Haggai 2:18
Consider 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.
Original Language Analysis
שִׂ֥ימוּ
Consider
H7760
שִׂ֥ימוּ
Consider
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
1 of 19
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
נָ֣א
H4994
נָ֣א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
2 of 19
'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 #:
4 of 19
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֛וֹם
day
H3117
הַיּ֛וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
5 of 19
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 #:
7 of 19
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
הַיּ֛וֹם
day
H3117
הַיּ֛וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 19
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
לְמִן
H4480
לְמִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַיּ֛וֹם
day
H3117
הַיּ֛וֹם
day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
13 of 19
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
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יֻסַּ֥ד
that the foundation
H3245
יֻסַּ֥ד
that the foundation
Strong's:
H3245
Word #:
15 of 19
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD'S
H3068
יְהוָ֖ה
of the LORD'S
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Cross References
Zechariah 8:9Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Let your hands be strong, ye that hear in these days these words by the mouth of the prophets, which were in the day that the foundation of the house of the LORD of hosts was laid, that the temple might be built.Haggai 2:15And 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:Zechariah 8:12For the seed shall be prosperous; the vine shall give her fruit, and the ground shall give her increase, and the heavens shall give their dew; and I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things.Deuteronomy 32:29O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Historical Context
The foundation-laying would have been a community ceremony marking official resumption/rededication of the building project. Such ceremonies were common in ancient Near Eastern construction projects, especially for temples. By specifying this date, God establishes a clear before-and-after: before this day—futility and curse; from this day forward—blessing and prosperity. This clear demarcation helps the community recognize God's covenant faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- What specific dates or moments in your spiritual journey mark turning points where God's blessing or discipline became evident?
- How does memorializing significant spiritual moments (conversion, baptism, key decisions) help sustain faithfulness during difficult seasons?
- What does it mean to "consider" or "set your heart upon" evaluating God's faithfulness and your obedience over time?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Consider 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 (שִׂימוּ־נָא לְבַבְכֶם מִן־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וָמָעְלָה מִיּוֹם עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה לַתְּשִׁעִי לְמִן־הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּד הֵיכַל־יְהוָה שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם/simu-na levavkhem min-hayom hazeh vama'lah miyom esrim ve'arba'ah lateshi'i lemin-hayom asher yusad heikhal-YHWH simu levavkhem)—God marks this specific date (December 18, 520 BC) as a turning point. The command consider (שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם/simu levavkhem) is repeated—once at the beginning, once at the end—framing the promise in verse 19. This repetition emphasizes the importance of marking this moment as pivotal.
From the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid (מִן־הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּד הֵיכַל־יְהוָה/min-hayom asher yusad heikhal-YHWH)—this refers either to the original foundation laid in 536 BC (Ezra 3:10-11) or to the resumption of work/re-dedication of the foundation in 520 BC. The latter seems more likely given the immediate promise of blessing in verse 19. This date marks when they moved from mere obedience (they resumed building three months earlier, 1:15) to renewed covenant commitment marked by God's word through Haggai.