Haggai 1:8

Authorized King James Version

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Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

Original Language Analysis

עֲל֥וּ Go up H5927
עֲל֥וּ Go up
Strong's: H5927
Word #: 1 of 11
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
הָהָ֛ר to the mountain H2022
הָהָ֛ר to the mountain
Strong's: H2022
Word #: 2 of 11
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם and bring H935
וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם and bring
Strong's: H935
Word #: 3 of 11
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עֵ֖ץ wood H6086
עֵ֖ץ wood
Strong's: H6086
Word #: 4 of 11
a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)
וּבְנ֣וּ and build H1129
וּבְנ֣וּ and build
Strong's: H1129
Word #: 5 of 11
to build (literally and figuratively)
הַבָּ֑יִת the house H1004
הַבָּ֑יִת the house
Strong's: H1004
Word #: 6 of 11
a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)
וְאֶרְצֶה and I will take pleasure H7521
וְאֶרְצֶה and I will take pleasure
Strong's: H7521
Word #: 7 of 11
to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt
בּ֥וֹ H0
בּ֥וֹ
Strong's: H0
Word #: 8 of 11
וְאֶכָּבְדָ֖ in it and I will be glorified H3513
וְאֶכָּבְדָ֖ in it and I will be glorified
Strong's: H3513
Word #: 9 of 11
to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same
אָמַ֥ר saith H559
אָמַ֥ר saith
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 11
to say (used with great latitude)
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD H3068
יְהוָֽה׃ the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 11 of 11
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

Analysis & Commentary

Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house (עֲלוּ הָהָר וַהֲבֵאתֶם עֵץ וּבְנוּ הַבָּיִת/alu hahar vahavetem etz uvnu habayit)—After diagnosis comes prescription: specific, actionable obedience. Go up (עֲלוּ/alu) requires physical effort—climbing the nearby mountains to harvest timber. Bring wood (הֲבֵאתֶם עֵץ/havetem etz) demands labor, transportation, and community cooperation. Build the house (בְּנוּ הַבָּיִת/vnu habayit) is the imperative result: construct God's dwelling place.

And I will take pleasure in it (וְאֶרְצֶה־בּוֹ/ve'ertzeh-bo)—the verb רָצָה (ratzah) means to delight in, accept favorably, find satisfaction. God doesn't merely tolerate obedience; He takes pleasure in His people's worship and their prioritization of His glory. This echoes the sacrificial system where offerings were "a pleasing aroma to the LORD"—not because God needs buildings or sacrifices but because they represent hearts turned toward Him.

And I will be glorified (וְאֶכָּבְדָה/ve'ekavdah)—the Niphal stem of כָּבֵד (kaved, "to be heavy, weighty, honored") indicates God receiving the glory He deserves. When His people rebuild His house, they publicly declare His worth, centrality, and lordship. Conversely, neglecting God's house dishonors Him—their actions proclaimed that He wasn't worth their time, resources, or effort.

Historical Context

The mountains surrounding Jerusalem—particularly forests on slopes near the city—provided timber. Unlike Solomon's era when David amassed vast cedar supplies from Lebanon, these returning exiles had to harvest local materials themselves. The task required physical labor, but it was achievable. God doesn't command impossible obedience; He commands faithful action within their capacity, empowered by His presence (v.13).

Questions for Reflection