Habakkuk 2:15

Authorized King James Version

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!

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
ה֚וֹי
Woe
oh!
#2
מַשְׁקֵ֣ה
drink
to quaff, i.e., (causatively) to irrigate or furnish a potion to
#3
רֵעֵ֔הוּ
unto him that giveth his neighbour
an associate (more or less close)
#4
מְסַפֵּ֥חַ
that puttest
properly, to scrape out, but in certain peculiar senses (of removal or association)
#5
חֲמָתְךָ֖
thy bottle
a skin bottle (as tied up)
#6
וְאַ֣ף
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
#7
שַׁכֵּ֑ר
to him and makest him drunken
to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence
#8
לְמַ֥עַן
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
#9
הַבִּ֖יט
also that thou mayest look
to scan, i.e., look intently at; by implication, to regard with pleasure, favor or care
#10
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#11
מְעוֹרֵיהֶֽם׃
on their nakedness
nakedness, i.e., (in plural) the pudenda

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine revelation contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Habakkuk Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection