Haggai 2:16

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
מִֽהְיוֹתָ֥ם
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
בָּ֣א
H935
Since those days were when one came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#3
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#4
עֲרֵמַ֣ת
H6194
to an heap
a heap; specifically, a sheaf
#5
עֶשְׂרִֽים׃
H6242
of twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth
#6
וְהָיְתָ֖ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
עֲשָׂרָ֑ה
H6235
measures there were but ten
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#8
בָּ֣א
H935
Since those days were when one came
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#9
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
הַיֶּ֗קֶב
H3342
to the pressfat
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)
#11
לַחְשֹׂף֙
H2834
for to draw out
to strip off, i.e., generally to make naked (for exertion or in disgrace), to drain away or bail up (a liquid)
#12
חֲמִשִּׁ֣ים
H2572
fifty
fifty
#13
פּוּרָ֔ה
H6333
vessels out of the press
a wine-press (as crushing the grapes)
#14
וְהָיְתָ֖ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
עֶשְׂרִֽים׃
H6242
of twenty
twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

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 revelation 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

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Haggai Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine revelation in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection