en_tn_lite_do_not_use/hab/02/18.md

General Information:

Yahweh continues to answer Habakkuk and to speak of the Chaldeans as if they were one man. (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor)

What does the carved figure profit you?

This rhetorical question emphasizes the negative answer that it anticipates. The question can be translated as a statement. Alternate translation: "The carved figure profits you nothing!" (See: rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion)

you

The word "you" refers to the Chaldeans.

molten metal

This describes metal when it is in its liquid form.

a teacher of lies

This phrase refers to the one who carved or cast the figure. By making a false god, he is teaching a lie.