Haggai 1:15b-2:9

Haggai 1:15b-2:9
Ordinary C50

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1:15 on the twenty-fourthA dayB of the month,C in the sixthD month.

Notes on verse 1:15a

A “fourth” = arba. From raba (to make square or be four-sided). This is four or fourth.
B “day” = yom. Root may mean being hot. This is the day in a literal or figurative sense. It can also mean birth, age, daylight, continually or other references to time.
C “month” = chodesh. From chadash (to renew, repair). This refers to a new moon. It can also mean monthly.
D “sixth” = shishi. From the same as shesh (six). This is sixth.

In the secondE yearF of KingG Darius,H

Notes on verse 1:15b

E “second” = shenayim. From sheni (double, again, another, second); from shanah (to fold, repeat, double, alter, or disguise). This is two, both, second, couple.
F “year” = shanah. From shana (to change, alter). This is a year, age, old. It can also mean yearly.
G “King” = melek. From malak (to be or become king or queen, to rise to the throne, to be crowned; by implication, to take counsel). This is king or royal.
H “Darius” = Dareyavesh. 10x in OT. From Old Persian Darayush (Darius); from Darayavahush (“he who holds firm the good(ness”); {from Daraya (holder) + vau (goodness)}. This is Darius or Darajevesh. It was not a personal name. Rather it was a title given to some Persian kings. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darius_the_Great

2:1 in the seventhI month, on the twenty-firstJ day of the month, the wordK of the LordL 

Notes on verse 2:1a

I “seventh” = shebii. From sheba (seven – the number of perfection/sacred fullness). This is seventh.
J “first” = echad. Perhaps from achad (to unify, continue on a path; figuratively, to gather one’s thoughts). This is the number one, first, united. It can also be alone, altogether, a certain, a few.
K “word” = dabar. From dabar (to speak, declare, discuss). This is speech, a word, a matter, an affair, charge, command, message, promise, purpose, report, request. It is a word, which implies things that are spoken of in a wide sense.
L “Lord” = YHVH. Related to “came” in v2:1. From havah (to be, become) or hayah (see note M below). This is the name of the God of Israel, the self-existent and eternal one, the tetragrammaton. This pronunciation has been lost to time so “Lord” is generally used in its place.

cameM byN the prophetO Haggai,P saying: 

Notes on verse 2:1b

M “came” = hayah. This is to be or become, to happen.
N “by” = yad. This is hand, ability, power. Hand in a literal sense, but also what one can do or the means by which one does it.
O “prophet” = nabi. This is prophet, prophecy, speaker, or someone inspired.
P “Haggai” = Chaggay. 11x in OT. From chag (a feast, a sacrifice as part of a festival, or the gathering of the festival); from chagag (feast, celebrating a festival, making a pilgrimage; properly, going in a circle or marching in sacred procession; implies giddiness and dancing; reeling to and fro). This is Haggai, meaning “festal” or “festive.”

“Speak nowQ to ZerubbabelR sonS of Shealtiel,T

Notes on verse 2:2a

Q “now” = na. This particle is used for requests or for urging. It can be we pray, now, I ask you, oh. This is the same “na” in “hosanna.”
R “Zerubbabel” = Zerubbabel. Perhaps from zarab (to burn, flow away) + Babel (Babylon or Babel); {perhaps from balal (to anoint, mix, overflow)} OR from Akkadian Bbilim; perhaps from earlier Sumerian name Ca-dimirra (gate of god)} OR from zara (scatter, sow) + Babel (see above) OR from zur (press down) + Babel (see above). This is Zerubbabel, meaning “begotten in Babylon” or “descended of Babylon” or “seed of Babel” or “pressed out of Babel.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babylon & https://www.abarim-publications.com/Meaning/Zerubbabel.html
S “son” = ben. From banah (to build or obtain children). This is son, age, child. It is son in a literal or figurative sense.
T “Shealtiel” = Shealtiel. 9x in OT. From shaal (to ask, inquire, beg, borrow, desire, request; can also mean demand) + el (God, a god). This is Shealtiel or Shalthiel, meaning “asked of God” or “asked God.”

governorU of Judah,V and to JoshuaW son of Jehozadak,X

Notes on verse 2:2b

U “governor” = pechah. It is a foreign word. It means governor or official.
V “Judah” = Yehudah. Probably from yadah (to throw one’s hands into the air in a gesture of praise); from yad (hand). This is Judah, meaning “praised.”
W “Joshua” = Yehoshua. Related to “came” and “Lord” in v2:1. From YHVH (see note L above)} + yasha (to deliver, defend, help, preserve, rescue; properly, to be open, wide or free, which implies being safe. So, in a causative sense, this is to free someone). This is Joshua, Jeshua, or Yehoshua, which means “the Lord is salvation.”
X “Jehozadak” = Yehotsadaq. Related to “came” and “Lord” in v2:1 & “Joshua” in v2:2. 8x in OT. From YHVH (see note L above) + tsedeq (rightness, righteousness, just cause, vindication; that which is right in a natural, moral, or legal sense; abstractly equity; figuratively prosperity). This is Jehozadak, Jozadak, Josedech. It means “the Lord is righteous.”

