Haggai 2:22 kjv
And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
Haggai 2:22 nkjv
I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms. I will overthrow the chariots And those who ride in them; The horses and their riders shall come down, Every one by the sword of his brother.
Haggai 2:22 niv
I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother.
Haggai 2:22 esv
and to overthrow the throne of kingdoms. I am about to destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations, and overthrow the chariots and their riders. And the horses and their riders shall go down, every one by the sword of his brother.
Haggai 2:22 nlt
I will overthrow royal thrones and destroy the power of foreign kingdoms. I will overturn their chariots and riders. The horses will fall, and their riders will kill each other.
Haggai 2 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Dan 2:44 | "In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom... it will crush all these kingdoms and bring them to an end..." | God's kingdom replaces all earthly kingdoms. |
| Psa 46:8-10 | "He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariots with fire." | Divine intervention bringing peace through destruction of war machinery. |
| Zech 14:13 | "On that day a great panic from the Lord will fall on them, so that each man will seize the hand of another, and they will attack each other." | Prophecy of internal conflict among enemies as judgment. |
| Ezek 38:21 | "I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains… every man's sword will be against his brother." | God incites internal fighting as part of His judgment on enemy forces. |
| Isa 2:2-4 | "...and He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, and with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked." | Judgment leads to nations learning war no more. |
| Joel 3:12 | "Let the nations be stirred up and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; for there I will sit to judge all the surrounding nations." | Global judgment of nations. |
| Rev 16:14, 16 | "for they are demonic spirits performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God Almighty... in a place called Armageddon." | Nations gather against God for final destruction. |
| Rev 19:11, 15 | "Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse... from his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations..." | Christ's return to judge and destroy nations. |
| Rev 11:15 | "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever." | God's final and complete assumption of world dominion. |
| Psa 33:10 | "The Lord frustrates the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples." | God's sovereignty over nations' intentions. |
| Isa 13:4-5 | "...the Lord of hosts is mustering a host for battle. They come from a distant land... to destroy the whole earth." | God uses His forces or judgment to destroy. |
| Jer 25:31 | "...The Lord has a dispute with the nations; He is entering into judgment with all flesh..." | God's universal judgment of humanity and nations. |
| Obad 1:15-16 | "For the day of the Lord is near upon all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you..." | Imminent divine judgment upon all nations. |
| Exod 14:4, 17-18 | "I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his army... My glory over Pharaoh and all his army, by their chariots and by their horsemen." | Historical precedent of God destroying military might (Egypt). |
| 1 Sam 17:47 | "...for the battle is the Lord’s, and He will give you into our hand." | Acknowledgment that God wins battles, not human might. |
| Zech 9:10 | "I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the war-horse from Jerusalem... He shall speak peace to the nations..." | Messianic removal of instruments of war. |
| Heb 12:26-29 | "Yet once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens… so that what cannot be shaken may remain." | Echoes Hag 2:6, implying God shakes creation to remove transient things. |
| Luke 21:25-26 | "And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars... and distress of nations in perplexity..." | Eschatological signs including distress among nations before Christ's return. |
| Matt 24:7 | "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom..." | Foretold conflicts of the end times, consistent with internal strife. |
| Judg 7:22 | "When Gideon blew the 300 trumpets, the Lord caused the men throughout the camp to turn on each other with their swords." | A clear Old Testament example of God causing internal conflict among enemies. |
| Josh 11:6, 9 | "Then the Lord said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for tomorrow at this time I will give all of them slain before Israel. You shall hamstring their horses and burn their chariots with fire.”" | Divine command to disable enemy military power, signifying their defeat. |
| Rev 17:16 | "And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute, and make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire." | Nations turning against each other or other systems within their ranks. |
Haggai 2 verses
Haggai 2 22 Meaning
Haggai 2:22 proclaims the sovereign Lord's declaration to utterly dismantle and nullify the political authority and military might of all earthly kingdoms. This involves the complete overturning of their thrones, the destruction of their armed forces—represented by chariots and horses—and the unique means by which these kingdoms will be overthrown: internal strife where individuals turn their weapons against one another. It signifies God's absolute control over history and nations, ensuring that no human power can stand against His ultimate plan to establish His own eternal kingdom.
Haggai 2 22 Context
Haggai chapter 2 contains God's message of reassurance and promise to the post-exilic community in Jerusalem. Having returned from Babylonian exile, they were discouraged by the perceived insignificance of the second Temple compared to Solomon's glorious one (Hag 2:3). In this context, God first promises that His future glory upon this house will surpass the former (Hag 2:9). This ultimate glory is tied to a coming, profound shaking of the heavens and earth (Hag 2:6-7, 21), which culminates in the destruction of the nations. Verse 22, therefore, elaborates on how this "shaking" of nations will occur – specifically targeting their political power ("thrones of kingdoms") and military strength ("chariots" and "riders"). This sets the stage for the specific elevation of Zerubbabel in the immediately following verse (Hag 2:23), identifying him as a significant, Messianic type in God's ultimate plan, despite the immediate vulnerability of Judah. Historically, the Persian Empire held sway, representing formidable global power. The prophecy is a powerful statement of God's transcendence over all human empires, regardless of their current might.
Haggai 2 22 Word analysis
- and I will overthrow (
וַהֲפַכְתִּי- vaha'fakhti): From the Hebrew verb haphak (הָפַךְ), meaning "to turn," "overturn," "overthrow," "destroy," "transform." This word signifies a complete reversal or total destruction. It implies God's direct, decisive, and irreversible action. The repetition emphasizes the certainty and totality of God's intervention. Its use in scripture often denotes a catastrophic judgment, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah. - the throne (
כִּסֵּא- kisseh): Represents the seat of power, authority, and kingship. Overthrowing thrones means divesting nations of their sovereign rule and legitimate power structure. It symbolizes the dismantling of their very system of governance and dominion. - of kingdoms (
מַמְלָכוֹת- mamlakot): The plural of mamlaka (מַמְלָכָה), referring to royal power, dominion, or a kingdom/realm. This indicates that God's action is not against one specific kingdom but against all earthly dominions that stand in opposition to His divine will, underscoring the universal scope of His judgment. - and I will destroy (
וְהִשְׁמַדְתִּי- v'hishmadeti): From the Hebrew verb shamad (שָׁמַד), meaning "to annihilate," "exterminate," "devastate," "wipe out completely." This is a stronger word than "overthrow," indicating total eradication and desolation, leaving nothing remaining. - the strength (
חֹזֶק- chozeq): Implies force, might, or military power. This points specifically to the tangible and perceived strength of nations, particularly their military capacity to maintain control or assert dominance. God targets the very basis of their confidence and ability to resist. - of the kingdoms of the heathen (
מַמְלְכוֹת הַגּוֹיִם- mamlakot haggoyim): "The heathen" or "the nations" (הַגּוֹיִם- haggoyim) is a common biblical term for non-Israelite nations. It often carries the connotation of those outside of God's covenant, often engaging in idolatry or opposition to God's people. This specifies that the divine judgment is aimed at the totality of ungodly, world-system powers. - and I will overthrow the chariots (
וְהָפַכְתִּי מֶרְכָּבָה- v'hafakti merkavah): The return of haphak (overthrow). "Chariot" (מֶרְכָּבָה- merkavah) symbolizes the pinnacle of ancient military technology and a nation's elite striking power. Its overturning represents the neutralization of superior military might, which human kingdoms rely upon. This reflects the ancient Near Eastern context where powerful nations often had formidable chariot armies (e.g., Egypt, Assyria). - and those that ride in them (
וְרֹכְבֶיהָ- v'rokheveha): This refers to the warriors who operate the chariots, emphasizing the destruction of both the instrument of war and the human capacity to wield it effectively. - and the horses and their riders shall come down (
וְיָרְדוּ סוּסִים וְרֹכְבֵיהֶם- v'yar'du susim v'rokhevehem): "Come down" (וְיָרְדוּ- v'yar'du) from yarad (יָרַד), meaning "to go down," "descend," "fall." It implies humiliation, defeat, and literally being cast from a high position to the ground. Horses and riders, together, represent cavalry and another crucial element of military power, whose downfall signifies comprehensive military defeat. - every one by the sword of his brother (
אִישׁ בְּחֶרֶב אָחִיו- ish b'cherev achiv): This is a significant phrase, depicting internal disarray, panic, and civil strife as the instrument of divine judgment. God causes the enemy to turn on itself, leading to self-annihilation. This illustrates God's ability to dismantle formidable opponents without external armies, using their own divisions as His tool. It removes any claim of human victory, highlighting God's direct work.
Haggai 2 22 Bonus section
The destruction prophesied in Haggai 2:22 is intrinsically linked to the shaking of the heavens and earth mentioned in Haggai 2:6-7 and 2:21. The New Testament author of Hebrews interprets this "shaking" as the removal of what is created and temporary, so that what cannot be shaken (God's kingdom) may remain (Heb 12:26-29). Thus, the overthrow of kingdoms and their military might is not an end in itself, but a necessary step to clear the stage for the establishment of God's eternal and unshakeable reign. This passage reinforces a key biblical motif: God's power is demonstrated not only in creation but in His sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations. The precise phrase "by the sword of his brother" found here is a vivid example of divine judgment causing internal chaos, echoing incidents like the Midianites in Gideon's day or even some historical fulfillments where empires crumble due to internal strife. It’s a testament that God doesn't always need external forces; He can turn the enemies' own strength and unity into their undoing.
Haggai 2 22 Commentary
Haggai 2:22 is a profound eschatological prophecy affirming God's absolute supremacy over all earthly powers. It serves as an ultimate reassurance to the struggling exiles that while their current circumstances may seem insignificant next to vast empires, the Almighty God will ultimately and decisively dismantle every throne and destroy every military might that opposes His will. This isn't merely about defeat, but about the total overturning and annihilation of their very systems of strength and authority. The specific means, "every one by the sword of his brother," highlights a divine strategy where enemies are caused to self-destruct through internal conflict and chaos. This powerful image demonstrates the futility of relying on human might or worldly security. The prophecy ultimately paves the way for the establishment of God's own unshakeable kingdom, foreshadowing the ultimate reign of the Messiah whom Zerubbabel typified. This declaration ensures that nothing stands between God's purpose for His people and the culmination of His redemptive plan, reminding believers that the world's perceived power is transient and utterly subservient to divine will.