Haggai 2:15
And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:
Original Language Analysis
וְעַתָּה֙
H6258
שֽׂוּם
And now I pray you consider
H7760
שֽׂוּם
And now I pray you consider
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
2 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
3 of 15
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
5 of 15
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֥וֹם
from this day
H3117
הַיּ֥וֹם
from this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
6 of 15
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
הַזֶּ֖ה
H2088
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
H4605
וָמָ֑עְלָה
and upward
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
8 of 15
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
מִטֶּ֧רֶם
from before
H2962
מִטֶּ֧רֶם
from before
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
שֽׂוּם
And now I pray you consider
H7760
שֽׂוּם
And now I pray you consider
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
10 of 15
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
Cross References
Haggai 1:5Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.Ezra 3:10And when the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the LORD, they set the priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance of David king of Israel.Ezra 4:24Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.Haggai 2:18Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.Haggai 1:7Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways.
Historical Context
For sixteen years (536-520 BC), the temple foundation lay untouched while the people built their own houses. That entire period was characterized by economic futility, drought, and frustration (1:6, 9-11). Three months after resuming work (September to December 520 BC), God calls them to compare past futility with coming blessing, establishing the connection between obedience and divine favor.
Questions for Reflection
- How does reflecting on past seasons of frustration or discipline help you recognize God's corrective work and renew commitment to obedience?
- What patterns of cause-and-effect do you see in your spiritual life between priorities/obedience and experiencing God's blessing or discipline?
- How does marking specific dates or moments of decision help memorialize God's faithfulness and your commitments?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD (וְעַתָּה שִׂימוּ־נָא לְבַבְכֶם מִן־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וָמָעְלָה מִטֶּרֶם שׂוּם־אֶבֶן אֶל־אֶבֶן בְּהֵיכַל יְהוָה/ve'attah simu-na levavkhem min-hayom hazeh vama'lah miterem sum-even el-even beheikhal YHWH)—God calls for reflection: consider (שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם/simu levavkhem, "set your heart upon," as in 1:5, 7) the time before (מִטֶּרֶם/miterem) they resumed building. Look back at the futility and connect it to spiritual cause. From before a stone was laid upon a stone—when the foundation sat abandoned, when no progress was being made, when they prioritized their own houses—remember that season's frustration.
This retrospective evaluation serves to demonstrate God's covenant faithfulness: when they neglected His house, He disciplined them with futility; now that they've resumed building (though still spiritually defiled, v.14), He will begin blessing (v.19). The transition point is this day (הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה/hayom hazeh)—the day God's word came (v.10, December 18, 520 BC), marking a turning point from curse to blessing based on renewed obedience.