Haggai 1:4

KJV

[Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house [lie] waste?

KJV (with Strong's)

Is it time {H6256} for you, O ye, to dwell {H3427} in your cieled {H5603} houses {H1004}, and this house {H1004} lie waste {H2720}?

Complete Jewish Bible

"So is now the time for you to be living in your own paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?

Berean Standard Bible

“Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house lies in ruins?”

American Standard Version

Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your ceiled houses, while this house lieth waste?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 1:4 delivers a potent rhetorical question from the Lord, spoken through the prophet Haggai, directly challenging the returned exiles in Judah. It exposes their profound spiritual apathy and misplaced priorities, contrasting their diligent efforts in constructing and adorning their own comfortable homes with their neglect of the Lord's Temple, which lay in desolate ruins. This verse serves as a divine indictment, questioning the people's sense of "time" and their commitment to God's dwelling place above their personal comforts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is foundational to Haggai's initial prophetic message, delivered in the second year of King Darius (520 BC). It immediately follows the Lord's direct question in [Haggai 1:2](/haggai/1-2 "Haggai 1:2 - The People's Excuse"), where the people rationalize their inaction by claiming, "The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built." [Haggai 1:3](/haggai/1-3 "Haggai 1:3 - The Word of the Lord") then states that the word of the Lord came through Haggai, directly leading into the rhetorical challenge of [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Misplaced Priorities"). The verses that follow, [Haggai 1:5-6](/haggai/1-5-6 "Haggai 1:5-6 - Consequences of Neglect"), reveal the dire consequences of their neglect—economic hardship and lack of satisfaction—directly linking their suffering to their spiritual apathy. The entire chapter functions as a powerful call to repentance and renewed commitment to rebuilding the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is crucial for understanding Haggai's message. Approximately 16 years prior to Haggai's prophecy, a remnant of Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity, empowered by the decree of King Cyrus of Persia (as detailed in [Ezra 1](/ezra/1 "Ezra 1 - Cyrus's Decree")). Their initial fervor led them to lay the foundation of the second Temple around 536 BC ([Ezra 3:10](/ezra/3-10 "Ezra 3:10 - Laying the Temple Foundation")). However, significant opposition from surrounding peoples, coupled with internal discouragement and a growing focus on personal economic recovery, caused the rebuilding efforts to cease for over a decade and a half ([Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding")). During this period, the people prioritized constructing and finishing their own homes, often using the very timber and resources that should have been dedicated to the Temple, while God's house remained in ruins.
* **Key Themes:** [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Misplaced Priorities") encapsulates several key themes central to the book of Haggai and broader biblical theology. Foremost is the theme of **misplaced priorities**, where the people's comfort and material well-being took precedence over their covenantal obligations to God and His dwelling. This leads to the theme of **divine rebuke and questioning**, as God's rhetorical question exposes their self-deception and spiritual apathy. Implicit in this rebuke is a **call to action**, urging them to "consider your ways" ([Haggai 1:5](/haggai/1-5 "Haggai 1:5 - Consider Your Ways")) and resume the Temple work. The verse also underscores the **consequences of disobedience and neglect**, which are vividly described in the subsequent verses as economic futility and lack of blessing ([Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - You Sow Much, Bring in Little")). Ultimately, the neglected Temple symbolizes a neglected relationship with God, highlighting the importance of tangible acts of devotion as expressions of true faith.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **time (Hebrew, _ʻêth'_):** (H6256) This word signifies a specific, appointed, or opportune moment. In the context of Haggai 1:4, God's use of "time" is ironic and accusatory. The people claimed it was "not the time" to build God's house ([Haggai 1:2](/haggai/1-2 "Haggai 1:2 - The People's Excuse")), yet they found ample "time" and resources for their own comforts. God's question challenges their perception of divine timing versus their self-serving timing, implying that the time to honor Him is *always* now, especially when their own priorities are being met.
* **cieled (Hebrew, _çâphan'_):** (H5603) Derived from a root meaning "to hide by covering," this word specifically refers to houses that are paneled, roofed, or wainscoted. It denotes a finished, decorated, and comfortable dwelling, not merely a basic shelter. The use of "cieled" emphasizes the effort, expense, and care the people invested in their personal residences, highlighting the stark contrast with the neglected state of the Temple. It speaks to a level of luxury and completion that stood in direct opposition to the desolation of God's house.
* **waste (Hebrew, _chârêb'_):** (H2720) This term describes something that is parched, ruined, or desolate. It vividly portrays the state of the Temple—not just unfinished, but actively decaying and neglected. The word evokes a sense of emptiness and destruction, underscoring the severity of the people's spiritual apathy and the dishonor they showed to God by allowing His house to remain in such a condition while their own homes flourished.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses":** This opening clause is a rhetorical question, designed to provoke self-reflection and expose hypocrisy. God, through Haggai, directly challenges the people's justification for their inaction. The phrase "cieled houses" underscores their comfort and the significant resources (time, labor, materials) they had invested in their personal dwellings. The implication is a resounding "No!"—it is *not* the appropriate time for their self-indulgence when God's dwelling is neglected.
* **"and this house [lie] waste?":** This second clause provides the stark, condemning contrast. "This house" refers unequivocally to the Temple of the Lord, which, despite the foundation being laid years prior, remained unfinished and "waste"—desolate, ruined, and parched. The juxtaposition highlights the profound spiritual imbalance: their personal comfort was prioritized over the honor and worship due to God, whose house lay in disrepair. This neglect was not merely an architectural oversight but a deep spiritual failing.

