Haggai 2:21
What does Haggai 2:21 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:21 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:21 means
Jehovah tells Haggai to speak to Zerubbabel: “I will shake the heavens and the earth.” The word repeats the earlier cosmic promise but now applies it to the governor’s context. Empires seem immovable; yet God declares them shakable. Zerubbabel governs under Persia’s shadow, and the people’s safety can appear hostage to imperial moods. God assures him that ultimate power is not in human thrones but in the Lord who unsettles and reorders creation. This frees the leader from paralyzing fear and from grasping at human alliances. His task is to lead faithfully while trusting that God controls the larger stage of history.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
KJV
King James Version · 1611Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Say to Zerubbabel, ruler of Judah, I will make a shaking of the heavens and the earth,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862`Speak unto Zerubbabel governor of Judah, saying: I am shaking the heavens and the earth,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And the word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
Context
This verse begins the content of the third oracle. It echoes verse 6 to connect Zerubbabel’s personal encouragement with the earlier global promise. The next verse will specify the kind of shaking envisioned: overthrow of kingdoms, chariots, and military strength, even internecine conflict. This prepares for the climactic assurance in verse 23 that God has chosen Zerubbabel as His signet. The sequence moves from God’s cosmic rule to geopolitical upheaval to a personal pledge, showing how the largest realities inform the leader’s calling.
v.20And the word of Jehovah came the second time unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,
v.21This passage
v.22and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; 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.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Haggai 1:1
In the second year of Darius the king, in the sixth month, in the first day of the month, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet unto Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, saying,
- Ezra 5:2
Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the house of God which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
- Ezekiel 38:19
For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel;
- Revelation 16:17
And the seventh poured out his bowl upon the air; and there came forth a great voice out of the temple, from the throne, saying, It is done:
- Psalms 46:6
The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted.
- Haggai 2:6
For thus saith Jehovah 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;
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