Haggai – Chapter 2

Old Testament24 Verses

Chapter Summary

"In the four and twentieth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, they began." — so begins Haggai 2. The chapter centers on Zerubbabel and Darius. Across its 24 verses, two threads run through the text: courage in the face of fear and God's kingdom and kingship. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1In the four and twentieth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, they began.

2And in the seventh month, the word of the Lord came by the hand of Haggai the prophet, saying:

3Speak to Zorobabel the son of Salathiel the governor of Juda, and to Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and to the rest of the people, saying:

4Who is left among you, that saw this house in its first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in comparison to that as nothing in your eyes?

5Yet now take courage, O Zorobabel, saith the Lord, and take courage, Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and take courage, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord of hosts: and perform (for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts)

6The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not.

7For thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet one little while, and I will move the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.

8And I will move all nations: AND THE DESIRED OF ALL NATIONS SHALL COME: and I will fill this house with glory: saith the Lord of hosts.

9The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the Lord of hosts.

10Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place I will give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

11In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius the king, the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet, saying:

12Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests the law, saying:

13If a man carry sanctified flesh in the skirt of his garment, and touch with his skirt, bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat: shall it be sanctified? And the priests answered, and said: No.

14And Haggai said: If one that is unclean by occasion of a soul touch any of all these things, shall it be defiled? And the priests answered, and said: It shall be defiled.

15And Haggai answered, and said: So is this people, and so is this nation before my face, saith the Lord, and so is all the work of their hands: and all that they have offered there, shall be defiled.

16And now consider in your hearts, from this day and upward, before there was a stone laid upon a stone in the temple of the Lord.

17When you went to a heap of twenty bushels, and they became ten: and you went into the press, to press out fifty vessels, and they became twenty.

18I struck you with a blasting wind, and all the works of your hand with the mildew and with hail, yet there was none among you that returned to me, saith the Lord.

19Set your hearts from this day, and henceforward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month: from the day that the foundations of the temple of the Lord were laid, and lay it up in your hearts.

20Is the seed as yet sprung up? or hath the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree as yet flourished? from this day I will bless you.

21And the word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying:

22Speak to Zorobabel the governor of Juda, saying: I will move both heaven and earth.

23And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and will destroy the strength of the kingdom of the Gentiles: and I will overthrow the chariot, and him that rideth therein: and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

24In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, I will take thee, O Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, my servant, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet, for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.

Important Verses in Haggai 2

The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not.

Haggai 2:6

Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place I will give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.

Haggai 2:10

And now consider in your hearts, from this day and upward, before there was a stone laid upon a stone in the temple of the Lord.

Haggai 2:16

Set your hearts from this day, and henceforward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month: from the day that the foundations of the temple of the Lord were laid, and lay it up in your hearts.

Haggai 2:19

Historical Context

Haggai addresses the returned exiles, called to put God's house first within the broader story of God's covenant people. Chapter 2 of 2 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a prophetic oracle addressed to Israel in a moment of covenant crisis or renewal with 24 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. The chapter focuses on Zerubbabel and Darius, whose actions and words drive the passage forward. The passage starts with these words: "In the four and twentieth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, they began." It concludes: "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, I will take thee, O Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, my servant, saith the Lord,…" The wider setting of Haggai is this: Eighteen years after returning from exile, the people had rebuilt their own houses while God's Temple lay in ruins. The book's material reflects the era summarized as follows: Precisely dated: August to December, 520 BC.

Who Wrote It

The prophet Haggai

When It Was Written

Precisely dated: August to December, 520 BC

Catholic Commentary

The prophetic discourse in this chapter speaks to a community facing the consequences of its choices before God. A pivotal line is verse 6: "The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not." The passage repeatedly touches on courage in the face of fear.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 854). Here, the Temple points to Christ and the Church (CIC 756). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize courage in the face of fear as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • God's presence casts out fear; His command 'Be not afraid' echoes throughout salvation history.
  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.

People in This Chapter

Zerubbabel4 mentionsDarius2 mentions

Reflection for Today

As Catholics read Haggai Chapter 2, we do so within the living Tradition that has guarded this text for two millennia.

The saints did not treat Scripture as antiquarian literature. St. Teresa of Avila, St. Francis de Sales, and countless others used passages such as this to fuel daily conversion. intercession for others remains a practical lesson for modern disciples.

As you continue through Haggai, carry this chapter's lesson into your family, parish, and work. Catholic faith is always ecclesial—God speaks to us as members of Christ's Body, not as isolated individuals.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Haggai Chapter 2 about?

Haggai 2 contains 24 verses. It opens with "In the four and twentieth day of the month, in the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king, they began." and closes with "In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, I will take thee, O Zorobabel the son of Salathiel, my servant, saith the Lord,…". The book as a whole is prophetic oracles.

What is a key verse in Haggai 2?

One of the most significant verses is verse 6: "The word that I covenanted with you when you came out of the land of Egypt: and my spirit shall be in the midst of you: fear not." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Haggai Chapter 2?

This chapter mentions Zerubbabel, Darius.

Who wrote Haggai and when?

The prophet Haggai. Precisely dated: August to December, 520 BC.

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