For the earth shall be filled
Compare (Isaiah 11:9) which fixes the time when "the earth," etc. It is when David's righteous Branch has set up the kingdom.
(See "Kingdom (Old Testament),"; (2 Samuel 7:9); (Zechariah 12:8) also,
"Kingdom (New Testament),"; (Luke 1:31-33); (1 Corinthians 15:28).
Habakkuk's phrase marks an advance on that of Isaiah. In the latter it is "the knowledge of the Lord." That, in a certain sense, is being diffused now; but in Habakkuk it is "the knowledge of the glory of the Lord," and that cannot be till He is manifested in glory; (Matthew 24:30); (Matthew 25:31); (Luke 9:26); (2 Thessalonians 1:7); (2 Thessalonians 2:8); (Jude 1:14). The transfiguration was a foreview of this. (Luke 9:26-29).