Haggai 2:1

Authorized King James Version

In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
בַּשְּׁבִיעִ֕י
In the seventh
seventh
#2
בְּעֶשְׂרִ֥ים
and twentieth
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#3
וְאֶחָ֖ד
month in the one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#4
לַחֹ֑דֶשׁ
day of the month
the new moon; by implication, a month
#5
הָיָה֙
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#6
דְּבַר
came the word
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
#7
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#8
בְּיַד
by
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
#9
חַגַּ֥י
Haggai
chaggai, a hebrew prophet
#10
הַנָּבִ֖יא
the prophet
a prophet or (generally) inspired man
#11
לֵאמֹֽר׃
saying
to say (used with great latitude)

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection