Haggai isn't just pointing out that the new Temple looks less grand than Solomon's; he's challenging their perception. The verse highlights that the elders' tears weren't just about missing gold, but about a potential loss of God's visible glory, a mindset that risks undervaluing the present work of God, even if it doesn't immediately shine with outward splendor.
‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. For thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts. The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, declares the LORD of hosts. The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, says the LORD of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, declares the LORD of hosts.’”
English Standard Version (ESV)
What Haggai 2:3-9 means
The people of Israel have returned from exile and begun rebuilding the Temple, but the work has stalled. Many of the older generation who remember the magnificent glory of Solomon's Temple are weeping because the new structure, even in its early stages, appears so humble in comparison. God, through Haggai, is addressing this discouragement, challenging their perspective and preparing to offer a powerful promise for the future.
The Weight of Past Glory
Imagine seeing something breathtakingly beautiful, only to witness its decay. How does that memory shape your view of the present?
Haggai is speaking to people who remember the first Temple, the one built by Solomon. This wasn't just any building; it was a masterpiece of gold and precious stones, a symbol of God's presence and power.
Unparalleled Splendor: The original Temple was adorned with incredible artistry and lavishly covered in gold. Think of intricate carvings and walls that shimmered with precious metals and stones.
Fading Memories: However, many years had passed since its destruction, and the number of people who actually saw it in its prime was dwindling. Those who did remember likely felt a deep sense of loss when they saw the new foundations.
A Stark Contrast: The contrast between the magnificent past and the humble present was stark. This comparison fueled disappointment and discouraged the people from their rebuilding efforts.
God's Perspective on 'Nothing'
What seems like 'nothing' to us can be everything to God. What if God sees potential where we see disappointment?
The people looked at the new Temple and saw 'nothing' compared to Solomon's masterpiece. Their disappointment was so great it threatened to halt the entire project. But Haggai, guided by God, challenges this limited human perspective.
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Human Eyes vs. Divine Sight: Our eyes tend to focus on outward appearances, wealth, and grandeur. The elders saw a humble beginning and felt despair.
God's Value System: God, however, looks at the heart, obedience, and future potential. What appeared insignificant to them was, in God's eyes, the starting point for something even more glorious.
The Promise of Future Glory: Haggai's message, deeply rooted in God's covenant, is that this 'nothing' Temple would eventually be filled with a glory far surpassing the first—the glory of the Messiah's presence. God was laying the foundation for His ultimate plan, even if it didn't look impressive yet.
The Threat of Discouragement
When the grand vision fades, and the reality is tough, it's easy to lose steam. How do we fight that demotivating drift?
The stark difference between the old and new Temples presented a significant spiritual hurdle for the people. Haggai's words cut through the discouragement that was creeping in.
Satan's Subtle Attack: As Calvin points out, discouragement often arises from comparing our current efforts to past glories or unmet expectations, making us question if we're even on the right track. This can be a subtle tactic to halt God's work.
The Danger of Stagnation: When people get discouraged, they tend to shift their focus back to personal pursuits, neglecting the divine calling. The people had already experienced a long interruption in building the Temple due to prioritizing their own concerns.
The Antidote: God's Presence and Promise: Haggai's response, reinforced by God's message in verses 4-5, is to remind them of God's active presence ('I am with you') and His enduring covenant. The ultimate encouragement is the promise of the Messiah's presence in this 'latter house,' a glory that would dwarf all previous splendor.
Understand the original words
The original words in Haggai 2:3-9
LORD of hostsצְבָאוֹת
tseba'ot · Hebrew Noun
The title of the God of Israel, indicating His sovereign authority over all celestial and terrestrial armies and powers. It emphasizes His power to protect and fulfill His promises.
covenantבְּרִית
berit · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or promise between God and His people, established by God, which defines the relationship and stipulates obligations and blessings.
Spiritרוּחַ
ruach · Hebrew Noun
The third person of the Trinity, the active presence of God among His people, empowering them for work, revelation, and guidance.
Fear notיָרֵא
yare' · Hebrew Verb
The state of emotional or spiritual reverence, awe, or terror before God. In the context of "fear not," it refers to being paralyzed or discouraged by circumstances, whereas the biblical command is to rely on God's presence instead.
gloryכָּבוֹד
kabod · Hebrew Noun
The glory of God refers to the manifestation of His divine presence, majesty, and holiness, often associated with His dwelling place among His people.
LORD of hostsצְבָאוֹת יְהוָה
YHWH Seba'ot · Hebrew Noun phrase
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty over the vast armies of heaven, including angels and the celestial bodies, and His absolute power over all creation.
shakeרָעַשׁ
ra'ash · Hebrew Verb
Refers to the act of God causing upheaval or instability in the created order, often used in prophetic literature to describe divine judgment, the arrival of God's kingdom, or a cataclysmic transition in history.
heavens and the earth and the seaשָׁמַיִם / אֶרֶץ / יָם
shamayim / erets / yam · Hebrew Nouns
The physical universe created by God, encompassing the celestial realm (heavens), the terrestrial world (earth), and the oceans (sea), all of which are subject to His sovereign rule.
gloryכָּבוֹד
kabod · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the manifestation of God’s presence, splendor, majesty, and moral character. In the temple context, it signifies the indwelling presence of God among His people.
peaceשָׁלוֹם
shalom · Hebrew Noun
The Hebrew term denotes completeness, wholeness, welfare, and relational harmony. In a biblical context, it is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of God-given well-being and reconciliation.
The situation behind Haggai 2:3-9
Written
Around 520 BC, during the second year of the reign of Darius the Great.
Author
Haggai, a prophet traditionally understood to have delivered this message during the post-exilic period.
Location
Jerusalem, during the rebuilding of the Second Temple.
Genre
Prophecy, characterized by direct divine address and rhetorical questions designed to provoke a response.
The historical timeline around Haggai 2:3-9
The contrast between the glorious First Temple and the more modest Second Temple was a source of discouragement for many Jews. Haggai's message challenges their perspective, reminding them that God's presence and future promises far outweigh outward magnificence.
c. 960 BC
Solomon's Temple Completed
King Solomon finishes the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem, renowned for its splendor and precious materials.
587/586 BC
Destruction of First Temple
The Babylonians conquer Jerusalem, destroy Solomon's Temple, and carry many Jews into exile.
538 BC
Cyrus' Decree and Return
Cyrus the Great allows the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple.
c. 520 BC
Second Temple Foundation Laid
Years after their return, the foundations of the Second Temple are laid, but the work is soon halted.
520 BC— this verse
Haggai's Ministry Begins
The prophet Haggai is sent by God to stir up the people and their leaders to resume the building of the Temple.
516 BC
Second Temple Completed
The Second Temple is finished, though it lacks the outward splendor and some sacred elements of Solomon's Temple.
Haggai 2:3: "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?"
Who is left among you? - The question implies that there were those among them, who had seen the first house in its glory, yet but few. When the foundations of the first temple were laid, there were many Ezra 3:12 . "Many of the priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundations of…
barnes
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Haggai 2:3: "Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?"
Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? - Who of you has seen the temple built by Solomon? The foundation of the present house had been laid about fifty-three years after the destruction of the temple built by Solomon and though this prophecy was uttered fifteen years after the foundation of this second temple, yet the…
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Frequently asked questions about Haggai 2:3-9
What does Haggai 2:3-9 mean?
Haggai isn't just pointing out that the new Temple looks less grand than Solomon's; he's challenging their perception. The verse highlights that the elders' tears weren't just about missing gold, but about a potential loss of God's visible glory, a mindset that risks undervaluing the present work of God, even if it doesn't immediately shine with outward splendor.
Explain the meaning of Haggai 2:3-9
The people of Israel have returned from exile and begun rebuilding the Temple, but the work has stalled. Many of the older generation who remember the magnificent glory of Solomon's Temple are weeping because the new structure, even in its early stages, appears so humble in comparison. God, through Haggai, is addressing this discouragement, challenging their perspective and preparing to offer a powerful promise for the future.
What is the context of Haggai 2:3-9?
The people of Israel have returned from exile and begun rebuilding the Temple, but the work has stalled. Many of the older generation who remember the magnificent glory of Solomon's Temple are weeping because the new structure, even in its early stages, appears so humble in comparison. God, through Haggai, is addressing this discouragement, challenging their perspective and preparing to offer a powerful promise for the future.
Breakdown of Haggai 2:3-9
"‘Who is left among you who saw this house in its former glory? How do you see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes? Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong,…" — Haggai isn't just pointing out that the new Temple looks less grand than Solomon's; he's challenging their perception. The verse highlights that the elders' tears weren't just about missing gold, b…
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