Habakkuk 2:19
Habakkuk 2:19 in Multiple Translations
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.”
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.
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise! Shall this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.
A curse on him who says to the wood, Awake! to the unbreathing stone, Up! let it be a teacher! See, it is plated with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all inside it.
What disaster is coming to you who say to something made of wood, “Wake up!” or to lifeless stone, “Get up!” Can it teach you anything? Look at it! It's covered with gold and silver, but there is no life inside it.
Wo vnto him that sayth to the wood, Awake, and to the dumme stone, Rise vp, it shall teach thee: beholde, it is layde ouer with golde and siluer, and there is no breath in it.
Woe [to] him who is saying to wood, 'Awake,' 'Stir up,' to a dumb stone, It a teacher! lo, it is overlaid — gold and silver, And there is no spirit in its midst.
Woe to him who says to the wood, ‘Awake!’ or to the mute stone, ‘Arise!’ Shall this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all within it.
Woe to 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.
Woe to him that saith to wood: Awake: to the dumb stone: Arise: can it teach? Behold, it is laid over with gold, and silver, and there is no spirit in the bowels thereof.
Terrible things will happen to you who say to lifeless idols that are made of wood, ‘Wake up!’ Idols certainly cannot [RHQ] tell you what you should do; they look nice/beautiful because they are covered with silver and gold, but they are not alive.
Berean Amplified Bible — Habakkuk 2:19
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Habakkuk 2:19 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
ה֣וֹי
אֹמֵ֤ר
לָ/עֵץ֙
הָקִ֔יצָ/ה
ע֖וּרִי
לְ/אֶ֣בֶן
דּוּמָ֑ם
ה֣וּא
יוֹרֶ֔ה
הִנֵּה
ה֗וּא
תָּפוּשׂ֙
זָהָ֣ב
וָ/כֶ֔סֶף
וְ/כָל
ר֖וּחַ
אֵ֥ין
בְּ/קִרְבּֽ/וֹ
ה֣וֹי
hôwy
H1945
woe!
Part
אֹמֵ֤ר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
V-Qal
לָ/עֵץ֙
ʻêts
H6086
tree
Prep | N-ms
הָקִ֔יצָ/ה
qûwts
H6974
to awake
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
ע֖וּרִי
ʻûwr
H5782
to rouse
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
לְ/אֶ֣בֶן
ʼeben
H68
stone
Prep | N-fs
דּוּמָ֑ם
dûwmâm
H1748
silence
N-ms
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
יוֹרֶ֔ה
yârâh
H3384
to shoot
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
הִנֵּה
hinnêh
H2009
behold
Part
ה֗וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Pron
תָּפוּשׂ֙
tâphas
H8610
to capture
V-Qal-Inf-c
זָהָ֣ב
zâhâb
H2091
gold
N-ms
וָ/כֶ֔סֶף
keçeph
H3701
silver
Conj | N-ms
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
all
Conj | N-ms
ר֖וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
spirit
N-cs
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
nothing
Part
בְּ/קִרְבּֽ/וֹ
qereb
H7130
entrails
Prep | N-ms | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Habakkuk 2:19
ה֣וֹי
hôwy
H1945
"woe!"
Part
Hoy is an expression of sadness or pain, like saying oh or woe. It's used to show strong emotions, and is often translated as alas or woe in the KJV Bible. This word conveys a sense of lament or regret.
Definition: ah!, alas!, ha!, ho!, O!, woe!
Usage: Occurs in 47 OT verses. KJV: ah, alas, ho, O, woe. See also: 1 Kings 13:30; Jeremiah 22:18; Isaiah 1:4.
אֹמֵ֤ר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
לָ/עֵץ֙
ʻêts
H6086
"tree"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word for tree or wood refers to a strong and firm object, like a tree or a wooden plank, as seen in the carpentry work of Jesus' earthly father Joseph in Matthew 13:55.
Definition: : wood 1) tree, wood, timber, stock, plank, stalk, stick, gallows 1a) tree, trees 1b) wood, pieces of wood, gallows, firewood, cedar-wood, woody flax
Usage: Occurs in 289 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carpenter, gallows, helve, [phrase] pine, plank, staff, stalk, stick, stock, timber, tree, wood. See also: Genesis 1:11; Joshua 9:23; Psalms 1:3.
הָקִ֔יצָ/ה
qûwts
H6974
"to awake"
V-Hiphil-Impv-2ms | Suff
In the Bible, this word means to wake up or be awake, like when God told Samuel to arise and anoint a new king in 1 Samuel 16:3. It can also mean to be watchful, as in Psalm 102:7.
Definition: 1) to awake, wake up 1a) (Hiphil) to awaken, arouse, show signs of waking, awake
Usage: Occurs in 22 OT verses. KJV: arise, (be) (a-) wake, watch. See also: 1 Samuel 26:12; Proverbs 23:35; Psalms 3:6.
ע֖וּרִי
ʻûwr
H5782
"to rouse"
V-Qal-Impv-2fs
To rouse means to wake up or stir someone into action. It can also mean to be excited or triumphant, and is used in the Bible to describe God stirring up his people. This word is about being awakened or energized.
Definition: 1) to rouse oneself, awake, awaken, incite 1a) (Qal) to rouse oneself, awake 1b) (Niphal) to be roused 1c) (Polel) to stir up, rouse, incite 1d) (Hithpolel) to be excited, be triumphant 1e) (Hiphil) 1e1) to rouse, stir up 1e2) to act in an aroused manner, awake
Usage: Occurs in 65 OT verses. KJV: (a-) wake(-n, up), lift up (self), [idiom] master, raise (up), stir up (self). See also: Deuteronomy 32:11; Isaiah 10:26; Psalms 7:7.
לְ/אֶ֣בֶן
ʼeben
H68
"stone"
Prep | N-fs
In the Bible, this word refers to a stone, which could be a rock, a weight, or even a precious gem. It is used to describe a variety of objects, from building materials to hailstones. The KJV translates it as stone or weight.
Definition: : weight 1) stone (large or small) 1a) common stone (in natural state) 1b) stone, as material 1b1) of tablets 1b2) marble, hewn stones 1c) precious stones, stones of fire 1d) stones containing metal (ore), tool for work or weapon 1e) weight 1f) plummet (stones of destruction) also made of metal 1g) stonelike objects, eg hailstones, stony heart, ice 1h) sacred object, as memorial Samuel set up to mark where God helped Israel to defeat the Philistines 1i) (simile) 1i1) sinking in water, motionlessness 1i2) strength, firmness, solidity 1i3) commonness 1j) (metaph) 1j1) petrified with terror 1j2) perverse, hard heart
Usage: Occurs in 239 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] carbuncle, [phrase] mason, [phrase] plummet, (chalk-, hail-, head-, sling-) stone(-ny), (divers) weight(-s). See also: Genesis 2:12; 1 Samuel 6:15; Psalms 91:12.
דּוּמָ֑ם
dûwmâm
H1748
"silence"
N-ms
This Hebrew word means silence or stillness, often used to describe waiting quietly for God. It appears in Psalm 37:7 and Isaiah 41:1, where people are told to be silent before God. It is about being quiet and still.
Definition: 1) silence adv 2) in silence, silently
Usage: Occurs in 3 OT verses. KJV: dumb, silent, quietly wait. See also: Isaiah 47:5; Lamentations 3:26; Habakkuk 2:19.
ה֣וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
יוֹרֶ֔ה
yârâh
H3384
"to shoot"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-3ms
To show or teach something, like pointing it out or shooting an arrow. It is used in Psalms and Proverbs to describe instructing or directing others.
Definition: 1) to shoot, pour 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to shoot arrows 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to shoot at 1b2) part. shooter, archer 1c) to throw water, rain
Usage: Occurs in 75 OT verses. KJV: ([phrase]) archer, cast, direct, inform, instruct, lay, shew, shoot, teach(-er,-ing), through. See also: Genesis 31:51; Job 8:10; Psalms 11:2.
הִנֵּה
hinnêh
H2009
"behold"
Part
This Hebrew word is an expression that means 'behold' or 'look', often used to draw attention to something. It appears in Genesis and Isaiah, and is translated as 'behold' or 'lo' in the KJV.
Definition: behold, lo, see, if
Usage: Occurs in 799 OT verses. KJV: behold, lo, see. See also: Genesis 1:29; Genesis 42:35; Deuteronomy 19:18.
ה֗וּא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
תָּפוּשׂ֙
tâphas
H8610
"to capture"
V-Qal-Inf-c
To capture or seize something, like in 1 Kings 13:4, where a prophet grabs the king's altar. It means to take hold of or grasp something firmly.
Definition: 1) to catch, handle, lay hold, take hold of, seize, wield 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to lay hold of, seize, arrest, catch 1a2) to grasp (in order to) wield, wield, use skilfully 1b) (Niphal) to be seized, be arrested, be caught, be taken, captured 1c) (Piel) to catch, grasp (with the hands)
Usage: Occurs in 60 OT verses. KJV: catch, handle, (lay, take) hold (on, over), stop, [idiom] surely, surprise, take. See also: Genesis 4:21; Jeremiah 2:8; Psalms 10:2.
זָהָ֣ב
zâhâb
H2091
"gold"
N-ms
Gold is a valuable metal, also used to describe something yellow or brilliant, like oil or a clear sky. It is often mentioned in the Bible as a precious resource.
Definition: 1) gold 1a) as precious metal 1b) as a measure of weight 1c) of brilliance, splendour (fig.) Aramaic equivalent: de.hav (דְּהַב "gold" H1722)
Usage: Occurs in 336 OT verses. KJV: gold(-en), fair weather. See also: Genesis 2:11; Numbers 7:26; 1 Chronicles 28:17.
וָ/כֶ֔סֶף
keçeph
H3701
"silver"
Conj | N-ms
Silver or money, often referring to payment or wealth, like the silver talents in Matthew 25. It can also describe silver as a valuable metal or ornament.
Definition: : money/payment/silver 1) silver, money 1a) silver 1a1) as metal 1a2) as ornament 1a3) as colour 1b) money, shekels, talents
Usage: Occurs in 343 OT verses. KJV: money, price, silver(-ling). See also: Genesis 13:2; Numbers 22:18; 2 Chronicles 1:17.
וְ/כָל
kôl
H3605
"all"
Conj | N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
ר֖וּחַ
rûwach
H7307
"spirit"
N-cs
In the Bible, this word for spirit refers to the breath of life, the wind, or a person's mind and emotions, as seen in the book of Ezekiel.
Definition: : spirit 1) wind, breath, mind, spirit 1a) breath 1b) wind 1b1) of heaven 1b2) quarter (of wind), side 1b3) breath of air 1b4) air, gas 1b5) vain, empty thing 1c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation) 1c1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour 1c2) courage 1c3) temper, anger 1c4) impatience, patience 1c5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented) 1c6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse 1c7) prophetic spirit 1d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals) 1d1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being 1e) spirit (as seat of emotion) 1e1) desire 1e2) sorrow, trouble 1f) spirit 1f1) as seat or organ of mental acts 1f2) rarely of the will 1f3) as seat especially of moral character 1g) Spirit of God, the third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit, coequal, coeternal with the Father and the Son 1g1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy 1g2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning 1g3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power 1g4) as endowing men with various gifts 1g5) as energy of life 1g6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory 1g7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
Usage: Occurs in 348 OT verses. KJV: air, anger, blast, breath, [idiom] cool, courage, mind, [idiom] quarter, [idiom] side, spirit(-ual), tempest, [idiom] vain, (whirl-) wind(-y). See also: Genesis 1:2; Job 6:26; Psalms 1:4.
אֵ֥ין
ʼayin
H369
"nothing"
Part
This word means nothing or not, often used to indicate the absence of something, as in Genesis 1:2 where the earth was without form. It emphasizes the idea of something lacking or non-existent.
Definition: 1) nothing, not, nought n 1a) nothing, nought neg 1b) not 1c) to have not (of possession) adv 1d) without w/prep 1e) for lack of
Usage: Occurs in 686 OT verses. KJV: else, except, fail, (father-) less, be gone, in(-curable), neither, never, no (where), none, nor, (any, thing), not, nothing, to nought, past, un(-searchable), well-nigh, without. Compare H370 (אַיִן). See also: Genesis 2:5; Deuteronomy 14:27; 1 Kings 15:22.
בְּ/קִרְבּֽ/וֹ
qereb
H7130
"entrails"
Prep | N-ms | Suff
This Hebrew word means the inner part or midst of something, whether physical or emotional, and can refer to the entrails of an animal or the seat of thought and emotion. In 1 Kings 17:21, it describes Elijah's emotional plea to God.
Definition: : among/within 1) midst, among, inner part, middle 1a) inward part 1a1) physical sense 1a2) as seat of thought and emotion 1a3) as faculty of thought and emotion 1b) in the midst, among, from among (of a number of persons) 1c) entrails (of sacrificial animals) Also means: qe.rev (קֶ֫רֶב ": inner_parts" H7130H)
Usage: Occurs in 220 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] among, [idiom] before, bowels, [idiom] unto charge, [phrase] eat (up), [idiom] heart, [idiom] him, [idiom] in, inward ([idiom] -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, [phrase] out of, purtenance, [idiom] therein, [idiom] through, [idiom] within self. See also: Genesis 18:12; Joshua 7:12; Psalms 5:10.
Study Notes — Habakkuk 2:19
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Habakkuk 2:19 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 2:19
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 2:19
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
- Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
- Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
- Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 2:19
- Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 2:19
- Whedon's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
- Sermons on Habakkuk 2:19
Context — Woe to the Chaldeans
17For your violence against Lebanon will overwhelm you, and the destruction of animals will terrify you, because of your bloodshed against men and your violence against the land, the city, and all their dwellers.
18What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it— or an image, a teacher of lies? For its maker trusts in his own creation; he makes idols that cannot speak.
19Woe 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.”
20But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Psalms 135:17 | they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 10:4 | They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. |
| 3 | 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. At noon Elijah began to taunt them, saying, “Shout louder, for he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or occupied, or on a journey. Perhaps he is sleeping and must be awakened!” So they shouted louder and cut themselves with knives and lances, as was their custom, until the blood gushed over them. Midday passed, and they kept on raving until the time of the evening sacrifice. But there was no response; no one answered, no one paid attention. |
| 4 | 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. |
| 5 | 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.” |
| 6 | 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. |
| 7 | Daniel 3:1 | King Nebuchadnezzar made a golden statue sixty cubits high and six cubits wide, and he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. |
| 8 | 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. |
| 9 | Isaiah 40:19 | To an idol that a craftsman casts and a metalworker overlays with gold and fits with silver chains? |
| 10 | 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. |
Habakkuk 2:19 Summary
This verse is saying that it's foolish to trust in idols or lifeless objects for guidance, because they can't speak or act. Instead, we should trust in the living God, who speaks and acts in our lives, as seen in Psalm 119:105, where it says 'Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path'. The Bible is clear that God is the only one who can provide true guidance and wisdom, and we should seek Him first, as seen in Matthew 6:33, where Jesus says 'Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness'.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main issue with idols in Habakkuk 2:19?
The main issue is that idols are lifeless and cannot provide guidance, despite being made to look valuable with gold and silver, as seen in Habakkuk 2:18 where it says the maker trusts in his own creation.
Why does the Bible condemn idolatry?
The Bible condemns idolatry because it is a form of rebellion against the one true God, as seen in Exodus 20:3-5, where God commands us to have no other gods before Him.
How does this verse relate to our lives today?
This verse reminds us that true guidance and wisdom come from God, not from lifeless objects or human creations, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, where we are told to trust in the Lord with all our heart.
What is the contrast between idols and the living God?
The contrast is that idols are silent and lifeless, while the living God speaks and acts, as seen in Habakkuk 2:20, where it says the Lord is in His holy temple, and in Psalm 46:10, where God says 'Be still and know that I am God'.
Reflection Questions
- What are some modern-day idols that we may be tempted to trust in, and how can we recognize them?
- How can we ensure that we are seeking guidance from the living God, rather than from lifeless objects or human creations?
- What are some ways that we can 'be still' and know that God is God, as seen in Psalm 46:10?
- How can we apply the truth of Habakkuk 2:19 to our daily lives, and what difference would it make if we truly trusted in the living God?
Gill's Exposition on Habakkuk 2:19
Woe to him that saith to the wood, Awake,.... That saith to a wooden image, let him go by what name he will; saint such an one, or such an one; awake, arise, exert thyself on our behalf; deliver us
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Habakkuk 2:19
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.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
In the former verse the prophet declared the uselessness and unprofitableness of the idols of Babylon, now he threatens the idolaters. They sinned greatly by placing their confidence in them, and they should suffer the more for it. The wood; whatever shape art may give it, or whatever veneration blind idolaters may bear to it, it is still wood, no better; a log, a worthless block. Awake: this expresseth the idolater’ s prayer to his idol. Awake; what! is he a sleepy god? No, not so much, it is a lifeless log, and its eyes never did see. The dumb stone; another sort of their useless idols, senseless as the stones, and still as unable to rise or help as before they were graven and carved; it is a stone, no god. Arise; another form of praying to this idol; and when the idol can rise Babylon shall be helped, till then it must abide its sorrows. It shalt teach: sottish men! in misery to hope that lifeless idols shall counsel and direct. What! dumb, and without sense, and yet teach!
Behold; look, ye selfdeceiving idolaters, consult your own senses, see what matter they are made of. It is laid over with gold and silver; see the facings or plates are different from that which is under, and can that be a god that is made up of such different materials? it were more like men to pull off the gold and silver, and with these to purchase your safety. There is no breath at all; not so much as the soul of a brute in them.
Trapp's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
Habakkuk 2:19 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.Ver. 19. Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake] It is wood still, and yet he saith to it, Awake, Arise, &c., as if he would deny his own reason, and unman himself. When Hezekiah saw that such was the venom of the Israelitish idolatry, that the brazen serpent stung worse than the fiery, he pulled it down, and in contempt called it Nehushtan, that is, a piece of brass, 2 Kings 18:4. Pagnine rendereth it, aenusum. Marinus, aeniculum, that is, parum quid aeris, a little piece of sorry brass (Thes. Ling. Sanct.). The Jews to this day say that as long as they see the preacher direct his speech and prayer to that little wooden crucifix, that standeth in the pulpit by him, to call it his Lord and Saviour, to kneel to it, to embrace it, to kiss it, to weep upon it (as is the fashion of Italy), this is preaching sufficient for them; and persuadeth them more with the very sight of it to hate Christian religion, than any reason that the world can allege to love it. Woe, therefore, to those Popish idolaters, because of offences; destruction to them, that thus say to the wood, Awake, and to the dumb stone, Arise] A prayer, fit to be preferred to God only, who giveth not his glory to any other, nor his honour to graven images, Isaiah 42:8.
He that is the right object of men’ s prayers must be omnipotent, omnipresent, omniscient, a God also in covenant with us, &c. Is any wood or stone so? Is it not inutile lignum, useless wood, a dead stock? Eben dumam, a dumb stone? Our English seems to come of the Hebrew. It shall teach] Dumb, and yet teach? Others read it as a question, Ipse doceat? Can it teach? What better lesson can ye learn from it than a lie? as Habakkuk 2:18. Bid adieu to it, therefore, as King Henry VIII did to the Pope (if he had done so to Popery too, it had been better for him) in his protestation against him.
England is no more a babe, to be led and fed with lies - . Surely, except God take away our right wits, not only the Pope’ s authority shall be driven out for ever, but his name also shortly shall be forgotten in England. We will from henceforth ask counsel of him and his when we wish to be deceived, when we covet to be in error, when we desire to offend God, truth, and honesty. Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver] q.d. Come and see, believe your own eyes at least, behold the matter, form, workmanship of this newly made god, and grow wiser.
Ellicott's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
(6-20) The destruction of the Chaldæans has hitherto been only implied. It is now plainly foretold in a denunciatory song, put into the mouths of the invader’s victims. In this song there are five strophes, of three verses each, 6-8; 9-11; 12-14; 15-17; 18-20.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
Verse 19. Wo unto him] How foolish and contemptible to worship a thing formed by the hand of man out of wood, stone, gold, or silver! The meanest brute is superior to them all; it breathes and lives, but they have no breath in them. However, they are said above to be teachers of lies; that is, they appeared to give out oracles: but these were lies; and were not given by the statue, but by the priest.
Cambridge Bible on Habakkuk 2:19
19. Woe unto him … Awake] 1 Kings 18:27, “he (Baal) sleepeth and must be awaked.” The term is also used of Jehovah when He visibly interposes after apparent inactivity, Psalms 78:65; Psalms 35:23; Psalms 44:23; Psalms 59:5. As this verse begins with Woe many propose to place it before Habakkuk 2:18. it shall teach] Or, shall it teach! as an exclamation of contempt or wonder at the infatuation of those who consult it. A full stop is to be placed at Arise! Teach is equivalent to, give an answer or oracle when consulted or appealed to. Isaiah 41:26; Isaiah 46:7. laid over with gold] This is probably the meaning, though the term is obscure. Perhaps: set in gold. there is no breath] Psalms 135:17; Jeremiah 10:14; cf. Jeremiah 51:17.
Barnes' Notes on Habakkuk 2:19
But then the greater is the “Woe” to him who deceiveth by them. The prophet passes away from the idols as “nothings” and pronounces “woe” on those who deceive by them. He .
Whedon's Commentary on Habakkuk 2:19
19. Woe — To him who puts his trust into these lifeless nothings. Awake — From slumber and inactivity (1 Kings 18:27). Arise — To help and deliver.
Sermons on Habakkuk 2:19
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Have You Ever Felt That God Is Doing Nothing in Your Life? by Carter Conlon | Carter Conlon addresses the feeling of spiritual stagnation, emphasizing that even when it seems God is silent, He is actively working within us. He draws from Isaiah 30, highlight |
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K-490 False Prophets of the Last Days by Art Katz | In this sermon transcript, the speaker shares his personal experience of witnessing a demonstration of power without the presence of the living God. He describes a situation where |
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He Will Act for You! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes that God is not passive and will act on our behalf against the devil's schemes. He draws parallels to Elijah's confrontation with the prophets of Baal, i |
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(Daniel) in the Furnace for God by Willie Mullan | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the story of Nebuchadnezzar and the three men who were thrown into the fiery furnace. He emphasizes the astonishment of the king when he sees |
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Daniel - the Lord in the Outworking of History by William Fitch | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Daniel and its themes of God's sovereignty and the victory of faith. The sermon begins by discussing how Daniel and his friends |
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Shining Bright in Our Trials by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson emphasizes the importance of serving the Lord with joy and gladness, rooted in the assurance of His protection over His children. He illustrates how biblical figure |
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Epistle 239 by George Fox | George Fox emphasizes the importance of patience and faith in Christ, the Lamb who was slain from the foundation of the world, as the source of victory over trials and tribulations |