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The Prophecy of Haggai

The prophecy of Haggai is divided into two chapters that include a total of 38 verses. For your convenience links to the New International Version text of the prophecy are provided.
Haggai 1:1-15 (NIV)
Haggai 2:1-23 (NIV)

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Summary of the Prophecy of Haggai

The prophecy of Haggai is very specifically dated. It is identified as having been delivered over a four month period in 520 BC (Haggai 1:1; 2:1; 2:10 & 2:20). The situation is that the people of Judah, who had been in exile in Babylon, have now been back in their homeland for 18 years. However, they had not experienced the blessing and the success that they had hoped for. Haggai's messages from the Lord are directed to that reality. Haggai's message is directed to Zerubbabel the Governor, to Joshua their High Priest (not to be confused with the Joshua who succeeded Moses as leader of Israel at the time of the Exodus) and to all the people.

's first message (1:2-11) explains why the people have not prospered since their return to Jerusalem. The people accept Haggai's message (1:12) and so Haggai promises them the Lord's blessing (1:13) and the people begin to rebuild the temple.

The second message delivered by Haggai (2:1-9) conveys the promise that though the temple that they are building will not be as majestic a building as the first temple built by Solomon that it will actually be more glorious.

's third message (2:10-19) contains a warning about the way that sin can defile the people of God but it ends with a promise of blessing.

The fourth and final message that Haggai delivers, proclaimed on the same day as the third message, is directed specifically to the Governor Zerubbabel and the role that he is to play in the events that are unfolding.

Exploring the text of Haggai

Now that you have read a brief summary of the prophecy of Haggai it is time to click on and review the Simplified Approach to Bible Study. When you have reviewed the five steps it is time to start applying them to the text of the prophecy of Haggai.

Some Internet Resources

For a general list of Bible study resources on the Internet click on
Bible Study Helps on the Internet

Haggai: Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

A Commentary on Haggai by John Calvin