Haggai 2:1

KJV

¶ In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

In the seventh {H7637} month, in the one {H259} and twentieth {H6242} day of the month {H2320}, came the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} by {H3027} the prophet {H5030} Haggai {H2292}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, this word of ADONAI came through Hagai the prophet:

Berean Standard Bible

On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet, saying:

American Standard Version

In the seventhmonth, in the one and twentiethdayof the month, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 2:1 serves as the precise chronological and theological introduction to the second of four prophetic messages delivered by the prophet Haggai to the post-exilic Jewish community in Judah. It meticulously dates the divine revelation to the twenty-first day of the seventh month, coinciding with the culmination of the Feast of Tabernacles, thereby emphasizing the divine timing and authoritative origin of the subsequent message of encouragement and promise regarding the rebuilding of the Temple.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks a distinct temporal and thematic shift from the preceding chapter. Haggai 1 records the initial prophetic call (Haggai 1:1) that spurred the returned exiles to finally begin rebuilding the Temple after a sixteen-year hiatus (Haggai 1:12-15). The people had responded obediently, and the work had commenced on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month (Haggai 1:15). Haggai 2:1, dated less than a month later, introduces a new, distinct message from the LORD, specifically aimed at addressing the people's discouragement regarding the Temple's modest appearance compared to Solomon's glorious edifice, as detailed in the following verses ([Haggai 2:3](/haggai/2-3 "Haggai 2:3 - The Temple's Appearance")). It sets the stage for a message of future glory and divine presence.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The specific date, "the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month," corresponds to the 21st day of Tishrei, which is the final day of the [Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34 - The Feast of Tabernacles"). This festival was a significant pilgrimage feast, a time of national gathering, thanksgiving for the harvest, and remembrance of God's faithful provision during Israel's forty years of wilderness wanderings, when they lived in temporary shelters. Delivering a message on such a culturally and spiritually significant day would have ensured a wide audience and imbued the message with particular solemnity and relevance, as the people were already reflecting on God's past faithfulness and future promises. The historical backdrop is the return from [seventy years of Babylonian exile](/jeremiah/29-10 "Jeremiah 29:10 - Prophecy of Seventy Years of Exile"), a period of national restoration where the spiritual and physical rebuilding of Jerusalem was paramount.

* **Key Themes:** Haggai 2:1 contributes to several overarching themes within the book. Firstly, it underscores the **Divine Origin and Authority of Prophecy**, emphasizing that the messages are not Haggai's own opinions but direct "word of the LORD." This divine backing is crucial for motivating a discouraged people. Secondly, it highlights **God's Intentional Timing**, as the message is delivered during a major festival, indicating God's active involvement and strategic communication with His people at a moment of collective reflection and spiritual openness. Thirdly, it subtly introduces the theme of **Encouragement Amidst Discouragement**, as the subsequent message in [Haggai 2:2-9](/haggai/2-2-9 "Haggai 2:2-9 - Encouragement for the Temple Builders") directly addresses the disheartened builders and promises a future glory greater than the former. This verse, by setting the scene for such a message, reinforces God's commitment to His covenant and His people's restoration.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term signifies more than just spoken sound; it denotes a concrete, active communication, a matter, a thing, or even a deed. In this context, "the word of the LORD" implies an authoritative, effective, and purposeful message from God that carries the weight of His will and power, designed to bring about a specific outcome.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** From H3068, this is the sacred, covenantal name of God, often translated as Yahweh or Jehovah. Its use here emphasizes God's self-existence, eternal nature, and His personal, faithful relationship with His people, Israel. It underscores that the message originates from the sovereign, covenant-keeping God who is actively involved in their affairs and committed to His promises.
* **prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** From H5030, this term refers to an inspired man or a prophet, one who speaks on behalf of God. Haggai's identification as "the prophet" establishes his legitimate role as God's chosen messenger, lending divine authority and credibility to the message he is about to deliver. It signifies that the following words are not human counsel but divine revelation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month":** This precise temporal marker grounds the prophecy in a specific historical moment. The "seventh month" (Tishrei) and the "twenty-first day" pinpoint the exact conclusion of the Feast of Tabernacles, a time of national gathering and spiritual reflection. This meticulous dating highlights the intentionality and divine timing of God's communication, ensuring the message's relevance and impact on a gathered and reflective populace.
* **"came the word of the LORD":** This phrase unequivocally states the divine origin of the message. It is not Haggai's opinion or human wisdom, but a direct, authoritative revelation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. The verb "came" (Hebrew: *hayah*, "to be, become") suggests not merely a passive reception but an active, dynamic arrival of God's living word, indicating its power and imperative nature.
* **"by the prophet Haggai, saying":** This clause identifies the divinely appointed human instrument through whom the message is conveyed. Haggai serves as the conduit for God's word, ensuring its delivery to the people. The phrase "saying" then introduces the content of the prophetic message that follows in the subsequent verses, marking the transition from the introduction to the divine oracle itself.