the highY priest,Z and to the remnantAA of the people,BB and say: 

Notes on verse 2:2c

Y “high” = gadol. From gadal (to grow up, become great, become wealthy – to advance. The root meaning may be to twist in the sense of the process of growing). This is great, high, bigger, noble, old, marvelous. It can also refer to someone who is powerful or distinguished.
Z “priest” = kohen. This is literally the one who officiates i.e. the priest. This is where the Jewish last name “Cohen” (and its variants) comes from.
AA “remnant” = sheerith. From shaar (properly, swelling up i.e. being left over; a remnant, remaining, being redundant). This is a remainder, residue, or survivor. It can also refer to posterity.
BB “people” = am. From amam (to darken, hide, associate; creating shadows by huddling together). This is people or nation. It can be used specifically for a tribe, collectively of troops or armies, or figuratively to refer to a flock of animals.

Who is leftCC among you who sawDD this houseEE in its formerFF glory?GG

Notes on verse 2:3a

CC “is left” = shaar. Related to “remnant” in v2:2. See note AA above.
DD “saw” = raah. This is to see in a literal or figurative sense so stare, advise, think, view.
EE “house” = bayit. Related to “son” in v2:2. Probably from banah (see note S above). This is house, court, family, palace, temple.
FF “former” = rishon. From rishah (beginning or early time); from rosh (head, captain, or chief; excellent or the forefront; first in position or in statue or in time). This is first, former, ancestor, beginning, ranked first.
GG “glory” = kabod. From kabad (to be heavy, weighty, burdensome). This is weighty. Figuratively, glorious, abundant, riches, honor, splendor – a reference to one’s reputation or character. This word is often used to describe God and God’s presence.

How does it lookHH to you now? Is it not in your sightII as nothing? Yet now take courage,JJ O Zerubbabel, saysKK the Lord;

Notes on verses 2:3b-4a

HH “look” = raah. Same as “saw” in v2:3. See note DD above.
II “sight” = ayin. This is eye in a literal or figurative sense so eye, appearance, favor, or a fountain (the eye of the landscape).
JJ “take courage” = chazaq. This is to strengthen, seize, be courageous, repair, bind, heal, conquer, harden.
KK “says” = neum. From na’am (to speak a prophecy; properly, to whisper, which implies saying an oracle). This is an utterance or speaking an oracle.

take courage, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; take courage, allLL you people of the land,MM saysNN the Lord; work,OO for I am with you, saysPP the Lord of hosts,QQ 

Notes on verse 2:4b

LL “all” = kol. From kalal (to complete). This is all or every.
MM “land” = erets. Root may mean to be firm. This is earth, ground, field land, or country.
NN “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v2:4. See note KK above.
OO “work” = asah. This is to make, do, act, appoint, become in many senses.
PP “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v2:4. See note KK above.
QQ “hosts” = tsaba. From tsaba (to wage war, serve, assemble, fight, perform, muster, wait on). This is a large group of persons (used figuratively for a group of things). It implies a campaign literally as with army, war, warfare, battle, company, soldiers. Can also be used figuratively for hardship or for worship.

according to the promiseRR that I madeSS you when you came outTT of Egypt.UU

Notes on verse 2:5a

RR “promise” = dabar. Same as “word” in v2:1. See note K above.
SS “made” = karat. This is to cut down, cut off, or make a covenant (idiom for making a covenant is “to cut a covenant”). It can also mean to destroy, fail, or consume.
TT “came out” = yatsa. This is to go or come out, bring forth, appear. It is to go out in a literal or figurative sense.
UU “Egypt” = Mitsrayim. Perhaps from matsor (besieged or fortified place, bulwark, entrenchment; something hemmed in; a siege or distress or fastness); from tsur (to confine, besiege, to cramp). This is Egypt.

My spiritVV abidesWW amongXX you; do not fear.YY 

Notes on verse 2:5b

VV “spirit” = ruach. This is breath, wind, air, cool, spirit. This is wind, which resembles the breath and so this can be used figuratively for life itself or being frail/mortal/impermanent. It can refer to the air of the sky or the spirit.
WW “abides” = amad. This is to stand up in a literal or figurative sense. So it can be establish, continue, endure, take a stand, act, be a servant, stand still, remain, stand against an enemy.
XX “among” = tavek. This is among, middle, in the midst, the center. Perhaps, properly, to sever.
YY “fear” = yare. This is to fear, be afraid, dreadful. It can also refer to fearful reverence – to fear in a moral sense is to say to revere, respect.

