Haggai 2 20

Haggai 2:20 kjv

And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,

Haggai 2:20 nkjv

And again the word of the LORD came to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month, saying,

Haggai 2:20 niv

The word of the LORD came to Haggai a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:

Haggai 2:20 esv

The word of the LORD came a second time to Haggai on the twenty-fourth day of the month,

Haggai 2:20 nlt

On that same day, December 18, the LORD sent this second message to Haggai:

Haggai 2 verses

Haggai 2 20 Meaning

Haggai 2:20 introduces the final and perhaps most climactic divine revelation in the book of Haggai. It signals that a new, direct word from the sovereign Lord came to His prophet, Haggai, on a specific date, initiating a message that transcends the immediate challenges of temple building to encompass God's ultimate cosmic plan for history and His chosen servant. It underscores God's active engagement with His people and His intention to reveal His future purposes.

Haggai 2 20 Context

This verse is positioned in the final section of the book of Haggai. Historically, it occurs in 520 BC, specifically on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, Kislev. This is the same day that the second oracle in Haggai 2:10-19 was delivered, concerning the principles of cultic purity and God's blessings. The prophet Haggai is speaking to the remnant of Judah who had returned from Babylonian exile and were rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem, spurred on by God's initial call in Haggai chapter 1.The original audience, having already started the temple reconstruction, faced challenges including discouragement, ritual impurity, and meager agricultural yields. While the previous message addressed their present conduct, Haggai 2:20 serves as the introduction to a future-oriented oracle, intended to inspire hope by revealing God's grander plans. This forthcoming message (Haggai 2:21-23) centers on the shaking of the heavens and earth, and a divine promise to Zerubbabel, pointing towards a new order and the establishment of God's sovereign rule through His chosen one, setting the stage for significant eschatological hope. This profound revelation provides not only encouragement but also a crucial shift from the physical reconstruction of the temple to the ultimate, spiritual, and kingly restoration.

Haggai 2 20 Word analysis

• And again (wə-šēnît): From the Hebrew shanah (שָׁנָה) meaning "to repeat, do again." This signals that this is a separate, yet closely following, divine utterance. It emphasizes God's persistent and layered communication, indicating a new, distinct prophetic message is being given even on the same day as a prior one (Hag 2:10). It highlights God's initiative in breaking silence.

• the word (dəḇar): Hebrew dāḇār (דָּבָר). More than just a sound; it signifies a concrete event, an act, a decree, a revelation, or a message that carries divine authority and power. In a prophetic context, it represents a divinely authored, purposeful message, often performative and effecting change. It is not mere human speech but a living, active communication from God.

• of the Lord (YHWH): Refers to Yahweh, the covenant name of God, revealing His personal relationship with Israel and His faithfulness to His promises. This name stresses His eternal, self-existent nature, and His absolute sovereignty over all creation and history. The word originates from the ultimate authority.

• came (hāyâ): Hebrew hāyâ (הָיָה), "to be, to become, to happen, to come to pass." This verb signifies dynamic occurrence and divine initiative. The word is not sought by the prophet but actively originates from God and "comes to" the prophet, demonstrating God's sovereign action in revealing Himself and His will.

• unto Haggai (’el ḥaggaî): "Unto" (אֶל, ’el) denotes direction or arrival. Haggai, whose name likely means "my festival" or "festal," is identified as the specific human conduit through whom God's authoritative message is channeled. This points to the importance of the prophetic office and God's selection of particular individuals to bear His word.

• in the four and twentieth day of the month (ba-yōm ‘eśrīm wə-’arba‘â lā-ḥōḏeš): This precise temporal marker signifies historical exactness and reliability. This particular date (the 24th day of the ninth month, Kislev) emphasizes the urgency and importance of this divine utterance, given immediately following another important message on the same day (Hag 2:10). It authenticates the divine revelation as tied to specific historical events, not vague pronouncements.

• saying (lē’mōr): This standard Hebrew particle is a technical term used to introduce direct speech or a verbatim quotation. It indicates that the subsequent verses contain the very words spoken by God through Haggai, emphasizing the authoritative and unmediated nature of the message to follow.

• "And again the word of the Lord came": This phrase highlights God's continuous and active communication with humanity, not as a sporadic event but as a sustained engagement with His people. It shows the Lord's determination to convey His will and promises.

• "the word of the Lord came unto Haggai": This full phrase is a foundational statement for divine prophecy, stressing God's agency, the divine origin of the message, and the specific prophet chosen as the vessel. It validates Haggai's prophetic authority and the inerrancy of the message he delivers.

Haggai 2 20 Bonus section

• Significance of Kislev 24: The repeated date (Hag 2:10, Hag 2:20) in the 9th month, Kislev, is notable. This suggests that while there were three distinct oracles from God via Haggai (chapters 1, 2:1-9, 2:10-19, and 2:20-23), two of them were delivered on the same day. This emphasizes God's concerted and urgent message to His people at this critical juncture in their history.
• Anticipation of Future Revelation: This introductory verse builds immense anticipation for the oracle that follows in Haggai 2:21-23. This is where God declares He will "shake the heavens and the earth," and singles out Zerubbabel, making him like a "signet ring." This ties into deep Old Testament themes of God's sovereignty over creation and nations (shaking them) and His covenant promises to the Davidic line (the signet ring).
• Typological Significance: The choice of Zerubbabel, the governor and a descendant of David, to receive such a powerful future promise has typological significance. While Zerubbabel was not the Messiah, God's promise to him as a "signet ring" often foreshadows the ultimate Messianic King, Jesus Christ, in whom all God's promises of restoration and global rule find their ultimate fulfillment (cf. Gen 49:10, Isa 9:6-7, Zech 4:6-10). The future shaking also points to Christ's future rule and judgment.
• No polemic: The introductory verse itself does not contain explicit polemic against contemporary beliefs, unlike some prophetic messages that directly confront idolatry or syncretism. Instead, it reaffirms the exclusive authority and initiative of YHWH as the source of true revelation.

Haggai 2 20 Commentary

Haggai 2:20 is more than just a chronological marker; it serves as a powerful declaration of renewed divine communication and the initiation of a deeply significant prophecy. The precision of the date emphasizes God's punctuality and involvement in history, confirming that the following oracle is not a general exhortation but a specific, timely message directly from the Almighty. The "word of the Lord" coming "again" on the same day as the previous message highlights God's pressing agenda and sustained focus on His people and their circumstances, yet the newness of the message anticipates a different thematic emphasis. This verse thus sets a momentous stage for the revelation of God's cosmic, eschatological plan which, transcending the immediate task of temple building, assures the struggling remnant of Judah of God's ultimate sovereignty and His promise of future glory centered on His chosen servant. It provides a profound assurance that God's plan is not confined to the present but extends into a glorious future, even impacting the foundations of heaven and earth.