Haggai 1:8

KJV

Go 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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Go up {H5927} to the mountain {H2022}, and bring {H935} wood {H6086}, and build {H1129} the house {H1004}; and I will take pleasure {H7521} in it, and I will be glorified {H3513}, saith {H559} the LORD {H3068}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Go up into the hills, get wood, and rebuild the house. I will be pleased with that, and then I will be glorified,' says ADONAI.

Berean Standard Bible

Go up into the hills, bring down lumber, and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified, says the LORD.

American Standard Version

Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 1:8 delivers a direct divine command to the post-exilic Jewish community in Judah, urging them to resume the stalled work of rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. God instructs them to gather timber from the mountains and construct His house, promising that in response to their obedience and diligence, He will find deep pleasure in their work and be profoundly glorified through its completion. This verse serves as a pivotal call to reorder priorities, placing God's honor and dwelling place at the forefront of their communal efforts.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Haggai 1:8 is situated within the prophet Haggai’s first oracle, delivered in the second year of King Darius I (520 BC). The preceding verses [Haggai 1:1-4](/haggai/1-1-4 "Haggai 1:1-4 - God's Rebuke for Neglect") establish God's rebuke of the people for their misplaced priorities, noting their eagerness to dwell in paneled houses while the Temple lay in ruins. [Haggai 1:5-7](/haggai/1-5-7 "Haggai 1:5-7 - Consider Your Ways") then calls them to "consider their ways," highlighting the futility of their labor and the lack of divine blessing—manifested in poor harvests and economic hardship—as a direct consequence of their neglect. Verse 8, therefore, is not merely a command but a solution, providing the divine blueprint for reversing their fortunes and restoring God's favor. The verses that follow [Haggai 1:9-11](/haggai/1-9-11 "Haggai 1:9-11 - The Reason for Scarcity") further elaborate on the curse of scarcity, reinforcing the direct link between their disobedience and their suffering, while [Haggai 1:12-15](/haggai/1-12-15 "Haggai 1:12-15 - The People Obey") describe the people's immediate and obedient response to Haggai’s message, leading to the recommencement of the Temple work.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting is crucial for understanding Haggai 1:8. Approximately 18 years prior to Haggai’s prophecy, in 538 BC, Cyrus the Great of Persia issued a decree allowing the Jewish exiles to return to Judah and rebuild the Temple [Ezra 1:1-4](/ezra/1-1-4 "Ezra 1:1-4 - Cyrus's Decree"). Under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest), the foundation of the second Temple was laid with great celebration [Ezra 3:8-13](/ezra/3-8-13 "Ezra 3:8-13 - Laying the Temple Foundation"). However, opposition from surrounding peoples [Ezra 4:1-5](/ezra/4-1-5 "Ezra 4:1-5 - Opposition to Rebuilding") and a subsequent royal decree halting the work [Ezra 4:24](/ezra/4-24 "Ezra 4:24 - Work on the Temple Stops") led to a complete cessation of construction for about 16 years. During this period, the people, though initially enthusiastic, became complacent and shifted their focus to their own material prosperity, building and decorating their personal homes while God's house remained in ruins. The cultural context reveals a community struggling with disillusionment, economic hardship, and a spiritual apathy that prioritized personal comfort over communal worship and divine honor.

