Woe unto him. — It is possible that wanton outrages committed by the debauched Babylonian soldiery in the hour of triumph are here meant. And this is in accordance with the mention of drunkenness as their special sin in Habakkuk 2:5. But we much prefer to treat the language as figurative. The invader has made his neighbours drink the cup of his cruel anger till they have reached the depths of shameful degradation. He, too, shall drink “of the cup of the fierceness of the wrath of Almighty God” (Revelation 16:19; see also Psalms 76:8; Jeremiah 25:26; Lamentations 4:21); and then foul shame, as of a man stupefied with drink, shall take the place of glory and dignity.

Puttest thy bottle. — It is possible to render, pourest out thy wrath, and this makes the metaphor less obscure.

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