Haggai
Haggai front
Introduction to Haggai
Part 1: General Introduction
Outline of Haggai
- The people must finish the temple for Yahweh to bless them again (1:1–15)
- This temple will be more glorious than the first temple (2:1–9)
- Yahweh will bless a defiled people (2:10–19)
- Yahweh will defeat the nations and establish his ruler (2:20–23)
What is the book of Haggai about?
The people of Israel lacked necessary things like food and warm clothes. The prophet Haggai told them that they lacked such things because they were not obeying Yahweh. If the people of Israel would listen to Yahweh and start rebuilding the temple, then Yahweh would send rain and bless them again. The people listened and began to work on the temple. Yahweh encouraged the people, the priests, and the leaders. Yahweh told them that he was with them and would bless them when they would build the temple.
How should the title of this book be translated?
This book traditionally has been titled “Haggai” or “The Book of Haggai.” Translators may decide to call it simply: “The Sayings of Haggai” or “The Prophecies of Haggai.”
Who wrote the book of Haggai and when?
The prophet Haggai wrote this short book of two chapters. Haggai wrote this book after the exiles returned from Babylon. The exiles returned during the reign of the Persian king, Darius the first. We do not know very much about the prophet Haggai. However, we know that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah lived at the same time. Both Haggai and Zechariah are mentioned in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14. Ezra 5:1 and 6:14 indicate that Haggai and Zechariah lived and prophesied together for the sake of the people of Israel that had returned from exile. Thus readers can use Haggai to interpret Zechariah, and they can use Zechariah to interpret Haggai.
Haggai 1:1 indicates that Haggai began his prophetic ministry during the sixth month of Darius's second year, which was sometime between August and September of 520 B.C. According to Haggai 1:1, Haggai started to prophesy on the first day of the sixth month, which is probably the 29th of August in the year 520 B.C. But in contrast, Haggai 2:10 states that the last prophecies of Haggai occurred on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of the same year of Darius' reign in Persia. The twenty-fourth day of the ninth month of the second year of Darius' reign would be approximately in the middle of December of 520 B.C. Therefore, Haggai only prophesied to the people of Israel for a brief, roughly four-month period of time. When Haggai prophesied, the nation of Israel had no ruler or king of her own by whom to date Haggai's prophecies. Thus, Haggai had to date his prophecies by the reign of Darius, king of Persia and suzerain of Judah. Much of our current knowledge about Darius the first comes from the famous Behistun Inscription. Haggai dates his prophecies by the reign of a pagan, Persian king to indicate that Jesus' words of Luke 21:24, the “time of the Gentiles,” were now the state of things for the people of Israel.
Part 2: Important Religious and Cultural Concepts
Did Haggai prophesy before Ezra and Nehemiah?
Haggai prophesied before the time of Ezra and Nehemiah. Both Haggai and Zechariah are mentioned in Ezra 5:1 and 6:14.
Part 3: Important Translation Issues
What does “consider your ways” mean?
Yahweh, through the prophecies of Haggai, told the people to “consider your ways” several times in this book. This means that he wants them to think carefully about how they have lived and behaved. For example, see the translation notes for verses 1:5 and 1:7 provided here.
Set your heart to examine your ways means that God wishes the people of Israel to consider their ways or to think carefully about their behavior. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Consider your ways” or “Think carefully about your ways" or “Set your heart to examine your behavior” https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom/01.md
Haggai 1
Haggai 1 General Notes
Structure and Formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read.
Special Concepts in this Chapter
Farming imagery
Haggai's prophecies use the imagery of farming in reference to spiritual matters. For example, Haggai 1:6 indicates that the people of Israel had done a great amount of work, but they had very little to show for all of their effort. Thus, the lack of blessing from Yahweh indicates that the people of Israel needed to repent and build the temple.
Set your heart to examine your ways means that God wishes the people of Israel to consider their ways or to think carefully about their behavior. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Consider your ways” or “Think carefully about your ways” or “Set your heart to examine your behavior” https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-idiom
The/01.md words Darius, Haggai, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Joshua, and Jehozadak are the names of men. https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-names
Often,/01.md throughout the book of Haggai, Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared” https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-123person/01.md
Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king
Quote: בִּשְׁנַ֤ת שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ לְדָרְיָ֣וֶשׁ הַמֶּ֔לֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The prophet Haggai assumes that his readers will understand that by the second year he means the second year of the reign of Darius. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “In the second year of the reign of King Darius”
In the second year of … in the sixth month, on the first day of the month
Quote: בִּשְׁנַ֤ת שְׁתַּ֨יִם֙ & בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשִּׁשִּׁ֔י & בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. Alternate translation: “In year two of ... on day one of month six”
Darius … Haggai … Zerubbabel … Shealtiel, … Joshua … Jehozadak
Quote: לְדָרְיָ֣וֶשׁ & חַגַּ֣י & זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל & שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל֙ & יְהוֹשֻׁ֧עַ & יְהוֹצָדָ֛ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The words Darius, Haggai, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Joshua, and Jehozadak are the names of men.
in the sixth month, on the first day of the month
Quote: בַּחֹ֨דֶשׁ֙ הַשִּׁשִּׁ֔י בְּי֥וֹם אֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
The sixth month of the Hebrew calendar includes August and September on Western calendars. You could convert the Hebrew day and month into an approximate date on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the date will be different every year and the translation will not be entirely accurate. So you may just want to give the number of the day and the name of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar.
the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: הָיָ֨ה דְבַר־יְהוָ֜ה בְּיַד־חַגַּ֣י הַנָּבִ֗יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai the prophet is an idiom to introduce a special message from God to the prophet Haggai. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave this message to Haggai the prophet” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Haggai the prophet”
by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: בְּיַד־חַגַּ֣י הַנָּבִ֗יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Haggai is using hand to represent the prophet Haggai. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “through Haggai the prophet”
Haggai 1:2
These people
Quote: הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ (1)These people refers to the people of Israel who had returned from Babylon to Israel. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this plain in the translation. Alternate translation: “the people of Israel” or “the Israelites”
Haggai 1:3
Then the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה בְּיַד־חַגַּ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai is an idiom to introduce a special message from God to the prophet Haggai. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:1. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave this message to Haggai” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Haggai”
by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: בְּיַד־חַגַּ֥י הַנָּבִ֖יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Haggai is using hand to represent the prophet Haggai. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:1. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “through Haggai the prophet”
Haggai 1:4
Is it a time for you yourselves to live in your covered houses, while this house lies ruined
Quote: הַעֵ֤ת לָכֶם֙ אַתֶּ֔ם לָשֶׁ֖בֶת בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֣ם סְפוּנִ֑ים וְהַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה חָרֵֽב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is rebuking the people by using a question form that expects a negative answer. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Now is not the time for you yourselves to live in your covered houses, while this house lies ruined.”
covered
Quote: סְפוּנִ֑ים (1)Here, covered means “paneled” or “roofed.” Scholars are not sure of the exact meaning, but covered most likely has the meaning of “roofed.”
while this house
Quote: וְהַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה (1)Here, this house refers to the temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem.
lies ruined
Quote: חָרֵֽב (1)Here, ruined means “uncovered” or “without a roof.” Scholars are not sure of the exact meaning, but ruined most likely has the meaning of “uncovered.”
Haggai 1:5
Set your heart {to examine} your ways
Quote: שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶ֖ם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Set your heart to examine your ways means that God wishes the people of Israel to consider their ways or to think carefully about their behavior. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Consider your ways” or “Think carefully about your ways” or “Set your heart to examine your behavior”
Haggai 1:6
but cannot get drunk
Quote: וְאֵין־לְשָׁכְרָ֔ה (1)Here, the clause but cannot get drunk means that there is not enough wine to satisfy the people’s thirst. In other words, there is not nearly enough wine for the people of Israel to drink and then be drunk. The reader should understand that the text is not stating that drunkenness is a good thing.
only to put it} into a bag full of holes
Quote: אֶל־צְר֥וֹר נָקֽוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, only to put it into a bag full of holes figuratively refers to not earn enough money to buy necessary goods upon which to live. Thus, the concept of not having sufficient money to live is spoken of as if the person were losing the money that falls out through holes in the money bag. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “only to lose it from a bag full of holes” or “only to have it disappear”
Haggai 1:7
Set your heart {to examine} your ways
Quote: שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶ֖ם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Set your heart to examine your ways means that God wishes the people of Israel to consider their ways or to think carefully about their behavior. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:5. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Consider your ways” or “Think carefully about your ways” or “Set your heart to examine your behavior”
Haggai 1:8
timber
Quote: עֵ֖ץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Haggai is using timber to represent only a part of what the people of Israel needed to build the temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: ”lumber” or ”wood”
and I will be glorified
Quote: ואכבד (1)Here, and I will be glorified means that God would place his glorious presence or his splendor in the temple. Alternate translation: “and I will glorify myself” or “and I will come glorified” “and I will appear glorified”
Haggai 1:9
but behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The author is using the phrase but behold to focus the reader's attention on what he is about to state. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation. Alternate translation: “but look” or “but listen” or “but pay attention to what I am about to tell you”
for I blew it away
Quote: וְנָפַ֣חְתִּי ב֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, I blew it away means that God removed the harvest and crops that the people of Israel expected to eat.. The people of Israel are not able to find their harvest or crops. Thus, the author describes the lack of crops as though the people of Israel were looking for crops, but Yahweh had blown them away like dust. Alternate translation: “I spoiled them” or “I caused them to spoil” or “I caused them to disappear”
Why
Quote: יַ֣עַן מֶ֗ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Haggai is using the question form to supply the assumed answer. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You know why I did this!” or “You know why, do you not?”
declares Yahweh of
Quote: נְאֻם֙ יְהוָ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
lies in ruins
Quote: חָרֵ֔ב (1)Here, ruined means “uncovered” or ”without a roof.” Scholars are not sure of the exact meaning, but ruined most likely has the meaning of “uncovered.” See how you translated this in Haggai 1:4.
while every one of you runs to his own house
Quote: וְאַתֶּ֥ם רָצִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ לְבֵיתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, while every one of you runs to his own house means that the people of Israel only were concerned about their own homes and not about the house of God. The people of Israel only worked on their own houses, but they did not build God's house. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “while every one of you worries about his own house” or “while every one of you thinks about his own house” or “while every one of you builds his own house”
Haggai 1:10
the heavens withhold the dew
Quote: כָּלְא֥וּ שָמַ֖יִם מִטָּ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Haggai uses the heavens withhold the dew to describe a lack of water coming to the land as dew in the morning. The dew that appears at night is spoken of as if it formed in the sky and fell like rain. The sky is spoken of as if it were a person who refused to give a present or a parent who refused to feed his child. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the heavens do not give any dew” or “no dew forms” or “the heavens withhold water in the morning”
the dew
Quote: מִטָּ֑ל (1)Here, the dew refers to moisture on the crops and plants that only comes in the morning before the sun evaporates the water. Thus, dew was an important source of water for the crops and plants in the rainless summer months of the land of Israel. The translator should retain the term dew or find a more general term for moisture or water that is not directly from rain falling from the sky. Alternate translation: “water in the morning” or “moisture in the morning”
and the earth withholds its produce
Quote: וְהָאָ֖רֶץ כָּלְאָ֥ה יְבוּלָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Haggai uses the earth withholds its produce to describe a lack of crops and harvest for the people of Israel. The author speaks of the earth as if it were a person who could not give the people produce or crops. If it would be helpful in your language, you could express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the earth does not give its produce” or “the earth withholds its crops”
Haggai 1:11
upon the land and upon the mountains, upon the grain and upon the new wine, upon the oil and upon what the ground produces, upon men and upon beasts, and upon all the labor of your hands
Quote: עַל־הָאָ֣רֶץ וְעַל־הֶהָרִ֗ים וְעַל־הַדָּגָן֙ וְעַל־הַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְעַל־הַיִּצְהָ֔ר וְעַ֛ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר תּוֹצִ֖יא הָאֲדָמָ֑ה וְעַל־הָֽאָדָם֙ וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה וְעַ֖ל כָּל־יְגִ֥יעַ כַּפָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-litany
Haggai uses a repetitive series of clauses here and the next verse to show the comprehensive nature of the things that the drought affects. This repetitive style of speaking or writing is called a “litany.” Use a form in your language that someone would use to list a series of reasons for something. Alternate translation: “upon all the land, and upon all the crops, and upon every living thing, and upon all your labor”
and upon the new wine, upon the oil
Quote: וְעַל־הַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְעַל־הַיִּצְהָ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, new wine and oil represent grapes and olives, or the natural produce and crops before they are changed to their products for humans to eat or use. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and upon the grapes, upon the olives”
and upon all the labor of your hands
Quote: וְעַ֖ל כָּל־יְגִ֥יעַ כַּפָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea behind the word labor, you can express the same idea with a verbal form such as “work hard.” Alternate translation: “everything you have worked to make” or “the results of your work”
your hands
Quote: כַּפָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, your hands represent the labor of each person among the people of Israel. The labor that the hands perform means the things that the labor produces. The hand represents the person. Alternate translation: “your effort” or “your work”
Haggai 1:12
Zerubbabel … Shealtiel, and … Joshua … Jehozadak, … Haggai
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל & שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֡ל & וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ & יְהוֹצָדָק֩ & חַגַּ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The words Darius, Haggai, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Joshua, and Jehozadak are the names of men. See how you translated these men’s names in Haggai 1:1.
Then … obeyed the voice of Yahweh their God and the words of Haggai
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע & בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם וְעַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ חַגַּ֣י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The expression obeyed the voice of Yahweh their God and the words of Haggai describes the idea of obeying or heeding the message of someone. If it would be helpful, you could use an equivalent idiom from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “obeyed Yahweh and Haggai” or “listened to Yahweh and Haggai”
and the people feared the face of Yahweh
Quote: וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ הָעָ֖ם מִפְּנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
This clause could mean: (1) the face could represent the person. Alternate translation: “the people feared Yahweh” or (2) the face could be represent the person’s presence. Alternate translation: “the people were afraid to be in Yahweh’s presence”
Haggai 1:13
I am with you
Quote: אֲנִ֥י אִתְּכֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, I am with you is an idiom meaning that God favors or will help the people of Israel to rebuild the temple and live in the land of Israel. The idiom encourages the people of Israel by expressing the idea of support and favor from God. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am with you to help” or “I am here with you” or “I am here to protect you”
this is the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this phrase in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
Haggai 1:14
So Yahweh stirred up the spirit of
Quote: וַיָּ֣עַר יְהוָ֡ה אֶת־רוּחַ֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, So Yahweh stirred up the spirit of is an idiom that means that God made the people want to rebuild the temple. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh moved the heart of” or “Yahweh inspired”
Zerubbabel … Shealtiel, … Joshua … Jehozadak
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל & שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֜ל & יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ & יְהוֹצָדָק֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The words Darius, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Joshua, and Jehozadak are the names of men. See how you translated these men’s names in Haggai 1:1.
Haggai 1:15
in the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month
Quote: בְּי֨וֹם עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בַּשִּׁשִּׁ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
Haggai describes a time just 23 days after he received the vision. The sixth month of the Hebrew calendar includes August and September on Western calendars. You could convert the Hebrew day and month into an approximate date on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the date will be different every year and the translation will not be entirely accurate. So you may just want to give the number of the day and the name of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar. See how you translated the month number in Haggai 1:1.
in the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king
Quote: בְּי֨וֹם עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בַּשִּׁשִּׁ֑י בִּשְׁנַ֥ת שְׁתַּ֖יִם לְדָרְיָ֥וֶשׁ הַמֶּֽלֶךְ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
See how you translated the numbers in Haggai 1:1. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. Alternate translation: “In year two of ... on day 24 of month six”
Haggai 2
Haggai 2 General Notes
Structure and formatting
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read.
Important figures of speech in this chapter
Unclean
Haggai uses an extended metaphor in this chapter related to ritual cleanliness. While the Jews were not unclean by nature as the Gentiles were, their actions made them unclean. https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-metaphor
The/01.md words Darius, Haggai, Zerubbabel, Shealtiel, Joshua, and Jehozadak are the names of men. https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/translate-names
Often,/01.md throughout the book of Haggai, Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared” https://git.door43.org/ukgt/ukta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-123person/01.md
Haggai 2:1
In the seventh month on the twenty-first day of the month
Quote: בַּשְּׁבִיעִ֕י בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This is the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-first day of the seventh month is near the middle of October on Western calendars. You could convert the Hebrew day and month into an approximate date on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the date will be different every year and the translation will not be entirely accurate. So you may just want to give the number of the day and the name of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar. See how you translated the month number in Haggai 1:1.
In the seventh month on the twenty-first day of the month
Quote: בַּשְּׁבִיעִ֕י בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
See how you translated the numbers in Haggai 1:1. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. Alternate translation: “On day 21 of month seven”
the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai
Quote: הָיָה֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה בְּיַד־חַגַּ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai is an idiom to introduce a special message from God to the prophet Haggai. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:1. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave this message to Haggai” or “Yahweh spoke this message to Haggai”
by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: בְּיַד־חַגַּ֥י הַנָּבִ֖יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
The author is using hand to represent the activity of the prophet Haggai. See how you translated this expression in Haggai 1:1. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “through Haggai the prophet”
Haggai
Quote: חַגַּ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated this man’s name in Haggai 1:1.
Haggai 2:2
Zerubbabel … Shealtiel, … Joshua … Jehozadak
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֤ל & שַׁלְתִּיאֵל֙ & יְהוֹשֻׁ֥עַ & יְהוֹצָדָ֖ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated these men’s names in Haggai 1:1.
Haggai 2:3
Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory
Quote: מִ֤י בָכֶם֙ הַנִּשְׁאָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה בִּכְבוֹד֖וֹ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh speaks of the new temple as if it were the same building as the old temple. He is telling those who had seen the former temple to pay attention. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I want those among you who saw this house in its former glory to pay attention.”
in its former glory
Quote: בִּכְבוֹד֖וֹ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of its former glory, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “how glorious it was” or “how splendorous it was”
How do you see it now
Quote: וּמָ֨ה אַתֶּ֜ם רֹאִ֤ים אֹתוֹ֙ עַ֔תָּה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is telling the people of Israel that he knows what they are thinking about the new temple. He speaks of the new temple as if it were the same building as the old temple. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I know what you think of this new temple.”
Is it not like nothing in your eyes
Quote: הֲל֥וֹא כָמֹ֛הוּ כְּאַ֖יִן בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is telling the people of Israel that he understands that they are disappointed because the new temple is so small. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “I know that you think it is not important at all.”
Haggai 2:4
be strong, … and be strong, … and be strong
Quote: חֲזַ֣ק & וַחֲזַ֣ק & וַחֲזַ֨ק (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, be strong is an idiom that means one must overcome one's fears with courage and act with bravery. Essentially, the imperative means to be brave and work with courage. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “be brave” … “and be courageous” … “and act bravely”
this is the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: נְאֻם־יְהוָ֡ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
I am with you
Quote: אֲנִ֣י אִתְּכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, I am with you is an idiom meaning that God favors or will help the people of Israel to rebuild the temple and live in the land of Israel. The idiom encourages the people of Israel by expressing the idea of the presence and support and favor of God. See how you translated this phrase in Haggai 1:13. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I am with you to help” or “I am here with you” or “I am among you to protect you”
Haggai 2:5
and my Spirit remains in your midst
Quote: וְרוּחִ֖י עֹמֶ֣דֶת בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, and my Spirit remains in your midst is an idiom meaning that God favors or will help the people of Israel to rebuild the temple and live in the land of Israel. The idiom encourages the people of Israel by expressing the idea of support and favor from God. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, use an idiom from your language that does have that meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and my Spirit will protect you” or “and my Spirit will help you” or “and my Spirit will go with you”
Do not fear
Quote: אַל־תִּירָֽאוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Do not fear is an idiom that means one must overcome one's fears with courage, and act with bravery. Essentially, the phrase means to be brave and work with courage. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Be brave ” or “Be courageous”
Haggai 2:6
I will … shake
Quote: וַאֲנִ֗י מַרְעִישׁ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is using the phrase “I will … shake” to represent the idea of an earthquake. Earthquakes often symbolized Yahweh's supernatural intervention in history, such as in the final time of God's judgment. Yahweh speaks of the sky and the earth as if they were solid objects that he could shake in an earthquake. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will cause an earthquake”
the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land
Quote: אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־הַיָּ֖ם וְאֶת־הֶחָרָבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Here, the words heavens, earth, sea, and dry land are referring to all of creation by naming the parts that are at the extreme ends of God's creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “all of creation” or “every part of creation”
Haggai 2:7
I will shake
Quote: וְהִרְעַשְׁתִּי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is using the phrase “I will shake” to represent the idea of an earthquake. Earthquakes often symbolized Yahweh's supernatural intervention in history, such as in the final time of God's judgment. Yahweh speaks of the nations as if they were solid objects that he could shake. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will cause an earthquake”
with the precious things of
Quote: חֶמְדַּ֣ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of precious things, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “with things people value” or “with items people desire ”
and I will fill this house with glory
Quote: וּמִלֵּאתִ֞י אֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ כָּב֔וֹד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh speaks of glory as if it were a solid or liquid that could be put into a container, in this case, the temple. This metaphor could mean: (1) the temple will become very beautiful. Alternate translation: “I will make this house very beautiful” or (2) the “precious things” that “every nation will bring” include much silver and gold and other forms of wealth. Alternate translation: “I will have people bring many beautiful things into this house”
with glory
Quote: כָּב֔וֹד (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. See how you translated glory in Haggai 2:03. Alternate translation: “with glorious majesty” or “with splendorous majesty” or “with glorious nature”
Haggai 2:8
this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts
Quote: נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this phrase in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh of hosts has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, have declared”
Haggai 2:9
The glory of
Quote: כְּבוֹד֩ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of glory, you could express the same idea in another way. See how you translated glory in Haggai 2:03. Alternate translation: “The glorious majesty” or “The splendorous majesty” or “The glorious nature”
I will give peace
Quote: אֶתֵּ֣ן שָׁל֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, I will give peace is an idiom that means “I will cause peace to happen.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will grant peace” or “I will allow peace”
peace
Quote: שָׁל֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of peace, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “prosperity” or "well being” or "good welfare”
Haggai 2:10
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וְאַרְבָּעָה֙ לַתְּשִׁיעִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-fourth day of the ninth month is near the middle of December on Western calendars. You could convert the Hebrew day and month into an approximate date on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the date will be different every year and the translation will not be entirely accurate. So you may just want to give the number of the day and the name of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar. See how you translated the month number in Haggai 1:1.
On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וְאַרְבָּעָה֙ לַתְּשִׁיעִ֔י בִּשְׁנַ֥ת שְׁתַּ֖יִם לְדָרְיָ֑וֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
See how you translated the numbers in Haggai 1:1. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. Alternate translation: “On day 24 of month nine in year two of Darius”
of Darius, … Haggai
Quote: לְדָרְיָ֑וֶשׁ & חַגַּ֥י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated these men’s names in Haggai 1:1.
the word of Yahweh came
Quote: הָיָה֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Haggai 1:1. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message” or “Yahweh spoke this message”
Haggai 2:11
Thus says Yahweh of hosts: Ask the priests concerning the law, and say
Quote: כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת שְׁאַל־נָ֧א אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים תּוֹרָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks
Even if your language does not customarily put one direct quotation inside another, it would be good to present this quotation as a direct quotation. You may be able to indicate its beginning with an opening second-level quotation mark or with some other punctuation or convention that your language could use to indicate the start of a second-level quotation. You may also be able to use special formatting to set off the quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh of hosts says to ask the priests concerning the law, and say”
Haggai 2:12
meat that is set apart to Yahweh
Quote: בְּשַׂר־קֹ֜דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, meat that set apart to Yahweh is an idiom that means “holy meat” or “sacred meat.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “meat that is holy to Yahweh” or “meat that is sacred to Yahweh”
in the fold of … the fold
Quote: בִּכְנַ֣ף & בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, the fold is an idiom that means “a crease in the robe.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “in the crease … the crease” or “in the robe's fold … the robe's fold”
The priests answered and said, “No
Quote: וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ לֹֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Haggai is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You could supply these words from earlier in the context if it would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “The priests answered and said, ’No, the food does not become holy.’”
Haggai 2:13
someone who is unclean
Quote: טְמֵא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Haggai is using the term unclean to mean a lack of being ritually clean or simply being unable to worship publicly. While the Jews were not unclean by nature, their actions could make them unclean or ritually impure. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “someone who is ritually impure” or “someone who is unable to worship publicly” or “someone who is not ritually pure”
someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body
Quote: טְמֵא־נֶ֛פֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, someone who is unclean by contact with a dead body is an idiom that means “someone who has become ritually impure by touching a dead body.” If the Israelites touched something “unclean,” such as a dead body in Numbers 19:13, then they themselves would be considered unclean for a certain period of time. To be unclean meant to be ritually impure or, simply put, that one could not participate in the public worship of God for a temporary period of time. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “someone who is ritually impure by contact with a dead body” or “someone who is unable to publicly worship due to contact with a dead body”
Haggai 2:14
So it is with this people and this nation before me
Quote: כֵּ֣ן הָֽעָם־הַ֠זֶּה וְכֵן־הַגּ֨וֹי הַזֶּ֤ה לְפָנַי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
So it is with this people and this nation before me is an idiom that means “The same principle applies to this people and this nation in my perspective.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “So the same thing applies to this people and this nation before me” or “So is the case also with this people and this nation before me”
this is the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
it is with every work done by their hands
Quote: כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, every work done by their hands is an idiom that means “all their agricultural work” or “all their agricultural products.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “it is with every work they produce” or “it is with every product done by their hands”
What they offer there
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר יַקְרִ֛יבוּ שָׁ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Haggai speaks of the altar mentioned in Ezra 3:2 as there. If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “What they offer on the altar” or “What they offer at the altar”
is unclean
Quote: טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Haggai is using the term unclean to mean a lack of being ritually clean or simply being unable to worship publicly. While the Jews were not unclean by nature, their actions could make them unclean or ritually impure. See how you translated unclean in Haggai 2:13. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “ritually impure” or “not ritually pure”
Haggai 2:15
set your hearts to consider
Quote: שִֽׂימוּ־נָ֣א לְבַבְכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated this expression in Haggai 1:5.
stone was placed upon stone
Quote: שֽׂוּם־אֶ֛בֶן אֶל־אֶ֖בֶן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “you placed stone upon stone”
stone was placed upon stone
Quote: שֽׂוּם־אֶ֛בֶן אֶל־אֶ֖בֶן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Paul is using one part of the building process to represent the process of building in its entirety. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “your building” or “any building”
in the temple of Yahweh
Quote: בְּהֵיכַ֥ל יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, in the temple of Yahweh assumes that his readers will understand ”the temple that is mine as Yahweh.” You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “in Yahweh's temple” or “in my temple”
Haggai 2:16
From that time when you came to a heap of
Quote: מִֽהְיוֹתָ֥ם בָּא֙ אֶל־עֲרֵמַ֣ת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
*From that time when you came to a heap * is an idiom that means: “How did you fare?” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Look what has happened to you up to now!” or “Have you recalled what life was like in the past?”
a heap of twenty {measures of grain
Quote: עֲרֵמַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Haggai assumes that his readers will understand that a heap of 20 measures refers to a grain or a similar food of some type. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “a stack of 20 measures of grain” or “a heap of 20 measures of wheat” or “a heap of 20 measures of food”
twenty {measures of grain
Quote: עֶשְׂרִ֔ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
Here, 20 measures of grain are measurements of volume equivalent to unknown amounts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the equivalent expression for an unknown measurement in your translation or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “20 handfuls of grain” or “20 cups of grain” or “20 bags of grain”
fifty {measures of wine
Quote: חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
Here, 50 measures of wine are measurements of volume equivalent to unknown amounts. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use the equivalent expression for an unknown measurement in your translation or in a footnote. Alternate translation: “50 cups of wine” or “50 jugs of wine” or “50 jars of wine”
fifty {measures of wine
Quote: חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Haggai assumes that his readers will understand that 50 measures of wine refers to wine. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “50 wine cups” or “50 wine vessels” or “50 wine jars”
Haggai 2:17
I struck you … with blight and with mildew
Quote: הִכֵּ֨יתִי אֶתְכֶ֜ם בַּשִּׁדָּפ֤וֹן וּבַיֵּֽרָקוֹן֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-quotations
Here Haggai quotes from the Old Testament scriptures, specifically from the first four words of Amos 4:9. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could format these words in a different way and include this information in a footnote.
and all the work of your hands
Quote: כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, every work done by your hands is an idiom that means “all your agricultural work” or “all your agricultural products.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “every work you produce” or “every product done by your hands”
but you still did not turn to me
Quote: וְאֵין־אֶתְכֶ֥ם אֵלַ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, but you still did not turn to me is an idiom that means “yet you did not come back to me” or “but you did not look again at me.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but you still did not return to me” or “but you still did not look back at me”
this is the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
Haggai 2:18
Please set your hearts to consider
Quote: שִׂימוּ־נָ֣א לְבַבְכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Please set your heart to consider means that God wishes the people of Israel to consider their ways or to think carefully about their behavior. See how you translated this phrase in Haggai 1:5. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Consider please” or “Think carefully please” or “Ponder carefully please”
from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month
Quote: מִיּוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-fourth day of the ninth month is near the middle of December on Western calendars. You could convert the Hebrew day and month into an approximate date on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the date will be different every year and the translation will not be entirely accurate. So you may just want to give the number of the day and the name of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar. See how you translated the month number in Haggai 2:10.
from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month
Quote: מִיּוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
See how you translated the numbers in Haggai 2:10. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. Alternate translation: “On day 24 of month nine”
from the day that the foundation of the temple of Yahweh was laid
Quote: לְמִן־הַיּ֛וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יֻסַּ֥ד הֵֽיכַל־יְהוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-activepassive
If your language does not use this passive form, you could express the idea in active form or in another way that is natural in your language. Alternate translation: “from the day that you laid the foundation of the temple of Yahweh” or “from the day that you laid the foundation of Yahweh’s temple”
Set your hearts to consider this
Quote: שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Set your heart to consider this! means that God desires the people of Israel to consider their ways and to think carefully about their behavior. See how you translated this phrase in Haggai 1:5. If your readers would misunderstand this, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Consider this” or “Think carefully” or “Ponder carefully”
Haggai 2:19
Is there still seed in the storehouse
Quote: הַע֤וֹד הַזֶּ֨רַע֙ בַּמְּגוּרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Haggai is using the question form to indicate a negative response or answer. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “You can see that there is no seed in the storehouse.”
seed
Quote: הַזֶּ֨רַע֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, seed represents grain, the most common form of food, generally speaking, that people consumed in biblical times. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “grain seed” or “any food” or “any bread”
Until now the vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree have not produced
Quote: וְעַד־הַגֶּ֨פֶן וְהַתְּאֵנָ֧ה וְהָרִמּ֛וֹן וְעֵ֥ץ הַזַּ֖יִת לֹ֣א נָשָׂ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Haggai is using the question form to indicate a negative response or answer. If you would not use the question form for this purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Until now the vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree do not produce.” or “Can you not see that the vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree do not produce until now?”
the vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree
Quote: הַגֶּ֨פֶן וְהַתְּאֵנָ֧ה וְהָרִמּ֛וֹן וְעֵ֥ץ הַזַּ֖יִת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the vine, the fig, the pomegranate, and the olive tree all collectively represent the food or produce that comes from common agriculture. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Your grape vines, fig trees, pomegranate shrubs, and olive trees”
the pomegranate
Quote: וְהָרִמּ֛וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The pomegranate is a kind of fruit that has a thick, tough skin filled with many seeds that are covered with edible red pulp. This sweet fruit grows on trees or shrubs. You may need to make explicit that the tree or shrub is being mentioned. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “the pomegranate tree” or “the pomegranate shrub" or “the pomegranate bush”
have not produced
Quote: לֹ֣א נָשָׂ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, have not produced is an idiom that literally means “have not carried.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “have not borne fruit” or “have not produced anything” or “have not yielded anything”
Haggai 2:20
Then the word of Yahweh came
Quote: וַיְהִ֨י דְבַר־יְהוָ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
This idiom is used to introduce a special message from God. See how you translated a similar phrase in Haggai 2:10. Alternate translation: “Yahweh gave a message” or “Yahweh spoke this message”
Haggai
Quote: חַגַּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Haggai is the name of the prophet that wrote this book. See how you translated this name of this person in Haggai 1:1.
on the twenty-fourth day of the month
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
This is the ninth month of the Hebrew calendar. The twenty-fourth day of the ninth month is near the middle of December on Western calendars. You could convert the Hebrew day and month into an approximate date on the calendar that your culture uses. However, the Jews used a lunar calendar, so if you use a solar calendar, the date will be different every year and the translation will not be entirely accurate. So you may just want to give the number of the day and the name of the month on the Hebrew calendar, and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar. See how you translated the month number in Haggai 2:10. You may need to make explicit which month is mentioned. Alternate translation: “on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month” or “on the twenty-fourth day of the same month”
on the twenty-fourth day of the month
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
See how you translated the numbers in Haggai 2:10. If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. You may need to make explicit which month is mentioned. Alternate translation: “On day 24 of month nine” or “On day 24 of the same month”
Haggai 2:21
Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and say, I am about to shake the heavens and the earth
Quote: אֱמֹ֕ר אֶל־זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל פַּֽחַת־יְהוּדָ֖ה לֵאמֹ֑ר אֲנִ֣י מַרְעִ֔ישׁ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ׃ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks
Even if your language does not customarily put one direct quotation inside another, it would be good to present this quotation as a direct quotation. You may be able to indicate its beginning with an opening second-level quotation mark or with some other punctuation or convention that your language could use to indicate the start of a second-level quotation. You may also be able to use special formatting to set off the quotation. See how you translated similar second-level quotations in Haggai 2:2 and Haggai 2:11. Alternative translation: “This is the message that Haggai should say to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah: ‘I am about to shake the heavens and the earth.‘”
Zerubbabel
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֥ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
Zerubbabel is the name of a man. See how you translated this name of this person in Haggai 1:1.
I am about to shake the heavens and the earth
Quote: אֲנִ֣י מַרְעִ֔ישׁ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
The words “I will shake the earth” could be translated as “I will cause an earthquake.” Earthquakes often symbolized Yahweh's supernatural intervention in history, such as in the final time of God's judgment. Yahweh speaks of the heavens as if they also were solid objects that he could shake. See how you translated this metaphor and these ideas in Haggai 2:6. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “I will cause an earthquake”
the heavens and the earth
Quote: אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Here, the words heavens and earth are referring to all of creation by naming the parts that are at the extreme ends of God's creation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “every part of creation” or “the whole universe” or “everything that exists”
Haggai 2:22
For I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms
Quote: וְהָֽפַכְתִּי֙ כִּסֵּ֣א מַמְלָכ֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
For I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms is an idiom that means “For I will take away the power of rulers ruling in every country.” If this phrase does not have that meaning in your language, you could use an idiom from your language that does have this meaning or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “For I will overthrow the power of kingdoms” or “For I will overthrow the authority of kingdoms” or “For I will take kings off of their thrones”
the throne of kingdoms
Quote: כִּסֵּ֣א מַמְלָכ֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the throne of kingdoms represents the kings or the persons who sit on the thrones of kingdoms or nations. The throne refers to the kingly authority and power that a king has when ruling over a kingdom or nation. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the rule of kingdoms” or “the authority of kingdoms” or “the power of kingdoms”
the strength of the kingdoms of
Quote: חֹ֖זֶק מַמְלְכ֣וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the strength of the kingdoms represents the kingly authority and power that the nations' kings have when they rule. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the rule of the kingdoms” or “the authority of the kingdoms” or “the power of the kingdoms”
the chariots and their riders
Quote: מֶרְכָּבָה֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֶ֔יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the chariots and their riders is literally: ”the chariot and its rider.” The expression the chariots and their riders represents the kingly authority and power that the nations have when they rule in the world. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the power of their armies” or “the power of their militaries” or “the strength of their armies”
I will overthrow the chariots and their riders; the horses and their riders will fall down
Quote: וְהָפַכְתִּ֤י מֶרְכָּבָה֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֶ֔יהָ וְיָרְד֤וּ סוּסִים֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
The phrases the chariots and their riders and the horses and their riders both mean similar things. Haggai is using the two terms together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “I will overthrow the the power of their armies” or "I will overthrow the power of their militaries” or “I will overthrow the strength of their armies”
by the sword of
Quote: בְּחֶ֥רֶב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, the sword represents a violent death. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “by the violent act of” or “by the violence of” or “by the violent killing of”
Haggai 2:23
this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts
Quote: נְאֻם־יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֡וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh of hosts has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, have declared”
Zerubbabel … Shealtiel
Quote: זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל & שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֤ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
See how you translated these men’s names in Haggai 1:1.
this is the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh, have declared”
I will make you like a signet ring
Quote: וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
Yahweh is saying that Zerubbabel will be like a signet ring because he, as king of Israel, would represent Yahweh in some official way, such as a symbol of the king's royal authority and power. A signet ring is a ring worn by a king that is similar to a coin with a design engraved on it. A signet ring was used to imprint melted wax and seal an official document for a king, such as a letter. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state that explicitly. Alternate translation: “I will make you like my official signature” or “I will make you like my royal seal” or “I will make you like a symbol that represents me”
like a signet ring
Quote: כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, a signet ring represents the royal authority or official power of a king. Kings used a signet ring to seal documents to show that they truly had his authority and approval. Yahweh promises to use Zerubbabel like a signet ring to indicate his royal authority and official power. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your language or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “like an official symbol” or “like an official seal” or “like a royal signature”
this is the declaration of Yahweh of hosts
Quote: נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh speaks of himself by name to express the certainty of what he is declaring. See how you translated this in Haggai 1:9. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh of hosts has declared” or “this is what I, Yahweh of hosts, have declared”