* **Key Themes:** Haggai 1:8 powerfully encapsulates several key theological and narrative themes prevalent throughout the book of Haggai and the broader prophetic literature. First, it underscores the theme of **Divine Priority**, unequivocally calling the people to place God's honor and His dwelling place above their personal comforts and material pursuits. This echoes the foundational principle of seeking God's kingdom first, as later articulated in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom of God"). Second, the verse emphasizes **Obedience and Action**, demonstrating that God desires not merely good intentions or passive acknowledgment, but immediate and tangible effort in fulfilling His commands. The directive "Go up... bring wood, and build" leaves no room for procrastination. Finally, the promise "and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified" highlights the theme of **God's Pleasure and Glory**. It reveals that God's ultimate desire is to be honored and delighted in by His people. Their active obedience in rebuilding the Temple would not only restore His dwelling but also visibly manifest His greatness and character to the world, bringing about divine favor and blessing. This reciprocal relationship between human obedience and divine glory is a recurring motif throughout scripture, as seen in passages like [Isaiah 43:7](/isaiah/43-7 "Isaiah 43:7 - God's People for His Glory").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **house (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** From H1004, this word typically refers to a dwelling place or building. While it can mean any house, in the context of Haggai 1:8 and the surrounding narrative, it specifically denotes the Temple in Jerusalem. It represents God's designated dwelling place among His people, the center of their worship and national identity. The command to "build the house" is thus a call to restore the physical structure that symbolizes God's presence and covenant relationship with Israel.
* **take pleasure (Hebrew, _râtsâh'_):** From H7521, this verb signifies divine approval, delight, and acceptance. It implies that God is not merely tolerating or passively observing their work but actively finding satisfaction and favor in their obedience and the resulting Temple. This word conveys a deep emotional response from God, indicating His desire to be reconciled and pleased with His people's actions, leading to a restoration of blessing and favor.
* **glorified (Hebrew, _kâbad'_):** From H3513, this root means "to be heavy," "to be weighty," or "to be honored." When God declares, "I will be glorified," it means His greatness, power, holiness, and majesty will be made manifest, acknowledged, and given due weight. The completed Temple, built in obedience, would serve as a tangible testament to God's faithfulness and power, causing His divine reputation and honor to be clearly demonstrated and recognized by both His people and the surrounding nations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Go up to the mountain, and bring wood":** This is a direct, imperative command requiring physical effort and initiative. "Go up to the mountain" refers to the forested hills of Judah, such as the Judean hills or perhaps even Lebanon (though local sources were likely preferred for practical reasons). The instruction to "bring wood" emphasizes the practical, tangible steps required for reconstruction. It highlights that the people were not to wait for miraculous provision but to actively engage in the labor of gathering materials.
* **"and build the house":** This is the core directive, specifying the purpose of their labor: the reconstruction of the Temple. It underscores God's priority for His dwelling place and His desire for a renewed focal point for worship and His presence among His people. This command directly addresses their previous neglect and calls for a reversal of their self-centered priorities.
* **"and I will take pleasure in it":** This clause reveals God's promised response to their obedience. The "it" refers to the rebuilt house and, by extension, the obedient act of building itself. God promises His divine acceptance, delight, and favor. This is a powerful incentive, indicating that their labor is not in vain but will be met with divine approval, signifying a restoration of their relationship with Him.
* **"and I will be glorified, saith the LORD":** This final clause articulates the ultimate outcome and God's overarching purpose. Their obedience in building the Temple would result in God's glory being manifested. The completed Temple would stand as a testament to His power, faithfulness, and the validity of His word, bringing honor to His name among His people and before the nations. The phrase "saith the LORD" (Hebrew: _ne'um YHWH_) emphasizes the divine authority and absolute certainty of this promise, marking it as an undeniable declaration from the sovereign God.

#### Literary Devices
Haggai 1:8 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Imperative Mood** is central, with direct commands like "Go up," "bring," and "build" creating a sense of immediate divine authority and demanding action. This direct address cuts through any lingering apathy. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism** in its structure, presenting a clear cause-and-effect relationship: human action ("build the house") is directly linked to divine response ("I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified"). This parallelism highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant relationship. Furthermore, there is a strong element of **Divine Promise**, where God explicitly states the positive outcomes of obedience, providing both motivation and assurance. The phrase "saith the LORD" functions as an **Authoritative Declaration**, lending an undeniable weight and certainty to the divine pronouncement, reinforcing God's sovereignty and the absolute truth of His word.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 1:8 stands as a profound theological statement on the priority of God's kingdom and the nature of true worship. It teaches that genuine devotion is not merely passive reverence but active, sacrificial obedience that prioritizes God's purposes above personal comfort or material gain. The divine promise of "pleasure" and "glory" underscores that God delights in the faithful efforts of His people and that their obedience serves as a conduit for His manifest presence and honor in the world. This passage challenges believers to consider whether their resources, time, and energy are primarily invested in building their own "paneled houses" or in advancing God's kingdom and making His glory known. It reminds us that when we align our priorities with God's, we not only experience His favor but also participate in the grand narrative of His self-revelation to the world.

