Habakkuk 2:19 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 2:15-20

The three foregoing articles, upon which the woes here are grounded, are very near akin to each other. The criminals charged by them are oppressors and extortioners, that raise estates by rapine and injustice; and it is mentioned here again (Hab. 2:17), the very same that was said Hab. 2:8; for that is the crime upon which the greatest stress is laid; it is because of men's blood, innocent blood, barbarously and unjustly shed, which is a provoking crying thing; it is for the violence of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 2:19

Woe to him that saith to the wood, Awake ,.... That saith to a wooden image, let him go by what name he will; saint such an one, or such an one; awake, arise, exert thyself on our behalf; deliver us from present danger; save us from our enemies; or pray and intercede for us, that we may be delivered and saved, as the Papists do; addressing a block of wood as they would God himself, or as his people do, Psalm 44:23 . This must be very displeasing and detestable to God, and therefore a woe... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:19

Wo unto him - How foolish and contemptible to worship a thing formed by the hand of man out of wood, stone, gold, or silver! The meanest brute is superior to them all; it breathes and lives, but they have no breath in them. However, they are said above to be teachers of lies; that is, they appeared to give out oracles: but these were lies; and were not given by the statue, but by the priest. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:19

Verse 19 He pursues, as I have said, the same subject, and sharply inveighs against the sottishness of men, that they call on wood and stone, as though there were some hidden power in them. They say to the wood, Awake; for they implored help from their idols. Shall it teach? Some render it thus as a question; but I take it in a simpler form, “It will teach;” that is, “It is a wonder that ye are so wilfully foolish; for were God to send to you no Prophet, were there no one to instruct you, yet... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-19

A parable of woes: 5. Woe to the idolatrous! I. IDOLATRY AN ABSURDITY . It must ever be so. The notion that any figure fashioned by man out of wood or stone, silver or gold, however carved or gilded, can either be or represent the Infinite and Eternal One, carries the stamp of unreason on the face of it ( Psalms 115:4-8 ; Isaiah 44:19 ; Jeremiah 10:5 ). II. IDOLATRY A FRAUD . Set up as gods, and worshipped as such, graven and molten images are a hideous imposition... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-19

National wrongs ending in national woes. No. 5. "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? 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." We have said that the prophet denounces upon the Chaldeans, in Habakkuk 2:6-19 of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-20

12. The fifth woe : for their idolatry. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-20

Worship, false and true. The prophet, in recounting the sins of the Chaldeans, finally recalled to mind the idolatry prevailing amongst them. He thought of the temple of Bel, "casting its shadow far and wide over city and plain," and of the idolatrous worship of which it was the centre, and he broke forth in words expressive of the utmost scorn and contempt, and then closed his song by pointing to him who alone is worthy to receive the devout adoration and adoring praise of all the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:19

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. Psalms 35:23 ; Psalms 44:1-26 :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... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 2:19

But then the greater is the “Woe” to him who deceiveth by them. The prophet passes away from the idols as “nothings” and pronounces “woe” on those who deceive by them. He . first expostulates with them on their folly, and would awaken them. “What hath it profited?” (As in Psalms 115:5; 1 Corinthians 12:2) Then on the obstinate he denounces “woe.” “Woe unto him that saith to the wood, Awake; to the dumb stone, Arise.” Self-made blindness alone could, in the light of truth, so speak; but yet more... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Habakkuk 2:15-20

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Habakkuk 2:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:19

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Habakkuk 2:19

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-19

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:18-20

The Pulpit Commentary - Habakkuk 2:19

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Habakkuk 2:19

Group of Brands