Hag 1:1-2:23
- Subpages: Verses 1:1-11, Verses 1:12-15, Verses 2:1-9, Verses 2:10-19, Verses 2:20-23
This page would ideally always be under construction. You are invited to contribute.
Contents
Historical setting
This heading should be brief and explain facts about the historical setting that will help a reader to understand the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Historical Background: Haggai is set at Jerusalem in 520 BC, about fifteen years after the first Jews return to Jerusalem.
The Samaritans were descendants of those left in Judea when the Babylonians carried off the elites and many of the poor. They intermarried with foreigners and were considered by the returning exiles to have a corrupt form of worship.
The first Jews returned from Babylon to Jerusalem in 537 BC under the Persian king Cyrus. They quickly rebuilt the altar and foundation of the temple. But when the Jews would not let the Samaritans participate in rebuilding the temple, the Samaritans were able stop construction before the temple walls were built (Ezra 1-4).
Fifteen years later, in 520 BC during the second year of the Persian king Darius, Haggai and Zechariah begin to prophesy (Ezra 5:1; 6:14). Zechariah 1:2-6 fits timewise between Haggai 2:9 and 10, or between Haggai’s third and fourth recorded revelations. It is helpful to read Haggai in light of Ezra 1-6 and Zechariah 1-8. Malachi is also set in the same general time frame after Haggai and Ezra but before Nehemiah.
A broader treatment of the history of ancient Israel, including Haggai, is found at Old Testament: Historical Overview.
Summary
This heading should be brief and may include an outline of the book. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
The book of Haggai can be outlined as a sequence of five revelations:
A2. To the Priests: Rebuilding the temple is the cause of blessing (18 Dec 520 BC) (2:10-19)
The Book of Haggai is a series of five revelations given to the prophet Haggai in 520 BC, mostly prompting the Jews to finish rebuilding the temple. On this occasion the Jews did heed the prophets and finished rebuilding the temple about five years later in 515 BC (Ezra 6:15).
A. In the first revelation the Lord reveals that much of the hardship experienced by the Jews at Jerusalem is because they have neglected to finish rebuilding the temple. In the fourth, after construction resumes, he lifts the curse that had thwarted their agricultural and business efforts so the land of Judah will again be fruitful.
B. In the second revelation the Lord promises that “I am with you” as the Jews resume construction of the temple. In the third he again promises that “I am with you.”
C. The third revelation also foretells the future glory of the temple at Jerusalem when the Messiah will visit it during his earthly ministry. The last revelation is directed alone to King David’s descendant Zerubabbel, the governor of Judah under the Persians. Zerubabbel is promised that the future Messiah will come through Zerubabbel’s lineage.
Haggai is sometimes outlined instead as follows:
|
1:1-15 |
2:10-14 |
Each of the major divisions of Haggai is discussed separately on the following subpages: Verses 1:1-11, Verses 1:12-15, Verses 2:1-9, Verses 2:10-19, Verses 2:20-23.
Discussion
This heading is for more detailed discussions of all or part of a passage. Discussion may include the meaning of a particular word, how a doctrinal point is developed throughout the passage, insights to be developed in the future, and other items. Contributions may range from polished paragraphs down to a single bullet point. The focus, however, should always be on understanding the scriptural text consistent with LDS doctrine. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Points to ponder
This heading is for prompts that suggest ways in which all or part of this passage can influence a person's life. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
I have a question
This heading is for unanswered questions and is an important part of the continual effort to improve this wiki. Please do not be shy, as even a basic or "stupid" question can identify things that need to be improved on this page. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Relation to other scriptures
This heading is for notes about the relationship of this book to other sections and passages. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Related scriptures
The relationship of Nahum to other books of the Old Testament is addressed at Old Testament: Organization. Nahum is one of the "Twelve Minor Prophets" (NEED TO ADD a discussion of all the minor prophets as a group).
- Ezra 7-10 describes the reconstruction of the temple and how both Haggai and Zechariah assisted the reconstruction with their prophesying.
Parallel passages
Text transmission
Joseph Smith Translation
The Joseph Smith Translation made no changes to the book of Nahum.[1]
Complete outline and page map
This heading contains an outline for the entire book. Items in blue or purple text indicate hyperlinked pages that address specific portions of this section. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
A1. #1 to the Governor and High Priest (Aug 29, 520 BC):
- Neglecting the temple is the cause of unfruitfulness (1:1-11)
- a. the people say it is not time to finish the temple (2)
- b. is it time to dwell in roofed houses while the temple is unfinished? (3-4)
- c. consider your situation: you are thwarted and unfruitful (5-6)
- b. is it time to dwell in roofed houses while the temple is unfinished? (3-4)
- a. consider the remedy: finish the temple (7-8)
- b. the Lord thwarts you because only his house remains unfinished (9)
- c. therefore you are thwarted and unfruitful (10-11)
- b. the Lord thwarts you because only his house remains unfinished (9)
- a. the people say it is not time to finish the temple (2)
- B1. #2 to the People (Sep 21, 520 BC):
- “I am with you” (1:12-15)
- a. leaders and people obey the revelation and fear before the Lord (12)
- b. the Lord says “I am with you” (13)
- a. the Lord stirs up the hearts of leaders and people, they begin work (14-15)
- a. leaders and people obey the revelation and fear before the Lord (12)
- “I am with you” (1:12-15)
- B2. - C1. #3 to Governor, High Priest & People (Oct 17, 520 BC):
- “I am with you” now, and glory in the future (2:1-9)
- a. greater glory of the former temple compared to the present (3)
- b. be strong and work, for “I am with you” as at Sinai (4-5)
- a. glory of the latter temple shall be greater than the former (6-9)
- a. greater glory of the former temple compared to the present (3)
- “I am with you” now, and glory in the future (2:1-9)
A2. #4 to the Priests (Dec 18, 520 BC):
- Rebuilding the temple is the cause of blessing (2:10-19)
- • first ruling: holiness does not spread to unholy items (11-12)
- • second ruling: uncleanness can spread to otherwise holy items (13)
- • application: neglecting the temple made every work of this people unclean (14)
- • consider the past: land was cursed while the temple lay neglected (15-17)
- • consider the future: the curse is lifted as construction resumes (18-19)
Resources
This heading is for listing links and print resources, including those cited in the notes. A short comment about the particular strengths of a resource can be helpful. Click the link above and to the right to edit or add content to this heading. →
Translations
- Amplified • The Amplified Bible, 1987 update
- NASB • New American Standard Bible, 1995 update
- NIV • New International Version
- RSV • Revised Standard Version
Cited references
- Wayment, Thomas A., ed. The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the Old Testament. Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 2009. (ISBN 1606411314) BX8630 .A2 2009.
Other resources
Notes
Footnotes are not required but are encouraged for factual assertions that average readers cannot easily evaluate for themselves, such as the date of King Solomon’s death or the nuanced definition of a Greek word. In contrast, insights rarely benefit from footnoting, and the focus of this page should always remain on the scriptures themselves rather than what someone has said about them. Links are actively encouraged on all sections of this page, and links to authoritative sources are preferable to footnotes.
- ↑ Wayment, The Complete Joseph Smith Translation of the Old Testament, p. 218-19.
