Habakkuk 2:19

Translations

Modern

Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

Traditional

Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach! Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

Literal

Woe to the one saying to the wood, ‘Awake!’ Or to a stone of silence, ‘Arise!’ Can it give instruction? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and not any breath is within it.”

Latin

Væ qui dicit ligno: Expergiscere; Surge, lapidi tacenti! Numquid ipse docere poterit? ecce iste coopertus est auro et argento, et omnis spiritus non est in visceribus ejus.

Original

Hebrew

English

Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’ Can it give guidance? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.”

Notes

Habakkuk 2:18–20

In the fifth taunt song, the Babylonians face criticism for worshiping idols. Whether people carve or cast idols, they cannot save or teach their worshipers (Isaiah 42:17). Only the Lord truly deserves worship (Habakkuk 2:20; Exodus 20:2–6; compare Ecclesiastes 5:1–2).

Habakkuk 2:6–20

Five taunt songs describe God's future judgment on the Babylonians and others who act violently and unjustly (Habakkuk 2:6–8, 9–11, 12–14, 15–17, 18–20). God lets them bring about their own destruction. Those who suffer will repeat these taunts when the wicked face judgment (see Habakkuk 1:14–17). Each taunt includes:

a statement of sorrow,
a judgment, and
the reason for God's judgment.

Habakkuk 2:2–20

God answers Habakkuk's second complaint (Habakkuk 1:12–2:1) but does not explain why he chose the Babylonians. Instead, he assures Habakkuk that he will punish all violence and injustice.

Theme notes and profiles

Human Confusion and God’s Purpose

Events

Prophecies of Habakkukc. 607 BC

Related verses

Psalm 135:17
…they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths.
Jeremiah 10:4
They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter.
Jeremiah 10:9
Hammered silver is brought from Tarshish, and gold from Uphaz—the work of a craftsman from the hands of a goldsmith. Their clothes are blue and purple, all fashioned by skilled workers.
1 Kings 18:26–29
And they took the bull that was given them, prepared it, and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon, shouting, “O Baal, answer us!” But there was no sound, and no one answered as they leaped around the altar they had made.
Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.
Isaiah 40:19
To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains?
Daniel 5:23
Instead, you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven. The vessels from His house were brought to you, and as you drank wine from them with your nobles, wives, and concubines, you praised your gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you have failed to glorify the God who holds in His hand your very breath and all your ways.
Isaiah 44:17
From the rest he makes a god, his graven image. He bows down to it and worships; he prays to it and says, “Save me, for you are my god.”
Jeremiah 51:47
Therefore, behold, the days are coming when I will punish the idols of Babylon. Her entire land will suffer shame, and all her slain will lie fallen within her.
Psalm 97:7
All worshipers of images are put to shame—those who boast in idols. Worship Him, all you gods!
Daniel 3:7
Therefore, as soon as all the people heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, and all kinds of music, the people of every nation and language would fall down and worship the golden statue that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.
Revelation 17:4
The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls. She held in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the impurities of her sexual immorality.

Glossary

Book of Habakkuk Muteness

Topics

Carving: Idols Manufactured By Idolatry: Folly of Idolatry: Objects of Described as Dumb Stones Idolatry: Woe Denounced Against

Habakkuk 2:19

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