Haggai
Haggai front
Introduction to Haggai
Part 1: General Introduction
What is the book of Haggai about?
In 539 B.C., the Persian emperor Cyrus conquered the Babylonian empire. He permitted peoples whom the Babylonians had exiled to return to their homelands. So the next year, a group of Israelites from the former kingdom of Judah returned home from exile. Within two years, they began to repair Yahweh’s temple in Jerusalem. But after they had only laid the foundation, their enemies forced them to stop. However, around 520 B.C. a new king, Darius, became emperor of Persia, and he was likely to allow the Judeans to finish rebuilding the temple. Nevertheless, they neglected that work and built luxurious homes for themselves instead. In response, Yahweh prevented their crops from growing well, and the people became hungry and poor. Yahweh then sent the prophet Haggai to explain to them that he had done this because they had neglected his temple. Through Haggai, Yahweh promised that if they would rebuild his temple, he would bless them once again with abundant crops. Yahweh also promised their governor, Zerubbabel, that he would make him an honored leader among the nations of the world. The people responded to Haggai’s prophesies by obeying Yahweh and rebuilding his temple, and Yahweh blessed them once again.
Outline of Haggai
The book of Haggai consists of four oracles that Yahweh gave him to deliver to the Judeans who had returned from exile. Each oracle is dated on a particular day of a specific month in the second year of the reign of Darius as emperor of Persia.
- First oracle (1:1–15a): The people must finish the temple so that Yahweh will bless them again
- Second oracle (1:15b–2:9): The rebuilt temple will be more glorious than the first temple
- Third oracle (2:10–19): Yahweh has withheld crops, but now he will bless the people
- Fourth oracle (2:20–23): Yahweh will defeat the nations and establish Zerubbabel as his honored ruler
Who was the prophet Haggai?
The book of Haggai does not tell us very much about the prophet whose oracles it records. Haggai is mentioned briefly in one other book of the Bible. Ezra 5:1 tells us that Haggai “prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and in Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.” Ezra 6:14 adds that “the elders of the Jews were building and prospering by the prophesying of Haggai the prophet” and that “they built and completed” the temple of Yahweh in Jerusalem. But we know nothing beyond this. Still, we can recognize that Haggai must have been a man of faith, courage, and conviction to challenge the Judeans in their comfortable complacency and inspire them to renew the work of rebuilding 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 also decide to give it a title such as “The Prophecies of Haggai” or “The Sayings of Haggai”
Part 2: Important Translation Issues
Hebrew months
The book of Haggai dates each of its four oracles by the day of a Hebrew month. In your translation, you could convert these Hebrew days and months into approximate dates on the calendar that your culture uses. Notes will give equivalents on Western calendars for those who wish to do this. 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 often not be accurate. So it may be preferable to state the number of the day and the name of the month of the Hebrew calendar in the text of your translation and say in a footnote approximately what time of year that is on your calendar.
Quote marks
The oracles of Haggai are direct first-level quotations from Yahweh. They contain second-level and third-level quotations. If you decide to present those as direct quotations, you can indicate their beginnings and endings with second-level and third-level quotation marks or with whatever other punctuation or convention your language may use. You may also be able to use special formatting to set off these quotations. Alternatively, if your language would not put direct quotations inside a direct quotation, you could represent the second-level and third-level quotations as indirect quotations. Notes suggest how you could do this in various places.
“The declaration of Yahweh”
Haggai frequently uses the formula “the declaration of Yahweh” to identify his oracles as words that Yahweh has given him to speak. If your language would not use an abstract noun such as “declaration,” you could express the same idea in another way. You might say, for example, “this is what Yahweh declares.”
“House” meaning “temple”
Throughout the book of Haggai, various speakers use the word “house” to mean “temple.” They are speaking of the temple as if it would be a house in which God lived, since God’s presence would be there. If it would be helpful to your readers, in your translation you could state the meaning plainly and say “temple” rather than “house” in each of these instances.
Singular and plural “you”
Throughout the book, the words “you,” “yourselves,” and “your” and the implied “you” in imperatives are all plural because Yahweh is addressing the returned exiles as a group. The only exception is in the last verse, where “you” is singular because Yahweh is speaking to Zerubbabel alone. So if your language marks a distinction between singular and plural “you,” use plural forms throughout your translation except in the last verse, where the singular form is appropriate.
The date formula of the second oracle
In 1:1 and 2:10, the first and third oracles in the book are dated with a day, month, and year. It may therefore be that the reference to a year in 1:19, “in the second year of Darius the king,” is actually part of the dating of the second oracle, which follows immediately afterwards in the text, although after a chapter and verse division. Some versions begin a new sentence with that phrase in order to put the information about the “second year” with the information in 2:1 about the “seventh month” and the “twenty-first day.” Some versions also put a section heading before “In the second year” to suggest that a new oracle is starting with that phrase. Other versions place the chapter and verse division before “In the second year of Darius the king,” which makes that phrase part of 2:1. (The chapter and verse divisions in the Bible were added many centuries after the Bible was written, as an aid to locating passages within the Bible. Subsequently, some translators and publishers have made various adjustments to the placement of chapter and verse divisions.) In your translation, present the material in the way that you feel will be most helpful to your readers. (See: https://git.door43.org/unfoldingWord/en_ta/src/branch/master/translate/figs-infostructure./01.md)
Haggai 1
Haggai 1 General Notes
Structure and Formatting
This chapter contains the first oracle that Haggai delivered from Yahweh to the Judeans who had returned from exile.
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in verses 4, 6, and 8–11.
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 second year of Darius the king implicitly means the second year of the reign of Darius as king. You could include this information if that would be helpful to your readers, here and in 1:15 and 2:10. Alternate translation: “In the second year of the reign of King Darius”
In the second year … 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, in your translation you could use cardinal numbers or equivalent expressions. Alternate translation: “In year two of ... on day one of month six”
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. See the General Introduction to Haggai for a discussion of how you might express this date in your translation.
the word of Yahweh was by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: הָיָ֨ה דְבַר־יְהוָ֜ה בְּיַד־חַגַּ֣י הַנָּבִ֗יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here one part of the prophet Haggai, his hand, represents all of him in bringing the word of Yahweh to the returned exiles. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression from your culture or state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Haggai the prophet brought the word of Yahweh”
the word of Yahweh
Quote: דְבַר־יְהוָ֜ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
The term word represents a message that Yahweh conveyed by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “a message from Yahweh”
Haggai 1:2
Thus says Yahweh of Armies, saying: ‘This people, they say, “The time has not come to rebuild the house of Yahweh
Quote: כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֛ר יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת לֵאמֹ֑ר הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ אָֽמְר֔וּ לֹ֥א עֶת־בֹּ֛א עֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה לְהִבָּנֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh of hosts is concerned that these people are saying that the time has not come to rebuild the house of Yahweh”
Yahweh of Armies
Quote: יְהוָ֥ה צְבָא֖וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-names
The phrase Yahweh of Armies is a title for God that indicates his great power. It describes him as the commander of heavenly armies. If a translation of the Bible exists in your region, it may have a particular way of translating this phrase, and you may wish to use that in your translation. If a translation of the Bible does not exist in your region, you may wish to express the meaning of this phrase in some other way, here and throughout the book. Alternate translation: “Yahweh the Almighty”
This people
Quote: הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The phrase This people refers to the people of Judah who had returned from exile in Babylon. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “These returned Judean exiles”
the house of Yahweh
Quote: עֶת־בֵּ֥ית יְהוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
As the General Introduction to Haggai discusses, here and often throughout the book of Haggai, the word house means “temple.” The people are speaking of the temple as if it would be a house in which God lived, since God’s presence would be there. Alternate translation: “the temple of Yahweh”
Haggai 1:3
Then the word of Yahweh came by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: וַֽיְהִי֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה בְּיַד־חַגַּ֥י הַנָּבִ֖יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated this in 1:1. Alternate translation: “Then Haggai the prophet brought this message from Yahweh”
Haggai 1:4
Is it} a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house {is} desolate
Quote: הַעֵ֤ת לָכֶם֙ אַתֶּ֔ם לָשֶׁ֖בֶת בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֣ם סְפוּנִ֑ים וְהַבַּ֥יִת הַזֶּ֖ה חָרֵֽב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “Now is not a time for you yourselves to live in your paneled houses, while this house is desolate!”
for you yourselves … in your … houses
Quote: לָכֶם֙ אַתֶּ֔ם & בְּבָתֵּיכֶ֣ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
As the General Introduction to Haggai discusses, here and throughout the book except for in the last verse, the words you, yourselves, and your are plural because Yahweh is addressing the returned exiles, so use the plural form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.
paneled
Quote: סְפוּנִ֑ים (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. The term paneled could describe: (1) houses whose walls are covered with panels of costly wood. Alternate translation: “in houses whose walls you have paneled with costly wood” (2) houses that have roofs. Alternate translation: “in your houses that have roofs”
Haggai 1:5
So now, thus says Yahweh of Armies: ‘Set your heart upon your ways
Quote: וְעַתָּ֕ה כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶ֖ם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “So now Yahweh of Armies is telling you to set your heart upon your ways”
Set your heart upon your ways
Quote: שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶ֖ם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here, the heart figuratively represents the thoughts. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Focus your thoughts on your ways” or “Consider your ways carefully”
your heart
Quote: לְבַבְכֶ֖ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-collectivenouns
Since Yahweh is speaking to many people, it may be more natural in your language to use the plural form of heart. Alternate translation: “your hearts”
your ways
Quote: דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking of how the returned exiles have been living as if that were a series of ways or paths that they were walking along. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “how you have been living”
Haggai 1:6
but not to satiety
Quote: וְאֵין־לְשָׂבְעָה֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of satiety, you could express the same idea in another way. Alternate translation: “but not enough to satisfy your hunger”
but not {enough} to become drunk
Quote: וְאֵין־לְשָׁכְרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
In this culture, as in many cultures today, the water was not safe to drink, so people drank wine made from grapes. This wine contained a low level of alcohol. Yahweh is emphasizing that the people do not have enough to drink to satisfy their thirst. If they did, they would also experience a slight stimulating sensation. Yahweh is not suggesting that drunkenness is a good thing. It may be helpful to clarify the intended meaning of this statement. Alternate translation: “but you cannot drink enough to satisfy your thirst”
One wears clothes, but he does not warm himself
Quote: לָב֖וֹשׁ וְאֵין־לְחֹ֣ם ל֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Since to this point Yahweh has been speaking to the Judeans in the second person, it may be natural in your language to translate this sentence in the second person as well. Alternate translation: “You wear clothes, but you are not able to warm yourselves”
And the wage earner earns wages into a punctured bag
Quote: וְהַ֨מִּשְׂתַּכֵּ֔ר מִשְׂתַּכֵּ֖ר אֶל־צְר֥וֹר נָקֽוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “And the wage earner earns wages, only to put them into a punctured bag”
And the wage earner earns wages into a punctured bag
Quote: וְהַ֨מִּשְׂתַּכֵּ֔ר מִשְׂתַּכֵּ֖ר אֶל־צְר֥וֹר נָקֽוּב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking as if the returned exiles were literally putting their wages in a punctured bag. The image suggests that when they have expenses, they do not have money available to meet them. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And the money you earn seems to disappear quickly”
a punctured bag
Quote: צְר֥וֹר נָקֽוּב (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: “a bag that someone has punctured” or “a bag that has a hole in it”
Haggai 1:7
Thus says Yahweh of Armies: ‘Set your heart upon your ways
Quote: כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶ֖ם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh of Armies is telling you to set your heart upon your ways”
Set your heart upon your ways
Quote: שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶ֖ם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated this in 1:5. Alternate translation: “Focus your thoughts on how you have been living” or “Consider carefully how you have been living”
Haggai 1:8
Go up {to} the mountain and bring timber and build the house, and I will take pleasure in it and I will be glorified,’ says Yahweh
Quote: עֲל֥וּ הָהָ֛ר וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם עֵ֖ץ וּבְנ֣וּ הַבָּ֑יִת וְאֶרְצֶה־בּ֥וֹ ואכבד אָמַ֥ר יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Yes, Yahweh is telling you to go up to the mountain and bring timber and build the house, and he will take pleasure in it and he will be glorified”
to} the mountain
Quote: הָהָ֛ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun
Yahweh is not referring to a specific mountain. He means the various mountains around the city of Jerusalem, where his temple was located. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “to the mountains”
and I will be glorified
Quote: ואכבד (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. See the discussion in the General Notes to this chapter of the concept of God being glorified. Alternate translation: “and this will glorify me” or “and in this way you will honor me”
Haggai 1:9
You looked for much, but behold, little! And you brought {it} home, but I blew upon it! Because of what?’—the declaration of Yahweh of Armies. Because of my house, that it {is} desolate, but you are running, a man to his house
Quote: פָּנֹ֤ה אֶל־הַרְבֵּה֙ וְהִנֵּ֣ה לִמְעָ֔ט וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם הַבַּ֖יִת וְנָפַ֣חְתִּי ב֑וֹ יַ֣עַן מֶ֗ה נְאֻם֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת יַ֗עַן בֵּיתִי֙ אֲשֶׁר־ה֣וּא חָרֵ֔ב וְאַתֶּ֥ם רָצִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ לְבֵיתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “You looked for much, but behold, little! And you brought it home, but he blew upon it! And Yahweh of Armies wants you to know why this happened. It is because of his house, that it is desolate, but you are running, a man to his house”
but behold
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֣ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is using the term behold to focus his listeners’ attention on what he is about to say. Your language may have a comparable expression that you can use in your translation.
but behold, little
Quote: וְהִנֵּ֣ה לִמְעָ֔ט (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “but you found only a little”
but I blew upon it
Quote: וְנָפַ֣חְתִּי ב֑וֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking as if he had literally blown on the crops that the Judeans brought home. The image is of the wind blowing hard and carrying off grain. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but it was as if the wind carried it away”
Because of what?’—… Because of my house
Quote: יַ֣עַן מֶ֗ה & יַ֗עַן בֵּיתִי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or an exclamation. Alternate translation: “There is an important reason for this! … It is because of my house”
the declaration of Yahweh of Armies
Quote: נְאֻם֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-abstractnouns
As the General Introduction to Haggai discusses, if your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of declaration, you could express the same idea in another way, here and in the other occurrences of this phrase throughout the book. Alternate translation: “this is what Yahweh of Armies declares”
but you are running, a man to his house
Quote: וְאַתֶּ֥ם רָצִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ לְבֵיתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-gendernotations
Although the term man is masculine, Yahweh is using the word in a generic sense that includes both men and women. In this context, it means “each one of you.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could use language in your translation that indicates this. Alternate translation: “each one of you is running to his or her own house”
but you are running, a man to his house
Quote: וְאַתֶּ֥ם רָצִ֖ים אִ֥ישׁ לְבֵיתֽוֹ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking as if the Judeans were literally running back to their homes whenever they had the opportunity to return to them. He means that they are eager to improve their own homes, even though they do not care about the temple. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “while you are eager to improve your own homes”
Haggai 1:10
the heavens … refrain from dew and the earth withholds its produce
Quote: כָּלְא֥וּ שָמַ֖יִם מִטָּ֑ל וְהָאָ֖רֶץ כָּלְאָ֥ה יְבוּלָֽהּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-personification
Yahweh is speaking as if the heavens and the earth were living things that could actively withhold dew and produce from the Judeans. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “there is no dew from the heavens above you and there is no produce from the earth”
the heavens above you refrain from dew
Quote: עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם כָּלְא֥וּ שָמַ֖יִם מִטָּ֑ל (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Yahweh is speaking as if dew fell from the heavens, that is, from the sky. He means implicitly that not only has rain not been falling from the sky, dew has not even been forming on the ground overnight. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “not only has it not been raining, dew has not even been forming,”
Haggai 1:11
upon the land and upon the mountains and upon the grain and upon the new wine and upon the oil and upon what the ground produces and upon the man and upon the beast 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
In this verse, Yahweh uses a series of repetitive phrases to show that the effects of the desolation he has called for are comprehensive. A series of phrases like this is called a litany. If your readers would not be familiar with this form, to help them appreciate it, you could put each of the phrases on a separate line in your translation, for example: “And I have called for desolation upon the land and upon the mountains and upon the grain and upon the new wine …”
And I have called for desolation upon the land and upon the mountains and upon the grain and upon the new wine and upon the oil and upon what the ground produces and upon the man and upon the beast and upon all the labor of {your} hands
Quote: וָאֶקְרָ֨א חֹ֜רֶב 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-abstractnouns
If your language does not use an abstract noun for the idea of desolation, you could express the same idea in another way. The word “desolation” is the noun form of the word whose adjective form “desolate” Yahweh uses in verses 4 and 9. Yahweh is saying that the land of Judah is experiencing desolation because the people have left his temple desolate. So if you would not use the abstract noun “desolation” in your language, an adjective such as “desolate” may be suitable here. Alternate translation: “And I have called for the land and the mountains and the grain and the new wine and the oil and what the ground produces and the man and the beast and all the labor of your hands to become desolate”
And I have called for
Quote: וָאֶקְרָ֨א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have been translating this chapter so that there are not quotations within a quotation, for consistency you would say here, “And he has called for.”
and upon the grain and upon the new wine and upon the oil
Quote: וְעַל־הַדָּגָן֙ וְעַל־הַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ וְעַל־הַיִּצְהָ֔ר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here, grain, new wine, and oil represent wheat and barley, grapes, and olives, of which they are the products. 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 wheat and barley and upon the grapes and upon the olives”
and upon the man and upon the beast
Quote: וְעַל־הָֽאָדָם֙ וְעַל־הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun
Yahweh is not referring to a specific man or to a specific beast. He means people and animals in general. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using plural forms. Alternate translation: “and upon people and upon animals”
your} hands
Quote: כַּפָּֽיִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Yahweh is using one part of the Judeans, their hands, to mean all of them in the act of working. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “everything that you do”
Haggai 1:12
Then … listened to the voice of Yahweh their God and to the words of Haggai the prophet
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע & בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם וְעַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ חַגַּ֣י הַנָּבִ֔יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Here the word listened implicitly means “obeyed.” If it would be helpful to your readers, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Then … obeyed the voice of Yahweh their God and the words of Haggai the prophet”
Then … listened to the voice of Yahweh their God and to the words of Haggai the prophet
Quote: וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע & בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם וְעַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ חַגַּ֣י הַנָּבִ֔יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the term voice represents what Yahweh said by using his voice and the term words represents what Haggai said by using words. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Then … obeyed what Yahweh their God and Haggai the prophet had said”
to the voice of Yahweh their God and to the words of Haggai the prophet
Quote: בְּקוֹל֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיהֶ֔ם וְעַל־דִּבְרֵי֙ חַגַּ֣י הַנָּבִ֔יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hendiadys
Here a single idea is expressed through two phrases connected with and. The second phrase tells by what means the action of the first phrase was accomplished. If it would be more natural in your language, you could convey this meaning with an equivalent expression that does not use “and.” Alternate translation: “what Yahweh their God had said through Haggai the prophet”
and the people feared the face of Yahweh
Quote: וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ הָעָ֖ם מִפְּנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here one part of Yahweh, his face, represents all of him. Alternate translation: “and the people feared Yahweh” or “and the people respected Yahweh”
Haggai 1:13
I {am} with you!’—the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: אֲנִ֥י אִתְּכֶ֖ם נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh declares that he is with you!”
Haggai 1:14
And Yahweh awakened the spirit of the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all of the remnant of the people
Quote: וַיָּ֣עַר יְהוָ֡ה אֶת־רוּחַ֩ זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל בֶּן־שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֜ל פַּחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֗ה וְאֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ בֶּן־יְהוֹצָדָק֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל וְֽאֶת־ר֔וּחַ כֹּ֖ל שְׁאֵרִ֣ית הָעָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Here one part of Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people, their spirit in each case, represents all of them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh awakened the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all of the remnant of the people”
And Yahweh awakened the spirit of the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and the spirit of Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and the spirit of all of the remnant of the people
Quote: וַיָּ֣עַר יְהוָ֡ה אֶת־רוּחַ֩ זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל בֶּן־שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֜ל פַּחַ֣ת יְהוּדָ֗ה וְאֶת־ר֨וּחַ֙ יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ בֶּן־יְהוֹצָדָק֙ הַכֹּהֵ֣ן הַגָּד֔וֹל וְֽאֶת־ר֔וּחַ כֹּ֖ל שְׁאֵרִ֣ית הָעָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people are described as if they had literally been asleep and Yahweh woke them up. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And Yahweh motivated the governor of Judah, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, and Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and all of the remnant of the people”
Haggai 1:15
on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month
Quote: בְּי֨וֹם עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בַּשִּׁשִּׁ֑י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
The sixth month of the Hebrew calendar includes August and September on Western calendars. See how you decided to translate the similar reference to a day, month, and year in 1:1.
on the twenty-fourth day of the sixth month in the second year
Quote: בְּי֨וֹם עֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ בַּשִּׁשִּׁ֑י בִּשְׁנַ֥ת שְׁתַּ֖יִם (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: “on day 24 of month six. In year two”
Haggai 2
Haggai 2 General Notes
Structure and Formatting
This chapter contains the second (2:1–9), third (2:10–19), and fourth (2:20–23) oracles that Haggai delivered from Yahweh to the Judeans who had returned from exile.