#### Literary Devices
Haggai 2:1 employs several literary devices to establish the significance of the upcoming prophecy. The most prominent is **Precise Dating**, which anchors the divine message firmly in time and history. By specifying the exact day and month, the prophet not only provides historical context but also imbues the message with a sense of urgency and divine intentionality, particularly given its coincidence with the Feast of Tabernacles. This also serves as a form of **Verification of Prophecy**, as the exact date would have been known to the original audience, confirming the message's authenticity and the prophet's credibility. Furthermore, the phrase "came the word of the LORD" is a classic example of a **Prophetic Formula**, a recurring literary device in prophetic literature that emphasizes the divine origin and authority of the message, distinguishing it from human speech and highlighting its imperative nature. This formula functions as a **Framing Device**, setting the stage for the powerful divine pronouncements that follow.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 2:1 profoundly underscores the active and timely nature of God's communication with His people. It reveals a God who is not distant but intimately involved in the affairs of His covenant community, speaking with purpose and precision, especially during times of discouragement or spiritual stagnation. The delivery of this message during the Feast of Tabernacles highlights God's strategic timing, choosing a moment when His people were gathered, reflecting on His past faithfulness, and anticipating future blessings. This demonstrates that God's word is always relevant and arrives precisely when needed to provide clarity, encouragement, and direction for His ongoing redemptive purposes.

* [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "The Word of the Lord Came to Jeremiah")
* [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "The Word of the Lord Came to Ezekiel")
* [Zechariah 1:1](/zechariah/1-1 "The Word of the Lord Came to Zechariah")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Haggai 2:1 offers profound insights for contemporary believers, reminding us that God's word is not a relic of the past but a living, active force that continues to speak into our present circumstances. Just as God precisely timed His message to the post-exilic community during a significant festival, He continues to speak to us through His inspired Word and by His Spirit, often at moments when we are most in need of clarity, encouragement, or redirection. This verse challenges us to cultivate a posture of attentiveness and obedience, recognizing that genuine spiritual progress, whether in personal discipleship or corporate ministry, flows from hearing and responding to God's authoritative voice. It encourages us to trust in God's perfect timing, even when our efforts seem small or our progress slow, knowing that His word carries the power to invigorate our spirits and empower us for the tasks He has set before us, ultimately leading to a greater glory than we can imagine.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you feel discouraged or stalled, similar to the Temple builders?**
* **How does recognizing the "word of the LORD" as divinely authoritative impact your willingness to obey, even when the task seems daunting?**
* **How can you cultivate a greater attentiveness to God's voice, particularly through His written Word, in your daily life?**

### FAQ

**Why is the specific date mentioned in Haggai 2:1 important?**

Answer: The specific date, "In the seventh [month], in the one and twentieth [day] of the month," is crucial because it places the delivery of this divine message on the final day of the [Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)](/leviticus/23-34 "Leviticus 23:34 - The Feast of Tabernacles"). This timing is significant for several reasons: it ensured that a large number of people, gathered for the festival, would hear the message; it connected the new prophecy to a festival celebrating God's past faithfulness and future provision, thus providing a context of hope; and it underscored the divine intentionality and urgency of God's communication to His people at a pivotal moment in their spiritual and physical rebuilding efforts.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Haggai 2:1 is an Old Testament verse introducing a prophetic message to the returned exiles, its emphasis on the "word of the LORD" coming through a "prophet" finds ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the quintessential "Word of God" made flesh, as declared in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word Was God") and [John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"). He is the ultimate Prophet, through whom God has spoken His final and most complete revelation to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")). The divine authority and precise timing of God's word in Haggai foreshadow the perfect timing of Christ's advent, His ministry, and His atoning sacrifice, all occurring according to God's sovereign plan ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son at the Proper Time")). Just as Haggai's message brought encouragement and a promise of future glory for the Temple, Christ's coming inaugurated a new spiritual temple—His body, the Church ([Ephesians 2:19-22](/ephesians/2-19-22 "Ephesians 2:19-22 - Built on the Foundation of Apostles and Prophets")), and His word brings ultimate hope, transformation, and the promise of a glorious, eternal dwelling with God ([Revelation 21:3](/revelation/21-3 "Revelation 21:3 - God's Dwelling Place is with Man")).

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

Haggai 1:1

¶ 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 2:20

¶ And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth [day] of the month, saying,

Haggai 1:15

In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Haggai 2:10

¶ In the four and twentieth [day] of the ninth [month], in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

2 Peter 1:21

For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake [as they were] moved by the Holy Ghost.