Haggai 2:23

In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.

In that day {H3117}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}, will I take {H3947} thee, O Zerubbabel {H2216}, my servant {H5650}, the son {H1121} of Shealtiel {H7597}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and will make {H7760} thee as a signet {H2368}: for I have chosen {H977} thee, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}.

When that day comes,' says ADONAI-Tzva'ot, 'I will take you, Z'rubavel, my servant, the son of Sh'alti'el,' says ADONAI, 'and wear you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,' says ADONAI-Tzva'ot."

On that day, declares the LORD of Hosts, I will take you, My servant, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, declares the LORD, and I will make you like My signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD of Hosts.”

In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith Jehovah, and will make thee as a signet; for I have chosen thee, saith Jehovah of hosts.

Context

Haggai 2:23 concludes the book of Haggai, delivering a powerful message of divine promise to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, who was a key leader in the post-exilic community. The prophet Haggai's primary mission was to encourage the returned exiles to resume and complete the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, which had stalled for years. This final oracle comes after earlier promises of God's presence, the future glory of the Temple, and the shaking of the heavens and earth, signifying a great divine upheaval and establishment of God's kingdom. Zerubbabel, a descendant of King David, represented the continuation of the Davidic line and the hope for a restored monarchy.

Key Themes

  • Divine Election and Favor: The verse explicitly states, "I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts." This highlights God's sovereign choice and special favor upon Zerubbabel, not necessarily for his own merit, but for God's larger redemptive plan.
  • Authority and Protection: The central metaphor is "will make thee as a signet." A signet ring was a valuable, personal item used in ancient times to signify identity, authority, ownership, and to seal official documents. To be made "as a signet" implies that Zerubbabel would be highly valued, protected, and invested with divine authority, serving as an authentic representative of God's will.
  • Messianic Hope: As a descendant of David, Zerubbabel's elevation as God's "signet" carries strong Messianic implications. While he was instrumental in the physical rebuilding of the Temple, this promise points beyond him to the ultimate Davidic heir, Jesus Christ, who is God's ultimate chosen Servant and the true King.
  • God's Sovereignty: The repeated phrase "saith the LORD of hosts" underscores God's absolute power and authority over all creation and history. It reassures Zerubbabel and the people that these promises are guaranteed by an omnipotent God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth) emphasizes God's supreme power as the commander of heavenly armies and all creation. It is a title that conveys His omnipotence and ability to fulfill His promises.

The Hebrew word for "signet" (ḥōṯām) refers to a seal or signet ring. This metaphor is particularly striking because it reverses a previous prophetic declaration against King Coniah (Jehoiachin) in Jeremiah 22:24, where God declared He would cast him off like a signet ring. In contrast, Zerubbabel, representing the renewed Davidic line, is restored to a position of honor and authority, signifying God's faithfulness to His covenant promises despite Israel's past failures.

Practical Application

Haggai 2:23 offers profound encouragement for believers today. It reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, even when circumstances seem bleak or His plans appear to be delayed. Just as Zerubbabel was chosen and empowered for a specific task, God continues to choose and equip His servants for His purposes. This verse also points forward to the ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ, who is the true "chosen servant" of God (Isaiah 42:1) and the one through whom God's kingdom is fully established. His lineage includes Zerubbabel, affirming that God's plan unfolded exactly as prophesied. For us, this means we can trust in God's sovereign hand, knowing that He has a purpose for each of us and that we are chosen in Christ to be His representatives in the world.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Isaiah 43:10

    Ye [are] my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I [am] he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.

  • Isaiah 42:1

    ¶ Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, [in whom] my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.

  • Jeremiah 22:24

    [As] I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;

  • Song Of Solomon 8:6

    Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love [is] strong as death; jealousy [is] cruel as the grave: the coals thereof [are] coals of fire, [which hath a] most vehement flame.

  • 1 Peter 2:4

    ¶ To whom coming, [as unto] a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, [and] precious,

  • Zechariah 4:6

    Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This [is] the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

  • Zechariah 4:14

    Then said he, These [are] the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

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