Haggai 2:10

KJV

¶ 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,

KJV (with Strong's)

In the four {H702} and twentieth {H6242} day of the ninth {H8671} month, in the second {H8147} year {H8141} of Darius {H1867}, came the word {H1697} of the LORD {H3068} by {H3027} Haggai {H2292} the prophet {H5030}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month in the second year of Daryavesh, this word of ADONAI came through Hagai the prophet:

Berean Standard Bible

On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying,

American Standard Version

In the four and twentiethdayof the ninthmonth, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 2:10 serves as a precise and authoritative introduction to the prophet Haggai's third recorded divine oracle, delivered to the returned Jewish exiles in Jerusalem. This verse meticulously establishes the exact historical context by dating the message to the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month in the second year of Darius's reign, while simultaneously affirming its ultimate source as "the word of the LORD" conveyed through His chosen messenger, Haggai the prophet, thus setting the stage for the crucial theological instructions and promises that follow.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a crucial transitional marker within the book of Haggai, introducing the third of four distinct divine messages delivered by the prophet. It immediately follows Haggai's second oracle (found in [Haggai 2:1-9](/haggai/2-1-9 "Haggai's Second Oracle: Glory of the Future Temple")), which offered a comforting promise of the future glory of the rebuilt Temple, intended to encourage the disheartened builders. The message introduced by [Haggai 2:10](/haggai/2-10 "Haggai 2:10 - Introduction to the Third Oracle") and spanning [Haggai 2:11-19](/haggai/2-11-19 "Haggai's Third Oracle: Purity and Blessing") shifts focus dramatically from future glory to the present spiritual condition of the people, specifically addressing issues of ritual defilement and its impact on their agricultural productivity and the Temple work. The precise dating of this new word emphasizes its distinctness and the ongoing, timely nature of God's communication with His people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting for Haggai 2:10 is Jerusalem, approximately 18 years after the initial return of Jewish exiles from Babylon under the decree of Cyrus the Great. The people had begun rebuilding the Temple but had ceased work for many years due to opposition and a prioritization of their own homes. The "second year of Darius" refers to Darius I Hystaspes, the Persian king, placing this prophecy specifically in 520 BC. The "four and twentieth day of the ninth month" corresponds to December 18, 520 BC. This was a time when the people had recently resumed the Temple work (in the sixth month, [Haggai 1:15](/haggai/1-15 "Haggai 1:15 - Resumption of Temple Work")), but their hearts were still prone to spiritual apathy and defilement, as the subsequent message on ritual purity highlights. The detailed dating underscores the historical reliability of the prophetic message and God's active involvement in the specific circumstances of His people.
* **Key Themes:** The introductory nature of [Haggai 2:10](/haggai/2-10 "Haggai 2:10 - The Word of the Lord Comes") contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book of Haggai and prophetic literature generally. Firstly, it powerfully asserts the **Divine Authority and Origin** of the message; the phrase "came the word of the LORD" is a standard prophetic formula emphasizing that the subsequent words are not human opinion but direct revelation from the sovereign God. This theme is foundational to all prophetic books, as seen in [Jeremiah 1:4](/jeremiah/1-4 "Jeremiah 1:4 - The Word of the Lord to Jeremiah") and [Ezekiel 1:3](/ezekiel/1-3 "Ezekiel 1:3 - The Word of the Lord to Ezekiel"). Secondly, it highlights the **Role of the Prophetic Messenger**, identifying Haggai as God's chosen conduit. The prophet's task is to faithfully convey God's instructions and warnings, serving as a vital link between the divine and the human. Finally, the **Precise Timing of God's Revelation** is a key theme, demonstrating God's meticulous involvement in human history and His strategic delivery of messages at critical junctures, particularly as the people were wrestling with issues of spiritual purity and the consequences of their actions, a topic addressed immediately in [Haggai 2:11-14](/haggai/2-11-14 "Haggai 2:11-14 - Purity and Defilement").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Word (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** This term (H1697) is central to understanding divine communication. While it literally means "word," its semantic range is vast, encompassing "matter," "thing," "affair," "decree," or "report." In the context of "the word of the LORD," it signifies a direct, authoritative utterance from God, carrying the weight of His will and truth. It is not merely information but a potent, active force that shapes reality and demands a response.
* **LORD (Hebrew, _Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This is the covenant name of God (H3068), often transliterated as Yahweh, signifying His self-existence, eternal nature, and covenant faithfulness. The use of "Yᵉhôvâh" here emphasizes that the message originates from the one true God, the sovereign Lord of Israel's history and destiny, the God who keeps His promises and holds His people accountable.
* **Prophet (Hebrew, _nâbîyʼ'_):** The term (H5030) refers to one who is "called" or "divinely inspired," serving as God's spokesperson. A _nâbîyʼ_ is not merely a foreteller of the future but primarily a "forth-teller," one who declares God's will and truth to His people. Haggai's identification as "the prophet" underscores that he is God's legitimate and divinely appointed messenger, whose words are to be received as God's own.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"In the four and twentieth [day] of the ninth [month], in the second year of Darius":** This precise chronological marker grounds the divine message firmly in human history. It specifies December 18, 520 BC, a little over two months after Haggai's second message. This meticulous dating highlights God's active and timely engagement with His people's specific circumstances, emphasizing that His word is not abstract but relevant to their immediate historical reality.
* **"came the word of the LORD":** This is the core statement of divine revelation. "Came" (from the Hebrew verb meaning "to be, to happen, to come to pass") indicates a divine initiative, signifying that God Himself actively chose to speak. "The word of the LORD" (dabar YHWH) is a powerful and frequently used formula in the Old Testament, asserting the divine origin, authority, and infallibility of the subsequent prophecy. It distinguishes God's message from human wisdom or opinion.
* **"by Haggai the prophet":** This phrase identifies the human instrument through whom the divine word was conveyed. The Hebrew preposition translated "by" is _yâd_ (H3027), literally meaning "hand." This idiomatic usage implies agency and instrumentality, indicating that Haggai was the chosen vessel, the "hand" through which God's message was delivered. It affirms Haggai's legitimate prophetic office and the direct transmission of God's message through him.
* **"saying,":** This concluding word serves as a direct transition, signaling the imminent declaration of the divine oracle. It indicates that the preceding statement is merely an introduction to the actual content of God's message, which immediately follows in the subsequent verses.

