FocusPresent weakness and promised glory
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The next message encourages the workers by setting their present task beside the LORD's promised purpose.
interpretation Haggai 2:8
KJVThe silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
Read it in context
The Coming Glory of God’s House
Start reading at Haggai 2:1 (Haggai 2:1 to Haggai 2:9).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The next message encourages the workers by setting their present task beside the LORD's promised purpose.
- 2:1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,
- 2:2 Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,
- 2:3 Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
- 2:4 Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:
- 2:5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.
- 2:6 For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
- 2:7 And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
- 2:8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts.
- 2:9 The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Haggai is the named prophet through whom the dated messages were delivered; the collection presents his ministry in third-person narrative. Biblical references: Haggai 1:1. stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Haggai 2:1–2:23): Zerubbabel, Joshua, the remaining people, and the priests receive messages concerning the temple, holiness, blessing, and the governor's role. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? The returned Judean community, especially Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and the people rebuilding the temple. Biblical references: Haggai 1:1; Haggai 1:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? The Coming Glory of God’s House. Read Haggai 2:1 through Haggai 2:9 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. The next message encourages the workers by setting their present task beside the LORD's promised purpose. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? The messages are dated to the second year of Darius, with months and days supplied. Those are dates of prophetic messages, not a modern publication date. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The returned community and the rebuilding of the LORD's house in Jerusalem form the immediate setting. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in The Coming Glory of God’s House (Haggai 2:1 to Haggai 2:9). Start reading at Haggai 2:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Hebrews draws on Haggai's language of shaking heaven and earth. That explicit quotation supplies a connection while leaving other details of the temple setting to be read in their own context. See Haggai 2:6, Hebrews 12:26, Hebrews 12:27. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Examine priorities and respond faithfully to the work actually entrusted to you. Do not turn a message to this rebuilding community into an automatic guarantee of wealth for a modern project. interpretation
Cited: Haggai 2:1, Haggai 2:9, Haggai 2:6, Hebrews 12:26, Hebrews 12:27
Who wrote it, and how we know
Haggai
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book records the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, dated precisely.
Haggai 1:1
Early traditionTradition names Haggai.
Related passages
- The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,… 1 Kgs 6:20-35 1 Chr 29:14-16 Ps 24:1 Ps 50:10-12 Isa 60:13,17
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Haggai 2
Haggai dates his messages to Darius' second year and names Zerubbabel and Joshua. Its appeals address the returned community's neglect of the LORD's house in that setting. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Haggai 1:1 Haggai 1:4 Haggai 2:1
Blessings for a Defiled People
Haggai 2:10–19FocusThe people's condition and the promise of blessing
Connection to the wholeQuestions to the priests introduce a diagnosis of the people's condition and a renewed word about blessing.
interpretation Zerubbabel the LORD’s Signet Ring
Haggai 2:20–23FocusUpheaval and the signet
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. The final message addresses Zerubbabel with a promise set amid the overturning of kingdoms.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Haggai
Haggai dates his messages to Darius' second year and names Zerubbabel and Joshua. Its appeals address the returned community's neglect of the LORD's house in that setting.
Haggai 1:1 Haggai 1:4 Haggai 2:1
Consider your ways and rebuild
Haggai 1:1–15FocusThe neglected house
Connection to the wholeThe first message confronts the community's priorities and records its response to the call to work on the temple.
interpretation FocusPresent weakness and promised glory
Connection to the wholeThe next message encourages the workers by setting their present task beside the LORD's promised purpose.
interpretation A lesson about holiness and uncleanness
Haggai 2:10–19FocusThe people's condition and the promise of blessing
Connection to the wholeQuestions to the priests introduce a diagnosis of the people's condition and a renewed word about blessing.
interpretation A word to Zerubbabel
Haggai 2:20–23FocusUpheaval and the signet
Connection to the wholeThe final message addresses Zerubbabel with a promise set amid the overturning of kingdoms.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.