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Haggai Chapter Two

 

Haggai 2 Outlines

The Coming Glory of God’s House (v.1~9)

The People Are Defiled (v.10~14)

Promised Blessing (v.15~19)

Zerubbabel Chosen as a Signet (v.20~23)

New King James Version (NKJV)

 

INTRODUCTION TO HAGGAI 2

This chapter contains three sermons or prophecies delivered by the prophet to the people of the Jews. The design of the first is to encourage them to go on with the building of the temple though it might seem to come greatly short of the former temple as to its outward form and splendour. The time of the prophecy Haggai 2:1 an order to deliver it to the governor high priest and all the people Haggai 2:2. A question is put concerning the difference between this temple and the former; between which it is suggested there was no comparison; which is assented to by silence Haggai 2:3 nevertheless the prince priest and people are exhorted to go on strenuously in the work of building; encouraged with a promise of the presence of the Lord of hosts and of his Word in whom he covenanted with them at their coming out of Egypt and of the blessed Spirit and his continuance with them Haggai 2:4 and the more to remove their fears and faintings it is declared that in a very short time a most wonderful thing should be done in the world which would affect all the nations of the earth; for that illustrious Person would come whom all nations do or should desire; and not only come into the world but into that temple they were building and give it a greater glory than the former; yea a greater glory than if all the gold and silver in the world were laid out upon it or brought into it; which being all the Lord's could have been easily done by him; but he would give in it something infinitely greater than that even the Prince of peace with all the blessings of it Haggai 2:6 then follows the second sermon or prophecy the time of which is observed Haggai 2:10 and it is introduced with some questions concerning ceremonial uncleanness by an unclean person's touching holy flesh with the skirt of his garment; and other things which is confirmed by the answer of the priests Haggai 2:11 the application of which is made to the people of the Jews who were alike unclean; they their works and their sacrifices Haggai 2:14 and these are directed to consider that during the time they had neglected to build the temple they were attended with scarcity of provisions; their fields and vineyards being blasted with mildew or destroyed by hail and their labours proved unsuccessful Haggai 2:15 but now since they had begun the work of building it is promised they should be blessed with everything though they had nothing in store and everything was unpromising to them; which is designed to encourage them to go on cheerfully in their begun work Haggai 2:18 and the chapter is concluded with the last discourse or prophecy the date of which is given Haggai 2:20 an instruction to deliver it to Zerubbabel Haggai 2:21 foretelling the destruction of the kingdoms of the heathen; and the setting up of the kingdom of the Messiah of whom Zerubbabel was a type precious and honourable in the sight of God Haggai 2:22.

 

Haggai 2:1   In the seventh month on the twenty-first of the month the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet saying:

   YLT  1In the seventh [month] in the twenty and first of the month hath a word of Jehovah been by the hand of Haggai the prophet saying:

In the seventh month .... The month Tisri which answers to part of September and part of October:

in the one and twentieth day of the month; being a month wanting three days from the time the Jews came and worked in the house of the Lord Haggai 1:14 it was toward the close of the feast of tabernacles: see Leviticus 23:34

came the word of the Lord by the Prophet Haggai; the word of prophecy as the Targum: this was from the Lord not from the prophet himself; he was only the messenger sent with it to deliver it:

saying; to him the prophet giving him orders as follow:

 

Haggai 2:2   2 “Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel governor of Judah and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak the high priest and to the remnant of the people saying:

   YLT  2`Speak I pray thee unto Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel governor of Judah and unto Joshua son of Josedech the high priest and unto the remnant of the people saying:

Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel governor of Judah .... Of whom his descent and dignity; see Gill on Haggai 1:1. The Septuagint version wrongly renders it "of the tribe of Judah"; in which it is followed by the Arabic version; for though he was of the tribe of Judah this does not sufficiently distinguish him; nor does it answer to the word here used which is expressive of his office and dignity. The Vulgate Latin version Luther and Castalio omit the particle נא rendered "now" which is very emphatic. The prophet is ordered to go and say what he is bid directly immediately at once without any delay; the very day before mentioned yea at that very instant or moment the people being now at work under the eye of their governor; in order to remove an offence which might discourage them in their work taken from the meanness of the building in comparison of the former temple:

and to Joshua the son of Josedech the high priest and to the residue of the people; these besides the two former even the whole body of the people the remnant that were come out of the captivity of Babylon:

saying; to the above persons as follows:

 

Haggai 2:3   3 ‘Who is left among you who saw this temple[a] in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it is this not in your eyes as nothing?

   YLT  3Who among you hath been left that saw this house in its former honour? And what are ye seeing it now? Is it not compared with it as nothing in your eyes?

Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory?.... Not taken away by death yet alive and dwelling among them; and who lived before the destruction of the first temple built by Solomon; and has seen it in all its magnificence; its grand and noble structure; its stately pillars; its carved work and decorations of gold. This shows that it was not in the times of Darius Nothus but of Darius Hystaspis that Haggai prophesied: those who go the former way make these men to have lived near two hundred years at least which was greatly beyond the common time of man's life in that age; or consider these words as a mere supposition that if there were or had been such persons then living this building in comparison of the former must have appeared mean and contemptible unto them: but the words manifestly imply that there were persons among them then living who had seen Solomon's temple in all its glory; and who are particularly and personally addressed in the following clauses; and of whom there might be several at this time going the latter way; for the seventy years' captivity are to be reckoned from the fourth year of Jehoiakim in which the captivity began and which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar Jeremiah 25:1 but it was not until the nineteenth year of his reign that the temple was burnt by him Jeremiah 52:12 and the time of Haggai's prophesying being about seventeen or eighteen years after the proclamation of Cyrus when the seventy years' captivity ended; this shows that it was scarcely seventy years from the time the temple was destroyed; and therefore it may be reasonably supposed there were several ancient persons living that could remember to have seen it; and it is certain that there were a great number of such living that returned from Babylon who wept when they saw the foundation of the second temple laid which was but fifteen years before this Ezra 3:12 some of whom in all probability were now alive yea it is certain there were to whom the following questions were put:

and how do ye see it now? is not this that is building very different from that? does it promise anything like it? what ideas have you of it? can you conceive in your minds that it will ever rise up to such grandeur and stateliness as the former? what is your judgment and what your sentiments concerning it? can you think of it with equal delight and pleasure as of the former?

is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing? do not you think that it is not to be mentioned or once named in comparison of the former temple? or that a man had as good say nothing at all as to attempt a comparison of them? or that this building and nothing are alike? and that the one is a nonentity as well as the other comparatively speaking when set in competition with the first temple? and are not you of opinion that the people had as good do nothing and that in effect they are doing nothing and all their labour lost who are working in this house? no answer is returned nor any waited for: but it is as if the Lord had said I who am the omniscient God the discerner of the thoughts of men know that these are your sentiments and these the reasonings of your minds; and but now lest discovering these thoughts of theirs and speaking out their minds freely as they might which would tend to discourage the governors and the people in carrying on the work they had engaged in; the Lord by the prophet says to them as follows:

 

Haggai 2:4   4 Yet now be strong Zerubbabel ’ says the Lord; ‘and be strong Joshua son of Jehozadak the high priest; and be strong all you people of the land ’ says the Lord ‘and work; for I am with you ’ says the Lord of hosts.

   YLT  4And now be strong O Zerubbabel An affirmation of Jehovah And be strong O Joshua son of Josedech the high priest And be strong all ye people of the land An affirmation of Jehovah And do ye -- (for I [am] with you An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts) –

Yet now be strong O Zerubbabel saith the Lord .... Take heart be of good courage do not be dismayed at these things; though the building may be contemptible in the eyes of some nevertheless go on with it manfully and vigorously; let none despise the day of small things; for from these low beginnings great things will arise and glorious things will follow as hereafter predicted; see Zechariah 4:9 attend this work diligently desist not from it continue to preside over it and encourage the people in it; let not thine heart faint or thine hands be slack; act the part of man of a good man and of a governor:

and be strong O Joshua son of Josedech the high priest; do not be disheartened at what the ancients think and say concerning this temple in which thou art to officiate as a high priest; and as a type of him who shall come into this house and so give it a glory the former never had; continue to give the necessary instructions to the builders that everything may be done in proper order and to answer their end and use in the service of the priesthood; faint not nor be discouraged but act according to thy character and show thyself worthy of the office with which thou art invested; consider in whose name thou actest? whose priest thou art and in whose service thou art employed:

and be strong all ye people of the land saith the Lord; let not your hearts sink or spirits fail at hearing what the more ancient among you say of the difference between this and the former building which your eyes never saw; do not desist from your work on this account but go on with it; consider what God has done for you in bringing you out of captivity and into your own land and to the enjoyment of your civil privileges; consider the obligations you lie under to build a house for God; that this is not only a piece of gratitude and shows a sense of mercies received; but that it is for the glory of God for your spiritual profit and advantage and for the use and good of future posterity; quit yourselves therefore like men and be strong; see Joshua 1:6

and work; that is continue working for they were at work; but there was danger of their leaving off working being discouraged at what the ancient people said; and therefore they are exhorted to go on in their work and go through it and finish it; for so the word here used signifies "and do"F5ועשו "et facite" V. L. Munster Pagninus Montanus Burkius. ; that is the work thoroughly and effectually; or as others render it "and perfect"F6"Perficite" Piscator Tarnovius Varenius Reinbeck. the work begun and leave it not unfinished. Aben Ezra Jarchi Kimchi and Ben Melech connect this word with the beginning of the following verse thus "and do the word or thing which I covenanted with you" &c. Haggai 2:5; that is observe the law and do the commandment then given; but very wrongly: nor is it only to be considered as directed to the people but to the prince and priest also; for they had all work to do in the house of the Lord as all ranks and degrees of men now have in the church of Christ; of which that house was typical: the prince or civil magistrate not to prescribe laws and rules to be observed in it which only belongs to Christ who is the sole Head King and Lawgiver; but to attend the service of it to protect and defend it to promote the interest of it and distribute cheerfully to the maintenance of its ministers and to the necessities of the poor saints. Priests or ministers of the word are to work; they are to labour in the word and doctrine; in preaching the Gospel; administering ordinances; governing the church; comforting saints; reproving vice and refuting error: deacons are to do their work in taking care of the poor and minding the secular affairs of the church: and all private Christians are to work to labour in prayer for the good of it; to hear the word attend on all ordinances and hold fast the profession of their faith; all which is to be done in the strength and grace of Christ without dependence on it or seeking justification and salvation by it; encouraged as the Jews are here with the promise of the divine Presence:

for I am with you saith the Lord of hosts; to help in every service and to protect from all enemies; and this makes the work and service of the Lord's house pleasant and delightful and secures from all doubts and fears faintings and misgivings of heart. This is to be understood of God the Father the Lord of armies above and below; and if he is for and with his people they have nothing to fear from those that are against them; or to be discouraged in his service. The Targum wrongly interprets this of the Word of the Lord since he is meant in the next verse Haggai 2:5.

