Haggai 1:3

KJV

Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

Then came the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} by {H3027} Haggai {H2292} the prophet {H5030}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

Then this word of ADONAI came through Hagai the prophet:

Berean Standard Bible

Then the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying:

American Standard Version

Then came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 1:3 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Haggai, serving as the formal divine introduction to the prophet's message. It unequivocally establishes that the words Haggai is about to deliver do not originate from human wisdom or opinion, but are a direct, authoritative revelation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. This verse sets the stage for a crucial divine intervention, calling the post-exilic community to account for their spiritual apathy and neglect of the Temple's reconstruction.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Haggai 1:3 immediately follows the opening verses of the book, which precisely date the prophetic utterance to "the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month" [Haggai 1:1](/haggai/1-1 "Haggai 1:1 - Dating the Prophecy"). This meticulous dating underscores the historical specificity and urgency of the message. Verse 2 introduces the people's dismissive attitude: "This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built." Against this backdrop of human procrastination and self-justification, verse 3 powerfully interjects with the divine counter-argument, asserting God's direct involvement and authority over their priorities. It functions as the authoritative pronouncement that validates Haggai's subsequent rebuke and call to action, making it clear that the ensuing words are not mere human counsel but divine imperative.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The prophecy of Haggai is set in the post-exilic period, approximately 520 BC, nearly two decades after the initial return of Jewish exiles from Babylon to Jerusalem, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua the High Priest [Ezra 2](/ezra/2 "Ezra 2 - The Return from Exile"). While the foundation of the Second Temple had been laid with great enthusiasm around 536 BC [Ezra 3:10-13](/ezra/3-10-13 "Ezra 3:10-13 - Laying the Temple Foundation"), opposition from surrounding peoples and internal discouragement had led to a prolonged cessation of the work. For about sixteen years, the Temple lay in ruins, while the people focused on building and adorning their own homes. This period was marked by economic hardship and spiritual complacency, as the people rationalized their inaction. Haggai's message, initiated in this verse, directly addresses this spiritual lethargy and misplaced priorities, aiming to re-ignite their commitment to God's house.
* **Key Themes:** Haggai 1:3 introduces several foundational themes that permeate the book. Firstly, it establishes the **Divine Authority of the Prophetic Word**, emphasizing that God Himself is the source of the message, not Haggai's personal opinion. This undergirds the entire book's call to obedience. Secondly, it highlights the **Sovereignty of God over Human Circumstances**, demonstrating that even amidst national hardship and apathy, God actively intervenes and speaks to His people. Thirdly, it sets the stage for the theme of **Human Responsibility and Prioritization**, directly challenging the people's neglect of God's house in favor of their own comforts, a theme explicitly developed in [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Neglecting God's House"). Finally, it subtly introduces the theme of **Divine Presence and Blessing**, implying that obedience to God's command to rebuild will lead to His favor, contrasting with the current lack of blessing due to their disobedience, as seen in [Haggai 1:5-6](/haggai/1-5-6 "Haggai 1:5-6 - Consequences of Disobedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term is far richer than a simple utterance. From the root meaning "to speak," _dâbâr_ encompasses not only a spoken word but also a matter, an affair, a thing, a command, or even an event. When connected with "the LORD," it signifies an authoritative, effective, and often performative utterance that carries the power to accomplish what it declares. It implies a divine decree that shapes reality and demands a response.
* **Haggai (Hebrew, _Chaggay'_):** Derived from the Hebrew word for "festive" or "feast," the prophet's name likely reflects his birth during a festival or perhaps foreshadows the joyous occasion of the Temple's rebuilding. His name, though seemingly simple, connects him to the very celebrations and worship that the rebuilt Temple would facilitate, subtly linking his person to his divine mission. He is not merely a messenger but one whose very name resonates with the purpose of his prophecy.
* **Prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** This term designates an individual specifically called and empowered by God to communicate His will. A _nâbîyʼ_ is not merely a foreteller of future events, but primarily a "forth-teller" – one who speaks on behalf of God, often delivering messages of rebuke, instruction, comfort, or warning. Haggai's identification as "the prophet" immediately establishes his divine accreditation and the non-negotiable authority of his subsequent words.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then came the word of the LORD":** This opening phrase is a classic prophetic formula, _wayhî dĕbar Yĕhôvâh_, found throughout the Old Testament (e.g., [Jeremiah 1:2](/jeremiah/1-2 "Jeremiah 1:2 - The Word of the Lord Came")). It signifies a direct, unsolicited, and undeniable divine intervention. The "word" (dâbâr) is not a human thought or idea, but an active, potent message originating from Yahweh (the LORD), God's covenant name, emphasizing His personal engagement and faithfulness to His people. It underscores that what follows is not human opinion but divine truth.
* **"by Haggai the prophet":** This clause identifies the divinely appointed messenger. The preposition "by" (literally "in the hand of" - _bĕyad_) emphasizes that Haggai is the instrument through whom God's message is conveyed. He is God's chosen vessel, lending his voice and presence to the divine communication. His designation as "the prophet" further authenticates his role, indicating he is a recognized figure in the lineage of those who speak for God.
* **"saying,":** This simple word introduces the direct speech of God through Haggai. It signals that the subsequent verses are the very words of the LORD, spoken verbatim through His prophet. It prepares the audience for a direct address, demanding their full attention and obedience to the divine injunctions that follow.

