Haggai 1:3
Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,
Original Language Analysis
וַֽיְהִי֙
H1961
וַֽיְהִי֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 7
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
דְּבַר
Then came the word
H1697
דְּבַר
Then came the word
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
2 of 7
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 7
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּיַד
by
H3027
בְּיַד
by
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
4 of 7
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
Historical Context
Prophetic intervention was necessary because the returned exiles had settled into comfortable complacency. Sixteen years of neglecting God's house while building their own had become normalized. Without divine word breaking through, this pattern would continue indefinitely. Haggai's prophecy demonstrates God's active governance: when His people drift, He raises up prophets to confront, correct, and redirect. This pattern continues throughout Scripture—God never leaves His people to stumble in darkness but provides revelation, correction, and guidance through His word.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use His word to confront rationalizations and self-deception in believers' lives?
- What role does prophetic confrontation (through Scripture, preaching, godly counsel) play in keeping Christians accountable?
- How should believers respond when God's word exposes areas of compromise or misplaced priorities?
Analysis & Commentary
Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet (וַיְהִי דְבַר־יְהוָה בְּיַד־חַגַּי הַנָּבִיא/vayehi devar-YHWH beyad-Chagay hannavi)—the formulaic phrase 'word of the LORD came' (דְבַר־יְהוָה/devar-YHWH) authenticates prophetic authority. This isn't Haggai's opinion but divine revelation. The repetition of this phrase throughout the book (1:1, 1:3, 2:1, 2:10, 2:20) emphasizes that what follows is God's direct speech, demanding response.
The brief verse functions as transition between verse 2 (the people's excuse) and verse 4 (God's penetrating question). God doesn't remain silent when His people rationalize disobedience. He confronts through prophetic word, exposing self-deception and calling to account. This demonstrates God's covenant faithfulness—even in judgment, He speaks, warns, and calls His people to repentance rather than abandoning them to their folly.