Haggai 2:21
Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
Original Language Analysis
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
H3063
יְהוּדָ֖ה
of Judah
Strong's:
H3063
Word #:
5 of 12
jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory
מַרְעִ֔ישׁ
I will shake
H7493
מַרְעִ֔ישׁ
I will shake
Strong's:
H7493
Word #:
8 of 12
to undulate (as the earth, the sky, etc.; also a field of grain), particularly through fear; specifically, to spring (as a locust)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 12
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
the heavens
H8064
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
the heavens
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
10 of 12
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
Cross References
Ezra 5:2Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the prophets of God helping them.Haggai 1:1In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, saying,Psalms 46:6The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
Historical Context
Zerubbabel's position was precarious: Davidic heir living under foreign rule, leading a small community with no military or political power. He might have felt insignificant, wondering if God's promises to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) could still be trusted. God's message assures him: earthly empires are temporary; God's kingdom through David's seed is eternal. Though Zerubbabel wouldn't see complete fulfillment, he participated in the redemptive line leading to Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does knowing that God will eventually overthrow all earthly kingdoms encourage faithfulness when living under authorities opposed to God?
- What does it mean to live with dual citizenship—as members of God's eternal kingdom while functioning within temporary earthly systems?
- How do you maintain hope and perspective when God's promises seem delayed or when circumstances suggest His kingdom is weak?
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Analysis & Commentary
Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth (אֱמֹר אֶל־זְרֻבָּבֶל פַּחַת־יְהוּדָה לֵאמֹר אֲנִי מַרְעִישׁ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ/emor el-Zerubbavel pachat-Yehudah lemor ani mar'ish et-hashamayim ve'et-ha'aretz)—God addresses Zerubbabel personally, the Davidic heir serving as Persian-appointed governor. The promise echoes 2:6: I will shake the heavens and the earth (אֲנִי מַרְעִישׁ/ani mar'ish)—God will intervene dramatically in history, overturning established order. The verb רָעַשׁ (ra'ash) means to quake, tremble, shake violently—earthquake-level upheaval.
This shaking has both near and far fulfillment. Near: the Persian Empire would eventually fall (to Alexander in 331 BC), as would every subsequent empire. Far: Christ's first advent shook heaven and earth (incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension), and His second coming will complete the shaking (Hebrews 12:26-27, Revelation 6:12-14, 21:1). The prophecy encourages Zerubbabel: though he governs under Persian authority with no political independence, God will overthrow all earthly kingdoms and establish His eternal kingdom through the Davidic line.