Habakkuk 2:18
King James Version (1769)
Other translations
| Verse | KJV | BSB | ASV |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 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? | 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. | 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? |
In context
Who is speaking and to whom, what is happening, when and where, and why it matters, each with its sources. Coming with the context cards.
Original Hebrew words
| English | Hebrew | Say it | Strong's | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| what? | מָֽה־ | mah- | H4100 | whatמָא (ma) 1) what, whatever 1a) what? 1b) whatever, what, whatsoever 1c) how?, why?, wherefore? (with prefixes) |
| does it profit | הוֹעִ֣יל | ho-'IL | H3276 | to gainיָעַל (ya.al) (Hiphil) to gain, profit, benefit, avail |
| a carved image | פֶּ֗סֶל | PE-sel | H6459 | idolפָּסִיל (pe.sil) image, idol, graven image Another spelling of pe.sel (פֶּ֫סֶל "idol" H6459) |
| that | כִּ֤י | ki | H3588A | forכִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore |
| he has carved it | פְסָלוֹ֙ | fe-sa-LO | H6458 | to hewפָּסַל (pa.sal) 1) to cut, hew, hew into shape 1a) (Qal) to hew, hew out, quarry |
| [one who] formed it | יֹֽצְר֔וֹ | yo-tze-RO | H3335G | to form: formedיָצַר (ya.tsar) : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed |
| a molten image | מַסֵּכָ֖ה | ma-se-KHAH | H4541A | liquidמַסֵּכָה (mas.se.khah) 1) a pouring, libation, molten metal, cast image, drink offering 1a) libation (with covenant sacrifice) 1b) molten metal, molten image, molten gods |
| and [one which] teaches | וּמ֣וֹרֶה | u-MO-reh | H3384B | to showיָרָה (ya.rah) 1) to point out, show 1b) to direct, teach, instruct |
| falsehood | שָּׁ֑קֶר | SHA-ker | H8267 | deceptionשֶׁ֫קֶר (she.qer) 1) lie, deception, disappointment, falsehood 1a) deception (what deceives or disappoints or betrays one) 1b) deceit, fraud, wrong 1b1) fraudulently, wrongfully (as adverb) 1c) falsehood (injurious in testimony) 1c1) testify falsehood, false oath, swear falsely 1d) falsity (of false or self-deceived prophets) 1e) lie, falsehood (in general) 1e1) false tongue 1f) in vain |
| for | כִּ֣י | ki | H3588A | forכִּי (ki) 1) that, for, because, when, as though, as, because that, but, then, certainly, except, surely, since 1a) that 1a1) yea, indeed 1b) when (of time) 1b1) when, if, though (with a concessive force) 1c) because, since (causal connection) 1d) but (after negative) 1e) that if, for if, indeed if, for though, but if 1f) but rather, but 1g) except that 1h) only, nevertheless 1i) surely 1j) that is 1k) but if 1l) for though 1m) forasmuch as, for therefore |
| he relies | בָטַ֞ח | va-TACH | H0982 | to trustבָּטַח (ba.tach) 1) to trust 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to trust, trust in 1a2) to have confidence, be confident 1a3) to be bold 1a4) to be secure 1b) (Hiphil) 1b1) to cause to trust, make secure 2) (TWOT) to feel safe, be careless |
| [one who] formed | יֹצֵ֤ר | yo-TZER | H3335G | to form: formedיָצַר (ya.tsar) : formed 1) to form, fashion, frame 1a) (Qal) to form, fashion 1a1) of human activity 1a2) of divine activity 1a2a) of creation 1a2a1) of original creation 1a2a2) of individuals at conception 1a2a3) of Israel as a people 1a2b) to frame, pre-ordain, plan (fig. of divine) purpose of a situation) 1b) (Niphal) to be formed, be created 1c) (Pual) to be predetermined, be pre-ordained 1d) (Hophal) to be formed |
| form his | יִצְרוֹ֙ | yitz-RO | H3336 | intentionיֵ֫צֶר (ye.tser) 1) form, framing, purpose, framework 1a) form 1a1) pottery 1a2) graven image 1a3) man (as formed from the dust) 1b) purpose, imagination, device (intellectual framework) |
| on it | עָלָ֔יו | 'a-LAV | H5921A | uponעַל (al) prep 1) upon, on the ground of, according to, on account of, on behalf of, concerning, beside, in addition to, together with, beyond, above, over, by, on to, towards, to, against 1a) upon, on the ground of, on the basis of, on account of, because of, therefore, on behalf of, for the sake of, for, with, in spite of, notwithstanding, concerning, in the matter of, as regards 1b) above, beyond, over (of excess) 1c) above, over (of elevation or pre-eminence) 1d) upon, to, over to, unto, in addition to, together with, with (of addition) 1e) over (of suspension or extension) … |
| to make | לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת | la-'a-SOT | H6213H | to makeעֲבַד (a.vad) 1) to make, do 1a)(P'al) 1a1) to make, create 1a2) to do, perform 1b) (Ithp'al) 1b1) to be made into 1b2) to be done, be wrought, be performed, be executed, be carried out |
| idols | אֱלִילִ֥ים | 'e-li-LIM | H0457 | idolאֱלִיל (e.lil) 1) of nought, good for nothing, worthless 1a) of physicians, a shepherd, a divination 1b) of false gods |
| dumb | אִלְּמִֽים׃ ס | 'i-le-MIM | H0483 | muteאִלֵּם (il.lem) mute, silent, dumb, unable to speak |
Words and meanings from STEPBible data (Tyndale House, Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). The capitalized syllable is the stressed one.