UNROLL
Dawn on the temple site in Jerusalem: one new, pale, freshly cut great stone set squarely on an old gray grass-grown course, a wooden mallet and a coil of rope resting on it, under a calm, clear pale sky.

The Book of

Haggai Intro

A ruined house, four dated words, and a people who finally said yes.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min2 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

The exiles are home, but God’s house lies in ruins.

‘Consider your ways,’ the LORD says.

Leaders and people obey, and the work begins.

‘Be strong and work, for I am with you.’

A greater glory is coming, and a chosen servant.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

Haggai

The LORD’s messenger to the builders

  • The word of the LORD came through Haggai the prophet.Haggai 1:1
  • He spoke four dated words in 520 BC, all within four months.Haggai 2:20
  • Ezra names him with Zechariah as the prophets who stirred the builders.Ezra 5:1
  • The temple was finished four years later, in 516 BC.Ezra 6:15

How it’s built

Four words in four months

Build My house1:1–11 · sixth monthThe people obey1:12–15 · work beginsThe latterglory2:1–9 · seventh monthFrom this day2:10–19 · ninth monthMy signet ring2:20–23 · the same day

Whiteboard

Each word is dated to the day, and each ends in hope.

Meet the cast

How to read it

Mostly prose, with short poems.

Read it beside Ezra 5 and 6.

It speaks to one small house,

and looks past it to a shaking of all things.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Watch for

The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former

Haggai 2:9

Start reading

Question

Quick question

Haggai names the two leaders in his first line.

Who was governor of Judah when Haggai spoke?

or swipe left