#### Literary Devices
Haggai 1:4 masterfully employs several **literary devices** to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is the **rhetorical question**, "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house [lie] waste?" This question is not seeking information but is a direct, forceful indictment, designed to expose the people's glaring inconsistency and convict their consciences. Its implied answer is a resounding "No," highlighting the absurdity and sinfulness of their priorities. Closely related is **juxtaposition** or **contrast**, where the "cieled houses" (finished, comfortable, luxurious) are set in stark opposition to "this house [lie] waste" (the desolate, ruined Temple). This sharp contrast visually and emotionally emphasizes the people's misplaced values. Furthermore, there is an element of **irony**, as the people had previously claimed it was "not the time" to build God's house, yet they found ample time and resources for their own. The verse also contains **symbolism**, where the neglected physical Temple represents the people's neglected spiritual relationship with God and their covenantal obligations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 1:4 powerfully articulates the theological principle that true devotion to God is demonstrated not merely by profession, but by priority and action. It underscores the covenantal expectation that God's people would honor Him by prioritizing His dwelling place and His work, recognizing that their own well-being is intrinsically linked to their obedience and faithfulness. The people's focus on their "cieled houses" while God's house lay "waste" reveals a spiritual blindness that put self-interest above divine command, leading to the very economic hardship they sought to avoid. This passage serves as a timeless reminder that when God's kingdom and righteousness are not sought first, all other pursuits ultimately prove futile and unsatisfying. It challenges believers to examine where their resources, time, and energy are truly invested, and whether their lives reflect a genuine commitment to God's purposes above their own comfort and gain.

* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")
* [Malachi 3:8-10](/malachi/3-8-10 "Malachi 3:8-10 - Robbing God")
* [1 Corinthians 3:16-17](/1_corinthians/3-16-17 "1 Corinthians 3:16-17 - You Are God's Temple")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Haggai 1:4 resonates deeply with contemporary believers, serving as a powerful mirror to examine our own priorities in a world often consumed by personal comfort and material pursuits. The "cieled houses" of today might represent our careers, hobbies, entertainment, social media, or even our meticulously planned personal lives, which often receive disproportionate time, energy, and resources compared to our devotion to God and His kingdom. This verse challenges us to honestly assess whether our spiritual lives—our relationship with God, our participation in His mission, and our support for His church—are flourishing or lying "waste." Are we diligently building up our own empires while the "house of the Lord" (whether understood as the local church, global missions, or the spiritual well-being of our communities) languishes due to our apathy or lack of investment? The principle remains: neglecting God's work for personal gain often leads to dissatisfaction and spiritual barrenness, just as it did for the exiles. True blessing and fulfillment comes from prioritizing God's will and actively participating in His purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my "cieled houses" today—the areas of my life where I invest significant time, energy, and resources?**
* **In what ways might the "house of the Lord" (e.g., my local church, mission efforts, personal spiritual disciplines) be "lying waste" in my life due to my misplaced priorities?**
* **What specific actions can I take this week to re-prioritize God's kingdom and His work above my personal comforts and pursuits?**
* **How does my current level of commitment to God's work reflect my understanding of His sovereignty and my dependence on His provision?**

