King James Version

What Does Habakkuk 2:11 Mean?

Habakkuk 2:11 in the King James Version says “For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. beam: or, piece, or, fastening ...” — study this verse from Habakkuk chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. beam: or, piece, or, fastening answer it: or, witness against it”

Habakkuk 2:11 · KJV

Context

9

Woe to him that coveteth an evil covetousness to his house, that he may set his nest on high, that he may be delivered from the power of evil! coveteth: or, gaineth and evil gain power: Heb. palm of the hand

10

Thou hast consulted shame to thy house by cutting off many people, and hast sinned against thy soul.

11

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. beam: or, piece, or, fastening answer it: or, witness against it

12

Woe to him that buildeth a town with blood, and stablisheth a city by iniquity! blood: Heb. bloods

13

Behold, is it not of the LORD of hosts that the people shall labour in the very fire, and the people shall weary themselves for very vanity? for: or, in vain?

Read Habakkuk 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it. This poetic image personifies creation itself as witness against injustice. The stone shall cry out (כִּי־אֶבֶן מִקִּיר תִּזְעָק/ki-even miqqir tiz'aq)—even inanimate stones in the wall will cry out in testimony. The verb זָעַק (za'aq) means to cry out in distress, often used for victims crying for justice (Exodus 22:23, James 5:4). And the beam out of the timber shall answer it (וְכָפִיס מֵעֵץ יַעֲנֶנָּה/vekhafis me'etz ya'anenah)—the wooden beam will respond, confirming the testimony.

This recalls Abel's blood crying from the ground (Genesis 4:10) and anticipates Jesus's statement that if disciples were silent, the stones would cry out (Luke 19:40). The image is both poetic and profound: buildings constructed through oppression—with blood money, slave labor, stolen materials—testify against their builders. The very structures built to memorialize greatness become witnesses for prosecution. Every stone laid through injustice, every beam installed by exploited labor, cries out for judgment. Creation itself maintains moral memory when humans forget or suppress truth.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Babylon's magnificent architecture—the Ishtar Gate, Hanging Gardens, palace complexes—was built with slave labor and plundered materials. The very splendor meant to glorify Nebuchadnezzar testified against him. When archaeologists excavated Babylon, they found inscriptions of Nebuchadnezzar's pride but also evidence of the suffering required to build such monuments. Throughout history, oppressive architecture speaks: Egyptian pyramids built by forced labor, colonial mansions built on plantation slavery, monuments erected by totalitarian regimes. These structures, meant to proclaim power, instead testify to injustice. The principle applies beyond literal buildings: corporations built on exploitation, fortunes gained through fraud, reputations based on lies—all eventually exposed as their 'stones cry out.'

Reflection Questions

  1. How do the fruits of injustice—wealth, buildings, reputations—eventually testify against those who gained them through evil means?
  2. What does it mean that creation itself bears moral witness, maintaining memory of injustice even when humans forget?
  3. How should this reality affect how believers think about the origins and ethics of their possessions, careers, and achievements?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 7 words
כִּי1 of 7
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֶ֖בֶן2 of 7

“For the stone”

H68

a stone

מִקִּ֣יר3 of 7

“of the wall”

H7023

a wall (as built in a trench)

תִּזְעָ֑ק4 of 7

“shall cry out”

H2199

to shriek (from anguish or danger); by analogy, (as a herald) to announce or convene publicly

וְכָפִ֖יס5 of 7

“and the beam out”

H3714

a girder

מֵעֵ֥ץ6 of 7

“of the timber”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

יַעֲנֶֽנָּה׃7 of 7

“shall answer”

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Habakkuk. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Habakkuk 2:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Habakkuk 2:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Luke 19:40Joshua 24:27Job 31:38-40James 5:3-4Genesis 4:10Revelation 6:10

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