 

Haggai 2:5   5 According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!’

   YLT  5The thing that I covenanted with you In your coming forth from Egypt And My Spirit is remaining in your midst fear not.

According to the Word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt .... Or rather "with the Word in or with whom I covenanted"F7את הדבר אשר כרתי "cum verbo quo pepigeram" Junius & Tremellius; "cum verbo illo quo pepigi" Varenius; approved of by Reinbeck Append. Doctrin. de Accent. p. 76 77. &c. as some render it; that is Christ the essential Word who was promised to the people of Israel at that time Deuteronomy 18:15 and in whom all the promises are and the covenant of grace itself; and which covenant was indeed made with him from eternity but was made manifest or more clearly manifest to the Jewish ancestors when they came out of Egypt: now it is here promised for the encouragement of the Jews to go in the work of the Lord in building the temple that this divine Word should be with them also to counsel assist strengthen and protect them; even he who went before their fathers in the wilderness in a pillar of cloud by day and of fire by night; the Angel of God's presence that redeemed saved and carried them all the days of old; the Word that was in the beginning with God and was God; and by whom all things were created at first; and who would as since he has become flesh and dwell among them and appear in this very temple they were now building; and who will be with all his churches ministers and people unto the end of the world:

so my Spirit remaineth among you: or rather "and" or "also my Spirit standeth" continueth "in the midst of you"F8ורוחי עמדת בתוככם "et Spiritus meus stat in medio vestri" Pagninus Cocceius; "stana" Montanus; "Spiritus quoque meus stabit in medio vestrum" Vatablus. ; not only Jehovah the Father and his divine Logos or Word were with them; but his Spirit also his Holy Spirit the third Person in the Trinity of which these words are a proof; the same Spirit which was in Moses and others in his time for the building of the tabernacle is now promised unto and should continue with the builders of this temple; as a Spirit of wisdom and counsel to direct them and as a Spirit of might and power to strengthen and assist them: and so he is and will be in the churches of Christ and in the midst of his people to assist the ministers of the word in preaching the people in hearing praying and praising; to carry on his own work in them; to be the Comforter of them and the seal earnest and pledge of their future glory; nor does he nor ever will he depart from them; see Isaiah 59:21

fear ye not: succeeding in the work and finishing it; nor be dismayed at what the ancient people had said; nor be afraid of enemies who did all they could to hinder and discourage them from going on with their work; and indeed there is no reason to fear let the service be what it will the Lord employs his people in; if he Father Son and Spirit are with them; see Isaiah 41:10.

 

Haggai 2:6   6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth the sea and dry land;

   YLT  6For thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Yet once more -- it [is] a little And I am shaking the heavens and the earth And the sea and the dry land

For thus saith the Lord of hosts;.... For the further encouragement of the builders of the temple they are told from the Lord of hosts that in a little time when such circumstances should meet as are here pointed at the Messiah should come and appear in this house and give it a greater glory than ever Solomon's temple had; for that this passage is to be understood of the Messiah and his times is clear from the apostle's application of it Hebrews 12:25 and even the ancient Jews themselves understood it of the Messiah particularly R. AquibaF9T. Bab Sanhedrin fol. 97. 2. & Gloss. in ib. who lived in the times of Bar Cozbi the false Messiah; though the more modern ones perceiving how they are embarrassed with it; to support their hypothesis shift it off from him:

Yet once it is a little while: or "once more" as the apostle in the above place quotes it; which suggests that the Lord had before done something of the kind that follows shaking the heavens &c. as at the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; and would do the same again and more abundantly in the times of the Gospel or of the Messiah. Jarchi interprets this of one trouble by the Grecian monarchy after the Persian which would not last long: his note is

"yet once &c. after that this kingdom of Persia that rules over you is ended yet one shall rise up to rule over you to distress you the kingdom of Greece; but its government shall be but a little time;'

and not very foreign from this sense does Bishop ChandlerF11Defence of Christianity p. 88. "adhue unum modicum est sc. regni venturi." Akiba apud Lyram in loc. render the words "after one kingdom (the Grecian) it is a little while; (or after that) I will shake all the heavens" &c.; and though it was five hundred years from this prophecy to the incarnation of Christ: yet this was but a little while with God with whom a thousand years are as one day; and indeed with men it was but a short time when compared with the first promise of his coming at the beginning of the world; or with the shaking of the earth at the giving of the law soon after Israel came out of Egypt:

and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land; which either intends the changes and revolutions made in the several kingdoms and nations of the world between this prophecy and the coming of Christ and which soon began to take place; for the Persian monarchy now flourishing was quickly shook and subdued by the Grecians; and in a little time the Grecian monarchy was destroyed by the Romans; and what changes they made in each of the nations of the world is well known: or else this designs the wonderful things that were done in the heavens earth and sea at the birth of Christ during his life and at his death: at his birth a new star appeared in the heavens which brought the wise men from the east to visit him; the angels of heaven descended and sung Glory to God in the highest; Herod and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were shaken moved and troubled at the tidings of his birth; yea people in all parts of Judea were in motion to be taxed in their respective cities at this time: stormy winds were raised which agitated the waters of the sea in his lifetime; on which he walked and which he rebuked; and this showed him to be the mighty God: at his death the heavens were darkened the earth quaked and rocks were rent asunder: if any particular earthquake about this time should be thought to be intended the most terrible one was that which happened A. D. 17 when Coelius Rufus and Pomponius Flaccus were consuls which destroyed twelve cities of AsiaF12Taciti Annales l. 2. c. 47. ; and these being near the sea caused a motion there also. The apostle applies these words to the change made in the worship of God by the coming of Christ when the carnal ordinances of the law were removed and evangelical ordinances instituted which shall remain until his second coming Hebrews 12:26.

 

Haggai 2:7   7 and I will shake all nations and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations [b] and I will fill this temple with glory ’ says the Lord of hosts.

   YLT  7And I have shaken all the nations And they have come [to] the desire of all the nations And I have filled this house [with] honour Said Jehovah of Hosts.

And I will shake all nations .... By changing their governors and forms of government; which was done by the Romans when subdued by them; and by bringing in wars among them which produced those changes; and by civil wars among the Romans themselves in the several nations that belonged to them which were notorious a little before the coming of Christ: or else this was to be done and was done by the preaching of the Gospel both in Judea and in the Gentile world when all the inhabitants thereof were shaken by it in one sense or another; some had their hearts and consciences shaken by the Spirit and grace of God through it and were brought to embrace it and profess it; yea were brought to Christ to yield obedience to him his truths and ordinances; and others were moved with envy wrath and indignation at it and rose up to oppose it and stop the progress of it:

and the desire of all nations shall come; not the desirable things of all nations or them with them as their gold and silver; and which is the sense of Jarchi Kimchi and Aben Ezra; but this is contrary to the syntax of the words to the context Haggai 2:8 and to facts; and if true would not have given this temple a greater glory than Solomon's: nor the elect of God as others brought in through the preaching of the Gospel; who are indeed the desire of God he takes pleasure in them; and of Christ whose delights have been always in them; and of the blessed Spirit whose love to them and esteem of them are very manifest; and with the saints they are the excellent in the earth in whom is all their delight: yet not they but one far more glorious and excellent is intended even the Messiah in whom all nations of the earth were to be blessed; and who so far as he was known by good men or proselytes among the Gentiles was desired by them as by Job and others; and who when he came brought all good things with him; and has all blessings in him that may make him desirable to men being what they want; and though he is not in fact desired by all yet of right he should be and to all sensible sinners he is; even above all persons and things in the whole world; on account of his excellencies and glories; his mediatorial qualifications; his names offices and relations; the blessings of grace in him; the works done by him; his truths and ordinances people ways and worship: and when it is said he "shall come" the meaning is not only into the world by assumption of nature to obtain redemption for his people; but into this temple now building in that nature assumed; where he appeared at the presentation of him by his parents; and at the passover when twelve years of age; and when he drove out the buyers and sellers from it; and when he often taught in it. The word "come" is in the plural number; and may denote his frequent coming thither as well as in different respects; his personal coming; his spiritual coming; his coming to take vengeance on the Jews; and his last coming of which some understand the words particularly:

and I will fill this house with glory saith the Lord of hosts; alluding to the glory which filled the tabernacle of Moses and the temple of Solomon Exodus 40:35 but that was but a shadowy glory this a real one; here Christ appeared in person who is the brightness of his Father's glory; here his glorious doctrines were taught and glorious miracles wrought; and the Spirit of glory rested on the disciples in his gifts and grace bestowed upon them in an extraordinary manner on the day of Pentecost.

 

Haggai 2:8   8 ‘The silver is Mine and the gold is Mine ’ says the Lord of hosts.

   YLT  8Mine [is] the silver and Mine the gold An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts.

The silver is mine and the gold is mine saith the Lord of hosts. This seems designed to anticipate an objection taken from the gold and silver with which the first temple was either decorated or were in gifts dedicated to it; and which it might easily be foreseen would be wanting in the second temple; and in answer to which the Lord observes that all the gold and silver in the world were his were made by him and were at his dispose; and therefore whatever were bestowed upon the former temple was only giving him his own; what he had a prior right to and was no accession of riches or honour to him; and so it would be the same let what would be expended on this; and therefore it was an article very inconsiderable and of little significance; nor did he regard or was he delighted with anything of this kind; and was he so disposed he could easily command all the gold and silver in the world together and bring it into this house to enrich and adorn it without doing any injury to any person; but these were things he delighted not in; and besides he had a far greater glory in view to put upon this house as follows:

 

Haggai 2:9   9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former ’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace ’ says the Lord of hosts.”

   YLT  9Greater is the honour of this latter house Than of the former said Jehovah of Hosts And in this place do I give peace An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts.'

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former saith the Lord of hosts .... The "former" or first house was the temple built by Solomon which was a very glorious one if we consider the vast treasure of riches laid up by David and given to Solomon for the building of it; the great number of workmen employed in it; the stateliness of the fabric the like to which was never seen the model being drawn by the Lord himself; the decoration of it; the vessels in it; and above all the glory of the Lord that filled it and continued in it; and yet this "latter" or second house exceeded it. It must be a glory very great indeed to exceed this! The JewsF13T. Hieros. Taaniot fol. 65. 1. T. Bab. Yoma fol. 21. 2. Jarchi & Kimchi in Hagg. i. 8. themselves own there were several things wanting in the latter which were in the former as the "ark" the "Urim" and "Thummim" the "fire" from heaven the "Shechinah" (or as in some books the anointing oil and in others the cherubim) and the "Holy Ghost": by one of their writersF14Baal Aruch in rad. כבד fol. 75. 3. they are reckoned in this order the ark the mercy seat and cherubim one; the Shechinah or divine Majesty the second; the Holy Ghost which is prophecy the third; Urim and Thummim the fourth: and the fire from heaven the fifth: what could there be in it to compensate the want of these and put it upon a level and even to cause it to excel the temple of Solomon? the excelling glory did not lie in the fabric; when the foundation of it was laid the old men wept because it came so short of the other; and as the building rose it was in their eyes as nothing; who were better judges than later Jews who magnify the building of the second temple; depending upon the authority of Josephus ben Gorion who is not to be trusted: nor did it lie in the duration of it it continuing ten years longer they sayF15T. Bab. Bava Bathra fol. 3. 1. than the former; which if true could not answer to the deficiencies before mentioned; or be an encouragement to the builders to go on in their work: nor in the riches brought into it by the Gentiles in the times of the Maccabees which was very inconsiderable; and could never make it equal to Solomon's temple and much less preferable to it; nor by Alexander the great honouring it with his presenceF16Azariah Meor Enayim c. 51. fol. 160. 1. Vid. Ganz Tzemach David par. 1. fol. 23. 2. & 24. 1. ; for surely Solomon was greater than he. It remains that what gave it the greater glory was the personal presence of the Messiah in it his doctrines and his miracles:

and or "for"

in this place will I give peace saith the Lord of hosts; not temporal peace for there was little of that during the second temple; witness the times of the Maccabees and the wars with the Romans; but spiritual peace through the blood and righteousness of Christ; peace with God; reconciliation for sin through the sacrifice of the Son of God in whom he is well pleased; yea Christ himself may be meant the Prince of peace the Man the peace who is our peace Isaiah 9:6 the author of peace between God and men between Jew and Gentile; the giver of spiritual and eternal peace: him the Lord gave "put" and set in this place the temple as before observed; and where the Gospel of peace was preached and from whence it went forth into all the world. The Arabic version adds

"peace of soul I say to be possessed by everyone that labours to raise up this temple.'

 

Haggai 2:10   10 On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month in the second year of Darius the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet saying

   YLT  10On the twenty and fourth of the ninth [month] in the second year of Darius hath a word of Jehovah been by the hand of Haggai the prophet saying:

In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month .... The month Chisleu which answers to part of November and part of December: this was two months and three days after the former discourse or prophecy and just three months from the time the Jews began to work in the house of the Lord Haggai 1:14

in the second year of Darius; the same year that all the former discourses and prophecies were delivered in:

came the word of the Lord by Haggai the prophet; for what he delivered was not his own but from the Lord; he was only his minister and messenger. The Vulgate Latin version and so Munster render it "unto Haggai the prophet"; and indeed what is said following seems to be directed to him and he is the only person that put the questions directed to:

saying; as follows:

 

Haggai 2:11   11 “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Now ask the priests concerning the law saying

   YLT  11Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: `Ask I pray thee the priests [of] the law saying:

Thus saith the Lord of hosts .... To Haggai the prophet:

ask now the priests concerning the law; whose business it was to understand it and teach it and to answer questions and resolve doubts concerning it; not of their own heads and according to their fancies will and pleasure; but according to the rules and instructions given in the word of God: and as this was their office they were the proper persons to apply to; and Haggai though a prophet is sent to the priests to propose questions to them; though it may be not so much for his own information as for the conviction of the priests of their impurity out of their own mouths and of the people by them:

saying; putting the following questions to them.

 

Haggai 2:12   12 “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment and with the edge he touches bread or stew wine or oil or any food will it become holy?”’”

Then the priests answered and said “No.”

   YLT  12Lo one doth carry holy flesh in the skirt of his garment and he hath come with his skirt against the bread or against the pottage or against the wine or against the oil or against any food -- is it holy?' And the priests answer and say `No.'

If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment .... Or "carry" itF17ישא "portaverit" Munster; "portet" Varenius Reinbeck. ; from one place to another in his pockets or bags which were in the skirts of his garments. This is to be understood of the flesh of creatures offered in sacrifice which were sanctified or separated for holy use; part of which belonged to the priests who might carry it in their pockets to the proper place of eating it:

and with his skirt do touch bread or pottage or wine or oil or any meat: which were not holy and not separated for holy use but were common meats and drinks: now the question upon this is

shall it be holy? that is if either of those common things were touched by the skirt in the pockets of which the holy flesh were carried whether they were made holy by such a touch and no more remained common or profane?

and the priests answered and said No; they were not sanctified; for though the garment itself was sanctified thereby and might not be employed in common use till washed Leviticus 6:27 yet a garment so touched could not convey holiness to whatsoever that touched or that touched it.

 

Haggai 2:13   13 And Haggai said “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these will it be unclean?”

So the priests answered and said “It shall be unclean.”

   YLT  13And Haggai saith `If the unclean of body doth come against any of these is it unclean?' And the priests answer and say `It is unclean.'

Then said Haggai .... To the priests; having nothing to object to their answer; but being satisfied with it he puts another question:

if one that is unclean by a dead body; by the touch of it Numbers 19:11

touch any of these shall it be unclean? that is if such an impure person who was so in a ceremonial sense should touch any of the above things bread pottage wine or oil or any meat would not they become unclean thereby and so not fit for use?

and the priests answered and said it shall be unclean; which was rightly answered; for whatsoever such an unclean person touched was unclean according to the law Leviticus 19:22. Pollution is more easily and more extensively conveyed than holiness.

 

Haggai 2:14   14 Then Haggai answered and said “‘So is this people and so is this nation before Me ’ says the Lord ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

   YLT  14And Haggai answereth and saith `So [is] this people and so [is] this nation before Me -- an affirmation of Jehovah -- and so [is] every work of their hands and that which they bring near there -- it is unclean.

Then answered Haggai and said .... To the priests and before the people; and made an application of these things to them which was the thing in view in putting the questions:

So is this people and so is this nation before me saith the Lord; not only those people that were present and at work at the temple but those that were absent even the whole body of the people; who though they were pure in their own eyes yet were not so before the Lord; who knew their hearts and the spring of all their actions; what were their ends and views in all they did: as a garment carrying in it holy flesh could not sanctify other things touched by it that were common and profane but left them as they were; so their ritual devotions and externally holy actions did not and could not sanctify their impure hearts but left them as unclean as before; nor did they sanctify their common mercies their bread pottage wine and oil: and on the other hand as an impure person made everything impure he touched; so they being impure in heart all their actions even their religious ones were impure also as follows:

and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean; pointing at the altar which they had built and offered sacrifice on ever since they came out of Babylon though the temple was not yet built Ezra 3:3 but all their outward religious services and all the sacrifices they offered up were in the Lord's account impure and abominable as well as themselves; coming from an unsanctified heart and offered up with unclean hands and without repentance towards God and faith in Christ; and living in other respects in disobedience to God and especially while they neglected the building of the temple; satisfying themselves with offering sacrifices on the altar when the house of God lay desolate; which is the principal thing respected as appears by what follows.

 

Haggai 2:15   15 ‘And now carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the Lord

   YLT  15And now lay [it] I pray you to your heart From this day and onwards Before the laying of stone to stone in the temple of Jehovah.

And now I pray you consider from this day and upward .... This being their case and they so polluted with sin particularly through their neglect of building the temple; they are most earnestly and importunately entreated to "lay" it "to their hearts" to ponder it in their minds and thoroughly consider how it had fared with them from this twenty fourth day of the ninth month in which the prophet was sent unto them to encourage them in their work and upwards or backwards for some years past: even

from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the Lord: the foundation of the temple was laid quickly after the Jews returned from Babylon upon the proclamation of Cyrus Ezra 3:10 but through difficulties and discouragements they met with they desisted from the work and went no further; a stone was not laid upon it; or as the Targum a row or course upon course until this time: and now all the intermediate space of time between the first laying the foundation of the temple and their present going to work upon it the prophet would have them take particular notice of; how it had been with them as to their outward circumstances; whereby it would appear they had sinned and the Lord had been offended with them.

 

Haggai 2:16   16 since those days when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs there were but ten; when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press there were but twenty.

   YLT  16From that time [one] hath come to a heap of twenty And it hath been ten He hath come unto the wine-fat to draw out fifty purahs And it hath been twenty.

Since those days were .... From the time the foundation of the temple was laid unto the time they began to work again which was a space of about fifteen or sixteen years:

when one came to an heap of twenty measures there were but ten; when the husbandman having gathered in his corn and who was generally a good judge of what it would yield came to a heap of it on his corn floor either of sheaves not threshed or grain not winnowed and expected it would have produced at least twenty measures seahs or bushels; afterward it was threshed and winnowed to his great disappointment he had but ten out of it; there were so much straw and chaff and so little grain; or when he came to a heap of grain wheat or barley in his granary where he thought he should have twenty bushels of it; but when he had measured it proved but ten; being either stolen by thieves or eaten by vermin; rather the latter:

when one came to the wine vat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press there were but twenty; by the quantity of grapes which he put into the press to tread and squeeze he expected to have had fifty measures or baths or hogsheads of wine; but instead of that had but twenty; the bunches were so thin or the berries so bad: there was a greater decrease and deficiency in the wine than in the grain.

 

Haggai 2:17   17 I struck you with blight and mildew and hail in all the labors of your hands; yet you did not turn to Me ’ says the Lord.

   YLT  17I have smitten you with blasting And with mildew and with hail -- All the work of your hands And there is none of you with Me An affirmation of Jehovah.

I smote you with blasting .... That is their fields and vineyards with burning winds which consumed them; with blights by east winds: this shows the reason of their disappointment and that it was from the Lord and for their sins by way of chastisement and correction:

and with mildew; a kind of clammy dew which corrupts and destroys the fruits of the earth; and is a kind of jaundice to them as the word signifies; see Amos 4:9

and with hail; which battered down the corn and the vines and broke them to pieces; see Exodus 9:25

in all the labours of your hands; in the corn they sowed and in the vines they planted:

yet ye turned not to me saith the Lord; did not consider their evil ways as the cause of all this; nor repent of them and turn from them to the Lord; to his worship as the Targum; or to the building of his house the thing chiefly complained of. Afflictions unless sanctified have no effect upon men to turn them from their sins to the Lord.

 

Haggai 2:18   18 ‘Consider now from this day forward from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month from the day that the foundation of the Lord’s temple was laid—consider it:

   YLT  18Set [it] I pray you to your heart from this day and onwards from the twenty and fourth day of the ninth [month] even from the day that the temple of Jehovah hath been founded set [it] to your heart.

Consider now from this day and upward .... Or forward; for time to come as the Vulgate Latin version:

from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month; before observed Haggai 2:10

even from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid consider it; not from the time it was first laid after their return upon the proclamation of Cyrus but from the time they began to clear that foundation and to build upon it; and which having lain so long neglected the renewal of it is represented as a fresh laying of it: now the prophet as he had directed them to consider what adversity and calamities had attended them from the time of their neglect unto this time; so he would have them particularly observe what blessings they would enjoy from henceforward; by which it would appear how pleasing it was to the Lord that they had begun and were going on with the building.

 

Haggai 2:19   19 Is the seed still in the barn? As yet the vine the fig tree the pomegranate and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. But from this day I will bless you.’”

   YLT  19Is the seed yet in the barn? And hitherto the vine and the fig And the pomegranate and the olive-tree Have not borne -- from this day I bless.'

Is the seed yet in the barn?.... The seed for sowing the land in order for the next harvest: this is by some answered in the affirmative it was in the barn it was not yet sown; this being the ninth month the month Chisleu which answers to part of our November; rather it should be in the negative no it was just sown; and therefore no conjecture could be made whether it would be a good harvest or not; yet the prophet in the name of the Lord promises them a good one so long before hand: for the month Chisleu which was the ninth month was the last for sowing and even the first half of that; for so sayF18T. Bab. Bava Metzia fol. 106. 2. the Jews

"half Tisri all Marchesvan and half Chisleu is seed time;'

so that this being that month seed time must have been just over; and the sense is there any seed in the barn? no it is sown; and so is there any remaining in the granary for the support of families until the next harvest? they knew there were none or very little: and yet the Lord promises to bless them so that they should have enough:

yea as yet the vine and the fig tree and the pomegranate and the olive tree hath not brought forth; their various fruits; this not being the time of their bearing fruit for it was winter time; and it could not be said what they would bring forth in their season so long before hand; yet it is suggested by the prophet that they would be very fruitful; which were the principal fruit trees the land of Israel abounded with Deuteronomy 8:8 and on which their comfortable subsistence depended. Kimchi observes that it may be wondered at that the olive tree should be mentioned because the time of its bearing fruit were the months of Marchesvan and Chisleu; but perhaps the time of its bearing fruit was delayed (as he says) because of the curse upon it:

from this day will I bless you; with plenty of all good things in their fields and gardens in their vineyards and olive yards; so that a difference between former and present times and those to come would easily be discerned and the reasons of it.

 

Haggai 2:20   20 And again the word of the Lord came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month saying

   YLT  20And there is a word of Jehovah a second time unto Haggai on the twenty and fourth of the month saying:

And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai .... Or a "second"F19שנית "secundo" V. L. Pagninus Montanus Junius & Tremellius Piscator Cocceius; "secunda vice" Burkius. time even on the same day as the former:

in the four and twentieth day of the month; of the ninth month Chisleu Haggai 2:10

saying; as follows:

 

Haggai 2:21   21 “Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah saying: ‘I will shake heaven and earth.
   YLT 
21`Speak unto Zerubbabel governor of Judah saying: I am shaking the heavens and the earth

Speak to Zerubbabel governor of Judah .... The former discourse or prophecy chiefly related to the people for their encouragement in building; this is directed to the prince over them to support him under all the changes and revolutions made in the world; that he should be regarded by the Lord in a very tender manner and his government continued as a type of Christ and his kingdom:

saying I will shake the heavens and the earth; make great commotions changes and revolutions in the world by wars and otherwise: the Persian kingdom being subdued by the Grecian; the Grecian by the Romans; the Roman empire by the Goths and Vandals; and the antichristian states both Papal and Mahometan by the vials of God's wrath poured out upon them by means of Christian princes: such revolutions are often designed by the shaking of the heavens especially by earthquakes in the book of the Revelation; see Revelation 6:14.

 

Haggai 2:22   22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down Every one by the sword of his brother.

   YLT  22And have overturned the throne of kingdoms And I have destroyed the strength of kingdoms of the nations And overturned chariot and its charioteers And come down have horses and their riders Each by the sword of his brother.

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms .... The Persian monarchy which consisted of various kingdoms and nations and was destroyed under Darius Codomannus by Alexander the great who fought with him three pitched battles and overcame him; but the thing was of the Lord according to his purpose and will and by his power and providence; and therefore the overthrow is ascribed to him. The JewsF20Seder Olam Rabba c. 30. p. 91. Tzemach David par. 1. fol. 18. 1. say that the Persian monarchy fell by the Grecians thirty four years after the building of the temple; but very wrongly it lasted longer:

and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; the empire of Alexander which was a very strong one and contained in it many kingdoms and nations even the whole world at least as he thought; and which was divided after his death into several kingdoms; the strength of which was greatly weakened by one another and at last entirely destroyed by the Romans as instruments:

and I will overthrow the chariots and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down; which may refer either to the chariots and horses and their riders belonging to the Grecians and used in their wars; or else this may describe the empire of the Romans which in its turn should be destroyed famous for their triumphal chariots:

everyone by the sword of his brother; by civil wars which was remarkably true of the successors of Alexander as appears from JosephusF21Antiqu. l. 12. c. 1. sect. 1. and JustinF23E. Trogo l. 13. c. 6. : this may be applied to all the kingdoms of this world which will all be demolished and be brought into subjection to Christ and his kingdom shall be set up in the world the son and antitype of Zerubbabel of whom the following words are to be understood; see Daniel 2:44. Abendana interprets it of the army of Gog and Magog who shall fall everyone by the sword of his brother.

 

Haggai 2:23   23 ‘In that day ’ says the Lord of hosts ‘I will take you Zerubbabel My servant the son of Shealtiel ’ says the Lord ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you ’ says the Lord of hosts.”

   YLT  23In that day -- an affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts I take thee Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel My servant -- an affirmation of Jehovah And have set thee as a signet for on thee I have fixed An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts!

In that day saith the Lord of hosts .... When all these kingdoms and their thrones and strength are destroyed; which shows that what follows cannot be understood literally of Zerubbabel who lived not to see these things done:

will I take thee O Zerubbabel my servant the son of Shealtiel saith the Lord; that is the Messiah as is owned by Abarbinel; who saysF24Mayene Jeshuah fol. 13. 4. Vid. & Mashmiah Jeshuah fol. 67. 2.

"the King Messiah shall come who is of the seed of Zerubbabel; and he shall be the seal of the structure and the end of the kingdoms; as it is said "I will make thee as a signet for I have chosen thee saith the Lord of hosts"; for this no doubt is said concerning the days of the Messiah:'

and another Jewish writerF25Abendana in Miclol Yophi in loc. quoting the above author for the sense of this passage and Ezekiel 37:25 adds

"for the King Messiah he will be David and he will be Zerubbabel that he may be a rod going out of their stem;'

and anotherF26R. Isaac Chizzuk Emunah par. 1. c. 34. p. 289 290. on these words observes

"without doubt this is said concerning the expected Messiah who will be of the seed of Zerubbabel; and therefore this promise was not at all fulfilled in him; for in the time of this prophecy he was but governor of Judah and he never rose to greater dignity than what he then had:'

indeed these writers wrongly suppose the Messiah yet to come and whom they in vain expect; and apply this as they do many other prophecies to the coming of Christ in the flesh which belong to his spiritual appearance in his churches or to his personal coming at the last day: however this shows the conviction on their minds of the application of this and such like prophecies to the Messiah who may be called Zerubbabel as he is sometimes David because he sprung from him was of his lineage and because he was a type of him in bringing the people of the Jews out of the Babylonish captivity in rebuilding the temple in the government of the people and in being chosen of God and precious; as well as a servant of the Lord as here expressed and which is often mentioned as a character of the Messiah Isaiah 49:3

and will make thee as a signet; preserve protect and defend love value and esteem and advance to great honour and dignity power and authority: the signet or seal on a man's right hand being what he always wears is ever in sight and he is careful of; as well as is what he greatly esteems and is dear unto him and he highly values; and by which a prince signs his decrees and edicts; see Isaiah 49:2 Song of Solomon 8:6

for I have chosen thee saith the Lord of hosts; to be the Redeemer and Saviour of his people; to be their King and Governor and the Judge of the world. Christ is peculiarly God's elect and in whom all his people are chosen; be is the chosen of God and precious Psalm 89:19. The Targum is

"for in thee I am well pleased;'

which is said by God the Father concerning Christ more than once Matthew 3:17. It is a prophecy of the exaltation of Christ after he had done his work as the Lord's servant and especially in the latter day when he shall be King over all the earth; all which cannot be so well applied to Zerubbabel; unless with Reinbeck we understand it of the time of his resurrection from the dead at the last day; when great honour shall be put upon him as a faithful servant and great love and affection expressed to him; but that will be no other than what will be common to all the saints and chosen of God; Christ in whom all prophecies terminate and so this is doubtless intended.

 

──John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible

 

New King James Version (NKJV)

Footnotes:

  1. Haggai 2:3 Literally house and so in verses 7 and 9
  2. Haggai 2:7 Or the desire of all nations