Some translations set each line of poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to make it easier to read. The ULT does this with the poetry in verses 6–7 and 21–22.
Translation Issues in this Chapter
The teaching example of uncleanness (verses 12–14)
In the third oracle, Yahweh has Haggai speak with the priests in front of the people in order to teach the people by using an example. Haggai has the priests confirm that a person in a state of holiness does not communicate that holy state to foods that he touches. Haggai then has the priests confirm that a person in a state of uncleanness does communicate that unclean state to foods that he touches. Haggai then tells the people that Yahweh considers them to be unclean, meaning not in a proper state to take part in worship, because they have not obeyed him and rebuilt the temple. They have communicated that unclean state to the foods that they have offered in sacrifice, and so those sacrifices are not acceptable to Yahweh. Stated plainly, the message of this example is that the sacrifices the people are offering on the altar do not make up for their disobedience in not rebuilding the temple. Rather, their disobedience in not rebuilding the temple is making their sacrifices unacceptable. Notes to verses 11–14 will suggest ways in which you can indicate this meaning in your translation.
Haggai 2:1
in the seventh, on the twenty-first of the month
Quote: בַּשְּׁבִיעִ֕י בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here some words are omitted that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “in the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month”
in the seventh, on the twenty-first of the month
Quote: בַּשְּׁבִיעִ֕י בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאֶחָ֖ד 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: “on day 21 of month seven”
in the seventh, on the twenty-first of the month
Quote: בַּשְּׁבִיעִ֕י בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים וְאֶחָ֖ד לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
The twenty-first day of the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar is near the middle of October on Western calendars. See how you decided to translate the similar reference to a day and month in 1:1.
the word of Yahweh was by the hand of Haggai the prophet
Quote: הָיָה֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה בְּיַד־חַגַּ֥י הַנָּבִ֖יא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
See how you translated this same statement in 1:1. Alternate translation: “Haggai the prophet brought a message from Yahweh”
Haggai 2:2
the people, saying
Quote: הָעָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
You may decide to translate the rest of this oracle, through verse 9, so that there is not a direct quotation within a quotation. If so, you can translate this so that it does not introduce a direct quotation. Alternate translation, with no comma following: “the people and ask them”
Haggai 2:3
Who is the one left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How are you seeing it now? Compared with that, {is it} not like nothing in your eyes
Quote: מִ֤י בָכֶם֙ הַנִּשְׁאָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה בִּכְבוֹד֖וֹ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן וּמָ֨ה אַתֶּ֜ם רֹאִ֤ים אֹתוֹ֙ עַ֔תָּה הֲל֥וֹא כָמֹ֛הוּ כְּאַ֖יִן בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain direct quotations within a quotation, you can translate this verse as an indirect quotation, continuing the sentence that begins in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “who is left among them who saw this house in its former glory. Ask them how they are seeing it now and whether, compared with it, it is not like nothing in their eyes”
Who is the one left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How are you seeing it now? Compared with that, {is it} not like nothing in your eyes
Quote: מִ֤י בָכֶם֙ הַנִּשְׁאָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה בִּכְבוֹד֖וֹ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן וּמָ֨ה אַתֶּ֜ם רֹאִ֤ים אֹתוֹ֙ עַ֔תָּה הֲל֥וֹא כָמֹ֛הוּ כְּאַ֖יִן בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate these questions as statements or as exclamations. Alternate translation: “Some of you saw this temple in its former glory. I know that you are not pleased with the way it looks now. Compared with the way it looked before, it seems like nothing in your eyes.”
the one left among you who saw this house
Quote: בָכֶם֙ הַנִּשְׁאָ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֤ר רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה (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: “the one among you who still remembers what this temple looked like”
who saw this house in its former glory
Quote: אֲשֶׁ֤ר רָאָה֙ אֶת־הַבַּ֣יִת הַזֶּ֔ה בִּכְבוֹד֖וֹ הָרִאשׁ֑וֹן (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. Alternate translation: “who saw how glorious this temple formerly was”
Compared with that
Quote: כָמֹ֛הוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
The pronoun that refers to the former glory of the temple. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “Compared with its former glory”
Compared with that, {is it} not like nothing in your eyes
Quote: הֲל֥וֹא כָמֹ֛הוּ כְּאַ֖יִן בְּעֵינֵיכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Yahweh is using the term eyes by association to mean sight. Sight, in turn, represents attention, perspective, and judgment. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “Compared with that, do you not regard it as nothing”
Haggai 2:4
But now, be strong, Zerubbabel!’—the declaration of Yahweh—‘and be strong, Joshua son of Jehozadak, you high priest, and be strong, all people of the land!’—the declaration of Yahweh—‘and work, for I {am} with you!’—the declaration of Yahweh of Armies
Quote: וְעַתָּ֣ה חֲזַ֣ק זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל ׀ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֡ה וַחֲזַ֣ק יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בֶּן־יְהוֹצָדָק֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן הַגָּד֜וֹל וַחֲזַ֨ק כָּל־עַ֥ם הָאָ֛רֶץ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י אִתְּכֶ֔ם נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain direct quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotations in this verse as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “But tell Zerubbabel that I, Yahweh, declare that he should now be strong, and that I, Yahweh, declare to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to all the people of the land that they should be strong, and that I, Yahweh of Armies, declare that they should work, for I am with them”
all people of the land
Quote: כָּל־עַ֥ם הָאָ֛רֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Yahweh is using this expression to refer to the Judeans who have returned from exile. The phrase means the same thing as the term “remnant” in 1:12 and 1:14. However, the phrase “the people of the land” often has a different meaning elsewhere in the Bible. In other passages, it refers to the Canaanites who were living in the region before the Israelites arrived. So it may be helpful to your readers to state the plainly what “the people of the land” means here. Alternate translation: “all you Judeans who have returned from exile”
Haggai 2:5
The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, and my Spirit remains in your midst. Do not fear
Quote: אֶֽת־הַדָּבָ֞ר אֲשֶׁר־כָּרַ֤תִּי אִתְּכֶם֙ בְּצֵאתְכֶ֣ם מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וְרוּחִ֖י עֹמֶ֣דֶת בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑ם אַל־תִּירָֽאוּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Tell them that this is the word that I covenanted with them when they came out of Egypt, and my Spirit remains in their midst, so they should not fear”
The word that I covenanted with you
Quote: אֶֽת־הַדָּבָ֞ר אֲשֶׁר־כָּרַ֤תִּי אִתְּכֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “This is the word that I covenanted with you”
The word that I covenanted with you
Quote: אֶֽת־הַדָּבָ֞ר אֲשֶׁר־כָּרַ֤תִּי אִתְּכֶם֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Yahweh is using the term word to mean what he said to the Israelites by using words when he made a covenant with them. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “This is the covenant promise that I made to you”
The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt
Quote: אֶֽת־הַדָּבָ֞ר אֲשֶׁר־כָּרַ֤תִּי אִתְּכֶם֙ בְּצֵאתְכֶ֣ם מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
By The word that I covenanted with you, Yahweh is referring to what he has just said, “I am with you.” Yahweh made this promise to the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. See, for example, Exodus 29:45–46, “And I will live among the sons of Israel and will be their God. And they will know that I am Yahweh their God, who brought them out from the land of Egypt to live among them.” You could indicate this in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “This is the covenant promise that I made to you when you came out of Egypt, that I would be with you”
and my Spirit remains in your midst
Quote: וְרוּחִ֖י עֹמֶ֣דֶת בְּתוֹכְכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
With this statement, Yahweh is asserting that he is indeed fulfilling his covenant promise to be with the Israelites. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly. Alternate translation: “and indeed I am present in your midst through my Spirit, just as I promised”
Haggai 2:6
For thus says Yahweh of Armies: ‘Yet once, it {will be} a little {while}, and I {will be} shaking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land
Quote: כִּ֣י כֹ֤ה אָמַר֙ יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֔וֹת ע֥וֹד אַחַ֖ת מְעַ֣ט הִ֑יא וַאֲנִ֗י מַרְעִישׁ֙ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־הַיָּ֖ם וְאֶת־הֶחָרָבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotation in this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “For I, Yahweh of Armies, say that yet once, it will be a little while, and I will be shaking the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land”
Yet once, it {will be} a little {while}, and I {will be} shaking
Quote: ע֥וֹד אַחַ֖ת מְעַ֣ט הִ֑יא וַאֲנִ֗י מַרְעִישׁ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
These phrases Yet once and it will be a little whilemay mean similar things. The first phrase may mean “after only one more period of time.” The second phrase says basically the same thing but adds the information that this will be a brief period of time. Yahweh may be using the two phrases together for emphasis. If it would be clearer for your readers, you could express the emphasis with a single phrase. Alternate translation: “I can assure you that after only a short time, I will be shaking”
and I {will be} shaking
Quote: וַאֲנִ֗י מַרְעִישׁ֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking as if he would literally be shaking all of creation. The image is that of a great earthquake. (People in this culture considered the sky to be a solid object above the earth, so Yahweh could shake that as well as the earth with a great quake.) It becomes clear in the next verse that Yahweh is actually using all of creation to represent “all nations” in their relationship to his chosen people. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and I will bring about such changes in the attitude of the nations toward you that it will be as if I am shaking”
the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land
Quote: אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָ֔רֶץ וְאֶת־הַיָּ֖ם וְאֶת־הֶחָרָבָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Yahweh is using the two main components of creation, the heavens (the sky) and the earth, to mean all of creation. He is then using the two main components of creation below the sky, the sea and the dry land, to mean the entire world in which humans live. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “everything that I have created”
Haggai 2:7
And I will shake all of the nations, and they will come {with} the treasure of all of the nations, and I will fill this house {with} glory,’ says Yahweh of Armies
Quote: וְהִרְעַשְׁתִּי֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם וּבָ֖אוּ חֶמְדַּ֣ת כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֑ם וּמִלֵּאתִ֞י אֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ כָּב֔וֹד אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotation in this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh of Armies, say that I will shake all of the nations, and they will come with the treasure of all of the nations, and I will fill this house with glory”
And I will shake all of the nations
Quote: וְהִרְעַשְׁתִּי֙ אֶת־כָּל־הַגּוֹיִ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking as if he were literally going to shake the nations with an earthquake. It is clear from the context that this represents Yahweh changing the attitude of the nations. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “And I will change the attitude of all the nations toward you”
and I will fill this house {with} glory
Quote: וּמִלֵּאתִ֞י אֶת־הַבַּ֤יִת הַזֶּה֙ 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. In this context, the word glory could mean: (1) the treasure that the nations will bring to the temple as an offering to Yahweh. The next verse suggests that this may be the meaning. Alternate translation: “and I will fill this temple with glorious treasure” (2) the reputation that the temple would have. Alternate translation: “and I will give this temple a glorious reputation”
Haggai 2:8
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine’—the declaration of Yahweh of Armies
Quote: לִ֥י הַכֶּ֖סֶף וְלִ֣י הַזָּהָ֑ב נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotation in this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh of Armies, declare that the silver is mine, and the gold is mine”
The silver is mine, and the gold is mine
Quote: לִ֥י הַכֶּ֖סֶף וְלִ֣י הַזָּהָ֑ב (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The implication of this statement seems to be that Yahweh can promise that the nations will bring their treasure to the rebuilt temple because all of that treasure actually belongs to him. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “I can promise you this because the silver and gold that the nations will bring to the temple actually belongs to me”
Haggai 2:9
The latter glory of this house {will be} greater than the former,’ says Yahweh of Armies, ‘and in this place I will give peace’—the declaration of Yahweh of Armies
Quote: גָּד֣וֹל יִֽהְיֶ֡ה כְּבוֹד֩ הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֤ה הָאַֽחֲרוֹן֙ מִן־הָ֣רִאשׁ֔וֹן אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת וּבַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן שָׁל֔וֹם נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotations in this verse as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh of Armies, say that the latter glory of this house {will be} greater than the former, and I, Yahweh of Armies, declare that in this place I will give peace”
The latter glory of this house {will be} greater than the former
Quote: גָּד֣וֹל יִֽהְיֶ֡ה כְּבוֹד֩ הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֤ה הָאַֽחֲרוֹן֙ מִן־הָ֣רִאשׁ֔וֹן (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “The latter glory of this temple {will be} greater than the former glory of this temple” or “The latter glory of this temple {will be} greater than its former glory”
The latter glory of this house {will be} greater than the former
Quote: גָּד֣וֹל יִֽהְיֶ֡ה כְּבוֹד֩ הַבַּ֨יִת הַזֶּ֤ה הָאַֽחֲרוֹן֙ מִן־הָ֣רִאשׁ֔וֹן (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. Alternate translation: “This temple will become more glorious now than it was before”
house
Quote: הַבַּ֨יִת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Here, as in many other instances throughout the book, Yahweh is speaking of his temple as if it were a house in which he lived. If you decided to translate the word house as “temple,” look back over your translation to make sure that you have done this consistently. Alternate translation: “temple”
and in this place I will give peace
Quote: וּבַמָּק֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ אֶתֵּ֣ן שָׁל֔וֹם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
By this place, Yahweh most likely means Judea and especially Jerusalem. The enemies of the Judeans destroyed the previous temple, but Yahweh is promising here that he will now cause the nations to be at peace with them so that enemy armies do not destroy the rebuilt temple. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and here in Jerusalem I will give peace” or “and I will not allow your enemies to come here to Jerusalem and destroy this temple again”
Haggai 2:10
On the twenty-fourth of the ninth
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וְאַרְבָּעָה֙ לַתְּשִׁיעִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here some words are omitted that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month”
On the twenty-fourth of the ninth, in the second year of Darius
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וְאַרְבָּעָה֙ לַתְּשִׁיעִ֔י בִּשְׁנַ֥ת שְׁתַּ֖יִם לְדָרְיָ֑וֶשׁ (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: “on day 24 of month nine in year two of Darius”
On the twenty-fourth of the ninth
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֤ים וְאַרְבָּעָה֙ לַתְּשִׁיעִ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
The twenty-fourth day of the ninth month on the Hebrew calendar is near the middle of December on Western calendars. See how you decided to translate the similar reference to a day and month in 1:1.
the word of Yahweh was to Haggai the prophet, saying
Quote: הָיָה֙ דְּבַר־יְהוָ֔ה אֶל־חַגַּ֥י הַנָּבִ֖יא לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated the similar statement in 1:1. Alternate translation: “Haggai the prophet received a message from Yahweh, who told him”
Haggai 2:11
Thus says Yahweh of Armies: ‘Now ask the priests {about} the law, saying
Quote: כֹּ֥ה אָמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֑וֹת שְׁאַל־נָ֧א אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים תּוֹרָ֖ה לֵאמֹֽר (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotemarks
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh of Armies says to ask the priests about the law. Ask them”
Haggai 2:12
If a man carries holy flesh in the fold of his garment and he touches with his fold upon bread or upon stew or upon wine or upon oil or upon any food, does it become holy
Quote: הֵ֣ן ׀ יִשָּׂא־אִ֨ישׁ בְּשַׂר־קֹ֜דֶשׁ בִּכְנַ֣ף בִּגְד֗וֹ וְנָגַ֣ע בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ אֶל־הַלֶּ֨חֶם וְאֶל־הַנָּזִ֜יד וְאֶל־הַיַּ֧יִן וְאֶל־שֶׁ֛מֶן וְאֶל־כָּל־מַאֲכָ֖ל הֲיִקְדָּ֑שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain direct quotations within a quotation, you can translate this verse as an indirect quotation, continuing the sentence that begins in the previous verse. Alternate translation: “whether bread or stew or wine or oil or any other food becomes holy if a man carries holy flesh in the fold of his garment and he touches with his fold upon it”
If a man carries holy flesh in the fold of his garment and he touches with his fold upon bread or upon stew or upon wine or upon oil or upon any food, does it become holy
Quote: הֵ֣ן ׀ יִשָּׂא־אִ֨ישׁ בְּשַׂר־קֹ֜דֶשׁ בִּכְנַ֣ף בִּגְד֗וֹ וְנָגַ֣ע בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ אֶל־הַלֶּ֨חֶם וְאֶל־הַנָּזִ֜יד וְאֶל־הַיַּ֧יִן וְאֶל־שֶׁ֛מֶן וְאֶל־כָּל־מַאֲכָ֖ל הֲיִקְדָּ֑שׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-hypo
Yahweh is using a hypothetical situation in order to teach. Alternate translation: “Suppose a man carries holy flesh in the fold of his garment. And suppose that man touches bread or stew or wine or oil or any other food with that fold. Would that make the food holy?”
holy flesh
Quote: בְּשַׂר־קֹ֜דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
The expression holy flesh refers implicitly to meat that has been offered to Yahweh as a sacrifice. Only priests could eat such meat. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “meat that is set apart for the priests to eat because it has been offered to Yahweh as a sacrifice”
No
Quote: לֹֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
The priests mean implicitly that while touching holy flesh makes a person “holy” (and therefore conveys certain privileges but also makes the person subject to certain restrictions, see Leviticus 6:27), that person does not communicate this holy state to objects that he touches. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate that explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “No, a person who becomes holy by touching meat sacrificed to Yahweh does not communicate that holy state to objects that he touches’”
Haggai 2:13
the unclean by a person
Quote: טְמֵא־נֶ֛פֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Haggai implicitly means a person who has died, and he is speaking specifically of that dead person’s body. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the unclean by contact with a dead body”
the unclean by a person
Quote: טְמֵא־נֶ֛פֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-nominaladj
Haggai is using the adjective unclean as a noun to mean a certain kind of person. Your language may use adjectives in the same way. If not, you can translate this word with an equivalent phrase. Alternate translation: “a person who has become unclean by touching a dead body”
the unclean by a person
Quote: טְמֵא־נֶ֛פֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Haggai and the priests share the knowledge that if an Israelite touches a dead body, something that is ritually unclean, then that Israelite becomes ritually unclean himself for a certain period of time (see Numbers 19:13). Such a person is not allowed to take part in public worship. It may be helpful to state this explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “someone who has become ritually impure by contact with a dead body” or “someone who is unable to join in public worship because he has touched a dead body”
any of these, will it be unclean
Quote: בְּכָל־אֵ֖לֶּה הֲיִטְמָ֑א (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
The pronoun these refers to the foods that Haggai described in the previous verse, and the pronoun it refers to one of those foods that an unclean person might touch. It may be helpful to clarify this for your readers. Alternate translation: “any of these foods, will the food that he touched become unclean” or “any of these foods, would that make the food that he touched unclean”
It will be unclean
Quote: יִטְמָֽא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
This is the counterpart to the priests’ answer in the previous verse. It may be helpful to indicate the implications of this answer explicitly in your translation. Alternate translation: “While a holy person does not communicate a holy state to objects that he touches, an unclean person does communicate an unclean state to objects that he touches, so any food that an unclean person touches does become unclean”
Haggai 2:14
Thus {is} this people and thus {is} this nation to my face!’—the declaration of Yahweh—‘and thus {is} every work of their hands, and what they offer there, it {is} unclean
Quote: כֵּ֣ן הָֽעָם־הַ֠זֶּה וְכֵן־הַגּ֨וֹי הַזֶּ֤ה לְפָנַי֙ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה וְכֵ֖ן כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיהֶ֑ם וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר יַקְרִ֛יבוּ שָׁ֖ם טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotation in this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh of Armies declares that this people and this nation are thus to his face, and that every work of their hands is thus, and that what they offer there is unclean”
Thus {is} this people and thus {is} this nation
Quote: כֵּ֣ן הָֽעָם־הַ֠זֶּה וְכֵן־הַגּ֨וֹי הַזֶּ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The word Thus refers implicitly to a state of uncleanness. It may be helpful to indicate this in your translation. Alternate translation: “This people is unclean and this nation is unclean”
Thus {is} this people and thus {is} this nation
Quote: כֵּ֣ן הָֽעָם־הַ֠זֶּה וְכֵן־הַגּ֨וֹי הַזֶּ֤ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-doublet
In this context, the terms people and nation both refer to the Judeans who have returned from exile. Yahweh 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: “These Judeans who have returned from exile are unclean”
to my face
Quote: לְפָנַי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here Yahweh is using the term face to mean his presence, by association with the way people can see the face of someone who is present. Presence, in turn, represents Yahweh’s judgment by association with the way that he would assess anything that came to his attention in front of him. Alternate translation: “in my judgment”
to my face
Quote: לְפָנַי֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
Yahweh means implicitly that the Judeans are unclean because they have not obeyed him and rebuilt his temple. You could indicate that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “in my judgment because they have not obeyed me and rebuilt my temple”
and thus {is} every work of their hands
Quote: וְכֵ֖ן כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיהֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Yahweh is using one part of the Judeans, their hands, to mean all of them in the act of working. The reference is specifically to their work of growing crops and raising animals. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “and thus is all of the food that they produce” or “and all of the food that they produce is therefore unclean as well”
