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Habakkuk 2:18

New American Standard Bible (NASB ©1995) [2]
— “What profit is the idol when its maker has carved it, [Or] an image, a teacher of falsehood? For [its] maker trusts in his [own] handiwork When he fashions speechless idols.
King James Version (KJV 1769) [2]
— 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?
English Revised Version (ERV 1885)
— What profiteth the graven image, that the maker thereof hath graven it; the molten image, and the teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
American Standard Version (ASV 1901) [2]
— 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?
Webster's Revision of the KJB (WEB 1833)
— What profiteth the graven image that its maker hath graven it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth therein, to make dumb idols?
Darby's Translation (DBY 1890)
— 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?
Rotherham's Emphasized Bible (EBR 1902)
— What hath a carved image, profited, though the fashioner thereof, carved it? a molten image, and a teacher of falsehood,—though the fashioner of his fashioned thing trusted therein? that men should make Dumb Nonentities!
Young's Literal Translation (YLT 1898)
— 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?
Douay-Rheims Challoner Revision (DR 1750)
— What doth the graven thing avail, because the maker thereof hath graven it, a molten, and a false image? because the forger thereof hath trusted in a thing of his own forging, to make dumb idols.
Geneva Bible (GNV 1560)
— 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.
Original King James Bible (AV 1611) [2]
— What profiteth the grauen image, that the maker thereof hath grauen it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his worke, trusteth therin, to make dumbe idoles.
Lamsa Bible (1957)
— What profit is a graven image that its maker has fashioned? The molten image is a false doctrine, for the heart of its maker trusts in it, to fashion a dumb idol.
Brenton Greek Septuagint (LXX, Restored Names)
— What profit it the graven image, that they have graven it? [one] has made it a molten work, a false image; for the maker has trusted in his work, to make dumb idols.
Full Hebrew Names / Holy Name KJV (2008) [2] [3]
— 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?

Strong's Numbers & Hebrew NamesHebrew Old TestamentColor-Code/Key Word Studies
What x4100
(4100) Complement
מָּה
mah
{maw}
A primitive particle; properly interrogitive what? (including how?, why? and when?); but also exclamations like what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and even relatively that which); often used with prefixes in various adverbial or conjugational senses.
profiteth 3276
{3276} Prime
יָעַל
ya`al
{yaw-al'}
A primitive root; properly to ascend; figuratively to be valuable (objective useful, subjective benefited).
z8689
<8689> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 2675
the graven image 6459
{6459} Prime
פֶּסֶל
pecel
{peh'-sel}
From H6458; an idol.
that x3588
(3588) Complement
כִּי
kiy
{kee}
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed.
the maker 3335
{3335} Prime
יָצַר
yatsar
{yaw-tsar'}
probably identical with H3334 (through the squeezing into shape); (compare H3331); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively to determine (that is, form a resolution).
z8802
<8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Participle Active (See H8814)
Count - 5386
thereof hath graven 6458
{6458} Prime
פָּסַל
pacal
{paw-sal'}
A primitive root; to carve, whether wood or stone.
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
it; the molten image, 4541
{4541} Prime
מַסֵּכָה
maccekah
{mas-say-kaw'}
From H5258; properly a pouring over, that is, fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication a libation, that is, league; concretely a coverlet (as if poured out).
and a teacher 3384
{3384} Prime
יָרָה
yarah
{yaw-raw'}
A primitive root; properly to flow as water (that is, to rain); transitively to lay or throw (especially an arrow, that is, to shoot); figuratively to point out (as if by aiming the finger), to teach.
z8688
<8688> Grammar
Stem - Hiphil (See H8818)
Mood - Participle (See H8813)
Count - 857
of lies, 8267
{8267} Prime
שֶׁקֶר
sheqer
{sheh'-ker}
From H8266; an untruth; by implication a sham (often adverbially).
that x3588
(3588) Complement
כִּי
kiy
{kee}
A primitive particle (the full form of the prepositional prefix) indicating causal relations of all kinds, antecedent or consequent; (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjugation or adverb; often largely modified by other particles annexed.
the maker 3335
{3335} Prime
יָצַר
yatsar
{yaw-tsar'}
probably identical with H3334 (through the squeezing into shape); (compare H3331); to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively to determine (that is, form a resolution).
z8802
<8802> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Participle Active (See H8814)
Count - 5386
of his work 3336
{3336} Prime
יֵצֶר
yetser
{yay'-tser}
From H3335; a form; figuratively conception (that is, purpose).
trusteth 982
{0982} Prime
בָּטַח
batach
{baw-takh'}
A primitive root; properly to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as H2620); figuratively to trust, be confident or sure.
z8804
<8804> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Perfect (See H8816)
Count - 12562
therein, x5921
(5921) Complement
עַל
`al
{al}
Properly the same as H5920 used as a preposition (in the singular or plural, often with prefix, or as conjugation with a particle following); above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications.
to make 6213
{6213} Prime
עָשָׂה
`asah
{aw-saw'}
A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.
z8800
<8800> Grammar
Stem - Qal (See H8851)
Mood - Infinitive (See H8812)
Count - 4888
dumb 483
{0483} Prime
אִלֵּם
'illem
{il-lame'}
From H0481; speechless.
idols? 457
{0457} Prime
אֱלִיל
'eliyl
{el-eel'}
Apparently from H0408; good for nothing, by analogy vain or vanity; specifically an idol.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary

Habakkuk 2:18

_ _ The powerlessness of the idols to save Babylon from its doom is a fitting introduction to the last stanza (Habakkuk 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.

Matthew Henry's Commentary

See commentary on Habakkuk 2:15-20.

John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

[[no comment]]

Geneva Bible Translation Notes

Habakkuk 2:18

What profiteth the graven (p) image that its maker hath engraved it; the molten image, and a teacher of lies, that the maker of his work trusteth in it, to make dumb idols?

(p) He shows that the Babylonian gods could not help them at all, for they were but blocks or stones. See Jeremiah 10:8

Cross-Reference Topical ResearchStrong's Concordance
profiteth:

Isaiah 37:38 And it came to pass, as he was worshipping in the house of Nisroch his god, that Adrammelech and Sharezer his sons smote him with the sword; and they escaped into the land of Armenia: and Esarhaddon his son reigned in his stead.
Isaiah 42:17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images, that say to the molten images, Ye [are] our gods.
Isaiah 44:9-10 They that make a graven image [are] all of them vanity; and their delectable things shall not profit; and they [are] their own witnesses; they see not, nor know; that they may be ashamed. ... Who hath formed a god, or molten a graven image [that] is profitable for nothing?
Isaiah 45:16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together [that are] makers of idols.
Isaiah 45:20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye [that are] escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god [that] cannot save.
Isaiah 46:1-2 Bel boweth down, Nebo stoopeth, their idols were upon the beasts, and upon the cattle: your carriages [were] heavy loaden; [they are] a burden to the weary [beast]. ... They stoop, they bow down together; they could not deliver the burden, but themselves are gone into captivity.
Isaiah 46:6-8 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. ... Remember this, and shew yourselves men: bring [it] again to mind, O ye transgressors.
Jeremiah 2:27-28 Saying to a stock, Thou [art] my father; and to a stone, Thou hast brought me forth: for they have turned [their] back unto me, and not [their] face: but in the time of their trouble they will say, Arise, and save us. ... But where [are] thy gods that thou hast made thee? let them arise, if they can save thee in the time of thy trouble: for [according to] the number of thy cities are thy gods, O Judah.
Jeremiah 10:3-5 For the customs of the people [are] vain: for [one] cutteth a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. ... They [are] upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also [is it] in them to do good.
Jeremiah 50:2 Declare ye among the nations, and publish, and set up a standard; publish, [and] conceal not: say, Babylon is taken, Bel is confounded, Merodach is broken in pieces; her idols are confounded, her images are broken in pieces.
Romans 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things [is] death.

a teacher:

Jeremiah 10:8 But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock [is] a doctrine of vanities.
Jeremiah 10:14-15 Every man is brutish in [his] knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image [is] falsehood, and [there is] no breath in them. ... They [are] vanity, [and] the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish.
Jonah 2:8 They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.
Zechariah 10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams; they comfort in vain: therefore they went their way as a flock, they were troubled, because [there was] no shepherd.
Romans 1:23-25 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. ... Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 [Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, ... And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; ... Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
Revelation 13:11-15 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. ... And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.
Revelation 19:20 And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.

that the:

Psalms 115:4-8 Their idols [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ... They that make them are like unto them; [so is] every one that trusteth in them.
Psalms 135:15-18 The idols of the heathen [are] silver and gold, the work of men's hands. ... They that make them are like unto them: [so is] every one that trusteth in them.
Isaiah 1:31 And the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark, and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench [them].
Isaiah 44:14-20 He heweth him down cedars, and taketh the cypress and the oak, which he strengtheneth for himself among the trees of the forest: he planteth an ash, and the rain doth nourish [it]. ... He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, [Is there] not a lie in my right hand?

maker of his work:
Heb. fashioner of his fashion

dumb:

1 Corinthians 12:2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.
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Chain-Reference Bible SearchCross References with Concordance

Ps 115:4; 135:15. Is 1:31; 37:38; 42:17; 44:9, 14; 45:16, 20; 46:1, 6. Jr 2:27; 10:3, 8, 14; 50:2. Jna 2:8. Zc 10:2. Ro 1:23; 6:21. 1Co 12:2. 2Th 2:9. 1Ti 4:1. Rv 13:11; 19:20.

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