Haggai 1:14

Authorized King James Version

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And 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,

Original Language Analysis

וַיָּ֣עַר stirred up H5782
וַיָּ֣עַר stirred up
Strong's: H5782
Word #: 1 of 28
to wake (literally or figuratively)
יְהוָ֥ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 2 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 3 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֔וּחַ and the spirit H7307
ר֔וּחַ and the spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 4 of 28
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל of Zerubbabel H2216
זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל of Zerubbabel
Strong's: H2216
Word #: 5 of 28
zerubbabel, an israelite
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 6 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
שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֜ל of Shealtiel H7597
שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֜ל of Shealtiel
Strong's: H7597
Word #: 7 of 28
shealtiel, an israelite
פַּחַ֣ת governor H6346
פַּחַ֣ת governor
Strong's: H6346
Word #: 8 of 28
a prefect (of a city or small district)
יְהוּדָ֗ה of Judah H3063
יְהוּדָ֗ה of Judah
Strong's: H3063
Word #: 9 of 28
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
וְאֶת H853
וְאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 10 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֔וּחַ and the spirit H7307
ר֔וּחַ and the spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 11 of 28
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ of Joshua H3091
יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ of Joshua
Strong's: H3091
Word #: 12 of 28
jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader
בֶּן the son H1121
בֶּן the son
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 13 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
יְהוֹצָדָק֙ of Josedech H3087
יְהוֹצָדָק֙ of Josedech
Strong's: H3087
Word #: 14 of 28
jehotsadak, an israelite
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן priest H3548
הַכֹּהֵ֣ן priest
Strong's: H3548
Word #: 15 of 28
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
הַגָּד֔וֹל the high H1419
הַגָּד֔וֹל the high
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 16 of 28
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
וְֽאֶת H853
וְֽאֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 17 of 28
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
ר֔וּחַ and the spirit H7307
ר֔וּחַ and the spirit
Strong's: H7307
Word #: 18 of 28
wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the
כֹּ֖ל H3605
כֹּ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 19 of 28
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית of all the remnant H7611
שְׁאֵרִ֣ית of all the remnant
Strong's: H7611
Word #: 20 of 28
a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion
הָעָ֑ם of the people H5971
הָעָ֑ם of the people
Strong's: H5971
Word #: 21 of 28
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and they came H935
וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ and they came
Strong's: H935
Word #: 22 of 28
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ and did H6213
וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ and did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 23 of 28
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מְלָאכָ֔ה work H4399
מְלָאכָ֔ה work
Strong's: H4399
Word #: 24 of 28
properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)
בְּבֵית in the house H1004
בְּבֵית in the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 25 of 28
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
יְהוָ֥ה And the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֥ה And the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 26 of 28
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts H6635
צְבָא֖וֹת of hosts
Strong's: H6635
Word #: 27 of 28
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ their God H430
אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃ their God
Strong's: H430
Word #: 28 of 28
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

Cross References

2 Chronicles 36:22Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,Hebrews 13:21Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.Ezra 1:1Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,Ezra 1:5Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem.Haggai 1:1In 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,Haggai 2:21Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;Nehemiah 4:6So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work.1 Chronicles 5:26And the God of Israel stirred up the spirit of Pul king of Assyria, and the spirit of Tilgath-pilneser king of Assyria, and he carried them away, even the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and brought them unto Halah, and Habor, and Hara, and to the river Gozan, unto this day.Ezra 5:8Be it known unto the king, that we went into the province of Judea, to the house of the great God, which is builded with great stones, and timber is laid in the walls, and this work goeth fast on, and prospereth in their hands.Ezra 5:2Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.

Analysis & Commentary

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel... and the spirit of Joshua... and the spirit of all the remnant of the people (וַיָּעַר יְהוָה אֶת־רוּחַ זְרֻבָּבֶל... וְאֶת־רוּחַ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ... וְאֶת־רוּחַ כֹּל שְׁאֵרִית הָעָם/vaya'ar YHWH et-ruach Zerubbavel... ve'et-ruach Yehoshua... ve'et-ruach kol she'erit ha'am)—the verb עוּר (ur) in Hiphil stem means to rouse, awaken, stir up, incite to action. God Himself energized their spirits (רוּחַ/ruach), awakening motivation, courage, and determination that had lain dormant for sixteen years.

This verse reveals divine sovereignty in conversion and sanctification. The people heard God's word (v.12), obeyed, and worked—yet the text emphasizes that God stirred their spirits to enable that response. Repentance is both human responsibility and divine gift. Philippians 2:12-13 captures this mystery: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." God commands obedience and sovereignly produces the willing heart that obeys.

And they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God (וַיָּבֹאוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ מְלָאכָה בְּבֵית־יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם/vayavo'u vaya'asu melakhah beveit-YHWH Tzeva'ot Eloheihem)—stirred spirits resulted in concrete action. They came (בּוֹא/bo) and did work (עָשָׂה/asah), laboring in the house of the LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת/YHWH Tzeva'ot), sovereign commander of heaven and earth.

Historical Context

Within three weeks of Haggai's first message (compare v.1 and v.15), the entire community was mobilized for construction. This rapid response demonstrates the power of God's Spirit working through His word. What had seemed impossible for sixteen years became reality in less than a month when God stirred hearts to obedience. The second temple was completed four years later (516 BC), fulfilling God's purposes despite initial discouragement.

Questions for Reflection