Habakkuk 2:18

What 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.

Majority Standard Bible

In The King James Version

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

In Context

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.

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.”

Read all of Habakkuk 2

Cross References

Psalms 115:4Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

Isaiah 1:31The strong man will become tinder and his work will be a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the flames.

Isaiah 42:17But those who trust in idols and say to molten images, ‘You are our gods!’ will be turned back in utter shame.

Isaiah 44:10Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?

Isaiah 45:16They will all be put to shame and humiliated; the makers of idols will depart together in disgrace.

Isaiah 46:1Bel crouches; Nebo cowers. Their idols weigh down beasts and cattle. The images you carry are burdensome, a load to the weary animal.

Matthew Henry on Habakkuk 2:16-20

Judgment Predicted. ( b. c. 600.) 15 Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also, that thou mayest look on their nakedness! 16 Thou art filled with shame for glory: drink thou also, and let thy foreskin be uncovered: the cup of the Lord 's right hand shall be turned unto thee, and shameful spewing shall be on thy glory. 17 For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the… Read the whole commentary →

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