Habakkuk 2:11

KJV

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

KJV (with Strong's)

For the stone {H68} shall cry out {H2199} of the wall {H7023}, and the beam out {H3714} of the timber {H6086} shall answer {H6030} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

For the very stones will cry out from the wall, and a beam in the framework will answer them.

Berean Standard Bible

For the stones will cry out from the wall, and the rafters will echo it from the woodwork.

American Standard Version

For the stone shall cry out of the wall, and the beam out of the timber shall answer it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Habakkuk 2:11 delivers a striking prophetic image, asserting that even the inanimate components of a structure built on injustice will bear witness against their unrighteous builders. This verse is part of a series of "woes" pronounced by the prophet Habakkuk, primarily condemning the exploitative practices of the Babylonian (Chaldean) oppressors, yet also serving as a timeless principle of divine justice, emphasizing that ill-gotten gains will inevitably lead to exposure and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Habakkuk 2:11 is situated within the second chapter of the book, following the prophet's initial lament concerning the pervasive injustice in Judah and God's surprising revelation that He would use the wicked Babylonians as His instrument of judgment. After God's declaration that "the just shall live by his faith" ([Habakkuk 2:4](/habakkuk/2-4 "Habakkuk 2:4 - The Just Shall Live by Faith")), the chapter transitions into a series of five distinct "woes" pronounced against various forms of wickedness. Specifically, this verse immediately follows the woe against those who accumulate wealth through plunder, violence, and unjust gain, building their houses by bloodshed ([Habakkuk 2:9-10](/habakkuk/2-9-10 "Habakkuk 2:9-10 - Woe to Unjust Gain")). The "stone" and "beam" are thus integral components of such a house, metaphorically becoming accusers against the sin embedded within its very foundation.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Habakkuk is set during a tumultuous period in Judah's history, likely just before or during the initial Babylonian incursions (late 7th to early 6th century BCE). The prophet grapples with the theological dilemma of God's justice in the face of both internal corruption within Judah and the impending, even more severe, oppression from the Chaldeans. Culturally, building a house was a significant undertaking, often symbolizing security, prosperity, and legacy. Houses built with ill-gotten gains, particularly through violence or exploitation, were a direct affront to the covenantal laws of Israel, which emphasized justice, equity, and care for the vulnerable. The imagery of building materials testifying against their owner would have resonated deeply with a society that understood the permanence of stone and timber, and the moral implications of their use.
* **Key Themes:** Habakkuk 2:11 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in the book and broader biblical theology. It underscores the theme of **Divine Justice and Inescapable Judgment**, asserting God's omniscience and unwavering commitment to righting wrongs. No sin, however concealed or seemingly successful, escapes His notice; the very materials of a house built on injustice become accusers, testifying to the unrighteousness of its owner. This also highlights the **Testimony of Creation**, a concept found elsewhere in Scripture where the natural order, though seemingly inanimate, can bear witness against human sin, reflecting the Creator's moral order. Furthermore, the verse reinforces the **Consequences of Unrighteous Gain**, warning against the futility and ultimate condemnation of wealth acquired through oppression, violence, or deceit, echoing the wisdom found in [Proverbs 10:2](/proverbs/10-2 "Proverbs 10:2 - Ill-Gotten Treasures Do Not Profit") that ill-gotten treasures do not profit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **stone (Hebrew, _ʼeben'_):** (H68) From the root of בָּנָה (banah) meaning "to build," this word refers to a stone, often used in construction. In this context, it signifies a fundamental building block, emphasizing that even the most basic components of a structure built on injustice will protest.
* **cry out (Hebrew, _zâʻaq'_):** (H2199) A primitive root meaning "to shriek from anguish or danger," or "to announce or convene publicly." This word denotes a strong, urgent, and public outcry, often associated with a plea for justice or a protest against injustice, as seen in the cry of Abel's blood in [Genesis 4:10](/genesis/4-10 "Genesis 4:10 - Abel's Blood Cries Out"). Here, it personifies the stone as actively protesting.
* **beam (Hebrew, _kâphîyç'_):** (H3714) From an unused root meaning "to connect," this refers to a girder or beam, a crucial structural element of a building. Paired with the "stone," it completes the image of the entire edifice participating in the accusation.
* **answer (Hebrew, _ʻânâh'_):** (H6030) A primitive root meaning "to heed," "to respond," or "to begin to speak." In this verse, it implies an affirmation or confirmation of the stone's cry, creating a dialogue between the building materials that solidifies the accusation against the builder.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For the stone shall cry out of the wall":** This clause introduces the core image of the verse. The "stone" (a foundational element of construction) is personified as actively "crying out" from within the very "wall" it helps form. This "cry" is not a literal sound but a powerful metaphorical expression of protest and accusation against the unrighteousness of the builder. It suggests that the injustice is so inherent and pervasive that it permeates the very fabric of the structure, making it impossible to conceal.
* **"and the beam out of the timber shall answer it":** This second clause reinforces and confirms the first. The "beam" (another essential structural component, typically made of "timber") is also personified, "answering" the stone's cry. This "answer" signifies agreement, corroboration, and a collective testimony. The combined "cry" and "answer" from the building materials create an undeniable, internal witness against the one who built with ill-gotten gains, emphasizing that the evidence of sin is inescapable and inherent in the very works of the transgressor's hands.

#### Literary Devices
Habakkuk 2:11 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine justice. The most prominent is **Personification**, where inanimate objects—the "stone" and the "beam"—are endowed with human qualities: the ability to "cry out" and "answer." This vivid imagery makes the abstract concept of divine judgment tangible and immediate, suggesting that the very creation is offended by injustice. Closely related is **Symbolism**, where the "stone" and "beam" symbolize the entire house, and by extension, the ill-gotten wealth and the unrighteous actions used to acquire it. The house, typically a symbol of security and prosperity, here becomes a symbol of condemnation. The dialogue between the stone and the beam also creates a sense of **Dramatic Irony**, as the very structures intended to provide security and comfort for the wicked become their accusers. This use of literary artistry amplifies the message that no sin, particularly that which involves exploitation and violence, can remain hidden from God's all-seeing justice.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Habakkuk 2:11 powerfully articulates the biblical truth that God's justice is all-encompassing and inescapable, extending even to the seemingly silent works of human hands. It underscores the principle that injustice, especially when it involves oppression and exploitation for personal gain, carries an inherent testimony against the perpetrator. This divine principle ensures that what is built on corruption cannot stand, and that all hidden deeds will ultimately be brought to light, reflecting God's unwavering commitment to righteousness and His ultimate vindication of the oppressed.

* [Luke 19:40](/luke/19-40 "Luke 19:40 - If They Keep Silent, the Stones Will Cry Out")
* [Romans 1:18-20](/romans/1-18-20 "Romans 1:18-20 - God's Wrath and Creation's Testimony")
* [James 5:1-4](/james/5-1-4 "James 5:1-4 - Warning to the Rich Oppressors")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Habakkuk 2:11 serves as a profound and enduring reminder that our actions, particularly how we acquire and utilize resources, have spiritual and eternal ramifications. It challenges us to consider the integrity of our foundations, whether in personal finances, business practices, or community engagement. The verse compels us to examine if the "walls" of our lives are built upon principles of justice, honesty, and compassion, or if they are silently accumulating accusations from ill-gotten gains or exploitative practices. For believers, this means striving for ethical excellence in all spheres, understanding that true prosperity is not merely material accumulation but alignment with divine righteousness. It is a call to live with an awareness of God's omnipresence and His ultimate accountability, fostering a deep commitment to integrity and a sensitivity to the cries of those who may be oppressed by unjust systems.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be building on foundations that are not aligned with God's justice?**
* **How does this verse challenge my understanding of wealth, success, and accountability?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my actions and possessions bear witness to God's righteousness rather than against it?**

### FAQ

**Does this verse mean that stones and beams literally speak?**

Answer: No, the verse uses **personification** as a powerful literary device. It's a metaphorical way of saying that the evidence of injustice is so undeniable and inherent in the very structures built by unrighteous means that it's as if the building materials themselves are testifying against the builder. It emphasizes that God's judgment is pervasive and that sin cannot be hidden, even within the seemingly silent components of a house or city. The "cry" is a spiritual and moral accusation, not an audible sound. This echoes other biblical passages where creation bears witness, such as [Luke 19:40](/luke/19-40 "Luke 19:40 - If They Keep Silent, the Stones Will Cry Out") where Jesus says the stones would cry out if His disciples were silent.

**What kind of "unrighteous gain" is Habakkuk primarily addressing here?**

Answer: Habakkuk is primarily addressing gain acquired through violence, plunder, and exploitation. In the immediate context of [Habakkuk 2:9-10](/habakkuk/2-9-10 "Habakkuk 2:9-10 - Woe to Unjust Gain"), the prophet condemns those who "gain evil gain for their houses" and "cut off many peoples." This refers to the Babylonians' ruthless conquests and accumulation of wealth through the subjugation and plundering of nations, but also serves as a general principle against any form of wealth accumulation achieved through injustice, deceit, or oppression, whether on an individual or national level.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Habakkuk 2:11, with its stark imagery of creation testifying against injustice, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the stones and beams cry out against human sin, Christ is the **Cornerstone** upon whom God's righteous kingdom is built, a foundation that cannot be shaken by the cries of injustice ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ, the Chief Cornerstone")). He is the one who perfectly embodies divine justice, not only exposing sin but also providing the means for its forgiveness and the establishment of true righteousness. The "cry" of the stones against unrighteous gain foreshadows the ultimate revelation of all hidden things at Christ's return, when every deed, whether good or evil, will be brought into the light ([1 Corinthians 4:5](/1_corinthians/4-5 "1 Corinthians 4:5 - Judge Nothing Before the Appointed Time")). Moreover, Christ's own suffering and death on the cross, as the Lamb of God, was the ultimate "cry" against the sin of humanity, a sacrifice that silenced the accusations against those who believe ([Colossians 2:13-14](/colossians/2-13-14 "Colossians 2:13-14 - Forgiveness and the Cancellation of Debt")). Through Him, believers are built into a spiritual house, not of ill-gotten gain, but of living stones, testifying to God's grace and truth ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Luke 19:40

And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.

Joshua 24:27

And Joshua said unto all the people, Behold, this stone shall be a witness unto us; for it hath heard all the words of the LORD which he spake unto us: it shall be therefore a witness unto you, lest ye deny your God.

James 5:3

Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

James 5:4

Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

Job 31:38

If my land cry against me, or that the furrows likewise thereof complain;

Job 31:40

Let thistles grow instead of wheat, and cockle instead of barley. The words of Job are ended.

Genesis 4:10

And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.