Haggai 2:20-23

THE EXALTATION OF ZERUBBABEL, 20-23.

The fourth utterance of Haggai is Messianic in character; it promises the exaltation of Zerubbabel, the prince of David’s house. In the second discourse the prophet announced the shaking of the nations, which would pave the way for the establishment of the kingdom of God (see on Haggai 2:7). Since Haggai, like the earlier prophets (Isaiah 9:1 ff; Isaiah 11:1 ff.; Micah 5:1 ff.), expected the Messianic king to be of the dynasty of David, and since he believed that the shaking would occur in the near future, it was quite natural that his Messianic hopes should center in the descendant of the house of David who was standing out most prominently in his day (compare also Zechariah 6:9 ff.).

20. The message was delivered on the same day as the preceding and forms the climax of the promises made there. The people will, indeed, be blessed abundantly in their temporal affairs, but there is more to come; the long-anticipated Messianic king is soon to set up his kingdom of peace and righteousness. 21. Zerubbabel (see on Haggai 1:1) is the central figure of the promise, therefore this oracle is addressed to him exclusively. For 21b see on Haggai 2:6.

Haggai 2:22 is an expansion of Haggai 2:7; it also speaks of the upheaval expected by Haggai to take place in the near future (see on Haggai 2:7).

Throne Used collectively thrones, governments. Nations and governments will be overthrown.

Strength Which enables them to exist and gives them authority over others.

Chariots,… horses These and the soldiers using them, that is, the well-equipped armies, are the source of their power and strength. With them gone, their power vanishes and the nations themselves will perish.

By the sword of his brother The prophet is thinking of the civil war, which threatened the Persian empire in the beginning of the reign of Darius. Haggai evidently expected these struggles to bring about the downfall of the great empire, which consisted of many nations.

23. The dissolution of the hostile world power will clear the way for the setting up of the kingdom of God under the rule of the Messianic king.

In that day When the power of the nations will collapse.

Zerubbabel See on Haggai 1:1.

My servant An epithet applied to Zerubbabel because he was ordained to carry out the divine purpose (see on Zechariah 3:8).

Will make thee as a signet The signet ring is one of the most precious possessions of the Oriental; he guards it carefully and carries it about with him constantly (Jeremiah 22:24; Song of Solomon 8:6). Hence the promise means that Zerubbabel shall be exceedingly precious to Jehovah, who will keep him constantly under his protecting care.

I have chosen thee Jehovah has selected Zerubbabel to be Branch (see on Zechariah 3:8; Zechariah 6:12-13), who will be the ruler of the kingdom of God ( compare Isaiah 42:1; Isaiah 43:10, etc.). The thrice-repeated “saith Jehovah” adds solemnity and weight to the promise. On the fulfillment of this and similar prophecies see closing remarks on Micah, chapter 5.

From this passage and similar utterances in the Book of Zechariah, Sellin has attempted to prove that, at the instigation of the two prophets, Zerubbabel was crowned king, but that he was soon dethroned and put to death by the Persians. At one time he went so far as to identify Zerubbabel with the “suffering Servant” of Isaiah 53:0; but subsequently he modified his view and has now given up entirely the identification of Zerubbabel with the “Servant.”