Bible Strands
Habakkuk 2:20
But the LORD is in His holy temple; let all the earth be silent before Him.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The prophet Habakkuk, delivering the LORD's word, closes the first series of woes against Babylon with this declaration. It follows directly the condemnation of Babylon's idols (v. 19).
The words — הַס (has), a hithpael imperative meaning "hush!" — an abrupt, commanding silence, not a gentle suggestion. It is the verb that drives the entire verse.
The thread — Zechariah 2:13, Zephaniah 1:7, and Psalm 46:10 issue the same command: silence before the LORD, who is rousing Himself or exalted above the nations.
Why it lands — It demands that the reader stop: stop scheming, stop trusting in carved images, stop speaking as though the world runs on human initiative. The one who rules is present, holy, and expects the earth to shut up.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
But the Lord is in his holy temple: let all the earth keep silence before him.
Cross-references
- Zechariah 2:13 Be silent before the LORD, all people, for He has roused Himself from His holy dwelling.”
- Zephaniah 1:7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord GOD, for the Day of the LORD is near. Indeed, the LORD has prepared a sacrifice; He has consecrated His guests.
- Psalms 46:10 “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted over the earth.”
- Psalms 11:4 The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His heavenly throne. His eyes are watching closely; they examine the sons of men.
- Isaiah 6:1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted; and the train of His robe filled the temple.
- Jonah 2:7 As my life was fading away, I remembered the LORD. My prayer went up to You, to Your holy temple.
- Micah 1:2 Hear, O peoples, all of you; listen, O earth, and everyone in it! May the Lord GOD bear witness against you, the Lord from His holy temple.
- Psalms 76:8 From heaven You pronounced judgment, and the earth feared and was still
- Psalms 132:13 For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His home:
- Ephesians 2:21 In Him the whole building is fitted together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord.