Names of the Book
English: | Haggai |
Hebrew: | חגי |
Transliterated: | Hagai |
Other names: |
Who
Wrote the book: | Haggai |
Are the key people: | Haggai, Zerubbabel, Joshua |
Is it written to: | The people of southern tribe of Judah who had returned to the land of Israel. |
What
The call to rebuild the Temple (Haggai 1:1-15) |
The encouragement to complete the Temple (Haggai 2:1-23) |
When
Was it written: | c 516 BCE |
Did the events occur: | c 517-513 BCE |
Was it canonized: | c 499-100 BCE |
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh) |
Where
Was it written: | Jerusalem |
Did the events occur: | Jerusalem |
Why
Haggai was written to inform us that: |
We should have G-dly priorities. |
G-d will encourage us in His priorities. |
Introduction
Haggai provides a prophetic and historical message when Jewish exiles were returning to Jerusalem from Babylon. They began rebuilding the Temple but gave up after repeated discouragement and the distractions of pursuing wealth dissuaded them. Haggai exhorted and inspired them to complete the task and delivered stinging rebukes for their neglect of G-d's house. His call to repentance in their personal lives led to a heartfelt return to the task of restoring the Temple which symbolized G-d's restored presence in their midst.
Scripture- Book Selection