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 2:19

2:19 The one who says to wood, ‘Wake up!’ is as good as dead ⁴  –

he who says ⁵  to speechless stone, ‘Awake!’

Can it give reliable guidance? ⁶ 

It is overlaid with gold and silver;

it has no life’s breath inside it.

[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”].”

[2:19]  ⁴ tn Heb “Woe [to] the one who says.” On the term הוֹי (hoy) see the note on the word “dead” in v. 6.

[2:19]  ⁵ tn The words “he who says” in the translation are supplied from the previous parallel line.

[2:19]  ⁶ tn Though the Hebrew text has no formal interrogative marker here, the context indicates that the statement should be taken as a rhetorical question anticipating the answer, “Of course not!” (so also NIV, NRSV).