Haggai 2 4

Haggai 2:4 kjv

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

Haggai 2:4 nkjv

Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the LORD; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the LORD, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the LORD of hosts.

Haggai 2:4 niv

But now be strong, Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty.

Haggai 2:4 esv

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts,

Haggai 2:4 nlt

But now the LORD says: Be strong, Zerubbabel. Be strong, Jeshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people still left in the land. And now get to work, for I am with you, says the LORD of Heaven's Armies.

Haggai 2 verses

Haggai 2 4 Meaning

Haggai 2:4 is a divine command to courage, perseverance, and action, addressing all members of the post-exilic community involved in rebuilding the Temple in Jerusalem. It conveys God's unwavering presence and omnipotence as the ultimate source of strength for His people to carry out His work, despite the apparent insignificance of their current efforts or challenging circumstances. The verse instills hope and counters discouragement by shifting focus from human weakness to divine empowerment and sovereignty.

Haggai 2 4 Context

Haggai 2:4 is delivered in 520 BC, roughly 16 years after the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon to Jerusalem under the decree of Cyrus the Great. The first wave of enthusiasm for rebuilding the Temple quickly faded due to local opposition (Ezra 4), poor harvests, and economic hardship (Hag 1:6, 9-11). The people prioritized building their own paneled houses while the Temple lay in ruins. In Haggai 1, the prophet confronted their misplaced priorities and called for repentance and action, resulting in the people's renewed commitment (Hag 1:12). Haggai 2:4 directly follows this turning point, coming just 24 days after the first sermon and the commencement of the Temple's foundation work. The exhortation to "be strong" acknowledges the lingering discouragement—particularly over the seemingly modest scale of the new Temple compared to Solomon's glorious edifice (Hag 2:3)—and the continued challenges. It reassures leaders (Zerubbabel and Joshua) and the entire community of God's abiding presence, which is essential for successful completion of the work and sustained obedience.

Haggai 2 4 Word analysis

• Yet now (וְעַתָּה wə‘attah): A transitional phrase that emphasizes an immediate shift in focus or command, drawing a stark contrast with the previous state of apathy or discouragement. It highlights urgency and calls for action despite past failures or present difficulties.
• be strong (חֲזַק֙ ḥăzaq): An imperative verb repeated three times for emphasis. It implies far more than physical strength; it signifies moral courage, firm resolve, steadfastness, boldness, and spiritual fortitude. It is a command to cease fear and embrace determination in the face of daunting tasks. This same verb is used extensively in scripture when God commissions His chosen servants for difficult assignments (e.g., Joshua in leading Israel, Solomon in building the first Temple). It underscores reliance on God, not self.
• O Zerubbabel (זְרֻבָּבֶל֙ Zərubbāḇel): The civil governor of Judah, a descendant of King David. His inclusion emphasizes the need for strong civic leadership and links the Temple's rebuilding to the promise of a restored Davidic lineage, foreshadowing the Messiah.
• saith the LORD (נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה neʾum-YHWH): A solemn declaration formula, common in prophetic literature, affirming the divine origin and authority of the message. It underscores that these are not mere human words of encouragement but the authoritative pronouncements of the covenant God, Yahweh, ensuring reliability and power behind the command.
• O Joshua (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ Yəhôšuaʿ): The high priest, son of Jehozadak. His inclusion signifies the spiritual and priestly leadership, ensuring the entire community, both secular and religious leaders, are united and exhorted to participate in God's work. His role underscores the spiritual nature and sacred importance of the Temple project.
• all ye people of the land (וְכָל־עַ֥ם הָאָ֖רֶץ wəḵol-‘am hā’āreṣ): A broad address to the entire populace. This inclusiveness emphasizes collective responsibility and indicates that everyone, not just leaders, is called to actively participate and have courage in God's work. It counters the individualistic tendency to neglect the communal divine task.
• and work (וַעֲשׂ֖וּ waʿăśū): A simple, direct imperative meaning "do" or "act." It translates the inner strength and courage into concrete, diligent physical and spiritual labor towards the Temple's rebuilding. It dispels idleness and promotes practical obedience.
• for I am with you (כִּֽי־אֲנִי֙ אִתְּכֶ֔ם kî-ʾănî ʾittəḵem): The bedrock promise and the ultimate source of their strength and success. God's immanent presence and active support remove all legitimate excuses for fear or inaction. This divine promise is the key assurance that the work will be completed successfully, irrespective of human limitations or external opposition. It's a fundamental promise throughout the biblical narrative, empowering God's people in various missions.
• saith the LORD of hosts (נְאֻם־יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֹֽות neʾum-YHWH tsəbāʾôt): The most powerful divine title used repeatedly by Haggai. "LORD of hosts" signifies God's absolute sovereignty over all angelic armies, heavenly powers, and earthly events. This title reassures a dispirited community that their God possesses all necessary power to overcome any obstacles and fulfill His promises, providing invincible might for their seemingly small endeavors.

Words-group Analysis

• "be strong, O Zerubbabel... be strong, O Joshua... be strong, all ye people": This tripartite command addresses leadership (civil and spiritual) and the entire community. It demonstrates that spiritual fortitude and courage are required at every level of society for God's purposes to be fulfilled. It unites the people in common resolve.
• "saith the LORD... saith the LORD... saith the LORD of hosts": The repetition of the divine affirmation (Lord and Lord of hosts) frames the exhortation, emphatically declaring its divine origin and absolute certainty. Each "saith the LORD" reinforces God's direct involvement and authority, culminating in the majestic "LORD of hosts" for ultimate reassurance.
• "work: for I am with you": This phrase directly links commanded action with promised divine presence. God's presence is not just comforting; it is empowering and enables the work. Obedience to "work" is directly dependent on faith in "I am with you." It establishes a dynamic where divine presence facilitates human diligence.

Haggai 2 4 Bonus section

The concept of "strength" (ḥăzaq) commanded here implies more than simple resolve; it demands tenacity, firm adherence to purpose, and steadfastness in the face of internal and external opposition. It's an active fortitude that empowers not just starting but finishing the task. The divine declaration "I am with you" connects Haggai 2:4 deeply with foundational biblical promises given to leaders like Moses, Joshua, and David, signaling a continuation of God's covenant faithfulness and empowering presence for His people. This promise prefigures the ultimate "God with us" (Immanuel) in the person of Jesus Christ, affirming that God's physical dwelling with His people in the Temple ultimately finds its highest realization in the Incarnation. The smallness of the initial Temple construction, which may have led to despair, is divinely superseded by the greatness of God's presence, signifying that the value and power of any God-ordained endeavor do not depend on its visible grandeur but on the reality of the Almighty God accompanying and empowering it.

Haggai 2 4 Commentary

Haggai 2:4 is a powerful exhortation serving as a spiritual charge for renewed zeal and perseverance in God's service. Following a period of despondency and a recommitment to Temple building, the people's enthusiasm might have waned again, especially comparing the new foundation to the glory of Solomon's Temple. The threefold command to "be strong" directly addresses this human tendency to become discouraged when God's work appears too challenging or insignificant in human eyes. This strength is not self-derived but rooted in the unwavering assurance of God's presence. Addressing Zerubbabel, the governor; Joshua, the high priest; and all the people, God ensures that every segment of society understands their individual and collective responsibility. The command to "work" is a call to diligent, practical obedience. The ultimate comfort and motivation lie in the divine promise, "for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts." This phrase confirms God's active partnership and formidable power, dispelling fears and ensuring that any work undertaken at His command, in His strength, will ultimately succeed, regardless of the scale or visible obstacles. It's a foundational truth for all believers: God commands us to act, but He empowers and enables our obedience by His presence.Examples:

• A believer undertaking a difficult ministry task, feeling inadequate, finds courage in God's command to "be strong" and the promise "I am with you."
• A community church initiating a significant project with limited resources relies on this verse, understanding their "work" is blessed by God's "presence."
• Individuals facing spiritual challenges can find resolve, knowing their struggle and effort are empowered by the "Lord of hosts" who is with them.