Habakkuk 2:1

2:1 I will stand at my watch post;

I will remain stationed on the city wall. ¹ 

I will keep watching, so I can see what he says to me

and can know ²  how I should answer

when he counters my argument. ³ 

Habakkuk 2:18

2:18 What good ⁴  is an idol? Why would a craftsman make it? ⁵ 

What good is a metal image that gives misleading oracles? ⁶ 

Why would its creator place his trust in it ⁷ 

and make ⁸  such mute, worthless things?

[2:1]  ¹ sn Habakkuk compares himself to a watchman stationed on the city wall who keeps his eyes open for approaching messengers or danger.

[2:1]  ² tn The word “know” is supplied in the translation for clarification.

[2:1]  ³ tn Heb “concerning my correction [or, “reproof”].”

[2:18]  ⁴ tn Or “of what value.”

[2:18]  ⁵ tn Heb “so that the one who forms it fashions it?” Here כִּי (ki) is taken as resultative after the rhetorical question. For other examples of this use, see R. J. Williams, Hebrew Syntax, 73, §450.

[2:18]  ⁶ tn Heb “or a metal image, a teacher of lies.” The words “What good is” in the translation are supplied from the previous parallel line. “Teacher of lies” refers to the false oracles that the so-called god would deliver through a priest. See J. J. M. Roberts, Nahum, Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (OTL), 126.

[2:18]  ⁷ tn Heb “so that the one who forms his image trusts in it?” As earlier in the verse, כִּי (ki) is resultative.

[2:18]  ⁸ tn Heb “to make.”