Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to overlook that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah spoke "in the name of the God of Israel who was over them." This phrase highlights that their message wasn't just general encouragement, but a direct communication from the God who had specifically chosen and governed this people, grounding their prophecy in His divine authority and relationship with Israel.
Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them.
English Standard Version (ESV)
After years of neglect and opposition, the people's enthusiasm for rebuilding the Temple had significantly waned, leaving the project stalled for about fifteen years. Now, sensing a spiritual apathy had settled over the community, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stepped in. They spoke God's powerful message directly to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, stirring them to action and reminding them of their covenant responsibilities to the God of Israel.
Ever feel like things have stalled out? Like the dream you had for God's work is stuck in neutral? That’s where God’s people were, and He sent some powerful voices to shake them up.
Imagine this: the people of Israel have returned from exile, they've laid the foundation for God's temple, but then… nothing. For about fifteen years, the work ground to a halt. Discouragement, opposition, and perhaps just plain old apathy had set in.
But God hadn't forgotten them! He commissioned two prophets, Haggai and Zechariah, to speak His truth directly into their stalled situation. Notice that the text calls them the prophets – they weren't just any speakers; they were God's chosen mouthpieces at a crucial moment.
Their job was clear: to reignite the people's passion for God's house. They didn't just deliver gentle suggestions; they issued divine commands, coupled with promises of God's favor and warnings about the consequences of disobedience. This wasn't just religious pep talk; it was a divine intervention to get God's priorities back on track.
It's one thing to speak about God, but it's another to speak for God. What’s the difference, and why does it matter so much?
The verse isn't just saying Haggai and Zechariah talked about the God of Israel. It says they prophesied 'in the name of the God of Israel'. This phrase is packed with meaning!
Speaking with Divine Backing
When you act 'in the name of' someone powerful, you have their authority and backing. These prophets weren't sharing their own opinions or even just quoting general wisdom. They were delivering messages that carried the full weight of the Almighty Creator God. Their words were backed by His power and His plan.
Ask a follow-up
God's Name on His People
The commentators point out a subtle but significant phrase: 'who was over them' (or 'upon them' in some translations). This highlights that the God they represented was the very God who had claimed Israel as His own. His covenant name, His presence, His authority—it all belonged to the people of Judah and Jerusalem. The prophets spoke to them, not as strangers, but as children who had strayed, reminding them of the One whose name was called upon them and whose purposes for them were not yet finished.
Understand the original words
nābîʾ · Hebrew Noun
Individuals chosen by God to serve as His spokesmen, receiving direct revelation and communicating His will, warnings, or promises to His people. Their primary role was to call the people back to covenant faithfulness.
ʾĕlōhîm Yisrāʾēl · Hebrew Noun
The unique, covenantal name for the Creator and Redeemer of the Hebrew people. It signifies the relationship established at Sinai where He pledged Himself to be their God and they to be His people.
The work on the Second Temple had stalled for roughly fifteen years due to apathy and opposition. Haggai and Zechariah's prophecies were divinely appointed interventions to reignite the people's commitment to God's house and His presence among them.
c. 538 BC
Cyrus's Decree and First Return
Cyrus the Great of Persia allows exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the end of the Babylonian exile. Zerubbabel leads the first major wave of returnees.
c. 516 BC
Dedication of the Second Temple
After significant delays and opposition, the Second Temple is completed and dedicated. However, it is far more modest than Solomon's original Temple.
c. 516 BC - 460 BC
Period of Apathy and Neglect
Following the Temple's completion, a period of spiritual apathy sets in among the returned exiles. The building of the Temple had been halted for about fifteen years prior to the prophets' intervention.
522 BC
Accession of Darius I to Persian Throne
Darius I becomes king of Persia. His reign brings a period of stability that would eventually allow the Temple rebuilding efforts to resume under his authority.
520 BC— this verse
Haggai and Zechariah Prophesy
The prophets Haggai and Zechariah begin to prophesy to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, strongly encouraging them to resume and complete the work on the Temple.
520-519 BC
Temple Work Resumes
Spurred by Haggai and Zechariah's prophecies and the authority of Persian officials like Tattenai, the Jews, led by Zerubbabel and Jeshua, recommence building the Temple.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Return to Jerusalem
Ezra, a scribe and priest, leads another group of exiles back to Jerusalem, focusing on religious reform and adherence to the Law.
This passage directly introduces Haggai's prophecy, emphasizing the same message of God's people needing to prioritize rebuilding the Temple and the consequences of their neglect, mirroring the situation described in Ezra 5:1.
Zechariah 1:1This verse presents Zechariah's initial prophetic call, aligning with Ezra 5:1 by showing him as a key prophet in this period, focused on God's message to the people after their return from exile.
Nehemiah 12:16This verse mentions Zechariah the son of Iddo as a head of a priestly family, providing historical context for the lineage of the prophet in Ezra 5:1 and linking him to the leadership involved in Jerusalem's restoration.
1 Kings 18:36Elijah prays 'in the name of the Lord God of Israel,' similar to how Haggai and Zechariah prophesy in Ezra 5:1, demonstrating the established biblical practice of invoking God's authority and name in prophetic ministry.
clarkeEzra 5:1: "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them."
Haggai - and Zechariah - These are the same whose writings we have among the twelve minor prophets. The son of Iddo - That is, the grandson of Iddo; for Zechariah was the son of Barachiah, the son of Iddo. See his prophecy, Zechariah 1:1 (note).
bensonEzra 5:1: "Then the prophets, Haggai the prophet, and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the name of the God of Israel, even unto them."
Ezra 5:1 . Haggai and Zechariah — Concerning these prophets, see the books which bear their names. They are both thought to have been born at Babylon during the captivity, and both with united zeal encouraged the people to go on with the work of the temple. Upon the accession of Darius to the throne, Haggai,…
It's easy to overlook that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah spoke "in the name of the God of Israel who was over them." This phrase highlights that their message wasn't just general encouragement, but a direct communication from the God who had specifically chosen and governed this people, grounding their prophecy in His divine authority and relationship with Israel.
After years of neglect and opposition, the people's enthusiasm for rebuilding the Temple had significantly waned, leaving the project stalled for about fifteen years. Now, sensing a spiritual apathy had settled over the community, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stepped in. They spoke God's powerful message directly to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, stirring them to action and reminding them of their covenant responsibilities to the God of Israel.
After years of neglect and opposition, the people's enthusiasm for rebuilding the Temple had significantly waned, leaving the project stalled for about fifteen years. Now, sensing a spiritual apathy had settled over the community, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah stepped in. They spoke God's powerful message directly to the Jews in Judah and Jerusalem, stirring them to action and reminding them of their covenant responsibilities to the God of Israel.
"Now the prophets, Haggai and Zechariah the son of Iddo, prophesied to the Jews who were in Judah and Jerusalem, in the name of the God of Israel who was over them." — It's easy to overlook that the prophets Haggai and Zechariah spoke "in the name of the God of Israel who was over them." This phrase highlights that their message wasn't just general encouragement, b…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026