Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,
Original Language Analysis
לְדָרְיָ֣וֶשׁ
of Darius
H1867
לְדָרְיָ֣וֶשׁ
of Darius
Strong's:
H1867
Word #:
3 of 28
darejavesh, a title (rather than name) of several persian kings
בְּי֥וֹם
day
H3117
בְּי֥וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
7 of 28
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
אֶחָ֖ד
in the first
H259
אֶחָ֖ד
in the first
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
8 of 28
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
הָיָ֨ה
H1961
הָיָ֨ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 28
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְבַר
came the word
H1697
דְבַר
came the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
11 of 28
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֜ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּיַד
by
H3027
בְּיַד
by
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
13 of 28
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
18 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֔ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
21 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
יְהוֹשֻׁ֧עַ
and to Joshua
H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֧עַ
and to Joshua
Strong's:
H3091
Word #:
23 of 28
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
24 of 28
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַכֹּהֵ֥ן
priest
H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֥ן
priest
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
26 of 28
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Cross References
Ezra 2:2Which came with Zerubbabel: Jeshua, Nehemiah, Seraiah, Reelaiah, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispar, Bigvai, Rehum, Baanah. The number of the men of the people of Israel:Ezra 3:8Now in the second year of their coming unto the house of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD.Ezra 3:2Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.Nehemiah 7:7Who came with Zerubbabel, Jeshua, Nehemiah, Azariah, Raamiah, Nahamani, Mordecai, Bilshan, Mispereth, Bigvai, Nehum, Baanah. The number, I say, of the men of the people of Israel was this;Haggai 1:12Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.Haggai 2:10In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,Ezra 6:14And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia.Haggai 1:14And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,
Historical Context
This occurred 18 years after Cyrus's decree allowing Jews to return from Babylonian exile (538 BC). The first wave of returnees under Zerubbabel laid the temple foundation (536 BC) but ceased work due to opposition from Samaritans and local peoples (Ezra 4:1-5, 24). For 16 years, the foundation sat abandoned. Meanwhile, Persia experienced political instability: Cambyses II succeeded Cyrus (530 BC), then Darius I seized power (522 BC) after defeating rivals. Once Darius stabilized the empire, conditions allowed temple rebuilding. Haggai and Zechariah prophesied simultaneously (520 BC), catalyzing renewed commitment. Within four years, the second temple was completed (516 BC).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sovereign timing—using even Persian political stability—demonstrate His control over history to accomplish His purposes?
- What does the partnership between civil leader (Zerubbabel) and spiritual leader (Joshua) teach about God's design for leadership?
- How should Christians view their dual citizenship—as members of God's kingdom living under earthly governments?
Analysis & Commentary
In the second year of Darius the king—the precise dating (August 29, 520 BC by our calendar) establishes Haggai as one of Scripture's most precisely dated books. Came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet (בְּיַד־חַגַּי הַנָּבִיא/beyad-Chagay hannavi)—literally 'by the hand of Haggai,' emphasizing the prophet as instrument through whom God's word comes. Haggai means 'festal' or 'festive,' possibly indicating birth during a feast.
Unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah—Zerubbabel was Davidic heir, grandson of King Jehoiachin (Matthew 1:12), serving as Persian-appointed governor. His dual role (Davidic descendant and Persian official) embodied the tension of post-exilic Judaism: God's people under foreign rule, waiting for promised kingdom. And to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest—Joshua (Jeshua) led spiritual restoration as high priest. Together, Zerubbabel and Joshua represented civil and religious leadership working in concert to rebuild God's house.