Haggai 2:22
What does Haggai 2:22 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:22 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:22 means
God promises to overthrow thrones of kingdoms, destroy the strength of the nations, and bring down chariots and riders, each falling by a brother’s sword. The imagery recalls God’s past deliverances, where human military might proved fragile. Nations that trust in horses and chariots will crumble when God acts, and even alliances will fracture into mutual destruction. For a small post-exilic community, this means their fate is not tied to imperial stability. God can upend world orders at will. The word steadies Zerubbabel: he need not engineer political salvation; he must steward faithfully, knowing that God’s kingdom advances despite and through upheaval.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000and 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611And 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.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901and 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Overturning the power of kingdoms; and I will send destruction on the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; by me war-carriages will be overturned with those who are in them; and the horses and the horsemen will come down, everyone by the sword of his brother.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And have overturned the throne of kingdoms, And I have destroyed the strength of kingdoms of the nations, And overturned chariot and its charioteers, And come down have horses and their riders, Each by the sword of his brother.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Speak to Zorobabel the governor of Juda, saying: I will move both heaven and earth.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890and 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 therein; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
Context
This verse elaborates the shaking announced in verse 21. By detailing the downfall of military and royal strength, it sets the backdrop for the personal promise in verse 23. The contrast is sharp: collapsing human thrones versus God’s chosen servant established as a signet. The flow highlights the security of God’s election amid the insecurity of nations. It readies the reader to see Zerubbabel’s role not as a worldly monarch but as a bearer of covenant significance within God’s sovereign plan.
v.21Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth;
v.22This passage
v.23In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith Jehovah, and will make thee as a signet; for I have chosen thee, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Matthew 24:7
For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there shall be famines and earthquakes in divers places.
- Micah 5:10
And it shall come to pass in that day, saith Jehovah, that I will cut off thy horses out of the midst of thee, and will destroy thy chariots:
- Ezekiel 39:20
And ye shall be filled at my table with horses and chariots, with mighty men, and with all men of war, saith the Lord Jehovah.
- 1 Samuel 14:16
And the watchmen of Saul in Gibeah of Benjamin looked; and, behold, the multitude melted away, and they went hither and thither.
- Zechariah 9:10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim, and the horse from Jerusalem; and the battle bow shall be cut off; and he shall speak peace unto the nations: and his dominion shall be from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
- Exodus 14:17
And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall go in after them: and I will get me honor upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
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