Habakkuk 2 20

Habakkuk 2:20 kjv

But the LORD is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.

Habakkuk 2:20 nkjv

"But the LORD is in His holy temple. Let all the earth keep silence before Him."

Habakkuk 2:20 niv

The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.

Habakkuk 2:20 esv

But the LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him."

Habakkuk 2:20 nlt

But the LORD is in his holy Temple.
Let all the earth be silent before him."

Habakkuk 2 verses

Habakkuk 2 20 Meaning

Habakkuk 2:20 proclaims the supreme, incomparable majesty and sovereignty of the Lord, YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. In stark contrast to the mute and powerless idols described previously, God is presented as residing in His heavenly, holy temple, from which He sovereignly rules over all creation. The command for "all the earth" to "keep silence before Him" signifies a universal call to reverent awe, submission, and humility in the presence of His omnipotence and righteous judgment. It demands the cessation of all idolatrous speech, human boasting, and rebellious questioning, acknowledging His absolute authority.

Habakkuk 2 20 Context

Habakkuk 2:20 serves as the powerful crescendo and conclusion to the series of "woe" oracles in Habakkuk 2:6-19, which denounced the unrighteousness of Babylon, particularly its covetousness, violence, injustice, and idolatry. The prophet's earlier questions concerning God's seeming inaction in the face of Judah's wickedness (Hab 1) and His use of the wicked Babylonians (Hab 1:12-17) are addressed implicitly through God's grand revelation of Himself. This verse directly contrasts with the "mute idols" mentioned in Habakkuk 2:18-19, highlighting their utter impotence and the folly of those who worship them. While the world seems chaotic and unrighteous empires rise and fall, this verse affirms God's immutable control and holy presence. It reminds Habakkuk, and all who read, that despite earthly appearances, the Lord remains enthroned in ultimate authority, ensuring His justice will ultimately prevail.

Habakkuk 2 20 Word analysis

• But the LORD: This marks a sharp contrast (וְ- vĕ-) with the futile idols of the preceding verses (Hab 2:18-19). "LORD" is YHWH (Yĕhovah), the personal, covenant name of God. This emphasizes His unique identity, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness, distinguishing Him from all false gods. He is the active, living God, not a powerless idol.
• is in His holy temple: "Holy" (קָדְשׁוֹ, qodsho) emphasizes separation, sacredness, and transcendence. This temple is not primarily a physical, earthly edifice in Jerusalem, but God's heavenly dwelling place, His universal sanctuary (as seen in Ps 11:4). It signifies His omnipresence, sovereignty over all creation, and ultimate dominion. It is the locus of His absolute power and purity, untainted by human sin or earthly corruptions. This directly refutes the notion that God can be confined to, or limited by, human-made structures, as pagan deities were thought to be.
• let all the earth: "Earth" (הָאָרֶץ, hā’āreṣ) refers to the entirety of the inhabited world and all its inhabitants, human and non-human alike. This makes the scope of the declaration universal, encompassing all nations, peoples, and powers—including the oppressive Babylonians and all idolaters. It demands recognition from all creation.
• keep silence before Him: "Keep silence" (הַס, has), an imperative verb, means "be still," "hold peace," "be awestruck," or "hush." It denotes an end to all noise, chaos, rebellion, and questioning, and specifically, to the empty boastings of idolaters and the proud words of oppressors. It's a call for reverent awe and profound humility in the presence of an utterly sovereign, holy, and transcendent God who is about to act decisively. This silence is not passive, but active submission, adoration, and preparation for God's divine manifestation and judgment. It implies the cessation of all futile activities that oppose God and His ways.

• "But the LORD... His holy temple": This phrase encapsulates the core theological statement of the verse. It declares God's transcendence and His dwelling in an unapproachable realm of absolute holiness and power, from which He directs all things. It serves as a contrast to the earthly, vulnerable temples and statues of idols, proclaiming the absolute security and eternality of God's dominion.
• "all the earth keep silence": This phrase highlights God's universal authority. The command for "all the earth" to "keep silence" before Him underscores that all of humanity and creation owe Him profound reverence and obedience. It suggests that in God's majestic presence, all human pride, idolatry, and rebellion must cease, making way for a proper recognition of His sovereign reign and impending judgment.

Habakkuk 2 20 Bonus section

This verse serves as a crucial turning point, preceding Habakkuk's awe-filled prayer in Chapter 3. The declaration of God's absolute sovereignty and unshakeable presence in His heavenly temple empowers the prophet to transition from questioning to trusting adoration, enabling him to "wait for the appointed time" for God's vision to unfold (Hab 2:3). This theme of God's ultimate reign, transcending human perception and earthly struggles, offers profound comfort and stability. Furthermore, "Be silent before Him" is echoed in early Christian liturgy, emphasizing quiet reverence and contemplative waiting for the presence of the divine during worship, and it serves as a powerful reminder for personal devotion – to quiet the noise of the world and the inner self to hear God's still, small voice. It emphasizes that ultimate power and truth are found in God alone, demanding a complete reorientation of human perspective from self-reliance or trust in earthly powers to humble submission before the Creator.

Habakkuk 2 20 Commentary

Habakkuk 2:20 serves as the powerful climax to the book's theological message, shifting focus from human questions and earthly conflicts to the eternal, transcendent reality of God. In contrast to the fleeting nature of empires and the emptiness of man-made idols, YHWH is established as the active, living God residing in His celestial temple. This isn't a mere location but the locus of His sovereign power and absolute holiness, from which He effortlessly governs the universe. The call for "all the earth" to "keep silence" is multifaceted: it signifies the required reverent awe and humility of all creation before the Almighty, a cessation of human boasting and questioning, and the solemn expectation of His decisive intervention and judgment. It acts as a divine silence that demands the world to cease its clamor and heed the imminent unfolding of God's righteous plan, assuring Habakkuk that the Lord remains in control regardless of earthly appearances.