Haggai 2:16
Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.
Original Language Analysis
מִֽהְיוֹתָ֥ם
H1961
מִֽהְיוֹתָ֥ם
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בָּ֣א
Since those days were when one came
H935
בָּ֣א
Since those days were when one came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
2 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וְהָיְתָ֖ה
H1961
וְהָיְתָ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
measures there were but ten
H6235
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
measures there were but ten
Strong's:
H6235
Word #:
7 of 15
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
בָּ֣א
Since those days were when one came
H935
בָּ֣א
Since those days were when one came
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
8 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַיֶּ֗קֶב
to the pressfat
H3342
הַיֶּ֗קֶב
to the pressfat
Strong's:
H3342
Word #:
10 of 15
a trough (as dug out); specifically, a wine-vat (whether the lower one, into which the juice drains; or the upper, in which the grapes are crushed)
לַחְשֹׂף֙
for to draw out
H2834
לַחְשֹׂף֙
for to draw out
Strong's:
H2834
Word #:
11 of 15
to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)
פּוּרָ֔ה
vessels out of the press
H6333
פּוּרָ֔ה
vessels out of the press
Strong's:
H6333
Word #:
13 of 15
a wine-press (as crushing the grapes)
Historical Context
Agriculture in ancient Israel depended on rainfall, adequate labor, and God's blessing. Normal yields could be predicted based on planting and weather. When actual harvest fell dramatically short of expectation despite adequate effort, it indicated supernatural intervention—either blessing or curse. The people had experienced this chronic shortfall for years without understanding its theological cause until Haggai explained it.
Questions for Reflection
- How might God be using measurable, tangible frustrations in your life to expose misplaced priorities or spiritual disobedience?
- What does God's attention to the details of grain piles and wine vats reveal about His involvement in every area of your life, not just "spiritual" matters?
- How do you discern when difficulties are normal life challenges versus divine discipline meant to prompt examination and repentance?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty (מִהְיוֹתָם בָּא אֶל־עֲרֵמַת עֶשְׂרִים וְהָיְתָה עֲשָׂרָה בָּא אֶל־הַיֶּקֶב לַחְשֹׂף חֲמִשִּׁים פּוּרָה וְהָיְתָה עֶשְׂרִים/mihyotam ba el-'aremat esrim vehayetah asarah ba el-hayekev lachsof chamishim purah vehayetah esrim)—God provides specific examples of the futility He described in 1:6. An heap of twenty measures (עֲרֵמַת עֶשְׂרִים/'aremat esrim)—a pile of grain expected to yield twenty units—there were but ten—50% loss. The pressfat (הַיֶּקֶב/hayekev), the vat for pressing grapes or olives, expected to produce fifty vessels of wine or oil—there were but twenty—60% loss.
These concrete details demonstrate that God's discipline wasn't vague or imaginary but measurably affected their agriculture and economy. The inexplicable shortfall—harvest coming in far below expectations—was divine intervention, not mere bad luck. This fulfills covenant curse warnings: "You shall carry much seed into the field and shall gather in little, for the locust shall consume it" (Deuteronomy 28:38).
The specificity also serves pastoral purposes: God knows their situation intimately. He isn't distant or unconcerned but attentive to grain piles and wine vats—the details of daily life. His discipline was targeted and purposeful, designed to prompt the self-examination He commanded (1:5, 7). Similarly, His coming blessing (v.19) will be tangible and measurable, not abstract spirituality divorced from real life.