Haggai 1:9
What does Haggai 1:9 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 1:9 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 1:9 means
God interprets their disappointment: they expected much from their efforts, but harvests and income shrank. He Himself diminished the return. The reason is direct—His house lay desolate while each person ran to their own home. The image of running shows eagerness for self-advancement contrasted with indifference to God’s honor. By claiming agency over their setbacks, the Lord removes chance from the equation and calls them to see a moral order at work. He loves them enough to frustrate self-focused plans so they will re-center on Him. Their small outcomes are not merely bad luck; they are purposeful discipline to lead them back to building what matters most.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lieth waste, while ye run every man to his own house.
KJV
King James Version · 1611Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lieth waste, while ye run every man to his own house.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949You were looking for much, and it came to little; and when you got it into your house, I took it away with a breath. Why? says the Lord of armies. Because of my house which is a waste, while every man takes care of the house which is his.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Looking for much, and lo, little, And ye brought <FI>it<Fi> home, and I blew on it, Wherefore? --an affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, Because of My house that is waste, And ye are running--each to his house,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752You have looked for more, and behold it became less, and you brought it home, and I blowed it away: why, saith the Lord of hosts? because my house is desolate, and you make haste every man to his own house.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Ye looked for much, and behold it was little; and when ye brought it home, I blew upon it. Wherefore? saith Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lieth waste, whilst ye run every man to his own house.
Context
This verse explains the cause behind the symptoms listed in verse 6 and ties them explicitly to the neglected temple highlighted in verse 4. It bridges to verses 10–11, where the scope of divine discipline is broadened to creation itself. The logic tightens: misplaced priorities lead to God’s purposeful opposition, which is meant to prompt repentance and action—exactly what will come in verses 12–14 after the assurance of verse 13.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
- Malachi 2:2
If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith Jehovah of hosts, then will I send the curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings; yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.
- Isaiah 40:7
The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, because the breath of Jehovah bloweth upon it; surely the people is grass.
- 2 Samuel 21:1
And there was a famine in the days of David three years, year after year; and David sought the face of Jehovah. And Jehovah said, It is for Saul, and for his bloody house, because he put to death the Gibeonites.
- 2 Kings 19:7
Behold, I will put a spirit in him, and he shall hear tidings, and shall return to his own land; and I will cause him to fall by the sword in his own land.
- Job 10:2
I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; Show me wherefore thou contendest with me.
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Haggai 1
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Haggai 1.