For thus says the Lord of hosts: OnceZZ again, in a little while,AAA I will shakeBBB

Notes on verse 2:6a

ZZ “once” = echad. Same as “first” in v2:1. See note J above.
AAA “little while” = me’at. From ma’at (being or becoming small, decrease, diminish, pare off). This is a little or few, lightly little while, very small matter.
BBB “shake” = raash. This is to quake, shake, tremble, shake from fear; leap like a locust.

the heavensCCC and the earthDDD and the seaEEE and the dry land,FFF 

Notes on verse 2:6b

CCC “heavens” = shamayim. Root may mean being lofty. This is sky, the air, or heaven. It is in a dual noun form so this might refer to the part of the sky where the clouds move on the one hand and the part beyond that where the sun, moon, and stars are on the other hand.
DDD “earth” = erets. Same as “land” in v2:4. See note MM above.
EEE “sea” = yam. Root may mean to roar. This is the sea, often referring to the Mediterranean. It comes from the root in the sense of the roar of crashing surf. This word is sometimes used for rivers or other sources of water. It can mean to the west or to the south.
FFF “dry land” = charabah. 8x in OT. From chareb (to be waste or desolate, destroyer). This is dry ground, dry, or desert.

and I will shake all the nations,GGG so that the treasureHHH of all nations will come,III and I will fillJJJ this house with splendor,KKK says the Lord of hosts. 

Notes on verse 2:7

GGG “nations” = goy. From the same root as gevah (the back, person, or body); related to gev (among); related to gaah (to rise up). This is nation or people. Often used to refer to Gentiles or foreign nations. It can also be used figuratively for a group of animals. This is where the Yiddish “goy” comes from.
HHH “treasure” = chemdah. 18x in OT. From chemed (desire, delight); from chamad (to desire or delight in someone or something; something that is precious or coveted; to lust). This is desire or precious.
III “come” = bo. This is to enter, come in, advance, fulfill, bring offerings, enter to worship, attack. It can also have a sexual connotation.
JJJ “fill” = male. This is fill, satisfy, replenish, accomplish, fulfill, confirm, or consecrate. It is fill in a literal or figurative sense.
KKK “splendor” = kabod. Same as “glory” in v2:3. See note GG above.

The silverLLL is mine, and the goldMMM is mine, saysNNN the Lord of hosts. The latterOOO splendor of this house shall bePPP greaterQQQ than the former, says the Lord of hosts,

Notes on verses 2:8-9a

LLL “silver” = keseph. From kasaph (to long for, be greedy; to become pale). This is silver or money.
MMM “gold” = zahab. Root may mean to shimmer. This is gold or something that has the color of gold like oil. It can also refer to a clear sky – to good weather.
NNN “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v2:4. See note KK above.
OOO “latter” = acharon. From achar (to be behind, delay, be late, procrastinate, continue). This is end, last, coming behind, to loiter, later. It can also refer to the west.
PPP “be” = hayah. Same as “came” in v2:1. See note M above.
QQQ “greater” = gadol. Same as “high” in v2:2. See note Y above.

and in this placeRRR I will giveSSS prosperity,TTT saysUUU the Lord of hosts.”

Notes on verse 2:9b

RRR “place” = maqom. From qum (to arise, stand, accomplish, establish, abide; rising against, getting up after being sick or asleep, arising from one state to another, becoming powerful, or rising for action; standing in a figurative sense). This is a standing, which is to say a spot or space a place. It can also refer to a locality or a physical/mental condition. HaMaqom is also a Jewish name for God – the place, i.e. the Omnipresent One.
SSS “give” = natan. This is to give, put, set, offer. It is to give literally or figuratively.
TTT “prosperity” = shalom. From shalam (to be complete or sound; to have safety mentally, physically, or extending to one’s estate; so, if these things are safe and complete, the implication is that one would be friendly; and, if being friendly, one would make amends and that friendship would be reciprocated). This is completeness, soundness, welfare, favor, friend, good health. It is to be safe and figuratively well, happy, at peace, friendly. Abstractly, it includes the ideas of welfare and prosperity (not in excessive wealth, but in having enough).
UUU “says” = neum. Same as “says” in v2:4. See note KK above.


Image credit: “St. John the Baptist in the Mountains – sundial with biblical verse Haggai 2:9.” Photo by Yoavd, 2008.

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