Habakkuk 2:19
New International Version
Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Come to life!’ Or to lifeless stone, ‘Wake up!’ Can it give guidance? It is covered with gold and silver; there is no breath in it.”

New Living Translation
What sorrow awaits you who say to wooden idols, ‘Wake up and save us!’ To speechless stone images you say, ‘Rise up and teach us!’ Can an idol tell you what to do? They may be overlaid with gold and silver, but they are lifeless inside.

English Standard Version
Woe to him who says to a wooden thing, Awake; to a silent stone, Arise! Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in it.

Berean Standard Bible
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.”

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
Woe to him who says to wood, ‘Awake!’ To silent stone, ‘Arise! It shall teach!’ Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet in it there is no breath at all.

New American Standard Bible
“Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’ To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’ That is your teacher? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, Yet there is no breath at all inside it.

NASB 1995
“Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’ To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’ And that is your teacher? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all inside it.

NASB 1977
“Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’ To a dumb stone, ‘Arise!’ And that is your teacher? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all inside it.

Legacy Standard Bible
Woe to him who says to a piece of wood, ‘Awake!’ To a mute stone, ‘Arise!’ And that is your teacher? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all inside it.

Amplified Bible
“Woe (judgment is coming) to him who says to the wooden image, ‘Awake!’ And to the speechless stone, ‘Arise!’ And that is your teacher? Look, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all inside it.

Christian Standard Bible
Woe to him who says to wood: Wake up! or to mute stone: Come alive! Can it teach? Look! It may be plated with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Woe to him who says to wood: Wake up! or to mute stone: Come alive! Can it teach? Look! It may be plated with gold and silver, yet there is no breath in it at all.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
What can you learn from idols covered with silver or gold? They can't even breathe. Pity anyone who says to an idol of wood or stone, "Get up and do something!"

English Revised Version
Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise! Shall this teach? Behold, it is laid over with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
'How horrible it will be for the one who says to a piece of wood, "Wake up!" and to a stone that cannot talk, "Get up!' " Can that thing teach [anyone]? Just look at it! It's covered with gold and silver, but there's absolutely no life in it."

Good News Translation
You are doomed! You say to a piece of wood, "Wake up!" or to a block of stone, "Get up!" Can an idol reveal anything to you? It may be covered with silver and gold, but there is no life in it.

International Standard Version
"Woe to the one who says to a tree, 'Wake up!' or 'Arise!' to a speechless stone. Idols like this can't teach, can they? Look, even though it is overlaid with gold and silver, there's no breath in it at all."

Majority Standard Bible
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.?

NET Bible
The one who says to wood, 'Wake up!' is as good as dead--he who says to speechless stone, 'Awake!' Can it give reliable guidance? It is overlaid with gold and silver; it has no life's breath inside it.

New Heart English Bible
Woe to him who says to the wood, 'Awake.' or to the mute stone, 'Arise.' Shall this teach? Look, it is overlaid with gold and silver, and there is no breath at all in its midst.

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

World English Bible
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.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Woe [to] him who is saying to wood, Awake, "" To a mute stone, Stir up, "" It [is] a teacher! Behold, it is overlaid—gold and silver, "" And there is no spirit in its midst.

Young's Literal Translation
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.

Smith's Literal Translation
Wo! to him saying to the wood, Awake; and to the dumb stone, Arise, it shall teach. Being overlaid with gold and silver, and not any spirit in its midst.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
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.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Woe to him who says to wood, “Awaken,” to the silent stone, “Arise.” Is it able to teach? Behold, it has been entirely covered with gold and silver; and there is no spirit at all in its inner workings.

New American Bible
Ah! you who say to wood, “Awake!” to silent stone, “Arise!” Can any such thing give oracles? It is only overlaid with gold and silver, there is no breath in it at all.

New Revised Standard Version
Alas for you who say to the wood, “Wake up!” to silent stone, “Rouse yourself!” Can it teach? See, it is gold and silver plated, and there is no breath in it at all.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Woe to him who says to the wood, Awake! to the dumb stone, Arise! They are vain; even though they are overlaid with gold, there is no breath at all in them.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Woe to him who says to wood: “Wake up, and to deaf stone, Get up! They are worthless and they are overlaid in gold and no spirit is in them
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Woe unto him that saith to the wood: 'Awake', To the dumb stone: 'Arise!' Can this teach? Behold, it is overlaid with gold and silver, And there is no breath at all in the midst of it.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Woe to him that says to the wood, Awake, arise; and to the stone, Be thou exalted! whereas it is an image, and this is a casting of gold and silver, and there is no breath in it.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Woe to the Chaldeans
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
Isaiah 44:9-20
All 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. / Who fashions a god or casts an idol which profits him nothing? / Behold, all his companions will be put to shame, for the craftsmen themselves are only human. Let them all assemble and take their stand; they will all be brought to terror and shame. ...

Jeremiah 10:3-5
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. / They adorn it with silver and gold and fasten it with hammer and nails, so that it will not totter. / Like scarecrows in a cucumber patch, their idols cannot speak. They must be carried because they cannot walk. Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, and neither can they do any good.”

Psalm 115:4-8
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; they have noses, but cannot smell; ...

Psalm 135:15-18
The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. / They have mouths, but cannot speak; they have eyes, but cannot see; / they have ears, but cannot hear; nor is there breath in their mouths. ...

Isaiah 46:6-7
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. / They lift it to their shoulder and carry it along; they set it in its place, and there it stands, not budging from that spot. They cry out to it, but it does not answer; it saves no one from his troubles.

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. ...

Deuteronomy 4:28
And there you will serve man-made gods of wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or eat or smell.

Isaiah 41:6-7
Each one helps the other and says to his brother, “Be strong!” / The craftsman encourages the goldsmith, and he who wields the hammer cheers him who strikes the anvil, saying of the welding, “It is good.” He nails it down so it will not be toppled.

Jeremiah 51:17-18
Every 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. / They are worthless, a work to be mocked. In the time of their punishment they will perish.

Ezekiel 13:2-3
“Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Tell those who prophesy out of their own imagination: Hear the word of the LORD! / This is what the Lord GOD says: Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit yet have seen nothing.

1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.

Romans 1:22-23
Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, / and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images of mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles.

Acts 17:29
Therefore, being offspring of God, we should not think that the Divine Being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by man’s skill and imagination.

Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.

1 Corinthians 10:19-20
Am I suggesting, then, that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? / No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons.


Treasury of Scripture

Woe to him that said 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 middle of it.

that.

1 Kings 18:26-29
And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made…

Psalm 97:7
Confounded be all they that serve graven images, that boast themselves of idols: worship him, all ye gods.

Isaiah 44:17
And the residue thereof he maketh a god, even his graven image: he falleth down unto it, and worshippeth it, and prayeth unto it, and saith, Deliver me; for thou art my god.

it is.

Isaiah 40:19
The workman melteth a graven image, and the goldsmith spreadeth it over with gold, and casteth silver chains.

Isaiah 46:6
They lavish gold out of the bag, and weigh silver in the balance, and hire a goldsmith; and he maketh it a god: they fall down, yea, they worship.

Jeremiah 10:4,9
They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not…

and there.

Psalm 135:17
They have ears, but they hear not; neither is there any breath in their mouths.

Jump to Previous
Arise Awake Breath Dumb Gold Guidance Inside Laid Midst Mute Overlaid Piece Plated Silver Stone Teach Teacher Wake Woe Wood Wooden
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Arise Awake Breath Dumb Gold Guidance Inside Laid Midst Mute Overlaid Piece Plated Silver Stone Teach Teacher Wake Woe Wood Wooden
Habakkuk 2
1. Unto Habakkuk, waiting for an answer, is shown that he must wait by faith.
5. The judgment upon the Chaldean for unsatiableness,
9. for covetousness,
12. for cruelty,
15. for drunkenness,
18. and for idolatry.














Woe to him
The word "woe" in Hebrew is "הוֹי" (hoy), a term often used by the prophets to pronounce judgment or lamentation. It is a strong expression of distress or condemnation, indicating the seriousness of the offense. In this context, it serves as a divine warning against idolatry, emphasizing the spiritual peril and moral folly of those who turn away from the living God to worship lifeless idols.

who says to wood, ‘Awake!’
The absurdity of speaking to a piece of wood is highlighted here. The Hebrew word for "wood" is "עֵץ" (etz), which can refer to a tree or timber. The act of commanding a wooden idol to "awake" underscores the futility and irrationality of idolatry. Historically, wooden idols were common in ancient Near Eastern cultures, often carved and overlaid with precious metals. The prophet mocks the idea that such an object could possess any power or consciousness.

or to silent stone, ‘Arise!’
The phrase "silent stone" uses the Hebrew "אֶבֶן" (even) for "stone," emphasizing its inanimate nature. Stones were also used in idol-making, sometimes shaped into figures or altars. The command for a stone to "arise" is equally nonsensical, as stones are inherently lifeless and immobile. This highlights the contrast between the living God and the dead idols, reinforcing the message that only God can truly respond and act.

Can it give guidance?
This rhetorical question challenges the belief that idols can provide wisdom or direction. The Hebrew root "יָעַץ" (ya'atz) means to advise or counsel. In ancient times, people often sought guidance from idols through divination or oracles. However, the prophet points out the absurdity of expecting insight from something that cannot think or speak, contrasting it with the true guidance that comes from God.

It is covered with gold and silver
The use of "gold" (זָהָב, zahav) and "silver" (כֶּסֶף, keseph) refers to the practice of adorning idols with precious metals to enhance their appearance and perceived value. This embellishment, however, is superficial and does not impart any real power or life to the idol. The prophet critiques the misplaced trust in material wealth and external beauty, reminding the audience that true worth and power come from God alone.

but there is no breath in it
The Hebrew word for "breath" is "רוּחַ" (ruach), which can also mean spirit or life. This phrase underscores the lifelessness of idols, contrasting them with the living God who breathes life into His creation. The absence of "breath" signifies the complete lack of divine presence or power in these man-made objects. This serves as a powerful reminder of the futility of idolatry and the necessity of worshiping the one true God who is the source of all life and wisdom.

Verse 19. - The prophet now denounces the folly of the maker and worshipper of idols. With this and the following verses compare the taunts in Isaiah 44:9-20. The wood. From which he carves the image. Awake! Come to my help, as good men pray to the living God (comp. Psalm 35:23; 44:28; Isaiah 51:9). Arise, it shall teach! The Hebrew is bettor rendered, Arise! it teach! i.e. shall this teach? - an emphatic question expressing astonishment. Vulgate, Numquid ipse docere poterit? The LXX. paraphrases, καὶ αὐτό ἐστι φαντασία, "and itself is a phantasy." It is laid, over. "It" is again emphatic, as if pointed at with the finger. Hence the Vulgate, Ecce iste coopertus est; and Henderson, "There it is, overlaid," etc. The wooden figure was encased in gold or silver plates (see Isaiah 40:19; Daniel 3:1).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Woe
ה֣וֹי (hō·w)
Interjection
Strong's 1945: Ah! alas! ha!

to him who says
אֹמֵ֤ר (’ō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

to wood,
לָעֵץ֙ (lā·‘êṣ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6086: Tree, trees, wood

‘Awaken!’
הָקִ֔יצָה (hā·qî·ṣāh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperative - masculine singular | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6974: Arise, be awake, watch

or to silent
דּוּמָ֑ם (dū·mām)
Adverb
Strong's 1748: A silence, in silence, silently

stone,
לְאֶ֣בֶן (lə·’e·ḇen)
Preposition-l | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 68: A stone

‘Come alive!’
ע֖וּרִי (‘ū·rî)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - feminine singular
Strong's 5782: To rouse oneself, awake

Can it
ה֣וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

give guidance?
יוֹרֶ֔ה (yō·w·reh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3384: To flow as water, to lay, throw, to point out, to teach

Behold,
הִנֵּה־ (hin·nêh-)
Interjection
Strong's 2009: Lo! behold!

it [is]
ה֗וּא (hū)
Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

overlaid
תָּפוּשׂ֙ (tā·p̄ūś)
Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular
Strong's 8610: To manipulate, seize, chiefly to capture, wield, to overlay, to use unwarrantably

with gold
זָהָ֣ב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

and silver,
וָכֶ֔סֶף (wā·ḵe·sep̄)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3701: Silver, money

yet there is no
אֵ֥ין (’ên)
Adverb
Strong's 369: A non-entity, a negative particle

breath
ר֖וּחַ (rū·aḥ)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 7307: Wind, breath, exhalation, life, anger, unsubstantiality, a region of the sky, spirit

in
בְּקִרְבּֽוֹ׃ (bə·qir·bōw)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7130: The nearest part, the center

it at all.
וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every


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OT Prophets: Habakkuk 2:19 Woe to him who says to (Hab Hb)
Habakkuk 2:18
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