Haggai

A Call to Rebuild the Temple

(Ezra 5:1–5)


1In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak,1 1:1 Jehozadak is a variant of Jozadak; also in verses 12 and 14; see Ezra 3:2. the high priest, stating 2 that this is what YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts says:


“These people say, ‘The time has not yet come

to rebuild the house of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.’”


3 Then the word of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ came through Haggai the prophet, saying:


4 “Is it a time for you yourselves

to live in your paneled houses,

while this house lies in ruins?”


5 Now this is what YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts says:


“Consider carefully your ways.


6 You have planted much

but harvested little.

You eat but never have enough.

You drink but never have your fill.

You put on clothes but never get warm.

You earn wages to put into a bag pierced through.”


7 This is what YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts says:


“Consider carefully your ways.


8 Go up into the hills,

bring down lumber, and build the house,

so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified,

says YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.

9 You expected much,

but behold, it amounted to little.

And what you brought home, I blew away.

Why? declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.

Because my house still lies in ruins,

while each of you is busy

with his own house.


10 Therefore, on account of you

the heavens have withheld their dew

and the earth has withheld its crops.

11 I have summoned a drought

on the fields and on the mountains,

on the grain, new wine, and oil,

and on whatever the ground yields,

on man and beast,

and on all the labor of your hands.”

The People Obey


12 Then Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ their GOD and the words of the prophet Haggai, because YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ their GOD had sent him. So the people feared YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.


13 Haggai, the messenger of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎, delivered the message of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ to the people:


“I am with you,”

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.


14 So YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ stirred the spirit of Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, as well as the spirit of all the remnant of the people. And they came and began the work on the house of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts, their GOD, 15 on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius.

The Coming Glory of GOD’s House


2On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ came through Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 “Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak,1 2:2 Jehozadak is a variant of Jozadak; also in verse 4; see Ezra 3:2. the high priest, and also to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not appear to you like nothing in comparison?’


4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.

Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak,

the high priest.

And be strong, all you people of the land,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.

Work! For I am with you,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.

5 This is the promise I made to you

when you came out of Egypt.

And my Spirit remains among you;

do not be afraid.”


6 For this is what YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts says:


“Once more, in a little while,

I will shake the heavens and the earth,2 2:6 Cited in Hebrews 12:26

the sea and the dry land.

7 I will shake all the nations,

and they will come with all their treasures,

and I will fill this house with glory,

says YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.

8 The silver is mine, and the gold is mine,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.

9 The latter glory of this house

will be greater than the former,

says YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.

And in this place I will provide peace,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.”

Blessings for a Defiled People


10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ came to Haggai the prophet, saying, 11 “This is what YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling. 12 If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does that item become holy?’”


“No,” replied the priests.


13 So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?”


“Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered.


14 Then Haggai replied, “So it is with this people and this nation before me. declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎, and so it is with every work of their hands; whatever they offer there is defiled.


15 Now consider carefully from this day forward:3 2:15 Or backward; also in verse 18 Before one stone was placed on another in the temple of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎, 16 from that time, when one came expecting a heap of twenty ephahs of grain,4 2:16 Literally a heap of twenty there were but ten. When one came to the winepress to draw out fifty baths,5 2:16 Literally to draw out fifty from the winepress there were but twenty. 17 I struck you—all the work of your hands—with blight, mildew, and hail, but you did not turn to me. declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎.


18 Consider carefully from this day forward—from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, the day the foundation of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎’s temple was laid—consider carefully: 19 Is there still seed in the barn? The vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not yet yielded fruit. But from this day on, I will bless you.”

Zerubbabel YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎’s Signet Ring


20 For the second time that day, the twenty-fourth day of the month, the word of YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ came to Haggai, saying, 21 “Tell Zerubbabel governor of Judah that I am about to shake the heavens and the earth:


22 I will overturn royal thrones

and destroy the power

of the kingdoms of the nations.

I will overturn chariots and their riders;

horses and their riders will fall,

each by the sword of his brother.

23 On that day,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts,

I will take you, my servant,

Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎,

and I will make you like my signet ring,

for I have chosen you,

declares YeHoWâH יְהֹוָה‎ of Hosts.”

1 1:1 Jehozadak is a variant of Jozadak; also in verses 12 and 14; see Ezra 3:2.

1 2:2 Jehozadak is a variant of Jozadak; also in verse 4; see Ezra 3:2.

2 2:6 Cited in Hebrews 12:26

3 2:15 Or backward; also in verse 18

4 2:16 Literally a heap of twenty

5 2:16 Literally to draw out fifty from the winepress