Haggai 2:4

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

Yet now be strong {H2388}, O Zerubbabel {H2216}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}; and be strong {H2388}, O Joshua {H3091}, son {H1121} of Josedech {H3087}, the high {H1419} priest {H3548}; and be strong {H2388}, all ye people {H5971} of the land {H776}, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}, and work {H6213}: for I am with you, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068} of hosts {H6635}:

Nevertheless, Z'rubavel, take courage now," says ADONAI; "and take courage, Y'hoshua the son of Y'hotzadak, the cohen hagadol; and take courage, all you people of the land," says ADONAI; "and get to work! For I am with you," says ADONAI-Tzva'ot.

But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Jehovah, and work: for I am with you, saith Jehovah of hosts,

Commentary

Context of Haggai 2:4

Haggai 2:4 is part of a prophetic message delivered by the prophet Haggai to the Jewish exiles who had returned to Jerusalem from Babylon. This particular message came in the second year of King Darius's reign, approximately 520 BC. The people had begun rebuilding the Temple, but their enthusiasm had waned due to opposition from surrounding peoples (see Ezra 4:4) and a focus on their own homes and affairs. Furthermore, some of the older generation who remembered the grandeur of Solomon's original Temple were discouraged by the modest appearance of the new foundation (Haggai 2:3). In this verse, God directly addresses this discouragement, providing a powerful word of encouragement and a renewed call to action.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Encouragement: The verse is a direct command from the LORD to "be strong." This isn't a suggestion but a divine imperative, repeated three times for emphasis, highlighting God's earnest desire for His people to overcome their fear and apathy.
  • Leadership and People United: God specifically addresses the key leaders—Zerubbabel, the civil governor, and Joshua, the high priest—along with "all ye people of the land." This underscores that the responsibility for God's work rests on both spiritual and civil leadership, as well as the collective effort of the community.
  • Call to Work: The command "and work" directly challenges their inactivity. It reminds them that faith is active and requires diligent effort in obedience to God's will, especially in the face of obstacles.
  • God's Unwavering Presence: The foundational promise, "for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts," is the ultimate source of their strength and motivation. This assurance of God's abiding presence guarantees success for those who obey His call. It echoes similar promises given to leaders like Joshua as he prepared to lead Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "be strong" translates the Hebrew word chazaq (חֲזַק), which means to be firm, courageous, strong, or to lay hold of. It implies not just physical strength but mental and spiritual resolve and perseverance. The repetition emphasizes the profound need for this quality in the face of overwhelming odds.

The title "LORD of hosts" (Hebrew: Yahweh Sabaoth, יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת) is significant. It portrays God as the sovereign commander of all heavenly and earthly armies, highlighting His immense power and authority. This title serves as a powerful reminder to the discouraged people that the God who is with them is not a weak deity but the all-powerful Ruler of the universe, capable of overcoming any opposition.

Practical Application

Haggai 2:4 offers timeless encouragement for believers today. When faced with daunting tasks, discouragement, or spiritual apathy, this verse reminds us:

  • Divine Empowerment: Our strength for God's work does not come from ourselves but from His command and His presence. We are called to "be strong" not by our own might, but by trusting in His power (see Philippians 4:13).
  • Perseverance in Ministry: When the work of the Lord seems slow, difficult, or unrewarding, we are called to persist and "work." God values our obedience and effort, even when the results are not immediately visible or grand.
  • God's Presence is Our Assurance: The ultimate comfort and motivation is the promise, "I am with you." This divine companionship is the foundation for overcoming fear and doubt in any endeavor of faith, providing peace and confidence even in the midst of trials (Isaiah 41:10).

This verse encourages us to move forward in faith, knowing that God is actively involved in the lives of His people and the progress of His kingdom, calling both leaders and every individual to active participation.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 28:20

    And David said to Solomon his son, Be strong and of good courage, and do [it]: fear not, nor be dismayed: for the LORD God, [even] my God, [will be] with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee, until thou hast finished all the work for the service of the house of the LORD.

  • 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.

  • Joshua 1:9

    Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God [is] with thee whithersoever thou goest.

  • 2 Samuel 5:10

    And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts [was] with him.

  • Deuteronomy 31:23

    And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.

  • 2 Timothy 2:1

    ¶ Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.

  • 1 Chronicles 22:13

    Then shalt thou prosper, if thou takest heed to fulfil the statutes and judgments which the LORD charged Moses with concerning Israel: be strong, and of good courage; dread not, nor be dismayed.
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