Bible Commentaries
Haggai 2

Verse 1

In the seventh month. See note on p. 1276.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

by. See note on Haggai 1:1 .

Haggai. See note on Haggai 1:1 .

Verse 2

Zerubbabel. . . Shealtiel, governor. . . Joshua . . . Josedech. See notes on Haggai 1:1 .

the residue = the remnant.

Verse 3

Who is left . . . ? = Who is there among you, the remnant? Evidently there were some present who had seen it. Compare Ezra 3:12 .

this house. The Temple is regarded as one throughout.

first = primitive.

Verse 4

saith the LORD of hosts = [is] the oracle of Jehovah Sabaioth. See note on 1 Samuel 1:3 .

Verse 5

I covenanted with you: or, supply the Ellipsis thus: "[I remember", or "Remember ye] the word which I", &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 29:45 , Exodus 29:46 ).

when ye came, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Exodus 12:51 ). App-92 .

so My Spirit, &c.: i.e. speaking by the prophets. Compare Nehemiah 9:20 . Isaiah 63:10-14 .

Spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

remaineth: or, abideth.

Verse 6

saith = hath said.

once = first; as in Haggai 1:1 with Haggai 2:1 . Hebrew. 'chad = one of several. See note on Deuteronomy 6:4 . There had been shakings before; but this one would be extreme and final. Quoted in Hebrews 12:26 , Hebrews 12:27 . Greek. hapax = once for all: i.e. first, before the fulfillment of the promise given in the clause which follows. It is feminine here, and cannot agree with "little" (one little, or a little) because me'at is masculine.

I will shake. See the Structure, below (Haggai 2:21 ). Not "convert"; but shake violently, as in Psalms 46:3 ; Psalms 77:18 . Jeremiah 10:10 , &c.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ): emphasizing the universality of this last shaking, in contrast with all former shakings. It refers to the great tribulation (Matthew 24:29 , Matthew 24:30 ). Compare Isaiah 13:13 ; Isaiah 24:18 .

Verse 7

the desire. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct), App-6 , for the object of desire, which cannot be "things", for hemdath is feminine, singular, and refers to Him Who alone can satisfy the desire of all nations. Compare 1 Samuel 9:20 . 2 Chronicles 21:20 .

shall come. The verb is plural: hence some would refer it to the treasures of "silver and gold" of Haggai 2:8 . But when two nouns stand together (as here) the verb may agree in member with either noun. Here it agrees with "nations" in number, but with the object desired in reality. The Septuagint reads "the elect of all the nations".

glory. This refers to the future millennial Sanctuary of Ezekiel ( App-88 ), as it follows after the great shaking of this verse and Revelation 6:12-17 . Moreover this "glory" is connected with the final peace (Haggai 2:9 , Isaiah 9:6 ; Isaiah 60:18 ). The second Temple was connected with "grace", not "glory", and was followed by wars, not peace (Matthew 10:34 ; Matthew 24:6-8 . Luke 12:51 ).

Verse 8

The silver, &c. Compare Isaiah 2:7 ; Isaiah 60:9-17 ; Isaiah 61:6 .

Verse 9

latter house, &c. Render: "Greater shall he the last glory of this house than the first". Ezekiel 48:2 .Ezekiel 4:5 ; Ezekiel 44:4 .

peace. Compare Isaiah 9:6 . Micah 5:5 .Zechariah 9:9 , Zechariah 9:10 .

Verse 10

In the, &c. Nearly two months after the preceding message. See note on p. 1276.

by. Many codices, with eight early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "unto"; but in Codex Hillel (quoted in the Massorah, App-30 ) and others, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, and Syriac, read "by the hand of", as elsewhere in this book. See note on Haggai 1:1 .

Verse 11

Ask now, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 10:10 , Leviticus 10:11 .Deuteronomy 17:11 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ). App-92 . Supply the Ellipsis : "Ask now [direction]", &c.

Verse 12

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

holy flesh: i.e. the flesh of a sacrifice. Compare Jeremiah 11:15 .

skirt = wing. See note on Ruth 3:9 .

or. Note the Figure of speech Paradiastole ( App-6 ).

wine. Hebrew. yayin. App-27 .

shall = will.

holy. See note on Ex". Hag 3:5 .

No. Reference to Pentateuch (Leviticus 6:27 ). App-92 .

Verse 13

by = by [touching].

dead body = soul. Hebrew. nephesh . See App-13 . where see thirteen passages in which nephesh is used of a "dead soul" in distinction from a "living soul", as in Genesis 2:7 . Reference to Pentateuch. App-92 .

unclean. Ref to Pentateuch (Leviticus 22:4 , Leviticus 22:6 ).

Verse 14

Then, &c. This is the application of verses: Haggai 2:11-13 .

there. Referring to the altar which was set up before the building of the Temple. See Haggai 2:15 . Compare Ezra 3:2 , Ezra 3:3 , with Haggai 2:6 .

Verse 15

consider. See note on Haggai 1:5 .

from this day. The day of the prophet's message.

upward = above, as to place; backward, as regards time; as explained. Referring to past time, before the foundation was laid. See the Structure (and "if"); and note on Haggai 2:19 .

Verse 16

measures. Supply "sheaves".

there = and there.

vessels. Omit "vessels". Hebrew. purah = a winepress. Occurs only here, and Isaiah 63:3 . Hence used of a wine measure.

Verse 17

I smote you, &c. Reference to Pentateuch (Deuteronomy 28:22 ). App-92 .

Verse 18

Consider . . . consider. Figure of speech Anadiplosis. App-6 .

from this day: i.e. from the day the foundation of the Temple was laid. From this time, subsequently, things would be different, and Jehovah would bless them, as promised in Haggai 2:19 .

Verse 19

Is the seed . . . ? The answer is no. It was sown.

yea, as yet = howbeit, though at present. See notes on p. 618, and App-58 .

from this day = from this very day. Referring to their obedience in building

you. Omit; and take "bless" absolutely.

Verse 20

again. On the same day: i.e. a second time.

Verse 21

governor. See note on Haggai 1:1 .

I will shake. Compare the Structure p. 1276; and note on Haggai 2:6 . Hebrew I am shaking, or about to shake. Referring to a nearer shaking than Haggai 2:6 .

the heavens and the earth. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .

Verse 22

heathen = nations.

Verse 23

as a signet. Compare Song of Solomon 8:6 . Jeremiah 22:24 . See also, for this honour, Zechariah 4:7-10 ; Zechariah 6:13 ; and compare Genesis 41:42 .Esther 3:10 .

chosen thee. As David and others were chosen (1 Kings 8:16 ; 1 Kings 11:34 , &c).

thee. This must refer to the true prince and governor of Isaiah 9:6 , Isaiah 9:7 .