Haggai 2 5

Haggai 2:5 kjv

According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not.

Haggai 2:5 nkjv

'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!'

Haggai 2:5 niv

'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'

Haggai 2:5 esv

according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

Haggai 2:5 nlt

My Spirit remains among you, just as I promised when you came out of Egypt. So do not be afraid.'

Haggai 2 verses

Haggai 2 5 Meaning

Haggai 2:5 reassures the disheartened post-exilic community that God's covenantal faithfulness, established from their deliverance from Egypt, remains steadfast. His Spirit continues to dwell among them, ensuring His active presence and power, thus removing any ground for fear regarding their challenging circumstances or the humble appearance of the new temple. It highlights the enduring reality of God's commitment despite temporal setbacks.

Haggai 2 5 Context

Haggai's prophecy is set in 520 BC, roughly 16 years after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned to Judah from Babylon under the leadership of Zerubbabel (governor) and Joshua (high priest). Their primary task was to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem, which lay in ruins since its destruction by the Babylonians. While the foundation had been laid, opposition from surrounding peoples and the people's own discouragement, self-interest, and preoccupation with building their own homes led to a standstill. The economy was poor, crops failed, and prosperity eluded them (Hag 1:5-11). The first message of Haggai urged them to resume the work (Hag 1:1-11). This verse (Haggai 2:5) comes after a second prophetic word (Hag 2:1-9), specifically addressed to a despondent group—likely the elders and those who had seen Solomon's glorious temple—who lamented that the new, humble foundation seemed nothing in comparison (Hag 2:3). Against this backdrop of discouragement and perceived inferiority, God's message is a powerful reminder of His unfailing covenant, His enduring Spirit-presence, and an assurance of greater future glory, thus commanding them to "be strong" and "work."

Haggai 2 5 Word analysis

• According to the word (כַּדָּבָר, ka-davar): The prefix 'ka-' (כַּ) means "as," "according to," or "just as." The Hebrew word davar (דָּבָר) translates to "word," "matter," or "thing." In this context, it emphasizes that God's current actions and His continued presence are not arbitrary but are precisely aligned with His definite, authoritative, and unchanging promises previously declared. It roots His present fidelity in His past integrity.
• that I covenanted (כָּרַתִּי, karatti): The verb karat (כָּרַת) means "to cut," which refers to the ancient practice of making a covenant by cutting animals and walking between the divided pieces, symbolizing the fate of those who broke the oath (e.g., Gen 15:9-17). Here, God initiated and established this binding agreement Himself. This highlights the solemn, self-imposed commitment of God to His people. It is a one-sided, gracious action by God, securing His faithfulness regardless of their weakness.
• with you (אֶתְכֶם, etkhem): Specifies that the covenant was directly made with the Israelites. It reinforces their identity as the covenant people of God.
• when you came out of Egypt (בְּצֵאתְכֶם מִמִּצְרָיִם, b'tzetkhem mi-mitzrayim): This precise historical marker refers to the Exodus, the seminal event where God redeemed Israel from slavery and immediately after established His covenant with them at Mount Sinai. It recalls their origin as a nation, their foundational relationship with God, and the context of the Mosaic Law given to them. It evokes a history of divine rescue, provision, and presence.
• so My Spirit (וְרוּחִי, v'Ruchi): The "so" (וְ, ve, literally "and") indicates a direct continuation and consequence. Ruach (רוּחַ) is Hebrew for "spirit," "breath," or "wind." Here, it unequivocally refers to the Holy Spirit, the active presence and empowering essence of God Himself. It is God's divine energy and character working among them, not merely in a transient manifestation but in an abiding way.
• remains among you (עֹמֶדֶת בְּתוֹכְכֶם, omedet b'tokh-khem): Omedet (עֹמֶדֶת) is a feminine singular participle of amad (עָמַד), meaning "to stand," "remain," or "abide." This signifies a continuous, enduring, and stable presence. It emphasizes that the Spirit is not merely visiting but permanently dwelling within their community. "Among you" (b'tokh-khem) points to a corporate presence within the congregation of Israel, not just individual anointings.
• do not fear (אַל-תִּירָאוּ, al-tirau): A strong negative command (al-) followed by the jussive form of the verb "to fear" (yare'). It is a common divine imperative throughout scripture, grounding human courage and action in God's power and presence. It's a call to cast aside despair and discouragement, replacing them with confidence rooted in God's faithfulness.

• "According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt": This powerful opening phrase grounds God's contemporary promise in the immutable bedrock of His historical faithfulness and His covenant character. It is a profound reassurance, reminding a disheartened people that their God is the same God who miraculously delivered their ancestors from bondage and formally committed Himself to them. The continuity between past divine acts and present assurance underscores God's unwavering loyalty.
• "so My Spirit remains among you": This clause provides the concrete, active evidence of God's covenantal fidelity. The continuity of God's active, divine presence, manifest through His Spirit, is the very guarantee that His promises are not forgotten or revoked. This implies an empowering and guiding presence, crucial for them to persevere in the daunting task of temple rebuilding and to overcome their feelings of inadequacy. This is more than a memory; it is an enduring, living reality that transcends the grandeur of any physical structure.
• "do not fear!": This declarative imperative functions as a climactic charge stemming directly from the preceding divine assurance. Because God's foundational covenant promise remains valid and His empowering Spirit continuously dwells among them, there is absolutely no valid basis for fear or despondency. This command challenges their lack of faith, calling them to trust in God's sustained power and presence, which far outweigh any present visible shortcomings or challenges.

Haggai 2 5 Bonus section

The mention of "My Spirit remains among you" is highly significant, acting as a bridge between the Old and New Covenants. In the Old Testament, the Spirit often "came upon" individuals for specific tasks (prophets, judges, kings), or His presence was represented by the Tabernacle/Temple (Shekinah glory). Here, the participle "remains" (עֹמֶדֶת) emphasizes a continuous, abiding presence with the entire community. This foreshadows the broader, more intimate indwelling of the Holy Spirit with all believers in the New Covenant (e.g., John 14, Acts 2, 1 Cor 3:16). It assures the people that despite the second temple's physical humility compared to Solomon's, it was graced with the very same Divine Presence, and indeed, this second temple would witness the bodily presence of the "Desire of All Nations" (Hag 2:7), the Messiah, thereby exceeding the glory of the first. This shift from an external, architectural grandeur to the internal, spiritual presence underscores a crucial aspect of God's relationship with His people—true glory resides not in brick and mortar, but in the living, empowering reality of God Himself through His Spirit.

Haggai 2 5 Commentary

Haggai 2:5 serves as a profound theological anchor amidst a period of profound disappointment and discouragement for the returned exiles. The people's faith wavered as they compared the humble foundation of the new temple to the grandeur of Solomon's magnificent structure. God addresses this despondency directly, redirecting their focus from external appearance and their own limitations to His enduring character. He assures them that His covenant fidelity, first established and demonstrated in their dramatic liberation from Egypt, remains unbroken. Crucially, the verse proclaims the continuous dwelling of His Spirit among them. This means God's power, presence, and enablement, previously experienced at defining moments of their national history, are still actively with them, providing divine backing for their efforts. The ensuing command, "do not fear," flows directly from this assurance. It implies that if the ever-faithful God, with His abiding Spirit, is among them, then any apprehension or perceived inadequacy is groundless. This promise elevates the significance of their work, affirming that the temple's true glory lies not in its size or gold, but in the living presence of God, a presence which implicitly points towards an even greater future manifestation associated with the Messiah's coming (as suggested in later verses of Haggai). This message serves as a powerful reminder for all generations: God's work is accomplished not by human might or perceived external strength, but by His abiding Spirit and unwavering faithfulness.

Examples for practical usage:

• When faced with overwhelming tasks or insufficient resources, Christians can remember God's faithfulness demonstrated throughout history and trust His Spirit to empower them (like Zech 4:6).
• During times of spiritual discouragement or feeling small and insignificant, believers are reminded that God's presence is not based on external circumstances but on His unchangeable covenant love, alleviating fear.
• When considering one's own weakness, this verse encourages reliance on the Holy Spirit's indwelling power for obedience and ministry, knowing His presence makes all things possible.