#### Literary Devices
Haggai 1:3 primarily employs a **Prophetic Formula**, a common literary device in the Old Testament. The phrase "Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying" is a standard introductory formula that serves to authenticate the divine origin of the message. This formula immediately establishes the **Divine Authority** of the subsequent words, signaling to the audience that what they are about to hear is not human counsel but a direct utterance from God Himself. It functions as a powerful declaration of divine initiative and revelation. Furthermore, the verse uses **Anaphora** (though subtle here, it sets up a pattern) by repeating the concept of "word" and "saying," emphasizing the verbal nature of God's communication. It also contains an element of **Foreshadowing**, as this authoritative introduction prepares the reader for the significant and challenging message that Haggai is about to deliver regarding the rebuilding of the Temple.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 1:3 profoundly underscores the foundational theological truth of God's active engagement with His creation and His covenant people through direct revelation. It asserts that God is not a distant, silent deity, but one who initiates communication, speaks with purpose, and holds humanity accountable. The "word of the LORD" is presented as dynamic and authoritative, not merely informative but transformative, capable of piercing through human apathy and compelling action. This divine communication highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant, even when His people are unfaithful, demonstrating His desire to restore fellowship and bring about His redemptive purposes through their obedience. The very act of God speaking through a prophet signifies His ongoing relationship with Israel and His continued guidance for their welfare and spiritual restoration.

* [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - The Power of God's Word")
* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals His Plan to Prophets")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Haggai 1:3 serves as a timeless reminder that God is a speaking God, and His word carries ultimate authority and demands our attention. In a world saturated with competing voices and distractions, this verse challenges us to prioritize listening for and discerning God's voice in our lives. Just as the post-exilic community was called to respond to a specific divine directive, we too are called to be attentive to God's revealed will, primarily through His written Word, the Bible, and through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. This verse compels us to examine our own priorities: are we, like the people of Haggai's day, so consumed with our own comforts and pursuits that we neglect what truly matters to God—His kingdom, His glory, and the work He has called us to do? Our response to God's word reveals the true state of our hearts and determines the blessings or consequences that follow.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How readily do I recognize and receive "the word of the LORD" in my life today, whether through scripture, prayer, or godly counsel?**
* **What "house of the LORD" (e.g., the church, God's kingdom work, personal spiritual disciplines) might I be neglecting in favor of my own comfort or priorities?**
* **What specific action might God be calling me to take, and what is hindering my obedience to His voice?**

### FAQ

**Why is it important that the message came "by Haggai the prophet"?**

Answer: The phrase "by Haggai the prophet" is crucial because it authenticates the message as divinely inspired and delivered through an authorized messenger. In ancient Israel, a prophet was God's designated spokesperson, ensuring that the message was not a human opinion or political agenda, but a direct revelation from the LORD. This established the message's authority and demanded the people's serious attention and obedience, distinguishing it from mere human counsel. It underscores the divine origin and imperative nature of the subsequent commands and rebukes.

**What does "the word of the LORD" signify in this context?**

Answer: "The word of the LORD" (Hebrew: _dĕbar Yĕhôvâh_) is a powerful and frequently used prophetic formula in the Old Testament. It signifies a direct, authoritative, and active communication from God Himself. It implies that the message is not just spoken words, but carries divine power and purpose, capable of accomplishing what it declares. In Haggai 1:3, it emphasizes that the call to rebuild the Temple is not a human suggestion but a divine command, rooted in God's covenant faithfulness and His desire for His people's welfare and worship. This phrase asserts God's initiative and sovereignty over the affairs of His people, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 55:11](/isaiah/55-11 "Isaiah 55:11 - God's Word Accomplishes His Purpose").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Haggai 1:3 specifically introduces God's word through a prophet in the Old Testament, it foreshadows the ultimate and final revelation of God in Jesus Christ. The "word of the LORD" that came to Haggai was a partial and progressive revelation, delivered through a human instrument. However, [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Speaks Through His Son") declares that "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son." Jesus Christ is the living **Word of God** incarnate ([John 1:1-14](/john/1-1-14 "John 1:1-14 - The Word Became Flesh")), the supreme Prophet through whom God's message is fully and definitively revealed. He is not merely a messenger, but the message itself, embodying the divine will and purpose. The call to rebuild the physical temple in Haggai finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who declared Himself to be the true Temple ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Destroy This Temple, and in Three Days I Will Raise It Up")), and in His body, the Church, which is now the dwelling place of God's Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - You Are God's Temple")). Thus, Haggai 1:3, with its emphasis on divine authority and the urgency of God's word, points forward to the absolute authority and saving power of the gospel message delivered through Jesus Christ, the ultimate and final Word from God to humanity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 5:1

¶ Then 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.

Zechariah 1:1

¶ In the eighth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD unto Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying,