Habakkuk 2:18 “What use is an idol, that a craftsman should carve it— or an image, a…”

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

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?

World English Bible

“What value does the engraved image have, that its maker has engraved it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he who fashions its form trusts in it, to make mute idols?

American Standard Version

What profiteth the graven image, that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, even the teacher of lies, that he that fashioneth its form trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?

Geneva Bible 1599

What profiteth the image? for the maker thereof hath made it an image, and a teacher of lies, though he that made it, trust therein, when he maketh dumme idoles.

Darby Translation

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it? the molten image, and the teacher of falsehood, that the maker of his work dependeth thereon, to make dumb idols?

Young's Literal Translation

What profit hath a graven image given That its former hath graven it? A molten image and teacher of falsehood, That trusted hath the former on his own formation — to make dumb idols?

Bible in Basic English

What profit is the pictured image to its maker? and as for the metal image, the false teacher, why does its maker put his faith in it, making false gods without a voice?

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Cross references

“profiteth”

Isaiah 42:17 Isaiah 45:16 Isaiah 45:20 Isaiah 37:38 Isaiah 46:6–8 Jeremiah 10:3–5

Isaiah 42:17 · BSB

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

Isaiah 45:16 · BSB

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

Isaiah 45:20 · BSB

Come, gather together, and draw near, you fugitives from the nations. Ignorant are those who carry idols of wood and pray to a god that cannot save.

Isaiah 37:38 · BSB

One day, while he was worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch, his sons Adrammelech and Sharezer put him to the sword and escaped to the land of Ararat. And his son Esar-haddon reigned in his place.

Isaiah 46:6–8 · BSB

They pour out their bags of gold and weigh out silver on scales; they hire a goldsmith to fashion it into a god, so they can bow down and worship.

Jeremiah 10:3–5 · BSB

For the customs of the peoples are worthless; they cut down a tree from the forest; it is shaped with a chisel by the hands of a craftsman.

“a teacher”

Jeremiah 10:8 Zechariah 10:2 Jonah 2:8 2 Thessalonians 2:9–11 Romans 1:23–25 Revelation 13:11–15

Jeremiah 10:8 · BSB

But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!

Zechariah 10:2 · BSB

For idols speak deceit and diviners see illusions; they tell false dreams and offer empty comfort. Therefore the people wander like sheep, oppressed for lack of a shepherd.

Jonah 2:8 · BSB

Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.

2 Thessalonians 2:9–11 · BSB

The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,

Romans 1:23–25 · BSB

and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Revelation 13:11–15 · BSB

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. This beast had two horns like a lamb, but spoke like a dragon.

“that the”

Psalm 115:4–8 Psalm 135:15–18 Isaiah 1:31 Isaiah 44:14–20

Psalm 115:4–8 · BSB

Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

Psalm 135:15–18 · BSB

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.

Isaiah 1:31 · BSB

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

Isaiah 44:14–20 · BSB

He cuts down cedars or retrieves a cypress or oak. He lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a laurel, and the rain makes it grow.

“dumb”

1 Corinthians 12:2

1 Corinthians 12:2 · BSB

You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

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 Habakkuk 2