#### Literary Devices
Haggai 2:10 employs several literary devices to establish the authority and context of the ensuing prophecy. The most prominent is the **Formulaic Introduction**, a common feature in prophetic literature (e.g., "The word of the LORD came to..."). This standardized phrasing immediately signals to the audience that the following message is not human wisdom but a direct, authoritative divine utterance, lending immense weight and credibility to the prophet's words. The verse also utilizes **Precision and Specificity** through its detailed chronological dating ("the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius"). This meticulous dating anchors the prophecy firmly in a particular historical moment, underscoring God's active involvement in human affairs and the historical reliability of His revelation. Finally, there is a subtle use of **Metonymy** in the phrase "by Haggai the prophet," where "by" translates the Hebrew word for "hand" (_yâd_). The "hand" here metonymically represents the agency or instrumentality of the prophet, emphasizing that Haggai is merely the conduit, the chosen instrument through whom God's message passes, rather than the originator of the message himself.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 2:10, though an introductory verse, carries profound theological weight by affirming God's active and continuous engagement with His people through divine revelation. It underscores the biblical principle that God is not silent but chooses to communicate His will, intentions, and warnings to humanity. The emphasis on "the word of the LORD" highlights the divine initiative in salvation history and the absolute authority of God's spoken word. This foundational truth assures the audience, both ancient and modern, that the messages conveyed through His chosen prophets are trustworthy, infallible, and demand a response. God's meticulous timing, evidenced by the precise date, further reveals His sovereignty over history and His purposeful intervention in the lives of His people, providing guidance and correction exactly when needed.

* [Amos 3:7](/amos/3-7 "Amos 3:7 - God Reveals to His Servants")
* [2 Peter 1:20-21](/2_peter/1-20-21 "2 Peter 1:20-21 - Prophecy from God")
* [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God's Revelation Through Son")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Haggai 2:10, though a simple introductory statement, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that God is a speaking God, actively involved in the affairs of humanity and deeply concerned with the spiritual condition of His people. The precision of the date and the clarity of the source ("the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet") should instill in us a deep reverence for the Scriptures. Just as the ancient Israelites were called to heed God's timely word through Haggai, we too are called to listen attentively to the authoritative voice of God as revealed in the Bible. This verse challenges us to consider whether we truly recognize the divine origin of the biblical text and whether we are prepared to submit our lives to its truth. It encourages us to cultivate a posture of humility and obedience, acknowledging that God's word is not merely human wisdom but the very breath of the Almighty, designed to guide, correct, and transform us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the precise dating of this verse encourage your trust in the historical reliability and intentionality of God's Word?**
* **What does the phrase "came the word of the LORD" imply about the authority of Scripture in your life?**
* **In what ways might we, like the Israelites, sometimes prioritize our own concerns over heeding God's specific instructions for our lives?**
* **How can we cultivate a greater receptivity to "the word of the LORD" in our daily lives?**

### FAQ
**Why is the exact date of the prophecy so meticulously recorded in this verse?**

Answer: The meticulous recording of the date ("the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius") serves several crucial purposes. Firstly, it anchors the prophecy firmly in real historical time, providing irrefutable evidence of its authenticity and the historical reliability of God's interaction with humanity. This precision distinguishes biblical prophecy from vague or generic pronouncements. Secondly, it highlights God's active and sovereign involvement in human history, demonstrating that His messages are not random but delivered at specific, divinely appointed moments. For the Israelites, it would have underscored the urgency and timeliness of God's word concerning their spiritual defilement and the Temple rebuilding, as addressed in [Haggai 2:11-19](/haggai/2-11-19 "Haggai 2:11-19 - Purity and Blessing"). Finally, it provides a clear chronological framework for understanding the unfolding of God's redemptive plan and the sequence of His communications through His prophets.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Haggai 2:10 is an introductory verse to a specific prophetic message, it profoundly points to Christ by establishing the very nature of divine revelation. The phrase "came the word of the LORD" finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ. He is not merely a prophet who speaks God's word, but He is the very [Word made flesh](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh"), the divine Logos who perfectly embodies and communicates the Father's will (as seen in [John 1:1-3](/john/1-1-3 "John 1:1-3 - The Word in the Beginning")). The authority inherent in "the word of the LORD" coming through Haggai is perfectly and supremely realized in Jesus, whose teachings carry absolute divine authority (as demonstrated in [Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Matthew 7:28-29 - Jesus' Authority in Teaching")). Furthermore, the precise timing of God's word in Haggai foreshadows God's perfect timing in sending His Son into the world "when the fullness of time had come" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - God Sent His Son")). Thus, Haggai 2:10, in its declaration of God's active communication to His people, lays a foundational truth that ultimately culminates in the supreme revelation of God found in the person and work of Jesus Christ, the one through whom God has definitively spoken to humanity ([Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1-2 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken Through His Son")).

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 2:20

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

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 1:15

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

Haggai 2:1

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