What's striking here is that the word of God, the direct message from the LORD, arrives not to a king or an established authority in Jerusalem, but on a specific day, the first of the month, to Zerubbabel, a governor under foreign rule, and Joshua, the high priest. This signifies that God's voice cuts through the complexities of their subjugated status, directly addressing the leaders responsible for the community's spiritual and civic well-being.
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
English Standard Version (ESV)
About sixteen years after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, the rebuilding of the Temple had ground to a halt. Despite the foundation being laid years prior, the people had grown complacent, focusing instead on building their own fine houses. In this climate of apathy, God sent Haggai the prophet to stir up Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest, to get the people back to the important work.
God’s timing is always perfect, even down to the specific day. Notice how precisely Haggai’s message is dated. What does this tell us about God’s engagement with His people?
The word of the LORD comes to Haggai on a very specific day: the first day of the sixth month, in the second year of King Darius. This isn't just random historical detail.
Divine Precision
This specific date highlights God's direct intervention and His perfect timing. It wasn't a general feeling or a vague inspiration; it was a clear message, delivered on a particular day. Think of it like God saying, 'It's time, and it's now.'
A New Beginning
This day also marked the start of a new prophetic cycle after a significant period of silence or delay. The exiles had returned to Jerusalem years before, but the rebuilding of the temple had stalled. This specific date signals a divine impetus to get things moving again. It’s a call to action, precisely when and how God intended.
Haggai’s message is delivered to specific leaders – Zerubbabel and Joshua. What does this tell us about leadership and responsibility in God's purposes?
The message from the LORD is entrusted to Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest. These two men represent the civil and religious leadership of the returned exiles.
Shared Responsibility
God addresses the leaders first, indicating that they are accountable for the spiritual state and actions of the people. They are the conduits through which God’s word is to flow and His will is to be enacted.
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The Weight of Office
Zerubbabel, though a descendant of David, served as a governor under Persian rule. Joshua, as high priest, carried the mantle of the Levitical line. Both held positions of immense importance, but neither was king in their own right. Their authority was delegated, and their primary duty was to lead the people in obedience to God, especially in the critical task of rebuilding the Temple.
Understand the original words
Yahweh · Hebrew Noun (Proper)
The personal name of the covenant God of Israel, revealed to Moses, emphasizing His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His people. It is the name by which He enters into a personal, redemptive relationship with humanity.
nabi' · Hebrew Noun
A messenger commissioned by God to communicate His divine message to His people. A prophet typically functions as a spokesman, often calling for repentance, announcing judgment, or proclaiming future hope based on God's covenant.
kohen · Hebrew Noun
The highest religious office in ancient Israel, responsible for performing sacrifices, mediating between God and the people, and maintaining the holiness of the temple. The high priest represents the people before God on the Day of Atonement.
This verse pinpoints a specific moment sixteen years after the initial return from exile, during which the Jewish people had grown complacent and neglected to rebuild the Temple. The prophet Haggai's message directly addresses this spiritual apathy, calling Zerubbabel and Joshua, the leaders of the community, to action amidst the reality of Persian rule.
c. 586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the First Temple
Nebuchadnezzar's Babylonian army destroys Jerusalem and the First Temple, marking the beginning of the Babylonian exile for many Judeans.
539 BC
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon
Cyrus the Great, king of Persia, conquers Babylon, ushering in the Persian Empire and a new era for exiled peoples.
538 BC
Cyrus' Edict of Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, marking the end of the Babylonian exile.
c. 536 BC
First Return and Temple Foundation Laid
The first wave of exiles, led by Zerubbabel and Joshua, returns to Jerusalem and lays the foundation for the Second Temple.
c. 535-520 BC
Temple Construction Halted
Opposition from surrounding peoples and internal apathy cause the work on the Second Temple to cease for approximately fifteen years.
522 BC
Darius Hystaspes Becomes King of Persia
After a period of internal turmoil following the death of Cambyses II, Darius Hystaspes secures the Persian throne and resumes Cyrus' policies regarding the Jews.
520 BC— this verse
Haggai and Zechariah Prophesy
In the second year of Darius' reign, the prophets Haggai and Zechariah are commissioned by God to urge the people and their leaders to resume the building of the Temple.
This passage describes the initial return of the exiles and their efforts to rebuild the altar and lay the foundation of the Temple, setting the stage for the later work that Haggai addresses.
Jeremiah 29:10This prophecy foretold the seventy years of exile and the eventual return of God's people, providing the divine timeline and promise that underpins Haggai's message about rebuilding.
Zechariah 1:1-6Zechariah, a contemporary prophet, also received a word from the Lord around the same time, calling the people to repentance and emphasizing God's renewed favor for Jerusalem and the Temple.
Nehemiah 2:1-10This shows a later, successful effort to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, demonstrating the importance of leadership, divine direction, and overcoming opposition in restoring the city and its spiritual heart.
1 Corinthians 3:16The New Testament broadens the concept of 'temple' to include believers as the dwelling place of God's Spirit, offering a spiritual parallel to the physical rebuilding Haggai calls for.
barnesHaggai 1:1: "In 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,"
In the second year of Darius - , i. e., Hystaspis. The very first word of prophecy after the captivity betokens that they were restored, not yet as before, yet so, as to be hereafter, more than before. The earthly type, by God's a…
clarkeHaggai 1:1: "In 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,"
In the sixth month - Called Elul by the Hebrews. It was the sixth month of the ecclesiastical year, and the last of the civil year, and answered to a part of our September. Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel - Who was son of Jeconiah…
What's striking here is that the word of God, the direct message from the LORD, arrives not to a king or an established authority in Jerusalem, but on a specific day, the first of the month, to Zerubbabel, a governor under foreign rule, and Joshua, the high priest. This signifies that God's voice cuts through the complexities of their subjugated status, directly addressing the leaders responsible for the community's spiritual and civic well-being.
About sixteen years after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, the rebuilding of the Temple had ground to a halt. Despite the foundation being laid years prior, the people had grown complacent, focusing instead on building their own fine houses. In this climate of apathy, God sent Haggai the prophet to stir up Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest, to get the people back to the important work.
About sixteen years after the first wave of Jewish exiles returned to Jerusalem from Babylon, the rebuilding of the Temple had ground to a halt. Despite the foundation being laid years prior, the people had grown complacent, focusing instead on building their own fine houses. In this climate of apathy, God sent Haggai the prophet to stir up Zerubbabel, the governor, and Joshua, the high priest, to get the people back to the important work.
"In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, on the first day of the month, the word of the LORD came by the hand of Haggai the prophet to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak…" — What's striking here is that the word of God, the direct message from the LORD, arrives not to a king or an established authority in Jerusalem, but on a specific day, the first of the month, to Zerub…
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Last reviewed October 2026