and what they offer there, it {is} unclean
Quote: וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר יַקְרִ֛יבוּ שָׁ֖ם טָמֵ֥א הֽוּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
By there, Haggai implicitly means an altar that the returned exiles had set up at the temple site. This is described in Ezra 3:1–6. You can say that in your translation if it would be helpful to your readers. Alternate translation: “and so what they offer on the altar that they have set up at the temple site is also unclean”
Haggai 2:15
do set your hearts
Quote: שִֽׂימוּ־נָ֣א לְבַבְכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated this expression in 1:5. Alternate translation: “consider carefully what has been happening”
from before until this day
Quote: מִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה וָמָ֑עְלָה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
The word before refers back in time to the whole period after the Judeans returned from exile. Alternate translation: “from the time you returned from exile until now”
from before the placing of stone upon stone in the temple of Yahweh
Quote: מִטֶּ֧רֶם שֽׂוּם־אֶ֛בֶן אֶל־אֶ֖בֶן בְּהֵיכַ֥ל יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
Yahweh is using one part of the building process to represent the entire process of rebuilding the temple. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “before you began to rebuild the temple of Yahweh”
in the temple of Yahweh
Quote: בְּהֵיכַ֥ל יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “in my temple”
Haggai 2:16
From their being
Quote: מִֽהְיוֹתָ֥ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/writing-pronouns
The pronoun their likely refers to the days that Haggai described in the previous verse, beginning with “this day” (the day on which he is speaking) and including all of the days since the return from exile before the Judeans began rebuilding the temple. Alternate translation: “During those days” or “During that whole time period”
one came to a heap of twenty but there were ten
Quote: בָּא֙ אֶל־עֲרֵמַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְהָיְתָ֖ה עֲשָׂרָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “when a person came to a heap of grain that he expected to contain twenty measures, he found that it contained only ten measures”
one came to a heap of twenty but there were ten
Quote: בָּא֙ אֶל־עֲרֵמַ֣ת עֶשְׂרִ֔ים וְהָיְתָ֖ה עֲשָׂרָ֑ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
By twenty, Yahweh most likely means twenty ephahs. An ephah was equivalent to about 22 liters. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could express the quantity in modern measurements. Alternatively, to help your readers recognize that the biblical writings come from a long time ago when people used different measures, you could express the amount using the ancient measurement, the ephah, and explain the equivalent in modern measurements in a footnote. Alternate translation: “when a person came to a heap of grain that he expected to contain twenty ephahs, he found that it contained only ten ephahs” or “when a person came to a heap that he expected to contain over 400 kilograms of grain, he found that it contained only about 200 kilograms”
one came to a vat to draw out fifty {from} the press but there were twenty
Quote: בָּ֣א אֶל־הַיֶּ֗קֶב לַחְשֹׂף֙ חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים פּוּרָ֔ה וְהָיְתָ֖ה עֶשְׂרִֽים (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “when a person came to a wine vat from which he expected he could draw fifty press-measures, he found that it contained only twenty press-measures”
fifty {from} the press
Quote: חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים פּוּרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-bvolume
The expression from the press probably describes a certain quantity of wine, a “press-measure,” the amount that a winepress would produce from a single pressing of a full load of grapes. However, it is no longer clear exactly what this quantity was. In your translation, you could use a liquid measure that your readers would recognize that would approximate this quantity, or you could use a general expression. Alternate translation: “fifty gallons” or “fifty measures of wine”
Haggai 2:17
I struck you with blight and with mildew and with hail, all of the work of your hands, but it was not you to me’—the declaration of Yahweh
Quote: הִכֵּ֨יתִי אֶתְכֶ֜ם בַּשִּׁדָּפ֤וֹן וּבַיֵּֽרָקוֹן֙ וּבַבָּרָ֔ד אֵ֖ת כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיכֶ֑ם וְאֵין־אֶתְכֶ֥ם אֵלַ֖י נְאֻם־יְהוָֽה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotation in this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “Yahweh declares that he struck you with blight and with mildew and with hail, all of the work of your hands, but it was not you to him”
all of the work of your hands
Quote: אֵ֖ת כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “I struck all of the work of your hands”
all of the work of your hands
Quote: כָּל־מַעֲשֵׂ֣ה יְדֵיכֶ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-synecdoche
See how you translated the similar expression in 2:14. Alternate translation: “all of the food that you were producing”
but it was not you to me
Quote: וְאֵין־אֶתְכֶ֥ם אֵלַ֖י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Yahweh is using this expression to mean that the Judeans did not obey him and rebuild the temple. Instead, they continued to disobey, as if they had nothing to do with Yahweh. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “but you still did not return to me” or “but it was as if you wanted to have nothing to do with me”
Haggai 2:18
set your hearts
Quote: שִׂימוּ & לְבַבְכֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated the similar phrase in 1:5. Alternate translation: “consider carefully what has been happening”
from before until this day, from the day that the temple of Yahweh was founded until this twenty-fourth day of the ninth
Quote: מִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה וָמָ֑עְלָה מִיּוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י לְמִן־הַיּ֛וֹם אֲשֶׁר־יֻסַּ֥ד הֵֽיכַל־יְהוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit
As in 2:15, the word before refers back in time to the whole period after the Judeans returned from exile. The ** twenty-fourth day of the ninth month** means that date in the second year of Darius, as 2:10 indicates. Alternate translation: “from the time you returned from exile until this day, that is, from the day that the temple of Yahweh was founded until this twenty-fourth day of the ninth month in the second year of Darius”
until this twenty-fourth day of the ninth
Quote: מִיּוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Yahweh is leaving out some of the words that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month”
until this twenty-fourth day of the ninth
Quote: מִיּוֹם֩ עֶשְׂרִ֨ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה לַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you could use cardinal numbers here. See what you did in 2:10. Alternate translation: “from day 24 of month nine”
the temple of Yahweh was founded
Quote: 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: “you laid the foundation of the temple of Yahweh”
the temple of Yahweh
Quote: הֵֽיכַל־יְהוָ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-123person
Yahweh is speaking about himself in the third person. If it would be helpful in your language, you could translate this in the first person. Alternate translation: “my temple”
Set your hearts
Quote: שִׂ֥ימוּ לְבַבְכֶֽם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated this phrase in 1:5. Alternate translation: “Consider carefully”
Haggai 2:19
Is} the seed yet in the storehouse
Quote: הַע֤וֹד הַזֶּ֨רַע֙ בַּמְּגוּרָ֔ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-rquestion
Yahweh is using the question form for emphasis. If you would not use the question form for that purpose in your language, you could translate this as a statement or as an exclamation. Alternate translation: “The seed is not yet in the storehouse!” or “There is no seed in the storehouse!”
From this day I will bless {you
Quote: מִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה אֲבָרֵֽךְ׃ס (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotation in this verse as an indirect quotation. Alternate translation: “From this day he will bless you’”
From this day
Quote: מִן־הַיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּ֖ה (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/grammar-connect-logic-contrast
Yahweh is drawing a strong contrast. If it would be helpful to your readers, you could indicate this in your translation by using a word that introduces a strong contrast. Alternate translation: “Nevertheless, from this day”
Haggai 2:20
And the word of Yahweh was to Haggai a second time
Quote: וַיְהִ֨י דְבַר־יְהוָ֤ה ׀ שֵׁנִית֙ אֶל־חַגַּ֔י (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated the similar phrase in 2:10. Alternate translation: “And Haggai received another message from Yahweh”
a second time
Quote: שֵׁנִית֙ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “again”
on the twenty-fourth of the month
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-ellipsis
Here some of the words are omitted that in many languages a sentence would need in order to be complete. You can supply these words from the context if that would be clearer in your language. Alternate translation: “on the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month”
on the twenty-fourth of the month
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-ordinal
If your language does not use ordinal numbers, you can use a cardinal number here or an equivalent expression. Alternate translation: “on day 24 of month nine” or “on day 24 of the same month”
on the twenty-fourth of the month
Quote: בְּעֶשְׂרִ֧ים וְאַרְבָּעָ֛ה לַחֹ֖דֶשׁ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-hebrewmonths
See how you translated the name of the Hebrew month in 2:10.
Haggai 2:21
Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, saying, I {am} shaking 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-quotesinquotes
If it would be clearer in your language, you could translate this so that there is not a quotation within a quotation. Alternate translation: “Speak to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, and tell him that I am shaking the heavens and the earth”
I {am} shaking the heavens and the earth
Quote: אֲנִ֣י מַרְעִ֔ישׁ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
See how you translated the similar expression in 2:6. Alternate translation: “I am bringing about such changes in the situation of the nations around you that it is as if I am shaking”
the heavens and the earth
Quote: אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם וְאֶת־הָאָֽרֶץ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Yahweh is using the two main components of creation, the heavens (that is, the sky) and the earth, to represent all of creation. See how you translated the similar expression in 2:6. Alternate translation: “everything that I have created”
Haggai 2:22
the throne of kingdoms
Quote: כִּסֵּ֣א מַמְלָכ֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-genericnoun
Yahweh is not referring to a specific throne. He means the thrones of all of the kingdoms in the world. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “the thrones of kingdoms”
the throne of kingdoms
Quote: כִּסֵּ֣א מַמְלָכ֔וֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Yahweh is referring to the ruling authority of kingdoms by association with the royal throne on which the rulers of those kingdoms sit. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or express the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “the ruling authority of kingdoms”
And I will overthrow the chariot and its rider, and the horses and their riders will fall
Quote: וְהָפַכְתִּ֤י מֶרְכָּבָה֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֶ֔יהָ וְיָרְד֤וּ סוּסִים֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֵיהֶ֔ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-merism
Yahweh is using two components of an army, its chariot teams (the chariots and their riders) and its cavalry troops (the horses and their riders), to mean the entire army. If it would be helpful in your language, you could use an equivalent expression or plain language. Alternate translation: “I will destroy the entire armies of the kingdoms that oppose you”
the chariot and its rider
Quote: מֶרְכָּבָה֙ וְרֹ֣כְבֶ֔יהָ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Yahweh is not referring to a specific chariot and rider. He means all of the chariots and riders in the armies of the kingdoms opposed to the Judeans. It may be more natural in your language to express this meaning by using a plural form. Alternate translation: “the chariots and their riders”
and … will fall
Quote: וְיָרְד֤וּ (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metonymy
Here the word fall means “die” by association with the way someone who dies will fall to the ground. Be sure that it is clear in your translation that these horses and riders will not fall down accidentally. Alternate translation: “and … will die”
a man by the sword of his brother
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ בְּחֶ֥רֶב אָחִֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
See how you translated the similar use of the phrase “a man” in 1:9. Alternate translation: “each one of them by the sword of his brother”
a man by the sword of his brother
Quote: אִ֖ישׁ בְּחֶ֥רֶב אָחִֽיו (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: “each one when his brother kills him”
his brother
Quote: אָחִֽיו (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-metaphor
Yahweh is speaking of a fellow soldier as if he were literally the brother of another soldier whom he killed. If it would be clearer in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “his fellow solider”
Haggai 2:23
On that day’—the declaration of Yahweh of Armies—‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant’—the declaration of Yahweh— ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you’—the declaration of Yahweh of Armies
Quote: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֣וּא נְאֻם־יְהוָ֣ה צְבָא֡וֹת אֶ֠קָּחֲךָ זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵ֤ל עַבְדִּי֙ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֔ה וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם כִּֽי־בְךָ֣ בָחַ֔רְתִּי נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֽוֹת (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-quotesinquotes
If you have decided to translate this oracle so that it does not contain quotations within a quotation, you can translate the second-level quotations in this verse as indirect quotations. Alternate translation: “I, Yahweh of Armies, declare that on that day I will take him, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant, and I, Yahweh of Armies, declare that I will make him like a signet ring, for I have chosen him”
On that day
Quote: בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֣וּא (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom
Yahweh is using the term day to refer to a specific time. If it would be helpful in your language, you could state the meaning plainly. Alternate translation: “At that time” or “After I have done that”
I will take you, … and I will make you … I have chosen you
Quote: אֶ֠קָּחֲךָ & וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ & בְךָ֣ בָחַ֔רְתִּי (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-yousingular
The word you is singular here because it refers to Zerubbabel, so use the singular form in your translation if your language marks that distinction.
like a signet ring
Quote: כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/translate-unknown
A signet ring was a special ring that a ruler could use to imprint an official seal on a document. This ring bore the ruler’s name or some symbol representing him. The ruler would roll up an important document and put wax on it, then press the ring into the wax to create an official seal. If the document had this mark on its seal, people would know that what was written in the document was written with the king’s authority and had to be obeyed. You could describe this as “like a ring that a ruler uses to create official seals”
like a signet ring
Quote: כַּֽחוֹתָ֑ם (1)Support Reference: rc://*/ta/man/translate/figs-simile
The point of this comparison is that Zerubbabel would be an instrument of Yahweh’s authority, just as a ruler uses a signet ring as an instrument of his authority. All the nations would have to obey Zerubbabel’s commands because Zerubbabel would be commanding them with authority that Yahweh had entrusted to him. If it would be helpful in your language, you could make this point explicitly. Alternate translation: “an instrument of my authority, like a signet ring”