This chapter contains three sermons or prophecies, delivered by the prophet to the people of the Jews. The design of the first is to encourage them to go on with the building of the temple, though it might seem to come greatly short of the former temple, as to its outward form and splendour.

In the seventh month The month Tisri, which answers to part of September and part of October: in the one and twentieth day of the month; being a month, wanting three days, from the time the Jews came and worked in the house of the Lord, (Hag. 1:14, Hag.

Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah Of whom, his descent and dignity, (See Gill on Hag. 1:1). The Septuagint version wrongly renders it “of the tribe of Judah”; in which it is followed by the Arabic version; for, though he was of the tribe of Judah, this does not…

Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? &c.] Not taken away by death, yet alive, and dwelling among them; and who lived before the destruction of the first temple, built by Solomon; and has seen it in all its magnificence; its grand and noble structure; its stately pillars;…

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord Take heart, be of good courage, do not be dismayed at these things; though, the building may be contemptible in the eyes of some, nevertheless go on with it manfully and vigorously; let, none despise the day of small things; for from these low…

According to the Word that I covenanted with you, when ye came out of Egypt Or rather, “with the Word, in or with whom I covenanted” [[6]] as some render it; that is, Christ, the essential Word, who was promised to the people of Israel at that time, and in whom all the promises are, and the…

For thus saith the Lord of hosts; &c.] For the further encouragement of the builders of the temple, they are told, from the Lord of hosts, that in a little time, when such circumstances should meet as are here pointed at, the Messiah should come, and appear in this house, and give it a greater…

And I will shake all nations By changing their governors, and forms of government; which was done by the Romans, when subdued by them; and by bringing in wars among them, which produced those changes; and by civil wars among the Romans themselves, in the several nations that belonged to them, which…

The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts. ] This seems designed to anticipate an objection taken from the gold and silver, with which the first temple was either decorated, or were in gifts dedicated to it; and which, it might easily be foreseen, would be wanting in the…

The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the Lord of hosts The “former”, or first house, was the temple built by Solomon, which was a very glorious one, if we consider the vast treasure of riches laid up by David, and given to Solomon for the building of it; the…

In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month The month Chisleu, which answers to part of November, and part of December: this was two months and three days after the former discourse or prophecy, and just three months from the time the Jews began to work in the house of the Lord, (Hag.

Thus saith the Lord of hosts To Haggai the prophet: ask now the priests concerning the law; whose business it was to understand it, and teach it, and to answer questions, and resolve doubts concerning it; not of their own heads, and according to their fancies, will, and pleasure; but according to…

If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment Or, “carry” it [[15]]; from one place to another in his pockets or bags, which were in the skirts of his garments.

Then said Haggai To the priests; having nothing to object to their answer; but being satisfied with it, he puts another question: if one that is unclean by a dead body; by the touch of it, : touch any of these, shall it be unclean? that is, if such an impure person, who was so in a ceremonial…

Then answered Haggai, and said To the priests, and before the people; and made an application of these things to them, which was the thing in view in putting the questions: So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the Lord; not only those people that were present and at work at the…

And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, &c.] This being their case, and they so polluted with sin, particularly through their neglect of building the temple; they are most earnestly and importunately entreated to “lay” it “to their hearts”, to ponder it in their minds, and…

Since those days were From the time the foundation of the temple was laid, unto the time they began to work again, which was a space of about fifteen or sixteen years: when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when the husbandman having gathered in his corn, and who was…

I smote you with blasting That is, their fields and vineyards, with burning winds, which consumed them; with blights by east winds: this shows the reason of their disappointment, and that it was from the Lord, and for their sins, by way of chastisement and correction: and with mildew; a kind of…

Consider now from this day and upward Or forward; for time to come, as the Vulgate Latin version: from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month; before observed, (Hag. 2:10, Hag.

Is the seed yet in the barn? &c.] The seed for sowing the land, in order for the next harvest: this is by some answered in the affirmative, it was in the barn, it was not yet sown; this being the ninth month, the month Chisleu, which answers to part of our November; rather it should be in the…

And again the word of the Lord came unto Haggai Or a “second” [[17]] time, even on the same day as the former: in the four and twentieth day of the month; of the ninth month Chisleu, : saying; as follows: 18: (שנית) “secundo”, V. L.

Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah The former discourse or prophecy chiefly related to the people, for their encouragement in building; this is directed to the prince over them, to support him under all the changes and revolutions made in the world; that he should be regarded by the Lord in a…

And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms The Persian monarchy, which consisted of various kingdoms and nations, and was destroyed under Darius Codomannus by Alexander the great, who fought with him three pitched battles, and overcame him; but the thing was of the Lord, according to his purpose…

In that day, saith the Lord of hosts When all these kingdoms, and their thrones and strength, are destroyed; which shows that what follows cannot be understood literally of Zerubbabel, who lived not to see these things done: will I take thee, O Zerubbabel my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the…