Haggai 2:18

KJV

Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth [month, even] from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider [it].

KJV (with Strong's)

Consider {H7760}{H3824} now from this day {H3117} and upward {H4605}, from the four {H702} and twentieth {H6242} day {H3117} of the ninth {H8671} month, even from the day {H3117} that the foundation {H3245} of the LORD'S {H3068} temple {H1964} was laid, consider {H7760}{H3824} it.

Complete Jewish Bible

'So please keep this in mind, from this day on, from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, from the day the foundation of ADONAI's temple was laid, consider this:

Berean Standard Bible

Consider carefully from this day forward—from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, the day the foundation of the LORD’s temple was laid—consider carefully:

American Standard Version

Consider, I pray you, from this day and backward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of Jehovah’s temple was laid, consider it.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Haggai 2:18 serves as a pivotal call to reflection for the post-exilic community in Jerusalem, urging them to deeply consider a specific date—the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month—which marked the recommencement of the temple's foundation work. This divine directive signifies a crucial turning point, moving from a period of neglect and divine discipline to one of renewed obedience and the promise of future blessing and prosperity from the Lord, directly linked to their commitment to rebuilding His house.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Haggai 2:18 falls within the second major oracle of the prophet Haggai, delivered on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month (Kislev) in the second year of Darius's reign (520 BC). This oracle follows Haggai's initial challenge to the people to prioritize God's house (Haggai 1), and his second message encouraging them despite the temple's humble appearance compared to Solomon's (Haggai 2:1-9). Verses 10-19 form a distinct section where Haggai addresses the people's ritual impurity and the resulting lack of blessing, contrasting it with the promise of blessing *from this day forward* due to their renewed obedience in rebuilding the temple. This verse specifically marks the temporal pivot point for that promise, setting the stage for the assurances of future prosperity in [Haggai 2:19](/haggai/2-19 "Haggai 2:19 - Blessing from this Day Forward").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the post-exilic period, approximately 16 years after the initial return of the Jewish exiles from Babylonian captivity in 538 BC. While the altar was rebuilt and the temple foundation laid soon after their return (as recorded in [Ezra 3:10](/ezra/3-10 "Ezra 3:10 - Laying the Temple Foundation")), work ceased due to Samaritan opposition and the people's apathy, as they prioritized their own homes over God's house ([Haggai 1:4](/haggai/1-4 "Haggai 1:4 - Prioritizing God's House")). By 520 BC, God raised up Haggai and Zechariah to stir the people to action. The "four and twentieth day of the ninth month" (Kislev, roughly November/December) is significant because it was the day the people, under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua, finally resumed the work on the temple's foundation, signaling a renewed commitment to God's command after years of neglect. This date became a marker of their repentance and obedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes in Haggai and the broader prophetic literature. It underscores the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Initiative**, as God is the one calling the people to "consider" and initiating the shift in their fortunes. It highlights the crucial link between **Obedience and Blessing**, demonstrating that the cessation of divine discipline and the commencement of prosperity are directly tied to the people's willingness to prioritize God's will and work. The verse also emphasizes **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, as He responds to their renewed commitment with assurances of future provision. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **Hope and Restoration** for the returned exiles, who had faced years of hardship and discouragement, by pointing to a new beginning marked by God's favor. The shift from a state of defilement and lack (as discussed in [Haggai 2:10-17](/haggai/2-10-17 "Haggai 2:10-17 - Impurity and Lack of Blessing")) to one of impending blessing is a central message.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Consider (Hebrew, _sûwm_ H7760 and _lêbâb_ H3824):** The KJV translates the repeated Hebrew phrase `sîmû lēḇ` as "consider." `Sûwm` means "to put" or "to set," and `lêbâb` refers to "the heart (as the most interior organ)." Thus, the phrase literally means "set your heart" or "put your mind/attention." This is not a casual suggestion but a forceful imperative, demanding deep, intentional reflection and serious consideration of the significance of this specific day and its implications for their future. It implies a change of mindset and a deliberate act of remembrance.
* **Day (Hebrew, _yôwm_ H3117):** This word, appearing multiple times, emphasizes the precise temporal marker of God's command. While `yôwm` can refer to a general period, here it denotes a specific literal day—the twenty-fourth of the ninth month. This precision highlights the exact turning point in God's dealings with His people. It signifies that God's blessings are tied not just to a general attitude of obedience, but to the specific actions taken on a particular day, marking a new season.
* **Foundation (Hebrew, _yâçad_ H3245):** This primitive root means "to set," "to found," or "to establish." In this context, it refers to the literal laying of the temple's foundational stones. The act of laying the foundation, though seemingly small, was monumental in its spiritual significance. It represented the tangible act of obedience and the beginning of the fulfillment of God's command to rebuild His house, serving as the physical anchor for the spiritual blessings promised to follow.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Consider now from this day and upward,"**: This opening imperative, repeated at the end of the verse, underscores the divine command for deep reflection. "From this day and upward" (Hebrew: `min hayom hazeh vama'alah`) signifies a forward-looking perspective, indicating that the consequences and blessings God is about to declare will begin from this precise point in time and continue into the future. It marks a new era.
* **"from the four and twentieth day of the ninth [month,"**: This clause provides the exact date, grounding the divine instruction in a specific historical event. The "four and twentieth day of the ninth month" (Kislev) is the day the people recommenced the work on the temple's foundation, following Haggai's earlier exhortations. This precision highlights the direct connection between their obedience on this specific day and the subsequent divine response.
* **"even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid,"**: This phrase clarifies *why* the specific date is significant: it was the day the foundational work of the temple resumed. This act of laying the foundation, after years of neglect, symbolized the people's renewed commitment to God and His priorities. It was a tangible expression of their repentance and a turning point in their spiritual and national life.
* **"consider [it]."**: The repetition of the imperative "consider" (or "set your heart") serves as a powerful rhetorical device, reinforcing the urgency and importance of the message. It is a call to internalize the significance of this day and its implications, not merely to acknowledge it superficially. This repetition emphasizes the gravity of the moment and the profound shift in God's relationship with them.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Repetition** and **Emphasis**. The imperative "Consider" (Hebrew: `sîmû lēḇ`, "set your heart") is repeated at the beginning and end of the verse, forming an **Inclusio** or **Chiasm** (A-B-A structure) that frames the central message and highlights its paramount importance. This repetition serves to underscore the divine command for the people to pay close attention and deeply internalize the significance of the specific date. The precise dating—"from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid"—is a form of **Precision** and **Specificity**, anchoring the spiritual message in a concrete historical event and emphasizing the direct causal link between their renewed obedience and the promised blessings. This specificity also creates a sense of **Urgency** and **Immediacy**, as the blessings are to commence "from this day and upward."

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Haggai 2:18 stands as a powerful testament to the principle that God responds to human obedience, even when that obedience begins from humble origins. It illustrates a divine turning point, where a period of spiritual barrenness and material lack, brought on by misplaced priorities and disobedience, is superseded by the promise of blessing and prosperity, contingent upon a renewed commitment to God's work. This verse reveals God's faithfulness to His covenant people, demonstrating that while He disciplines for sin, He is also quick to restore and bless when they turn back to Him and prioritize His kingdom. The act of laying the temple foundation, though a physical task, was deeply spiritual, signifying a re-alignment of their hearts with God's will, which then unlocked the flow of His favor.

* [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")
* [Malachi 3:10-12](/malachi/3-10-12 "Malachi 3:10-12 - Bring the Whole Tithe")
* [1 Samuel 15:22](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better than Sacrifice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Haggai 2:18 offers a profound invitation for contemporary believers to engage in a similar act of "considering." Just as the Israelites were called to reflect on a specific turning point of renewed obedience, we are encouraged to identify and acknowledge those moments in our own lives where we have made a decisive commitment to God's will, especially after periods of spiritual drift or misplaced priorities. This verse reminds us that God often ties His blessings and the flourishing of our lives to our willingness to prioritize His kingdom and His purposes above our own comforts and ambitions. It challenges us to examine whether our "foundations" are truly being laid for God's glory, even if the beginnings seem small or insignificant. The promise that blessings will flow "from this day and upward" should inspire perseverance and faith, assuring us that God honors our steps of obedience, no matter how modest, and that His favor will unfold over time as we remain steadfast in our commitment to Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foundations" (spiritual disciplines, acts of service, commitments) might God be calling me to lay or re-lay in my life today?**
* **Are there areas where I have prioritized my own "paneled house" over God's "house" (His kingdom, His will)?**
* **How does the idea of God's blessing flowing "from this day and upward" encourage me in my current circumstances?**
* **What specific "day" or turning point in my spiritual journey can I "consider" and draw encouragement from, knowing God's faithfulness?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of the specific date mentioned in Haggai 2:18?**

Answer: The "four and twentieth day of the ninth month" (Kislev) is highly significant because it marks the precise day the Jewish exiles, after years of neglect and misplaced priorities, finally resumed the work of laying the foundation for the Lord's temple in Jerusalem. This date represents a turning point of renewed obedience and commitment to God's command, following the prophet Haggai's powerful exhortations. It is from this specific day forward that God promises to bless His people, shifting from a period of divine discipline and scarcity to one of favor and prosperity, as detailed in [Haggai 2:19](/haggai/2-19 "Haggai 2:19 - Blessing from this Day Forward").

**Why does the verse repeat the command "consider it"?**

Answer: The repetition of "consider it" (Hebrew: `sîmû lēḇ`, meaning "set your heart" or "pay attention") is a powerful rhetorical device used by God through Haggai to emphasize the profound importance and gravity of the message. It is not a casual suggestion but an urgent divine imperative, urging the people to deeply reflect on the significance of this specific day. This repetition serves to underscore the direct causal link between their renewed obedience in rebuilding the temple and the subsequent outpouring of God's blessings, ensuring the message resonates deeply within their hearts and minds.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Haggai 2:18 directly addresses the physical rebuilding of the temple in post-exilic Jerusalem, its deeper theological currents find profound Christ-centered fulfillment. The temple, as the dwelling place of God among His people, foreshadows the ultimate presence of God in Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to [the temple of His body](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Speaks of His Body as the Temple"). Christ is the true and ultimate temple, the very foundation upon which God's new covenant people are built. The "new beginning" promised "from this day and upward" in Haggai, tied to the laying of the temple's foundation, finds its ultimate reality in the new era inaugurated by Christ's finished work on the cross and His resurrection. Through Him, believers become living stones, built into a spiritual house ([1 Peter 2:5](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones")), with Christ as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). The blessings promised to those who prioritize God's house in Haggai are now fully realized in Christ, who is the source of all spiritual blessings ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")) and the one through whom God's presence dwells among His people forever.

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

Zechariah 8:9

¶ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which [were] in the day [that] the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.

Haggai 2:15

And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:

Ezra 5:1

¶ Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that [were] in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, [even] unto them.

Ezra 5:2

Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which [is] at Jerusalem: and with them [were] the prophets of God helping them.

Deuteronomy 32:29

O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!

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].

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,