Haggai 1:12

Authorized King James Version

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Then 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.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע obeyed H8085
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע obeyed
Strong's: H8085
Word #: 1 of 27
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל׀ Then Zerubbabel H2216
זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל׀ Then Zerubbabel
Strong's: H2216
Word #: 2 of 27
zerubbabel, an israelite
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 3 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֡ל of Shealtiel H7597
שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֡ל of Shealtiel
Strong's: H7597
Word #: 4 of 27
shealtiel, an israelite
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ and Joshua H3091
וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ and Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 5 of 27
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 6 of 27
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוֹצָדָק֩ of Josedech H3087
יְהוֹצָדָק֩ of Josedech
Strong's: H3087
Word #: 7 of 27
jehotsadak, an israelite
הַכֹּהֵ֨ן priest H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֨ן priest
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 8 of 27
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּד֜וֹל the high H1419
הַגָּד֜וֹל the high
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 9 of 27
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְכֹ֣ל׀ H3605
וְכֹ֣ל׀
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 10 of 27
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית with all the remnant H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית with all the remnant
Strong's: H7611
Word #: 11 of 27
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
הָעָ֖ם him and the people H5971
הָעָ֖ם him and the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 12 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
בְּקוֹל֙ the voice H6963
בְּקוֹל֙ the voice
Strong's: H6963
Word #: 13 of 27
a voice or sound
יְהוָֽה׃ as the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 14 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם their God H430
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם their God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 15 of 27
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וְעַל H5921
וְעַל
Strong's: H5921
Word #: 16 of 27
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דִּבְרֵי֙ and the words H1697
דִּבְרֵי֙ and the words
Strong's: H1697
Word #: 17 of 27
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
חַגַּ֣י of Haggai H2292
חַגַּ֣י of Haggai
Strong's: H2292
Word #: 18 of 27
chaggai, a hebrew prophet
הַנָּבִ֔יא the prophet H5030
הַנָּבִ֔יא the prophet
Strong's: H5030
Word #: 19 of 27
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר H834
כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 20 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
שְׁלָח֖וֹ had sent H7971
שְׁלָח֖וֹ had sent
Strong's: H7971
Word #: 21 of 27
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָֽה׃ as the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 22 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם their God H430
אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם their God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 23 of 27
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ did fear H3372
וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ did fear
Strong's: H3372
Word #: 24 of 27
to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten
הָעָ֖ם him and the people H5971
הָעָ֖ם him and the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 25 of 27
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
מִפְּנֵ֥י before H6440
מִפְּנֵ֥י before
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 26 of 27
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְהוָֽה׃ as the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ as the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 27 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

Then Zerubbabel... and Joshua... with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet (וַיִּשְׁמַע זְרֻבָּבֶל... וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ... וְכֹל שְׁאֵרִית הָעָם בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְעַל־דִּבְרֵי חַגַּי הַנָּבִיא/vayishma Zerubbavel... viYehoshua... vekhol she'erit ha'am bekol YHWH Eloheihem ve'al-divrei Chaggai hanavi)—the Hebrew שָׁמַע (shama) means both to hear and to obey—not passive listening but active response. Leadership (Zerubbabel, Joshua) and people together responded in unified obedience.

As the LORD their God had sent him (כַּאֲשֶׁר שְׁלָחוֹ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם/ka'asher shelakho YHWH Eloheihem)—they recognized Haggai's divine commission. His message wasn't mere human opinion but God's authoritative word demanding response. This authenticates prophetic ministry: God sends, prophet speaks, people recognize divine authority and obey. And the people did fear before the LORD (וַיִּירְאוּ הָעָם מִפְּנֵי יְהוָה/vayir'u ha'am mipnei YHWH)—fear (יָרֵא/yare) here isn't terror but reverent awe, appropriate recognition of God's holiness, authority, and covenant relationship.

This verse demonstrates genuine repentance: convicted by God's word, they didn't debate, rationalize, or delay—they obeyed. The entire community—from governor and high priest to common people—responded together. This contrasts with earlier stubbornness (v.2). What changed? God's word confronted them through prophetic preaching, the Holy Spirit convicted hearts (v.14), and they chose humble submission rather than prideful resistance.

Historical Context

This response came approximately three weeks after Haggai's first message (delivered on the first day of the sixth month, v.1; work resumed on the twenty-fourth day, v.15). That brief interval allowed time for the message to circulate, for leaders and people to process conviction, and for practical preparations to begin. The unified response—civil, religious, and common people together—demonstrated genuine spiritual awakening under God's sovereign work.

Questions for Reflection