* [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")
* [1 Corinthians 10:31](/1_corinthians/10-31 "1 Corinthians 10:31 - Glorify God in All Things")
* [Psalm 118:25](/psalms/118-25 "Psalm 118:25 - Save Us Now")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the immediate command in Haggai 1:8 was to rebuild a physical temple, its underlying principles remain profoundly relevant for believers today. We are called to examine our own priorities, honestly assessing where our time, talents, and resources are primarily invested. Are we diligently building our own "houses"—our careers, comforts, and material possessions—while neglecting the spiritual "house" of God, which is His church and His kingdom work in the world? This verse challenges us to move beyond mere good intentions to active, diligent obedience. God desires not just our contemplation but our concrete action in serving Him, supporting His church, engaging in ministry, and living a life that reflects His character and advances His purposes. When we faithfully obey God and put His will first, He takes pleasure in our lives and actions, and our obedience becomes a powerful means by which His glory is revealed to the world, bringing spiritual blessing and divine favor into our lives and communities. Just as the physical temple was a place where God's presence was known, our lives of obedience can make God's presence and character known today.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "paneled houses" (personal comforts, pursuits, or ambitions) might be distracting me from prioritizing God's work in my life?**
* **In what practical ways can I "go up to the mountain and bring wood" today, actively engaging in God's kingdom work rather than just thinking about it?**
* **How might my obedience or disobedience to God's call directly impact His pleasure and glory being manifested in my life and community?**

### FAQ
**Does Haggai 1:8 mean Christians should be building physical temples today?**

Answer: No, Haggai 1:8 specifically commanded the post-exilic Jewish community to rebuild the physical Temple in Jerusalem, which was the literal dwelling place of God's presence in the Old Covenant. For Christians today, the concept of "building the house" has been transformed by the New Covenant. The New Testament teaches that believers are now the spiritual "temple of God" individually [1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body is a Temple") and collectively as the church, the body of Christ [1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Believers as God's Temple"); [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church"). Therefore, the application of Haggai 1:8 for Christians is not about constructing physical buildings, but about prioritizing the spiritual growth and health of the church, engaging in evangelism and discipleship, and living lives that honor God, thereby building up His spiritual house.

**How is God "glorified" when His people obey His commands?**

Answer: God is "glorified" when His people obey His commands in several ways. Firstly, obedience demonstrates God's sovereignty and power, showing that His word is effective and His will is supreme. When people act according to His directives, it makes His character and attributes visible to the world. Secondly, obedience reflects God's wisdom and goodness; when His people flourish through obedience, it testifies to the excellence of His ways. Thirdly, obedience often leads to tangible blessings or positive outcomes, as seen in Haggai's promise of God's pleasure, which then serves as a witness to God's faithfulness. Ultimately, God is glorified because His name, reputation, and inherent worth are exalted and made known through the faithful actions of those who bear His name. This aligns with the call to do all things "for the glory of God" found in [1 Corinthians 10:31](/1_corinthians/10-31 "1 Corinthians 10:31 - Glorify God in All Things").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Haggai 1:8, with its command to "build the house" for God's pleasure and glory, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While the physical Temple in Jerusalem was the dwelling place of God's presence under the Old Covenant, Jesus Himself declared that He was greater than the Temple [Matthew 12:6](/matthew/12-6 "Matthew 12:6 - Something Greater Than the Temple") and prophesied its destruction, stating He would rebuild it in three days, referring to His own body [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection and the Temple"). Christ is the true and ultimate Temple, the perfect dwelling place of God, "in whom the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily" [Colossians 2:9](/colossians/2-9 "Colossians 2:9 - Fullness of Deity in Christ"). Through His sacrificial death and resurrection, Christ became the cornerstone of a new, spiritual Temple—the church, composed of believers who are "living stones" built into a spiritual house for God's dwelling by the Spirit [1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House"); [Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Christ as the Cornerstone of the Church"). Thus, the call to "build the house" for God's pleasure and glory is now fulfilled in the ongoing work of Christ, who builds His church [Matthew 16:18](/matthew/16-18 "Matthew 16:18 - Jesus Builds His Church"), and in the mission of believers to advance His kingdom by living lives of obedience that bring Him glory, thereby expanding the spiritual dwelling place of God in the world.

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

Psalms 132:13

For the LORD hath chosen Zion; he hath desired [it] for his habitation.

Psalms 132:14

This [is] my rest for ever: here will I dwell; for I have desired it.

2 Chronicles 2:8

Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants [shall be] with thy servants,

2 Chronicles 2:10

And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

Ezra 3:7

They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.

2 Chronicles 7:16

For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

Haggai 2:7

And 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.