Habakkuk 2:18
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?
Original Language Analysis
מָֽה
H4100
מָֽה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
1 of 17
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
הוֹעִ֣יל
What profiteth
H3276
הוֹעִ֣יל
What profiteth
Strong's:
H3276
Word #:
2 of 17
properly, to ascend; figuratively, to be valuable (objectively; useful, subjectively; benefited)
כִּ֤י
H3588
כִּ֤י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
4 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יֹֽצְר֔וֹ
of his work
H3336
יֹֽצְר֔וֹ
of his work
Strong's:
H3336
Word #:
6 of 17
a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)
מַסֵּכָ֖ה
it the molten image
H4541
מַסֵּכָ֖ה
it the molten image
Strong's:
H4541
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, a pouring over, i.e., fusion of metal (especially a cast image); by implication, a libation, i.e., league; concretely a coverlet (as if pour
וּמ֣וֹרֶה
and a teacher
H3384
וּמ֣וֹרֶה
and a teacher
Strong's:
H3384
Word #:
8 of 17
properly, to flow as water (i.e., to rain); transitively, to lay or throw (especially an arrow, i.e., to shoot); figuratively, to point out (as if by
שָּׁ֑קֶר
of lies
H8267
שָּׁ֑קֶר
of lies
Strong's:
H8267
Word #:
9 of 17
an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָטַ֞ח
trusteth
H982
בָטַ֞ח
trusteth
Strong's:
H982
Word #:
11 of 17
properly, to hie for refuge (but not so precipitately as h2620); figuratively, to trust, be confident or sure
יִצְרוֹ֙
that the maker
H3335
יִצְרוֹ֙
that the maker
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
12 of 17
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
יִצְרוֹ֙
that the maker
H3335
יִצְרוֹ֙
that the maker
Strong's:
H3335
Word #:
13 of 17
to mould into a form; especially as a potter; figuratively, to determine (i.e., form a resolution)
עָלָ֔יו
H5921
עָלָ֔יו
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
14 of 17
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת
therein to make
H6213
לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת
therein to make
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
15 of 17
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Cross References
Jeremiah 10:8But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities.1 Corinthians 12:2Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led.Zechariah 10:2For 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.Isaiah 42:17They 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 45:16They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.Jonah 2:8They that observe lying vanities forsake their own mercy.Revelation 19:20And 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.Isaiah 1:31And 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 45:20Assemble 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 37:38And 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 Esar-haddon his son reigned in his stead.
Historical Context
Babylonian religion was elaborate, featuring numerous gods represented by ornate idols housed in magnificent temples. Vast resources went into crafting, maintaining, and honoring these images. Yet prophets consistently mocked their impotence (Isaiah 44:9-20, Jeremiah 10:1-16, Psalm 115:4-8). When Babylon fell to Persia (539 BC), its gods couldn't prevent conquest—proving their powerlessness. Cyrus's conquest demonstrated that Babylon's deities were useless. Only Yahweh, the living God, controls history. The biblical critique of idolatry remains relevant: modern people worship money, pleasure, success, technology—created things that cannot ultimately satisfy or save. Only the Creator deserves worship and provides genuine security.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern forms of idolatry—trusting created things rather than Creator—exist in contemporary culture?
- How does recognizing that humans create their own idols expose the irrationality of trusting them?
- What is the difference between appropriately using created goods versus idolatrously trusting them for what only God can provide?
Analysis & Commentary
God mocks idolatry: '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?' (mah-ho'il pesel ki-fesalo yotzro massekhah umoreh sheqer ki-vatach yotzer yitzro alav la'asoth elilim illeim). The rhetorical question expects the answer: nothing. Idols profit nothing because they're merely human creations. The 'maker' (yotzer) creates something, then absurdly 'trusteth therein' (vatach)—trusting what he himself fabricated. It's a 'teacher of lies' (moreh sheqer) because it falsely claims to be divine. Worst irony: they're 'dumb idols' (elilim illeim)—speechless, powerless. The passage exposes idolatry's fundamental irrationality: worshiping created things as if they were Creator, trusting human products as if they possessed divine power. This applies to all idolatry, ancient and modern—trusting anything created (wealth, power, success, relationships) rather than Creator.