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.

HABAKKUK 2:19KJV
Know the Bible

Habakkuk 2:19 (KJV)

What does Habakkuk 2:19 mean?

Habakkuk 2:19 warns against trusting in idols made of wood and stone, declaring "woe" to those who expect lifeless objects to give guidance or wisdom. The verse points out the foolishness of believing that something crafted by human hands, even if covered in gold and silver, could ever possess real life or the ability to teach.

The prophet Habakkuk is speaking a message from God to people who worship idols instead of the living God. In this verse, he highlights the absurdity of calling on a piece of wood ("Awake") or a silent stone ("Arise") and expecting it to respond or instruct. The setting is a rebuke of nations and individuals who put their hope in man-made images during a time when idolatry was common.

The Hebrew behind Habakkuk 2:19

  • "Woe" (הוֹי, hoy): This word is often used by prophets to announce judgment or sorrow over a serious mistake. Here, it signals a strong warning to those who trust in idols.
  • "Awake" (קִיץ, qiytz) and "Arise" (עוּר, ur): These words are commands, showing how people foolishly treat idols as if they could wake up or stand up and act.
  • "Breath" (רוּחַ, ruach): This word means "spirit" or "life-breath." The verse stresses that idols have no ruach—no life or spirit inside them—unlike the living God.

Why Habakkuk 2:19 matters

  • Habakkuk 2:19 clears up the misunderstanding that idols have any real power or life; it emphasizes their complete inability to respond or help.
  • The verse highlights the contrast between the living God and lifeless idols, a key theme in Habakkuk and many other prophetic books.
  • This verse fits into a larger section where Habakkuk lists "woes" against those who rely on injustice, violence, or false gods, showing the consequences of misplaced trust.

Where else these words appear

“dumb” Hebrew H1748 · used in 3 verses

  • Isaiah 47:5 Sit thou silent, and get thee into darkness, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called, The lady of kingdoms.
  • Lamentations 3:26 It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.

“Awake” Hebrew H6974 · used in 21 verses

  • 1 Samuel 26:12 So David took the spear and the cruse of water from Saul's bolster; and they gat them away, and no man saw it, nor knew it, neither awaked: for they were all asleep; because a deep sleep from the LORD was fallen upon them.
  • Psalms 44:23 Awake, why sleepest thou, O Lord? arise, cast us not off for ever.
  • Isaiah 29:8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

“Woe” Hebrew H1945 · used in 48 verses

  • Ruth 4:1 Then went Boaz up to the gate, and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down.
  • Isaiah 29:1 Woe to Ariel, to Ariel, the city where David dwelt! add ye year to year; let them kill sacrifices.
  • Ezekiel 13:3 Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

“laid” Hebrew H8610 · used in 60 verses

  • Genesis 4:21 And his brother's name was Jubal: he was the father of all such as handle the harp and organ.
  • 2 Kings 14:13 And Jehoash king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Jehoash the son of Ahaziah, at Bethshemesh, and came to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim unto the corner gate, four hundred cubits.
  • Jeremiah 49:16 Thy terribleness hath deceived thee, and the pride of thine heart, O thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, that holdest the height of the hill: though thou shouldest make thy nest as high as the eagle, I will bring thee down from thence, saith the LORD.