Haggai 2 15

Haggai 2:15 kjv

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:

Haggai 2:15 nkjv

'And now, carefully consider from this day forward: from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the LORD?

Haggai 2:15 niv

"?'Now give careful thought to this from this day on?consider how things were before one stone was laid on another in the LORD's temple.

Haggai 2:15 esv

Now then, consider from this day onward. Before stone was placed upon stone in the temple of the LORD,

Haggai 2:15 nlt

Look at what was happening to you before you began to lay the foundation of the LORD's Temple.

Haggai 2 verses

Haggai 2 15 Meaning

Haggai 2:15 calls the people of Judah to a moment of deep introspection and comparison. It urges them to fix their minds on two distinct periods: the past, when they neglected the Temple's rebuilding, and the present/future, commencing from the day the foundation work of the Temple resumed. The verse highlights a pivot point, inviting them to discern the profound consequences of their previous spiritual priorities versus the impending blessings associated with renewed obedience to God's will concerning His dwelling place.

Haggai 2 15 Context

Haggai 2:15 serves as a crucial transition within the prophet's message, delivered during the post-exilic period (circa 520 BC). The returning exiles, who had been commanded to rebuild the Temple, had prioritized their own homes and fields, leaving God's house in ruins for about sixteen years since their return. Chapter 1 reveals God's chastisement for this neglect, evident in their experience of scarcity and hardship despite their efforts. Chapter 2 begins with encouragement despite the seemingly humble appearance of the second Temple compared to Solomon's. The LORD then confronts the priests and people concerning ritual purity, demonstrating that their current defilement, rooted in their neglect of the Temple, negated their sacrifices and blessings (Hag 2:10-14). Verse 15 marks a pivotal call: to look back at the unfruitful period before they recommitted to building, setting the stage for the dramatic contrast with the promised future blessings that would commence from that "day forward"—the day the Temple's foundation work actively resumed and their hearts turned to God.

Haggai 2 15 Word analysis

• And now (וְעַתָּה, ve'attah):
  • Word: Literally "and now."
  • Significance: A common prophetic discourse marker, signalling a shift in focus from the preceding discussion to a new, urgent exhortation or a new phase of divine instruction. It functions as a solemn invitation to consider a new point, often related to repentance or a fresh commitment.
• consider (שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם, simu levavchem):
  • Word: A strong Hebrew idiom, literally "set your heart upon" or "place your mind on."
  • Significance: Implies not just intellectual thought but a deep, focused contemplation, introspection, and serious deliberation. It demands a thoughtful comparison and reflection on the consequences of their past actions versus the path ahead. This is a call to align their internal state with divine revelation.
• from this day forward (מִן־הַיּוֹם וָמָעְלָה, min-hayyom vama'lah):
  • Word: "from the day and upward."
  • Significance: Establishes a clear, precise chronological demarcation. It emphasizes that a new era is beginning from this specific point in time, marked by a renewed obedience. God is signaling a significant change in His dealings with them based on their actions, promising a new outpouring of blessings that would replace their prior barrenness. This phrase often accompanies God's initiation of new works or covenants.
• from before (מִטֶּרֶם, mitterem):
  • Word: "before."
  • Significance: Points to the time period prior to the Temple's active rebuilding. It explicitly frames the comparison point.
• a stone was laid upon a stone (שׂוּם־אֶבֶן אֶל־אֶבֶן, sum-even el-even):
  • Word: Literal phrase describing the process of construction.
  • Significance: A specific reference to the start of serious construction on the Temple, moving beyond just site clearing to actual foundation work. It signifies a tangible commitment to the work of God. It's a precise moment when their obedience manifested in concrete action.
• in the temple of the LORD (בְּהֵיכַל יְהוָה, b'heykhal YHWH):
  • Word: "Temple of Yahweh."
  • Significance: The central locus of Israel's worship, God's designated dwelling place among His people. The neglect of this structure symbolized their spiritual indifference to God Himself and His glory. Its rebuilding was crucial for re-establishing proper worship and the nation's spiritual well-being. This phrase connects their physical work directly to their spiritual relationship with God.

Words-Group Analysis:

• "And now, consider from this day forward": This phrase introduces a critical moment of discernment. It's an emphatic call to reset their perspective from the past failure to the hopeful future conditioned on their present obedience. This new starting point marks God's grace enabling them to receive new blessings.
• "from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD": This identifies the period of spiritual malaise and physical inactivity regarding God's house. It highlights the consequence of prioritizing their own affairs over divine commands, which led to a time of curse and barrenness, described earlier in Haggai's prophecy. This contrast underscores the spiritual turning point required of them.

Haggai 2 15 Bonus section

The concept of God's "day" or "today" in biblical prophecy often carries immense weight, signifying a moment of divine reckoning or a critical turning point where God expects a response, after which new realities unfold. In Haggai 2:15, "from this day forward" marks not only a new chronological era for the Judeans but also a new phase in God's covenant dealings with them, contingent upon their change of heart and action. This highlights God's justice in holding them accountable for past neglect and His grace in initiating new blessings immediately upon their obedience. The stark contrast between the previous lack of a "stone laid upon a stone" (symbolizing apathy towards God's work) and the future (implying actively setting stone upon stone) underlines that spiritual prosperity is inextricably linked to diligent engagement in the tasks God assigns His people. It implicitly encourages not just starting but continuing the work with renewed vigor.

Haggai 2 15 Commentary

Haggai 2:15 encapsulates God's patience and persistent call to His people. Having previously addressed their neglect and spiritual defilement (chapter 1, and 2:10-14), God now instructs them to deliberately recall and compare their circumstances during the period of neglect with the time from the recommencement of the Temple's rebuilding. This instruction to "consider" (set their heart upon) highlights that their understanding of their past struggles and future prosperity must come from a divine perspective. The phrase "from this day forward" establishes a critical theological marker: blessings, which were withheld due to disobedience, will now begin to flow because of their renewed commitment. The focus is not merely on building a physical structure, but on the spiritual renewal and proper alignment with God's priorities that the building symbolizes. It emphasizes a causal link between their obedience (or lack thereof) concerning God's house and the fruitfulness (or barrenness) of their lives. It's a reminder that God ties His blessing to faithfulness in stewardship of His work.

Examples for practical usage:

• A believer feeling unfruitful: "Consider your spiritual priorities 'from this day forward,' where has your heart truly been set?"
• A church considering new ministry: "Before we launch, let's consider past neglects and commit 'from this day forward' to faithful and dependent service."
• Individuals seeking renewal: "Examine the periods of your life 'from before' full surrender to Christ and compare them with 'from this day forward' after committing to Him."