Haggai 2:23
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts.
Original Language Analysis
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
H3117
בַּיּ֣וֹם
In that day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
1 of 20
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
הַה֣וּא
H1931
הַה֣וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
2 of 20
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָאֽוֹת׃
of hosts
H6635
צְבָאֽוֹת׃
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
5 of 20
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
אֶ֠קָּחֲךָ
will I take
H3947
אֶ֠קָּחֲךָ
will I take
Strong's:
H3947
Word #:
6 of 20
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
בֶּן
the son
H1121
בֶּן
the son
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
8 of 20
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֥ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ
and will make
H7760
וְשַׂמְתִּ֖יךָ
and will make
Strong's:
H7760
Word #:
13 of 20
to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
15 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
בָחַ֔רְתִּי
for I have chosen
H977
בָחַ֔רְתִּי
for I have chosen
Strong's:
H977
Word #:
17 of 20
properly, to try, i.e., (by implication) select
Cross References
Isaiah 43:10Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.Isaiah 42:1Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.Jeremiah 22:24As I live, saith the LORD, though Coniah the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah were the signet upon my right hand, yet would I pluck thee thence;Song of Solomon 8:6Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm: for love is strong as death; jealousy is cruel as the grave: the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.Matthew 12:18Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.1 Peter 2:4To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,2 Timothy 2:19Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.John 6:27Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Historical Context
Zerubbabel led the first return from exile, laid the temple foundation, and now—after sixteen years—completed the rebuilding (516 BC). He represented the Davidic line's continuity despite exile and foreign rule. Though he had no throne, crown, or kingdom, he maintained faithfulness, and through his lineage came Joseph (Matthew 1:12) and Mary (Luke 3:27, different Zerubbabel or genealogical complexity), making him ancestor to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's choice of Zerubbabel—insignificant by worldly standards but chosen for divine purposes—encourage you when feeling small or ineffective?
- What does it mean that Jesus is the ultimate "signet"—the perfect representation of God's authority and character?
- How do you live faithfully in your "in-between" time—like Zerubbabel between exile and full kingdom—trusting God's promises even when complete fulfillment isn't yet visible?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts (בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֶקָּחֲךָ זְרֻבָּבֶל בֶּן־שְׁאַלְתִּיאֵל עַבְדִּי נְאֻם־יְהוָה וְשַׂמְתִּיךָ כַּחוֹתָם כִּי־בְךָ בָחַרְתִּי נְאֻם יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת/bayom hahu ne'um YHWH Tzeva'ot ekkachakha Zerubbavel ben-She'altiel avdi ne'um YHWH vesamtikha khachotam ki-vekha bacharti ne'um YHWH Tzeva'ot)—God's climactic promise to Zerubbabel uses three powerful terms:
**My servant (עַבְדִּי/avdi)—the highest honor, used of Moses, David, prophets, and ultimately the Messiah (Isaiah 42:1, 52:13). Zerubbabel is God's chosen instrument for His purposes.
**As a signet (כַּחוֹתָם/khachotam)—a seal ring used to authenticate documents, representing authority and identity. Kings sealed decrees with signet rings (Esther 8:8). God promised to make Zerubbabel like His own signet—representing divine authority. This reverses Jeremiah 22:24, where God declared He would tear off King Jehoiachin (Zerubbabel's grandfather) like a signet ring and cast him away due to wickedness. Now, in Zerubbabel, God restores the Davidic line to favor.
**I have chosen thee (בְךָ בָחַרְתִּי/vekha bacharti)—the verb בָּחַר (bachar) means select, elect. God's sovereign choice guarantees His purposes. Though Zerubbabel seems insignificant—a minor governor under foreign rule—God has chosen him for His redemptive plan. This prophecy points beyond Zerubbabel to Christ, the ultimate Davidic Son, God's chosen Servant, the perfect image and seal of God's authority (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3). Jesus is the fulfillment of every covenant promise to David.