King James Version
Haggai
Haggai in the King James Version (1769), public domain in the United States.
Background and History
The chapters above are the King James text. This essay is the setting of Haggai: who is said to have written it, when and where, what happens in it, and how the text has been copied.
At a Glance
| Author | Haggai the prophet, named in Ezra as a prophet of the return. |
|---|---|
| Date | About 520 BC, in the second year of Darius, per the book and one survey. |
| Place written | Jerusalem, in the Persian province of Yehud. |
| Genre | Dated prophetic messages. |
| Chapters | 2 |
| Verses | 38 in the King James Version |
| Key verse | Haggai 2:9Haggai 2:9 · King James VersionThe glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.Haggai 2:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
Who Wrote It
Haggai 1:1Haggai 1:1 · King James VersionIn the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Haggai 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source (1) dates the word of the Lord by Haggai to the second year of Darius. Ezra 5:1Ezra 5:1 · King James VersionThen the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them.
Ezra 5:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source names Haggai and Zechariah as prophets who urged the rebuilding. The Talmud says the men of the Great Assembly wrote the Twelve. (2) Most scholars accept the dates as given.
Who It Is Not
Zechariah prophesied at the same time but is not the author.
When and Where
Bible Gateway gives about 520 BC. (5)
Audience and Setting
The returned community. The purpose is to urge them to rebuild the temple.
Rulers at the Time
Darius of Persia, Zerubbabel the governor, and Joshua the high priest. Reign dates were not checked for this essay and are omitted.
Places in This Book
| Ancient name | Modern-day location | References |
|---|---|---|
| Jerusalem | The Old City of Jerusalem. | Haggai 1:8Haggai 1:8 · King James VersionGo up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.Haggai 1:8 · King James VersionOpen the Source |
What Is Happening
Haggai 1 rebukes the people for neglecting the temple. Haggai 2 promises greater glory and blesses Zerubbabel.
Key Themes
Priorities in Haggai 1:4Haggai 1:4 · King James VersionIs it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?
Haggai 1:4 · King James VersionOpen the Source. Greater glory in Haggai 2:9Haggai 2:9 · King James VersionThe glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:9 · King James VersionOpen the Source.
Apologetics Questions
The promise of greater glory for a smaller temple is often discussed. Christians read it as fulfilled when Christ came to the temple.
How the Book Points to Christ
Haggai 2:7Haggai 2:7 · King James VersionAnd I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:7 · King James VersionOpen the Source speaks of the desire of all nations coming. Zerubbabel as a signet in Haggai 2:23Haggai 2:23 · King James VersionIn that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
Haggai 2:23 · King James VersionOpen the Source points to David’s line and Christ. Jesus is God.
Text and Manuscripts
The Twelve are among the books found at Qumran. (6)
Canon Reception
Received with the Twelve. (4) (3)
Further Reading
References
- Book of Haggai, 1:1Haggai 1:1 · King James Version
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Haggai 1:1 · King James VersionOpen the Source. King James Version - Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 15a, 15a (The William Davidson English on Sefaria is copyrighted. This page paraphrases it and does not reprint it. The page continues the list of writers and the debate about it.)
- Against Apion, 1.8Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William Whiston
For we have not an innumerable multitude of books among us, disagreeing from, and contradicting one another: [as the Greeks have:] but only twenty two books: which contain the records of all the past times: which are justly believed to be divine. And of them five belong to Moses: which contain his laws, and the traditions of the origin of mankind, till his death.
Josephus, Against Apion 1.8 · William WhistonOpen the Source (Flavius Josephus, Against Apion 1.8, translated by William Whiston. Josephus counts twenty-two books: five of Moses, thirteen of the prophets from Moses to Artaxerxes, and four of hymns and precepts.) - Festal Letter 39, 39.4–5 (Athanasius of Alexandria, AD 367, Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, second series, vol. 4, on New Advent. The letter lists twenty-two Old Testament books and the twenty-seven books of the New Testament, and places Esther among books to be read rather than in the canon.)
- When Was Each Book of the Bible Written?, Haggai (Jacob Edson, Bible Gateway, 16 September 2024. The survey gives Haggai as around 520 BC. It is one editor’s approximation, not a manuscript date.)
- Dead Sea Scrolls, introduction, Biblical manuscriptsDead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities Authority
Among the Scrolls are partial or complete copies of every book in the Hebrew Bible (except the book of Esther).
Dead Sea Scrolls, biblical manuscripts · Israel Antiquities AuthorityOpen the Source (Israel Antiquities Authority. Biblical manuscripts from the Qumran caves date from the third century BC into the first century AD, and every book of the Hebrew Bible except Esther is represented.)
The King James Version (1769) is in the public domain in the United States.