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Habakkuk 2:18

in Habakkuk 2

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.

BSB

The same verse in ASV and KJV ▾

ASV

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?

KJV

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?

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This verse in Habakkuk 2

Commentary

8 notes on this verse

A commentator

Jerome

Commentary on Habakkuk · Written before 420.

(Verse 18.) What profit is there in a carved image, because the maker thereof hath carved it, a molten and a false image? because the maker thereof hath trusted in his own workmanship, to make dumb idols. LXX: What profit is there in a carved image, because they have carved it, and fashioned it by the molten workman, a false image? because the artificer thereof hath trusted in his own workmanship, to make dumb idols.

This site's exposition

what profiteth the graven image

on Habakkuk 2:18-20

The fifth and last woe turns from the tyrant to his gods, what profiteth the graven image... a teacher of lies, an idol carved by the same hands that trust it, laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it. Against dumb stone the chapter sets the true God's address, but the Lord is in his holy temple, let all the earth keep silence before him, the whole created order called to stand quiet before the only throne that answers. Wesley and Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown read the closing verse as the vision's true resting point, every woe against Babylon's idols settled simply by the fact that the real God is enthroned and listening, which chapter 3 turns into prayer.

The record, by era

The Puritans and the Awakening3 voices

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

): What profits the graven image? Though it be mere matter, if it were cast into some other form it might be serviceable to some purpose or other of human life; but, as it is made a god of, it is of no profit at all, nor can do its worshippers the least kindness.

quarantine:debris (2026-07-29) — leading-punctuation+unbalanced-parens

A commentator

Matthew Henry

1662–1714

Commentary on the Whole Bible (1710)

proposed

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. 4 Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith.

quarantine:scripture (2026-07-29) — verbatim-scripture

What profiteth the graven image that the maker thereof hath graven it,....

The Nineteenth Century2 voices

A commentator

Adam Clarke

1762–1832

Commentary on the Bible · Written before 1832.

What profiteth the graven image - This is against idolatry in general, and every species of it, as well as against those princes, priests, and people who practice it, and encourage others to do the same. See on Isa 44:9-10 (note); Isa 46:2 (note). Dumb idols? - אלילים אלמים elilim illemim, “dumb nothings.” This is exactly agreeable to St. Paul, 1Co 8:4, who says, “An idol is nothing in the world.” What signify the idols worshipped by the Chaldeans, Tyrians, and Egyptians? They have not been able to save their worshippers.

A commentator

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

1802–1910

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871)

The powerlessness of the idols to save Babylon from its doom is a fitting introduction to the last stanza (Hab 2:19), which, as the former four, begins with "Woe." teacher of lies--its priests and prophets uttering lying oracles, as if from it. make dumb idols--Though men can "make" idols, they cannot make them speak.
1 more voice on this verse

The Nineteenth Century1 voice

What profiteth - (Hath profited) הועיל מה. Samuel warned them, “Serve the Lord with all your heart, and turn ye not aside; for (it would be) after vanities which will not profit nor deliver for they are vain:” and Jeremiah tells their past; “their prophets prophesied by Baal; and after things יועילי לא which profit not, have they gone.” Elsewhere the idol is spoken of as a thing “which will not profit” (future) “My people hath changed its glory יועיל בלא for that which profiteth not,” Jer 2:8, Jer 2:11. So Isaiah, “Who hath formed a god, הועיל לבלתי not to profit.” Isa 44:9.10. “The makers of a graven image are all of them vanity, and their desirable things יועילו בל will not profit.” The graven image, that the maker therefore hath graven it? - What did Baal and Ashtaroth profit you? What availed it ever but to draw down the wrath of God? Even so neither shall it profit the Chaldaean. As their idols availed them not, so neither need they fear them. Sennacherib and Nebuchadnezzar were propagandists of their own belief and would destroy, if they could, all other worship, false or true : Nebuchadnezzar is thought to have set up his own image Dan. 3. Antichrist will set himself up as God 2Th 2:4; Rev 13:15-17. We may take warning at least by our own sins. If we had no profit at all from them, neither will the like profit others. the Jews did, in the main, learn this in their captivity. The molten image and teacher of lies - It is all one whether by “teacher of lies” we understand the idol , or its priest . For its priest gave it its voice, as its maker created its form. It could only seem to teach through the idol-priest. Isaiah used the title “teacher of lies,” of the false prophet Isa 9:14. It is all one. […]

The words behind it

17 Hebrew words

Every Hebrew word of this verse in the order it stands, with what it means and the door to its own study. The last column counts the times a word stands in the whole Bible: the rarer the word, the more the places it appears belong together.

A shaded row is a word that stands 400 times or fewer in the Bible.

Related verses

18 in all, six open

The number beside each verse is how many compiled reference works tie it to this one. The strongest six stand open.

Romans 1:25They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is forever worthy of praise! Amen.19 worksJeremiah 10:8But they are altogether senseless and foolish, instructed by worthless idols made of wood!9 worksZechariah 10:2For 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.8 worksIsaiah 44:9–10All makers of idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Their witnesses fail to see or comprehend, so they are put to shame.8 works1 Corinthians 12:2You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.8 worksJeremiah 2:27–28say to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ and to a stone, ‘You gave me birth.’ For they have turned their backs to Me and not their faces, yet in the time of trouble they beg, ‘Rise up and save us!’7 works
The other 12 cross-references, with their words ▾
Isaiah 42:17But those who trust in idols and say to molten images, ‘You are our gods!’ will be turned back in utter shame.6 works1 Samuel 12:21Do not turn aside after worthless things that cannot profit you or deliver you, for they are empty.6 worksPsalms 135:15–18The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.5 worksIsaiah 45:16They will all be put to shame and humiliated; the makers of idols will depart together in disgrace.5 worksPsalms 115:4–8Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.5 worksJeremiah 2:8The priests did not ask, ‘Where is the LORD?’ The experts in the law no longer knew Me, and the leaders rebelled against Me. The prophets prophesied by Baal and followed useless idols.5 worksIsaiah 44:10Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing?5 worksIsaiah 45:20Come, 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.4 worksJeremiah 10:14–15Every man is senseless and devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols. For his molten images are a fraud, and there is no breath in them.4 works2 Thessalonians 2:9–11The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder,4 worksJonah 2:8Those who cling to worthless idols forsake His loving devotion.4 worksAmos 2:4This is what the LORD says: “For three transgressions of Judah, even four, I will not revoke My judgment, because they reject the Law of the LORD and fail to keep His statutes; they are led astray by the lies in which their fathers walked.4 works

The walk

8 stops

Each card is a verse this one points to, and under it the verses that one points to in turn. Where several paths arrive at the same place, that place is listed first: the text keeps returning to it.

  • Through

    1 Corinthians 12:2

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

    it leads to

    • 1 Peter 4:3

      For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry.

    • 1 Thessalonians 1:9

      For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God

    • Psalms 115:5

      They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see;

    • Galatians 4:8

      Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods.

    • Ephesians 2:11–12

      Therefore remember that formerly you who are Gentiles in the flesh and called uncircumcised by the so-called circumcision (that done in the body by human hands)—

  • Through

    Zechariah 10:2

    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.

    it leads to

    • Matthew 9:36

      When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

    • Jeremiah 27:9

      But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’

    • Ezekiel 34:5

      They were scattered for lack of a shepherd, and when they were scattered they became food for all the wild beasts.

Where this verse is studied

About Habakkuk

Habakkuk: the study guide →Read Habakkuk 2 →

This page draws on Adam Clarke, Commentary on the Bible; Albert Barnes, Notes, Explanatory and Practical, on the Old and New Testaments (1832-1869); Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible; Jerome, Commentary on Habakkuk; John Gill, Exposition of the Old Testament (1748-1763); John Wesley, Explanatory Notes upon the Old Testament and Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible.

Read on in Habakkuk 2 →