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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse emphasizes that God will not only cause nations to shake, but also bring their "desires" – their most precious treasures – into His house. This isn't just about wealth; it points to a time when the very best of what the Gentile world values will be brought and offered to God, pointing to a profound spiritual influx beyond mere material riches.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The people of Jerusalem have returned from exile and begun rebuilding the Temple, but their progress has stalled due to opposition and discouragement. Haggai, the prophet, was sent to stir them up to continue the work, and in this passage, he offers a prophecy of future glory to encourage them. This prophecy speaks of a coming shaking of nations and the arrival of "the desire of all nations," followed by the filling of the Temple with God's glory, surpassing its former splendor.
The Lord declares He will 'shake all nations.' This isn't just political turmoil; it's a divine act designed to bring something precious into His house.
The shaking of nations isn't random chaos. It's a powerful, intentional act by God to bring about His purposes. Think of it like a potter aggressively shaping the clay on the wheel. The 'shaking' here refers to immense geopolitical shifts—empires rising and falling, wars, and widespread upheaval. These events, however violent, serve God's ultimate goal: to stir people and nations so that what is 'desired' will flow into His house, the temple.
This shaking prepared the world for a greater arrival. It created a spiritual vacuum and a yearning, paving the way for the 'treasures' of the nations—both material wealth and, more importantly, people—to be drawn to God's presence.
What are the 'treasures of all nations' that God desires? It's a concept with layers, pointing beyond mere gold and silver.
The phrase 'the desire of all nations' is rich and debated. While it can certainly include the material wealth and precious goods that nations possess (like the gold and silver mentioned in the next verse), its deepest meaning points to something far more profound.
Many scholars and theologians understand 'the desire of all nations' to refer ultimately to the Messiah Himself. He is the One whom all people, consciously or unconsciously, long for. He is the answer to humanity's deepest needs – for salvation, peace, and reconciliation with God.
However, the wording also strongly suggests the of the nations. When the nations are shaken, individuals within them are drawn to God's house, becoming His 'treasures.' This includes both Gentile believers brought into the community of faith and the valuable resources they bring to support God's work.
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The promise is that God will fill His house with glory, surpassing even Solomon's magnificent temple.
The glory that filled Solomon's temple was awe-inspiring, a tangible manifestation of God's presence. But Haggai's prophecy points to a greater glory for the second temple.
This future glory is not solely about the building itself or even the offerings brought. The ultimate fulfillment of this promise is the personal presence of Jesus Christ. His coming into the temple, His teaching, His miracles, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (as seen at Pentecost) infused the temple with a divine glory that far exceeded its physical splendor.
This prophecy assures us that God's presence brings true glory. It’s a glory rooted in His character, His redemptive work, and His transformative power, a glory that continues to fill His spiritual temple – the Church – today.
Understand the original words
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.
This prophecy in Haggai, delivered after the Second Temple's completion but during a period of spiritual apathy, anticipates a future glory far exceeding its initial state. It speaks not only to the physical rebuilding but also to the ultimate Messianic fulfillment that would bring true divine presence and a universal impact.
c. 539 BC
Cyrus the Great Conquers Babylon
The Persian Empire, under Cyrus the Great, conquers the Babylonian Empire. This marks the beginning of Persian dominance and sets the stage for the return of Jewish exiles.
c. 538 BC
Edict of Cyrus Allows Return
Cyrus issues a decree allowing the Jewish people exiled in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marks the first wave of returnees.
c. 515 BC
Completion of the Second Temple
After significant delays and opposition, the Second Temple in Jerusalem is finally completed and dedicated. This marks a significant spiritual and political milestone for the returning exiles.
c. 458 BC
Ezra's Reforms
Ezra the scribe leads a second wave of exiles back to Jerusalem and institutes religious reforms, emphasizing strict adherence to the Law of Moses. This period saw a focus on spiritual renewal.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Rebuilds Jerusalem's Walls
Nehemiah, cupbearer to the Persian king, returns to Jerusalem to rebuild the city walls. This mission faced considerable opposition, highlighting the precarious political situation.
c. 520 BC— this verse
Haggai and Zechariah Preach
Prophets Haggai and Zechariah encourage the discouraged Jewish returnees to resume the rebuilding of the Temple, which had been stalled for years. This message comes decades after the Temple's initial completion.
This passage echoes Haggai's promise by describing nations bringing their wealth and treasures, filling God's house with glory. It highlights the inclusion of Gentiles and their valuable offerings as part of God's future plan.
Zechariah 14:16This verse directly links the worship of all nations to Jerusalem, suggesting a future time when Gentiles will come to worship and offer sacrifices. This aligns with Haggai's vision of 'treasures of all nations' coming into the house of God.
Malachi 3:1This prophecy speaks of the Lord suddenly coming to His temple, with a messenger preparing the way. This directly connects to the idea of the Messiah's presence bringing glory to the second temple, fulfilling Haggai's promise.
Luke 21:24Jesus quotes or alludes to this prophecy, stating that Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. This speaks to the 'shaking of nations' and their eventual interaction with God's people and dwelling place.
Romans 10:19-20Paul uses Old Testament prophecies to show how God's people, Israel, would be provoked to jealousy by nations that did not seek Him, illustrating the expansion of God's kingdom beyond Israel. This speaks to the 'treasures of all nations' coming in, not just material wealth, but people turning to God.
clarkeHaggai 2:7: "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts."
And the Desire of all nations shall come - The present Hebrew text is as follows: ובאו חמדת כל הגוים. This is a difficult place if understood of a person: but חמדת chemdath, desire, cannot well agree with באו bau, they shall come. It is true that some learned men suppose that חמדות chemdoth, desirable things, may have been the original reading:…
cambridgeHaggai 2:7: "And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts."
7 . I will shake all nations ] “There was a general shaking upon earth before our Lord came. Empires rose and fell. The Persian fell before Alexander’s; Alexander’s world-empire was ended by his sudden death in youth; of his four successors two only continued, and they, too, fell before the Romans; then were the Roman civil wars, until under Augus…
This verse emphasizes that God will not only cause nations to shake, but also bring their "desires" – their most precious treasures – into His house. This isn't just about wealth; it points to a time when the very best of what the Gentile world values will be brought and offered to God, pointing to a profound spiritual influx beyond mere material riches.
The people of Jerusalem have returned from exile and begun rebuilding the Temple, but their progress has stalled due to opposition and discouragement. Haggai, the prophet, was sent to stir them up to continue the work, and in this passage, he offers a prophecy of future glory to encourage them. This prophecy speaks of a coming shaking of nations and the arrival of "the desire of all nations," followed by the filling of the Temple with God's glory, surpassing its former splendor.
The people of Jerusalem have returned from exile and begun rebuilding the Temple, but their progress has stalled due to opposition and discouragement. Haggai, the prophet, was sent to stir them up to continue the work, and in this passage, he offers a prophecy of future glory to encourage them. This prophecy speaks of a coming shaking of nations and the arrival of "the desire of all nations," followed by the filling of the Temple with God's glory, surpassing its former splendor.
"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." — This verse emphasizes that God will not only cause nations to shake, but also bring their "desires" – their most precious treasures – into His house. This isn't just about wealth; it points to a time…
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Last reviewed October 2026