Haggai 1:1 Study Bible: In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by Haggai, the prophet, to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,

◄ Haggai 1:1 ►

In the second year of the reign of Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, stating

Study Bible

In the second year of King Darius
This phrase sets the historical context for the book of Haggai. King Darius refers to Darius I of Persia, who reigned from 522 to 486 BC. The "second year" would place this event around 520 BC. This was a time when the Jewish exiles had returned from Babylon and were under Persian rule. The mention of Darius highlights the political backdrop and the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms, as He uses even foreign rulers to accomplish His purposes.

on the first day of the sixth month
The Jewish calendar is lunar, and the sixth month is Elul, which corresponds to August-September in the Gregorian calendar. The first day of the month was significant as it was a time for new beginnings and often associated with the new moon, a time for reflection and renewal. This timing underscores the urgency and importance of the message that follows, as it calls the people to prioritize God's work.

the word of the LORD
This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the message. In Hebrew, "word" is "dabar," which signifies not just spoken words but also actions and events. The "word of the LORD" is powerful and creative, bringing about change and calling people to action. It is a reminder of God's active involvement in the world and His communication with His people.

came through Haggai the prophet
Haggai is identified as the prophet, a spokesperson for God. The Hebrew name "Haggai" means "festive" or "my feast," which may reflect the joy and celebration associated with the rebuilding of the temple. Prophets were chosen by God to deliver His messages, often calling people back to faithfulness and obedience. Haggai's role is crucial as he delivers a message of encouragement and challenge to the returned exiles.

to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah
Zerubbabel is a key leader among the returned exiles. His name means "seed of Babylon," indicating his birth during the Babylonian exile. As the "governor of Judah," he holds a position of civil authority under Persian rule. Zerubbabel is a descendant of David, linking him to the messianic line and the hope of restoration for Israel. His leadership is vital in the rebuilding efforts.

and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest
Joshua, the high priest, represents the spiritual leadership of the community. His name, meaning "The LORD is salvation," is significant as it points to the ultimate salvation that God provides. As the son of Jehozadak, he continues the priestly line, emphasizing the continuity of worship and the importance of spiritual renewal alongside physical rebuilding.

stating
This introduces the specific message that follows. The use of "stating" indicates a clear and authoritative communication from God. It prepares the reader for the divine instructions and challenges that Haggai will present, calling the people to consider their ways and prioritize the rebuilding of the temple. This sets the stage for the themes of obedience, faithfulness, and the centrality of worship in the life of God's people.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Haggai
A prophet of God who played a crucial role in encouraging the Israelites to rebuild the temple after the Babylonian exile. His name means "festive" or "my feast" in Hebrew, indicating a message of hope and restoration.

2. King Darius
The ruler of the Persian Empire during this time. His reign provided a period of relative stability, allowing the Jews to focus on rebuilding the temple.

3. Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel
The governor of Judah, a descendant of King David, and a key leader in the rebuilding of the temple. His leadership was vital in the restoration of Jerusalem.

4. Joshua son of Jehozadak
The high priest at the time, responsible for the spiritual leadership of the people. His role was crucial in re-establishing the worship practices in the newly rebuilt temple.

5. Judah
The region where Jerusalem is located, and the focus of the rebuilding efforts. It was the center of Jewish life and worship.

Teaching Points

God's Timing and Sovereignty
God's word came at a specific time, indicating His control over history and events. We can trust His timing in our lives, even when circumstances seem challenging.

The Importance of Leadership
God used leaders like Zerubbabel and Joshua to guide His people. Effective leadership is crucial in fulfilling God's purposes, and we should pray for and support our leaders.

Obedience to God's Word
Haggai delivered God's message to the people, calling them to action. We must be attentive to God's word and respond with obedience, prioritizing His will over our own agendas.

Restoration and Hope
The rebuilding of the temple symbolized hope and restoration for the Israelites. In our lives, God offers restoration and hope through Jesus Christ, encouraging us to rebuild our spiritual lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does the historical context of King Darius's reign influence the events described in Haggai 1:1, and what can we learn about God's sovereignty from this?

2. In what ways do the roles of Zerubbabel and Joshua illustrate the importance of both civil and spiritual leadership in accomplishing God's purposes?

3. How does the message of Haggai 1:1 challenge us to prioritize God's work in our own lives, and what practical steps can we take to align our priorities with His?

4. How does the connection between Haggai 1:1 and the genealogy of Jesus in Matthew 1:12-13 deepen our understanding of God's redemptive plan?

5. Reflecting on the themes of restoration and hope in Haggai 1:1, how can we apply these themes to areas of our lives that need rebuilding or renewal?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Ezra 5-6
These chapters provide historical context for the rebuilding of the temple, detailing the challenges and opposition faced by the Israelites, as well as the eventual completion of the temple under the leadership of Zerubbabel and Joshua.

Zechariah 4
This passage offers a prophetic vision that complements Haggai's message, emphasizing the role of Zerubbabel in the rebuilding process and the empowerment of God's Spirit in accomplishing the task.

Matthew 1:12-13
The genealogy of Jesus includes Zerubbabel, highlighting the continuity of God's promises through the Davidic line and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

Sermons

The Introduction	S.D. Hillman	Haggai 1:1
Duty Revealed	Homilist	Haggai 1:1-2
Duty Revealed	D. Thomas	Haggai 1:1, 2

People

Darius, Haggai, Jehozadak, Josedech, Joshua, Shealtiel, Zerubbabel

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Darius, Governor, Haggai, Jehozadak, Joshua, Judah, Month, Priest, Prophet, Shealtiel, Sixth, Zerubbabel

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Haggai 1:1

     1690   word of God
     4951   month
     5327   governors
     5489   rank

Haggai 1:1-15

5508 ruins

Library

Vain Toil
'Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.'--HAGGAI i. 6 A large emigration had taken place from the land of captivity to Jerusalem. The great purpose which the returning exiles had in view was the rebuilding of the Temple, as the centre-point of the restored nation. With true heroism, and much noble and unselfish …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Lost Earnings
He that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes.' (Haggai i. 6.) In our Holiness Meetings we often speak of Full Salvation as a blessing to be obtained, and also a blessing to be retained; but I want now to turn the truth the other way round, and speak about 'losing the blessing'. These words of Haggai about the man who lost his earnings through a faulty bag will serve me as a text, and are very significant. As a figure of speech, the words are well understood. From the boy …
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

The Abiding of the Spirit the Glory of the Church
By the mouth of His servant Haggai stern rebukes were uttered, and the whole people were aroused. We read in verse twelve of the first chapter, "Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the Lord." All hands were put to the work; course after course of stone began to rise; and …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 32: 1886

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
The Median wars--The last native dynasties of Egypt--The Eastern world on the eve of the Macedonian conquest. [Drawn by Boudier, from one of the sarcophagi of Sidon, now in the Museum of St. Irene. The vignette, which is by Faucher-Gudin, represents the sitting cyno-cephalus of Nectanebo I., now in the Egyptian Museum at the Vatican.] Darius appears to have formed this project of conquest immediately after his first victories, when his initial attempts to institute satrapies had taught him not …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 9

How those are to be Admonished who Desire not the Things of Others, but Keep their Own; and those who Give of their Own, yet Seize
(Admonition 22.) Differently to be admonished are those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own, and those who give of what they have, and yet desist not from seizing on what belongs to others. Those who neither desire what belongs to others nor bestow what is their own are to be admonished to consider carefully that the earth out of which they are taken is common to all men, and therefore brings forth nourishment for all in common. Vainly, then, do those suppose …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Appendix ii. Philo of Alexandria and Rabbinic Theology.
(Ad. vol. i. p. 42, note 4.) In comparing the allegorical Canons of Philo with those of Jewish traditionalism, we think first of all of the seven exegetical canons which are ascribed to Hillel. These bear chiefly the character of logical deductions, and as such were largely applied in the Halakhah. These seven canons were next expanded by R. Ishmael (in the first century) into thirteen, by the analysis of one of them (the 5th) into six, and the addition of this sound exegetical rule, that where two …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

Haggai
The post-exilic age sharply distinguished itself from the pre-exilic (Zech. i. 4), and nowhere is the difference more obvious than in prophecy. Post-exilic prophecy has little of the literary or moral power of earlier prophecy, but it would be very easy to do less than justice to Haggai. His prophecy is very short; into two chapters is condensed a summary, probably not even in his own words, of no less than four addresses. Meagre as they may seem to us, they produced a great effect on those who heard …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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