Haggai 2:17
What does Haggai 2:17 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:17 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:17 means
Jehovah states plainly that He had struck them with blight, mildew, and hail in all the work of their hands, yet they did not return to Him. The covenant Lord used agricultural afflictions as corrective discipline to call His people back. The problem was not only poor conditions; it was a resistant heart that missed the summons embedded in hardship. God’s aim was repentance and restored fellowship, not mere deprivation. Even His judgments have a redemptive purpose. This candid word explains the past and invites a different response now: to see His hand in providence and to turn to Him with renewed obedience and trust.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the work of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith Jehovah.
KJV
King James Version · 1611I 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the work of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith Jehovah.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949And I sent burning and wasting and a rain of ice-drops on all the works of your hands; but still you were not turned to me, says the Lord.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862I have smitten you with blasting, And with mildew, and with hail--All the work of your hands, And there is none of you with Me, An affirmation of Jehovah.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752When you went to a heap of twenty bushels, and they became ten: and you went into the press, to press out fifty vessels, and they became twenty.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the work of your hands; and ye [turned] not to me, saith Jehovah.
Context
This verse provides theological interpretation of the experiences described in verse 16. It confirms that God was actively disciplining His people, echoing patterns from the covenant warnings. With the cause of past barrenness clarified, the oracle turns in verses 18–19 to a new call to consider the present day as a hinge in their story. The focus shifts from what God withheld to what He will now bestow: from this day forward, blessing. The contrast underscores God’s mercy and the effectiveness of repentance-linked obedience.
v.16Through all that time, when one came to a heap of twenty measures, there were but ten; when one came to the winevat to draw out fifty vessels, there were but twenty.
v.17This passage
v.18Consider, I pray you, from this day and backward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, since the day that the foundation of Jehovah’s temple was laid, consider it.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Amos 4:6
And I also have given you cleanness of teeth in all your cities, and want of bread in all your places; yet have ye not returned unto me, saith Jehovah.
- Genesis 42:27
And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the lodging-place, he espied his money; and, behold, it was in the mouth of his sack.
- Genesis 42:23
And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for there was an interpreter between them.
- Exodus 9:18
Behold, to-morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the day it was founded even until now.
- Job 36:13
But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.
- Jeremiah 8:4
Moreover thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith Jehovah: Shall men fall, and not rise up again? Shall one turn away, and not return?
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