Habakkuk 2:15 (KJV)

What does Habakkuk 2:15 mean?

Habakkuk 2:15 warns against those who cause harm to others by getting them drunk in order to take advantage of them, specifically to expose their shame or nakedness. The verse pronounces a strong warning ("woe") against this kind of manipulative and degrading behavior.

In this verse, the prophet Habakkuk is speaking a message from God to the people of Judah, but the warning is directed at oppressors—likely the Babylonians—who abuse others for their own gain. The verse uses the image of someone giving their neighbor drink to make them vulnerable, highlighting both the cruelty and the intent to humiliate. This fits into a larger section where God, through Habakkuk, is listing the wrongs of those who exploit and shame others.

The Hebrew behind Habakkuk 2:15

• Woe (הוֹי, hoy): This word is a strong cry of distress or warning. It signals that serious consequences will follow for the person being addressed.
• Neighbour (רֵעַ, re'a): This term means a fellow person, not just a close friend. The warning is about harming anyone nearby, not just a specific individual.
• Bottle (חֵמָה, chemah): This word often means "venom" or "wrath," but here it refers to a container for drink, possibly hinting at the harmful intent behind the act.
• Nakedness (מַעֲרוּם, ma'arum): This word points to vulnerability and shame, not just physical nakedness. The verse is about exposing someone’s dignity, not only their body.

Why Habakkuk 2:15 matters

• Habakkuk 2:15 clarifies that the warning is not just about drunkenness, but about using it as a tool to exploit and shame others, revealing a deeper moral concern.
• The verse connects to a wider theme in Habakkuk 2, where God lists the injustices of oppressors and assures that such actions will not go unpunished.
• By focusing on the intent to "look on their nakedness," the verse highlights the seriousness of violating another person's dignity, not just their physical safety.