Haggai 2 2

Haggai 2:2 kjv

Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,

Haggai 2:2 nkjv

"Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying:

Haggai 2:2 niv

"Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them,

Haggai 2:2 esv

"Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the remnant of the people, and say,

Haggai 2:2 nlt

"Say this to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of God's people there in the land:

Haggai 2 verses

Haggai 2 2 Meaning

Haggai 2:2 conveys God's direct instruction, delivered through the prophet Haggai, to three specific groups in post-exilic Judah: Zerubbabel the governor, Joshua the high priest, and the general body of the returning people. This imperative "speak now" signifies the urgency and divine authority of the message that is about to be revealed, which concerns God's presence, the ongoing temple rebuilding, and future glory. It emphasizes that God's word is for both the leaders and the entire community.

Haggai 2 2 Context

Haggai 2:2 immediately follows the date given for a new divine message in Haggai 2:1. The historical context is crucial: it is 520 BC, roughly sixteen years after the returned exiles laid the foundation for the Second Temple. The work had long ceased due to Samaritan opposition (Ezra 4) and, more importantly, the people's misplaced priorities (Hag 1:4). They had rebuilt and paneled their own homes, leaving God's house in ruins, leading to divine judgment on their crops and prosperity. In response, God raises up Haggai (and Zechariah) to re-ignite their passion and commitment. This verse initiates a direct, urgent address from God through Haggai to the key leaders—Zerubbabel, the governor representing civil authority, and Joshua, the high priest representing spiritual authority—as well as the collective "remnant" of the people. This precise targeting sets the stage for God's forthcoming message of encouragement and future glory, reminding all that they are accountable for God's work.

Haggai 2 2 Word analysis

• Speak (דַּבֵּר - dabbēr): This is an imperative verb, a direct command from God to His prophet. It denotes a authoritative pronouncement, not a suggestion or opinion. God's divine will is to be articulated.
• now (נָא - nāʾ): This particle adds emphasis and urgency. It stresses immediacy, indicating that the message is to be delivered and acted upon without delay. This counters any tendency towards procrastination or complacency among the recipients.
• to Zerubbabel (אֶל-זְרֻבָּבֶל - ʾel-Zᵉrubbāḇel):
  • Zerubbabel (זְרֻבָּבֶל): The name potentially means "seed of Babylon," indicating his birth in exile. He was a direct descendant of King David (1 Chr 3:19), embodying the promise of a renewed Davidic line. He served as the Persian-appointed governor of Judah, providing secular and administrative leadership for the returned exiles. God specifically addresses his earthly authority.
• the son of Shealtiel (בֶן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל - ben-Šᵉʾalṭîʾēl): This lineage affirms Zerubbabel's identity and connection to the royal Davidic house, an important aspect for the returning exiles hopeful for messianic restoration.
• governor of Judah (פַּחַת יְהוּדָה - paḥaṯ Yᵉhūḏāh): The term paḥaṯ is a Persian loanword for a provincial governor. This highlights that while Judah was under Persian imperial control, God still sovereignly worked through existing governmental structures and recognized their human authority for the sake of His divine plans.
• and to Joshua (וְאֶל־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ - wᵉʾel-Yᵉhôšuaʿ):
  • Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ): His name, meaning "Yahweh is salvation," is cognate with Yeshua (Jesus), adding prophetic depth. As the high priest, he represents the spiritual, priestly authority among the exiles. His role was critical for ceremonial purity, sacrifices, and seeking divine guidance.
• the son of Josedech (בֶן־יְהוֹשָׁדָק - ben-Yᵉhôšāḏāq): Identifies Joshua's priestly lineage, confirming his legitimate role as high priest, descended from Zadok (1 Chr 6:15).
• the high priest (הַכֹּהֵן הַגָּדוֹל - hakKōhēn hagGāḏôl): This title signifies his supreme religious leadership. By addressing him, God underscores the indispensable role of proper spiritual oversight in the rebuilding of the temple and the people's worship life.
• and to the remnant of the people (וְאֶל־שְׁאֵרִית הָעָם - wᵉʾel-šᵉʾērîṯ hāʿām):
  • Remnant (שְׁאֵרִית): This is a key biblical theological concept. It refers to the portion of Israel that survived divine judgment (exile in this case), preserved by God's grace for the continuation of His covenant purposes. They were not numerous or powerful, but chosen.
  • Significance: God's message is not exclusively for the leaders; it is for every single member of the returning community. It emphasizes corporate responsibility and shows God's faithfulness in preserving a believing core.
• saying, (לֵאמֹר - lēʾmōr): A common Hebrew particle introducing direct speech. It signals that what follows is the exact message that Haggai is commanded to deliver from God.

Words-group analysis:

• "Speak now to Zerubbabel... and to Joshua... and to the remnant of the people": This collective address highlights God's holistic approach to His covenant community. He directs His message to all levels of authority and to the entire populace. This comprehensive direction underscores that the task of rebuilding the temple (and later, living righteously) is a corporate responsibility involving both spiritual and civil leadership, and every individual member of God's people. No group is exempt from hearing God's urgent call and responding to it. This trinity of recipients ensures that the divine message is communicated through the highest religious and secular channels, down to the general populace, ensuring full accountability.

Haggai 2 2 Bonus section

• The naming of Zerubbabel and Joshua as distinct entities echoes Zechariah's later vision of "two olive trees" and "two anointed ones" (Zech 4:14), symbolizing the divine empowerment of both civil and priestly leadership under God's ultimate authority, pointing forward to the coming Messiah, the true King-Priest.
• The repetitive use of "the word of the LORD came" (Hag 1:1, 3; 2:1, 10, 20) emphasizes the direct divine origin of Haggai's prophecy, ensuring the recipients understand this is God's decree, not merely human advice or political motivation.
• The identification of the "remnant" implicitly celebrates God's preserving grace. Despite the harsh judgment of exile, a core of God's people remained, highlighting His covenant faithfulness and their pivotal role in continuing His redemptive story. They were weak but significant in God's eyes.
• The sequence of leadership—governor then high priest—before the people could signify the established hierarchy and the specific responsibilities of each group in responding to God's command to rebuild.

Haggai 2 2 Commentary

Haggai 2:2 serves as the divine directive preceding God's profound message of encouragement and future glory for the newly restored but discouraged community in Judah. By precisely identifying the recipients—Zerubbabel (the Davidic governor), Joshua (the High Priest), and the "remnant of the people"—God underscores His specific intent to activate all components of His covenant body. This address acknowledges the dual leadership necessary for a nation (civil and spiritual) and crucially includes the common people, affirming that God's work is not only for a select few but requires collective commitment. The urgent command "Speak now" highlights the divine initiative and the critical timing for this renewed call to action regarding the unfinished temple. This verse sets the stage for a dramatic shift from past negligence to future hope, with God re-establishing His connection and promise to His chosen people through designated leaders and the wider community.