Haggai 2:16

KJV

Since those [days] were, when [one] came to an heap of twenty [measures], there were [but] ten: when [one] came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty [vessels] out of the press, there were [but] twenty.

KJV (with Strong's)

Since those days were, when one came {H935} to an heap {H6194} of twenty {H6242} measures, there were but ten {H6235}: when one came {H935} to the pressfat {H3342} for to draw out {H2834} fifty {H2572} vessels out of the press {H6333}, there were but twenty {H6242}.

Complete Jewish Bible

throughout that whole time, when someone approached a twenty-measure pile [of grain], he found only ten; and when he came to the winepress to draw out fifty measures, there were only twenty.

Berean Standard Bible

from that time, when one came expecting a heap of twenty ephahs of grain, there were but ten. When one came to the winepress to draw out fifty baths, there were but twenty.

American Standard Version

Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the winevat to draw out fifty vessels, there were but twenty.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 2:16 vividly portrays the severe economic hardship experienced by the post-exilic Jewish community in Judah, illustrating the direct and detrimental consequences of their neglect of God's Temple. This verse, part of God's second prophetic message through Haggai, highlights a period where agricultural yields were drastically reduced—a clear sign of divine discipline, where expected abundance in grain and wine harvests was cut by half or more, demonstrating God's active withholding of blessings due to their misplaced priorities.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Haggai 2:16 is situated within the prophet Haggai's second divine message (Haggai 2:10-19), delivered on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month. This particular verse serves as a retrospective explanation, detailing the specific economic woes that had plagued the people *before* they began to consider rebuilding the Temple. It directly follows a section (Haggai 2:10-14) where God addresses the people's defilement and the consequent impurity of their offerings and labor. Verse 16, along with verse 17, elaborates on the practical manifestations of this divine displeasure, providing concrete examples of their unfruitful toil, echoing the earlier pronouncements of scarcity found in [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - Sowing Much, Bringing in Little") and [Haggai 1:9-11](/haggai/1-9-11 "Haggai 1:9-11 - God's Judgment on Neglect"). The verse sets the stage for God's promise of future blessing "from this day forward" (Haggai 2:18-19), contingent upon their renewed obedience in rebuilding the Temple.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is post-exilic Judah, approximately 520 BC, nearly two decades after the first wave of exiles returned from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). While initial efforts to rebuild the Temple commenced, the work quickly ceased for about 16 years, largely due to opposition from surrounding peoples and the people's own apathy, prioritizing the construction of their "paneled houses" (Haggai 1:4). Life in Judah was primarily agrarian, making agricultural success paramount for survival and prosperity. The imagery of grain heaps and winepresses speaks directly to their daily livelihoods. The economic hardship described in the verse—reduced harvests, failed expectations—was a common experience in ancient Israel when God withdrew His blessing, often linked to covenant curses for disobedience, as outlined in passages like [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Haggai and the broader prophetic literature. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Divine Discipline**, demonstrating God's active involvement in the material circumstances of His people as a consequence of their spiritual state. The economic struggles were not random misfortunes but purposeful divine judgments designed to call them back to obedience. Secondly, it highlights **Economic Hardship as a Consequence of Disobedience**, specifically the neglect of God's house. The stark contrast between expected yields (twenty, fifty) and actual returns (ten, twenty) vividly illustrates the severity of God's withholding hand, directly impacting their food and livelihood. Thirdly, the passage emphasizes **God's Sovereignty Over Prosperity**. Haggai consistently reminds the people that true prosperity and blessing come from God alone, not merely from human effort. Their unfruitful labor served as a tangible lesson that God controls the land's produce and can either bless abundantly or diminish the harvest, a principle foundational to the covenant relationship described throughout the Old Testament, particularly in books like [Leviticus 26](/leviticus/26 "Leviticus 26 - Blessings and Curses") and [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **heap (Hebrew, _ʻârêm'_):** (H6194) This term refers to a pile or stack, specifically of harvested grain, like a sheaf. In the context of Haggai 2:16, it denotes the expected quantity of threshed grain. The imagery of coming to a "heap of twenty measures" implies an anticipated substantial yield, highlighting the disappointment when only half of that amount was actually present.
* **pressfat (Hebrew, _yeqeb'_):** (H3342) This word describes a trough or vat, specifically a wine-vat or olive press. In ancient Israel, winepresses typically consisted of an upper treading floor (where grapes were crushed) and a lower collection vat (the _yeqeb_) into which the juice flowed. The mention of the "pressfat" here brings to mind the process of extracting liquids like wine or oil, emphasizing the failure of the vintage or olive harvest.
* **draw out (Hebrew, _châsaph'_):** (H2834) A primitive root meaning "to strip off" or "to drain away." In this context, it refers to the act of bailing out or drawing off the liquid (wine or oil) from the pressfat. The verb underscores the action of retrieving the produce, making the disappointment of finding only twenty vessels instead of fifty all the more poignant, as it implies the physical effort of extraction yielding meager results.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Since those [days] were":** This phrase serves as a temporal marker, looking back to the period of neglect and disobedience that preceded the current prophetic message. It establishes a causal link between their past actions (or inactions) and their present economic struggles, emphasizing that the hardship was not new but a persistent condition.
* **"when [one] came to an heap of twenty [measures], there were [but] ten":** This clause describes the failure of the grain harvest. People would approach their threshed grain, expecting a full twenty measures (likely ephahs or se'ahs, common dry measures), but would find only ten. This represents a 50% reduction in yield, a devastating blow to their food supply and livelihood. It vividly illustrates the divine withholding of blessing on their agricultural efforts.
* **"when [one] came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty [vessels] out of the press, there were [but] twenty":** This second clause parallels the first, detailing the failure of the liquid harvest—wine or olive oil. Those working the pressfat anticipated drawing out fifty vessels (perhaps baths or hins, common liquid measures) but discovered only twenty. This represents an even more severe reduction, a 60% loss, underscoring the widespread and consistent nature of their agricultural woes. The pairing of grain and wine/oil failures signifies a comprehensive economic drought.

#### Literary Devices
Haggai 2:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of divine discipline and agricultural failure. **Parallelism** is evident in the symmetrical structure of the two clauses, detailing the failure of both dry goods (grain) and liquid produce (wine/oil). This repetition emphasizes the pervasive nature of the economic hardship, affecting all major agricultural sectors. The stark **Contrast** between expectation and reality (twenty vs. ten; fifty vs. twenty) serves to highlight the magnitude of the loss and the severity of God's judgment. This dramatic reduction functions almost as **Understatement** or **Litotes**, where the simple statement of numbers implies a far greater underlying crisis and divine displeasure. Furthermore, the agricultural imagery itself carries **Symbolism**, where the barrenness of the land and the meager harvests symbolize the spiritual barrenness and lack of divine favor experienced by a people who had neglected their covenant responsibilities, particularly the rebuilding of the Temple. The physical scarcity reflects a deeper spiritual malaise.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 2:16 profoundly illustrates the Old Testament principle that material prosperity and national well-being are often directly tied to a people's obedience to God's covenant. The economic hardship described is not merely bad luck but a direct consequence of divine discipline, intended to awaken the people to their misplaced priorities. God, as the sovereign Lord of creation, controls the rain, the fertility of the soil, and the abundance of the harvest. When His people neglect His commands or His house, He can withhold His blessings, causing their labor to be unfruitful. This passage teaches that true prosperity is not solely a result of human effort or agricultural techniques, but fundamentally flows from God's favor, which is contingent upon a right relationship with Him and obedience to His will. It underscores that God's kingdom and His glory must take precedence over personal comfort and material gain.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15-24](/deuteronomy/28-15-24 "Deuteronomy 28:15-24 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Malachi 3:9-11](/malachi/3-9-11 "Malachi 3:9-11 - Robbing God and Promised Blessings")
* [Amos 4:6-9](/amos/4-6-9 "Amos 4:6-9 - God's Judgment Through Famine and Pestilence")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Haggai 2:16 serves as a timeless reminder that our priorities deeply matter to God. The post-exilic community's experience of diminished returns despite their hard work should prompt us to examine where our own efforts and resources are primarily invested. When we prioritize our own comforts, ambitions, or material pursuits over God's kingdom and His purposes, we may find ourselves experiencing a spiritual, relational, or even material "draining" of blessings, much like the reduced harvests in Haggai's day. This passage challenges us to consider if there are areas in our lives where we are neglecting what God has called us to, whether it's our spiritual disciplines, our service to others, or our commitment to the church. True and lasting fruitfulness, both spiritual and practical, flows from aligning our lives with God's will and putting His glory first. It encourages us to trust in God's provision when we are obedient, recognizing that His discipline, though painful, is ultimately for our good and aims to draw us back into a deeper relationship with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What are my current priorities, and do they truly reflect a "God-first" orientation in my life?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing a "draining" of blessings, and could this be linked to neglected obedience or misplaced priorities?**
* **How does this passage challenge my understanding of prosperity and success, moving beyond purely material measures?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that my actions and investments align more closely with God's will and kingdom purposes?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the "heap of twenty measures" and "pressfat" in this verse?**

Answer: These terms are crucial for understanding the specific nature of the economic hardship. The "heap of twenty measures" refers to an expected quantity of threshed grain (like barley or wheat), typically measured in units such as the ephah or se'ah. The mention of finding "but ten" highlights a 50% reduction in the anticipated grain harvest. The "pressfat" (Hebrew: _yeqeb_) denotes the winepress or olive press, specifically the lower vat where grape juice or olive oil collected after being pressed. The expectation of "fifty vessels" (liquid measures like baths or hins) but receiving "but twenty" signifies a devastating 60% loss in the wine or oil yield. Together, these images vividly portray a comprehensive and severe agricultural failure, directly impacting the people's food supply and economic stability. They are concrete examples of God's active withholding of blessing.

**Why did God inflict this economic hardship on His people?**

Answer: God inflicted this economic hardship as a form of divine discipline and a consequence of the people's disobedience and misplaced priorities. After returning from exile, the Jewish community had begun to rebuild the Temple but soon abandoned the work for approximately 16 years, choosing instead to focus on building and adorning their own homes (see [Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Is it Time for You to Dwell in Your Paneled Houses?")). Haggai's message makes it clear that their persistent struggles—sowing much but harvesting little, earning wages only to put them into a bag with holes—were a direct result of their neglect of God's house. The economic woes served as a tangible sign that God was displeased and was actively withdrawing His blessing to prompt them to repent and resume the Temple construction. It was a severe but loving discipline aimed at reorienting their hearts and priorities back to Him.

**Does this passage imply that all economic struggles are a result of sin?**

Answer: While Haggai 2:16 clearly links the specific economic struggles of the post-exilic community to their sin of neglecting the Temple, it does not imply that *all* economic struggles for all people at all times are a direct result of personal sin. The Bible presents a complex view of suffering and hardship, which can arise from various sources: natural consequences of living in a fallen world (e.g., natural disasters, economic downturns), the actions of others, or even for purposes of refining faith (e.g., Job's suffering). However, this passage strongly teaches that there are indeed times when God, in His sovereignty, may use material circumstances as a form of discipline or to draw His people's attention to spiritual issues, particularly when there is clear disobedience or a neglect of His commands. It underscores the principle that our relationship with God and our obedience to Him have profound implications for every area of our lives, including our material well-being.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Haggai 2:16, with its depiction of physical scarcity due to a neglected Temple, finds its ultimate fulfillment and transformation in Jesus Christ. The Old Testament Temple, though central to Israel's worship and God's presence, was a shadow pointing to the greater reality of Christ. Jesus declared Himself to be the true Temple, stating, "[Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection")" (John 2:19), referring to His own body. The physical barrenness experienced by the Israelites for neglecting the house of God foreshadows the spiritual barrenness that results from rejecting Christ, the living Temple. In Christ, the curse of the law and the consequences of sin are borne by Him (Galatians 3:13), opening the way for true spiritual abundance. Instead of physical measures of grain and wine, believers in Christ receive "every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 1:3). Our "fruitfulness" is no longer tied to agricultural yields but to our abiding in Christ, the true vine, from whom we draw life and bear much spiritual fruit (John 15:5). The focus shifts from rebuilding a physical structure to being built up as living stones into a spiritual house, with Christ as the cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5-6), where the true presence of God dwells, ensuring eternal provision and spiritual prosperity that far transcends any earthly measure.

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 1:6

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.

Zechariah 8:10

For before these days there was no hire for man, nor any hire for beast; neither [was there any] peace to him that went out or came in because of the affliction: for I set all men every one against his neighbour.

Zechariah 8:12

For the seed [shall be] prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these [things].

Proverbs 3:9

Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

Proverbs 3:10

So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

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.