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?
Read it in contextWoe to the Chaldeans
Start reading at Habakkuk 2:6 (Habakkuk 2:6 to Habakkuk 2:20).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The woes identify the conduct for which the arrogant oppressor will be judged.
2:6Shall not all these take up a parable against him, and a taunting proverb against him, and say, Woe to him that increaseth that which is not his! how long? and to him that ladeth himself with thick clay!
2:7Shall they not rise up suddenly that shall bite thee, and awake that shall vex thee, and thou shalt be for booties unto them?
2:8Because thou hast spoiled many nations, all the remnant of the people shall spoil thee; because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
2:9Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil!
2:10Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.
2:11For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.
2:12Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity!
2:13Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity?
2:14For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
2:15Woe 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!
2:16Thou 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.
2:17For the violence of Lebanon shall cover thee, and the spoil of beasts, which made them afraid, because of men's blood, and for the violence of the land, of the city, and of all that dwell therein.
2:18What 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?
2:19Woe 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.
2:20But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
Study content, not yet reviewed.
Who
Who wrote the book? Habakkuk is the named prophet and the speaker of the book's prayer. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:1; Habakkuk 3:1. stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Habakkuk 1:1–2:20): Habakkuk brings his complaints to the LORD and receives an answer concerning violence and the Chaldeans. The woes address the arrogant oppressor. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Judah's community facing violence and the Babylonian threat, with the vision to be written so it can be read. Much of the book is a dialogue between the prophet and the LORD. Biblical references: Habakkuk 1:2; Habakkuk 1:6; Habakkuk 2:2. book background
What
What is the topic of this reading unit? Woe to the Chaldeans. Read Habakkuk 2:6 through Habakkuk 2:20 as a connected unit. interpretation
How does it contribute to the book? This unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The woes identify the conduct for which the arrogant oppressor will be judged. interpretation
When
When are the events or message set? The rise of the Chaldeans forms the announced historical setting, but the book does not provide a precise royal date for the dialogue. book background
Where
What is the book’s geographic setting? The questions concern wrongdoing among the people and the threat of an invading power; the prayer ranges through remembered scenes of the LORD's acts. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Woe to the Chaldeans (Habakkuk 2:6 to Habakkuk 2:20).
Start reading at Habakkuk 2:6. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? The New Testament cites the statement that the just shall live by faith. Its use should retain the original contrast between arrogant wrongdoing and faithful endurance. See Habakkuk 2:4, Romans 1:17, Hebrews 10:38. interpretation
How should this book guide our response? Bring hard questions honestly before God and distinguish complaint from the answer received. The closing confession models trust that does not depend on present abundance. interpretation
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk 2
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The prophet questions the use of a violent nation and is told to attend to the appointed vision and live by faith.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The woes identify the conduct for which the arrogant oppressor will be judged.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Habakkuk
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Habakkuk records the prophet's questions, the LORD's responses, woes, and a concluding prayer. Keeping the speakers distinct is essential: a question or complaint is not identical to the divine answer.