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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Haggai 2:1-9

Here is, I. The date of this message, Hag. 2:1. It was sent on the twenty-first day of the seventh month, when the builders had been about a month at work (since the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month), and had got it in some forwardness. Note, Those that are hearty in the service of God shall receive fresh encouragements from him to proceed in it, as their case calls for them. Set the wheels a going, and God will oil them. II. The direction of this message, Hag. 2:2. The encouragements here... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:3

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:4

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:5

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" F7 את 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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:6

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:7

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:8

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... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Haggai 2:9

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,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Haggai 2:3

Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? - Who of you has seen the temple built by Solomon? The foundation of the present house had been laid about fifty-three years after the destruction of the temple built by Solomon and though this prophecy was uttered fifteen years after the foundation of this second temple, yet there might still survive some of those who had seen the temple of Solomon. Is it not in your eyes - Most certainly the Jews at this time had neither men... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Haggai 2:4

Yet now be strong - Do not let this discourage you. The chief glory of the temple is not its splendid building, but my presence; and as I covenanted to be with you when ye came out of Egypt, so I will fulfill my covenant; for my Spirit remaineth among you, fear not; Haggai 2:5 . What is the most splendid cathedral, if God be not in it, influencing all by his presence and Spirit? But he will not be in it unless there be a messenger of the Lord there, and unless he deliver the Lord's... read more

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