כִּ֚י תִּמָּלֵ֣א הָאָ֔רֶץ לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־כְּבֹ֣וד יְהוָ֑ה כַּמַּ֖יִם יְכַסּ֥וּ עַל־יָֽם (Habakkuk 2:14)
Overview: Syntax as Prophetic Fulfillment
Habakkuk 2:14 delivers a breathtaking vision of divine glory flooding the earth. The verse’s structure combines prophetic perfects, infinitives of purpose, and vivid similes to describe a universal revelation of YHWH’s presence. The syntax is both expansive and precise—mirroring the subject it conveys.
Clause Structure: One Vision, Two Clauses
The verse consists of two coordinated clauses:
1. כִּ֚י תִּמָּלֵ֣א הָאָ֔רֶץ לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־כְּבֹ֣וד יְהוָ֑ה
“For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of YHWH”
2. כַמַּ֖יִם יְכַסּ֥וּ עַל־יָֽם
“As the waters cover over the sea”
The first clause presents the declarative promise, and the second provides the poetic simile, reinforcing the totality and depth of that filling.
Word Order: Theological Emphasis Through Fronting
– תִּמָּלֵ֣א הָאָרֶץ follows standard VSO structure (verb–subject–object), emphasizing the verb first: “shall be filled.”
– לָדַ֖עַת אֶת־כְּבֹ֣וד יְהוָה is an infinitive phrase of purpose, fronted after the main verb to define what the earth will be filled with—not just facts, but “the knowledge of the glory of YHWH.”
In the second clause, כַמַּ֖יִם is fronted to anchor the simile, drawing attention to the image before completing the thought with the verb יְכַסּוּ (“they will cover”).
Verbal Syntax: Future Passive and Active Dynamics
– תִּמָּלֵ֣א – Nifal imperfect 3fs (from מָלֵא): “shall be filled” — passive form, indicating that the earth is acted upon.
– יְכַסּוּ – Piel imperfect 3mp (from כָּסָה): “they will cover” — active form, with implied subject “waters.”
This combination of passive (earth is filled) and active (waters cover) highlights that God’s glory is not self-generated by the earth, but something that comes upon it, just like water covers a sea basin.
Infinitive Phrase: Purpose and Content
– לָדַ֖עַת – Infinitive construct of יָדַע, “to know”
– אֶת־כְּבֹוד יְהוָה – Definite direct object; the “glory of YHWH” is what is known.
This phrase expresses goal or result: not knowledge in general, but epistemic communion with divine majesty.
Agreement and Consistency
– תִּמָּלֵא is feminine singular, agreeing with הָאָרֶץ (feminine singular: “the earth”)
– יְכַסּוּ is plural, referring to מַיִם (a plural noun in form though often singular in meaning). Here it acts as plurally-conceived imagery, matching with יְכַסּוּ.
Simile Construction: Imagery and Poetic Placement
– כַמַּיִם – “like the waters”: introduces the simile
– עַל־יָם – “over the sea”: the most paradoxical image—water covering water, intensifying the idea of total saturation.
The simile functions not only as metaphor but as grammatical intensifier, showing that the knowledge of YHWH’s glory will not merely appear—it will dominate, engulf, and overflow.
Discourse Function: Theological Vision in Grammatical Form
This verse is part of a prophetic oracle promising divine justice. Its syntax breaks the rhythm of judgment with a burst of hope, built through:
– Volitional passive syntax
– Purpose-infinitive
– Emphatic simile
The verse shifts the tone from human injustice to divine saturation.
The Syntax of Saturation
Habakkuk 2:14 is a grammatical flood. With passive verbs, future tenses, infinitives of purpose, and powerful similes, it paints not only a vision but an architecture of fullness. Like waters covering a sea, so syntax in this verse covers every layer of prophetic hope. In this structure, glory is not abstract—it is grammatical, and it is coming.
