God’s Word Translation
Habakkuk 2:20
20The Lord is in his holy temple. All the earth should be silent in his presence.
Habakkuk 2:20 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
- New International Version (NIV)The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.
- English Standard Version (ESV)But the Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."
- New King James Version (NKJV)“But the Lord is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him.”
Context of Habakkuk 2:20
18“What benefit is there in a carved idol when its maker has carved it? What benefit is there in a molded statue, a teacher of lies, when its maker has molded it? The one who formed it trusts himself to make worthless idols that cannot speak. 19‘How horrible it will be for the one who says to a piece of wood, “Wake up!” and to a stone that cannot talk, “Get up!” ’ Can that thing teach ⌞anyone⌟? Just look at it! It’s covered with gold and silver, but there’s absolutely no life in it.” The Lord is in his holy temple. All the earth should be silent in his presence.
Read all of Habakkuk 2Habakkuk 2:20 word by word
וַֽיהוָ֖ה בְּהֵיכַ֣ל קָדְשׁ֑וֹ הַ֥ס מִפָּנָ֖יו כָּל־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ פRead the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Habakkuk 2:20
- Psalms 11:4The Lord is in his holy temple. The Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes see. They examine Adam’s descendants.
- Psalms 115:3Our God is in heaven. He does whatever he wants.
- Psalms 132:13The Lord has chosen Zion. He wants it for his home.
- Isaiah 6:1In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a high and lofty throne. The bottom of his robe filled the temple.
- Isaiah 66:1This is what the Lord says: Heaven is my throne. The earth is my footstool. Where can you build a house or resting place for me?
- Jonah 2:4“Then I thought, ‘I have been banished from your sight. Will I ever see your holy temple again?’
- Ephesians 2:21In him all the parts of the building fit together and grow into a holy temple in the Lord.
- Psalms 46:10Let go ⌞of your concerns⌟! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth.
- Psalms 76:8From heaven you announced a verdict. The earth was fearful and silent
- Zephaniah 1:7Be silent in the presence of the Almighty Lord, because the day of the Lord is near. The Lord has prepared a sacrifice. He has invited his special guests.
- Zechariah 2:13“Everyone be silent in the presence of the Lord. He is waking up and setting out from his holy dwelling place.”
Commentaries on Habakkuk 2:20
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 20The Lord is in his holy temple - Jehovah has his temple, the place where he is to be worshipped; but there there is no image. Oracles, however, are given forth; and every word of them is truth, and is fulfilled in its season. And this temple and its worship are holy; no abomination can be practiced there, and every thing in it leads to holiness of heart and life. Let all the earth keep silence before him - Let all be dumb. Let none of them dare to open…Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 20And now having declared the nothingness of all which is not God, the power of man or his gods, he answers again his own question, by summoning all before the presence of the majesty of God. But the Lord - He had, in condemning them, pictured the tumult of the world, the oppressions, the violence, bloodsheddings, covetousness, insolence, self-aggrandizement of the then world-empire, and had denounced woe upon it; we see man framing his idols, praying to…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15-20Verses 15-20 A severe woe is pronounced against drunkenness; it is very fearful against all who are guilty of drunkenness at any time, and in any place, from the stately palace to the paltry ale-house. To give one drink who is in want, who is thirsty and poor, or a weary traveller, or ready to perish, is charity; but to give a neighbour drink, that he may expose himself, may disclose secret concerns, or be drawn into a bad bargain, or for any such…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 20The taunt songs end with a statement: The ruler of all nations is not a Babylonian idol but God who is holy (Habakkuk 2:18–20). Unlike the lifeless Babylonian idols, the living God resides in his holy temple. God's presence fills his heavenly sanctuary (Isaiah 6:1–5). During Habakkuk's time, God's presence filled the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:10–11). God controls all the earth and expects people to worship him in humble submission (Psalm 63:1–4…Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2020. But the Lord--Jehovah; in striking contrast with the idols. in his holy temple--"His place" (Is 26:21); heaven (Psa 11:4; Jon 2:7; Mi 1:2). The temple at Jerusalem is a type of it, and there God is to be worshipped. He does not lie hid under gold and silver, as the idols of Babylon, but reigns in heaven and fills heaven, and thence succors His people. keep silence--in token of reverent submission and subjection to His judgments (Job 40:4; Psa 76:8…Read the comment
Topics related to Habakkuk 2:20
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Habakkuk 2
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Calvin’s Commentaries
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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