joins hands with those who mock him.
Exodus 32:25
Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them run wild and become a laughingstock to their enemies.
Genesis 19:32–35
Come, let us get our father drunk with wine so we can sleep with him and preserve his line.”
2 Samuel 13:26–28
“If not,” said Absalom, “please let my brother Amnon go with us.” “Why should he go with you?” the king asked.
2 Samuel 11:13
Then David invited Uriah to eat and drink with him, and he got Uriah drunk. And in the evening Uriah went out to lie down on his cot with his master’s servants, but he did not go home.
Jeremiah 25:15
This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, said to me: “Take from My hand this cup of the wine of wrath, and make all the nations to whom I send you drink from it.

Glossary

Bloodguilt Book of Habakkuk

Topics

Babbling Bottles: Ancients often Drank From Drunkenness: Denunciations Against: Those Who Encourage Drunkenness: Figurative Drunkenness: General Scriptures Concerning Nakedness Social Drinking Wine was Kept in Bottles

Habakkuk 2:15

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