### FAQ
**What does "cieled houses" mean in this context?**

Answer: In Haggai 1:4, "cieled houses" refers to homes that were not merely built, but were finished, paneled, and decorated, often with expensive wood. The Hebrew word (_çâphan_) implies a covering or a wainscoting, indicating a significant investment in comfort and aesthetics. The prophet uses this detail to highlight the stark contrast between the people's luxurious personal dwellings and the neglected, ruined state of the Lord's Temple. It underscores their misplaced priorities, where personal comfort superseded their commitment to God.

**Why was the Temple lying "waste" for so long after the exiles returned?**

Answer: The Temple lay "waste" for approximately 16 years after its foundation was laid due to a combination of factors. Initially, there was significant opposition from surrounding peoples who actively hindered the rebuilding efforts, causing the work to cease (as detailed in [Ezra 4](/ezra/4 "Ezra 4 - Opposition to Rebuilding")). However, Haggai's prophecy reveals a deeper, more culpable reason: the people's own spiritual apathy and self-interest. They became discouraged and instead of pressing on with God's work, they focused their energy and resources on building and decorating their own homes, rationalizing their inaction by claiming it was "not the time" to build God's house ([Haggai 1:2](/haggai/1-2 "Haggai 1:2 - The People's Excuse")).

**What were the consequences of the people's neglect of the Temple?**

Answer: The consequences of their neglect were directly tied to their economic hardship and lack of satisfaction, as described in the verses immediately following [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Misplaced Priorities"). [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - You Sow Much, Bring in Little") states, "Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes." God withheld His blessing on their crops and endeavors, causing them to experience futility and scarcity. This demonstrated that their prosperity was not independent of their obedience to God, and their misplaced priorities led directly to their suffering.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Haggai 1:4, with its indictment of misplaced priorities regarding the physical Temple, finds profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the New Testament. While the exiles were rebuked for neglecting a stone structure, Jesus Himself declared, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple")" (referring to the temple of His body, as explained in [John 2:21](/john/2-21 "John 2:21 - Jesus' Body is the Temple")). Christ is the ultimate Temple, the true dwelling place of God among humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). In Him, the need for a physical, earthly structure to house God's presence is superseded. Furthermore, through Christ, believers become the new "temple of the Holy Spirit" ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple")), and collectively, the Church is built up as a "spiritual house" ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")). Thus, the call to prioritize God's "house" shifts from a physical building to the spiritual reality of Christ's body and the indwelling Spirit. The neglect of the Temple in Haggai foreshadows the greater spiritual danger of neglecting Christ, His church, and the work of the Spirit within us. Jesus' teaching to "[seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")" directly addresses the misplaced priorities seen in Haggai 1:4, calling believers to invest their lives not in temporary "cieled houses" but in the eternal reality of God's reign and the building of His spiritual kingdom, which is ultimately fulfilled in Christ.

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

2 Samuel 7:2

That the king said unto Nathan the prophet, See now, I dwell in an house of cedar, but the ark of God dwelleth within curtains.

Psalms 132:3

Surely I will not come into the tabernacle of my house, nor go up into my bed;

Psalms 132:5

Until I find out a place for the LORD, an habitation for the mighty [God] of Jacob.

Philippians 2:21

For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's.

Haggai 1:9

Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that [is] waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.

Matthew 6:33

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Jeremiah 52:13

And burned the house of the LORD, and the king's house; and all the houses of Jerusalem, and all the houses of the great [men], burned he with fire: