Haggai 2:19
Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.
Original Language Analysis
הַע֤וֹד
H5750
הַע֤וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
1 of 15
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
הַזֶּ֙רַע֙
Is the seed
H2233
הַזֶּ֙רַע֙
Is the seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
2 of 15
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
4 of 15
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
הַגֶּ֨פֶן
yea as yet the vine
H1612
הַגֶּ֨פֶן
yea as yet the vine
Strong's:
H1612
Word #:
5 of 15
a vine (as twining), especially the grape
וְהָרִמּ֛וֹן
and the pomegranate
H7416
וְהָרִמּ֛וֹן
and the pomegranate
Strong's:
H7416
Word #:
7 of 15
a pomegranate, the tree (from its upright growth) or the fruit (also an artificial ornament)
הַזַּ֖יִת
and the olive
H2132
הַזַּ֖יִת
and the olive
Strong's:
H2132
Word #:
9 of 15
an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נָשָׂ֑א
hath not brought forth
H5375
נָשָׂ֑א
hath not brought forth
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
11 of 15
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
12 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 #:
13 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
Cross References
Malachi 3:10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.Matthew 6:33But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.Psalms 84:12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.Deuteronomy 15:10Thou shalt surely give him, and thine heart shall not be grieved when thou givest unto him: because that for this thing the LORD thy God shall bless thee in all thy works, and in all that thou puttest thine hand unto.Genesis 26:12Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.Psalms 133:3As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Historical Context
The ninth month (Kislev, November-December) was winter in Israel—between fall planting and spring growth. No fruit was visible yet. But God's promise assured that the coming growing season would be dramatically different from the previous sixteen years of futility. When spring came and crops grew, when summer brought harvest, they would remember God's word spoken in winter and recognize His faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you sustain obedience and faithfulness when you don't yet see visible results or blessings from following God?
- What does it mean to trust God's promise of blessing even when circumstances ("seed still in the barn") haven't yet changed?
- How does God's timing—declaring blessing in winter before spring growth—test and develop faith that believes His word over visible reality?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you (הַעוֹד הַזֶּרַע בַּמְּגוּרָה וְעַד־הַגֶּפֶן וְהַתְּאֵנָה וְהָרִמּוֹן וְעֵץ הַזַּיִת לֹא נָשָׂא מִן־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה אֲבָרֵךְ/ha'od hazera bamegurah ve'ad-hagefen vehate'enah veharimon ve'etz hazayit lo nasa min-hayom hazeh avarekh)—God asks rhetorical questions expecting "yes" answers: Is the seed yet in the barn? Yes—it's winter, planting season for grain. The vine, fig tree, pomegranate, olive tree—have they produced? No—winter is the dormant season before spring budding and summer fruit.
The point: they haven't yet seen tangible results from resumed obedience. It's only been three months since work resumed, and it's winter—no visible agricultural change. Yet God promises: from this day will I bless you (מִן־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה אֲבָרֵךְ/min-hayom hazeh avarekh). The blessing is declared before visible results appear. Faith trusts God's word when circumstances haven't yet changed. The vine, fig, pomegranate, and olive—Israel's characteristic fruit crops (Deuteronomy 8:8)—will bear abundantly in coming seasons because God has pronounced blessing.
This principle operates throughout Scripture: obedience precedes visible blessing, requiring faith to trust God's promise before seeing results. Abraham left Ur before receiving the land. Israel marched around Jericho before walls fell. Jesus's disciples left nets before seeing ministry fruit. God's kingdom operates on faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). Blessing is secured by God's word, not by visible circumstances.