What does Haggai 2:4 mean?

"Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:" - Haggai 2:4

Haggai 2:4 - "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:"

Haggai 2:4 - "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:"

Haggai 2:4 from the King James Version (KJV) reads, "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts."

This verse comes from the book of Haggai in the Old Testament, and it is a message from the Lord to the people of Israel. The book of Haggai is a short prophetic book consisting of four messages that were delivered to the people of Judah at a time when they were experiencing spiritual and material decline. The book was written after the Israelites returned from exile in Babylon and were attempting to rebuild their lives and their nation.

In this particular verse, the Lord is speaking through the prophet Haggai to encourage and strengthen the people, especially their leaders, Zerubbabel and Joshua, who were tasked with the responsibility of rebuilding the temple. The verse begins with "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD," which shows that the Lord acknowledges the discouragement and weariness of Zerubbabel and the people. The Lord is calling for Zerubbabel to be strong in the face of adversity and to not give up. This message is also directed at Joshua, the high priest, and all the people of the land, emphasizing the need for strength and perseverance in their work.

The context of this verse is important in understanding its significance. The Israelites had returned to their land after years of exile and were tasked with rebuilding their temple, which had been destroyed. However, they faced opposition and discouragement from neighboring nations, which led to a halt in the rebuilding efforts. The people were struggling with fear, doubt, and a lack of motivation to continue the work of rebuilding. The Lord's message through Haggai was meant to reinvigorate them and remind them of His presence and promise to be with them.

The themes present in this verse include strength, perseverance, and faith in the face of adversity. The Lord's call to "be strong" is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, where believers are encouraged to rely on the strength that comes from God. The verse also emphasizes the importance of work and labor, as the people are reminded to continue with their efforts to rebuild despite the challenges they face. The presence of the Lord and His promise to be with them is another important theme, providing comfort and assurance to the people in their time of struggle.

Symbolism can be found in the names mentioned in the verse. Zerubbabel, whose name means "sown in Babylon," represents the returning exiles and their attempt to rebuild their lives in their homeland. Joshua, the high priest, symbolizes the spiritual leadership of the people and their connection to God. The mention of "all ye people of the land" encompasses the entire community and represents their collective effort in the rebuilding process. The Lord's presence and promise to be with them is a symbol of His faithfulness and commitment to His people, despite their shortcomings and struggles.

Overall, Haggai 2:4 is a powerful message of encouragement and exhortation from the Lord to His people. It serves as a reminder of the importance of strength, perseverance, and faith in the face of adversity, as well as the assurance of God's presence and support. The verse speaks not only to the specific historical context of the Israelites but also carries timeless truths and principles that can be applied to believers in any era. It is a message that encourages believers to press on in their work and to rely on the strength and presence of the Lord.

Haggai 2:4 Artwork

Haggai 2:4 - "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:"

Haggai 2:4 - "Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I am with you, saith the LORD of hosts:"

Haggai 2:20 - "¶ And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,"

Haggai 2:20 - "¶ And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,"

Haggai 2:1 - "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,"

Haggai 2:1 - "In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, came the word of the LORD by the prophet Haggai, saying,"

Haggai 2:14 - "Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean."

Haggai 2:14 - "Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean."

Haggai 2:10 - "¶ In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,"

Haggai 2:10 - "¶ In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,"

Haggai 2:13 - "Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean."

Haggai 2:13 - "Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean."

Haggai 1:4 - "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?"

Haggai 1:4 - "Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?"

Haggai 2:14 Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

Haggai 2:14 Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

Haggai 2:14 Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

Haggai 2:14 Then Haggai answered and said, “ ‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

Haggai 2:8 - "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts."

Haggai 2:8 - "The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, saith the LORD of hosts."

Haggai 2:11 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,"

Haggai 2:11 - "Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,"

Haggai 2:2 - "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,"

Haggai 2:2 - "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the residue of the people, saying,"

Haggai 2:21 - "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;"

Haggai 2:21 - "Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;"

Haggai 2:17 - "I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD."

Haggai 2:17 - "I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD."

Haggai 1:2 - "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built."

Haggai 1:2 - "Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, This people say, The time is not come, the time that the LORD'S house should be built."

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?"

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?"

Haggai 2:5 - "According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not."

Haggai 2:5 - "According to the word that I covenanted with you when ye came out of Egypt, so my spirit remaineth among you: fear ye not."

Haggai 2:6-7 – "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.'"

Haggai 2:6-7 – "This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.'"

Haggai 2:6 - "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;"

Haggai 2:6 - "For thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;"

Haggai 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."

Haggai 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."

Haggai 2:18 - "Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it."

Haggai 2:18 - "Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it."

Haggai 2:15 - "And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:"

Haggai 2:15 - "And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:"

Haggai 2:9 - "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts."

Haggai 2:9 - "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts."

Haggai 2:19 - "Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you."

Haggai 2:19 - "Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you."

Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Haggai 2:9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the LORD of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

Haggai2:9

Haggai2:9

Haggai 2:16 - "Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty."

Haggai 2:16 - "Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty."

Haggai 2:23 - "In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts."

Haggai 2:23 - "In that day, saith the LORD of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the LORD, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the LORD of hosts."

Haggai 2:12 - "If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No."

Haggai 2:12 - "If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No."

Haggai 2:22 - "And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother."

Haggai 2:22 - "And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother."