Haggai 2:1-5

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 2:1

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... read more

John Gill

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

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 ,... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Haggai 2:1

In the seventh month - This was a new message, and intended to prevent discouragement, and excite them to greater diligence in their work. 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

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Haggai 2:1

Verse 1 The Prophet now states another reason why he had been sent by God, in order that he might obviate a temptation which might have hindered the work that was begun. We have seen that they were all stirred up by the celestial spirit to undertake the building of the Temple. But as Satan, by his many arts, attempts to turn back the godly from their course, so he had devised a reason by which the desire of the people might have been checked. Inasmuch as the old people, who had seen the... read more

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