Haggai 2:23
What does Haggai 2:23 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:23 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:23 means
Jehovah concludes with a personal pledge: “I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant… and will make you as a signet; for I have chosen you.” A signet ring bore a king’s seal—authority, identity, and cherished possession. God restores dignity to the Davidic line through Zerubbabel, affirming His irrevocable choice. Though under Persian rule, Zerubbabel carries royal significance in God’s eyes. This promise reaches beyond him: the New Testament traces Jesus the Messiah through Zerubbabel, in whom God’s chosen Servant and ultimate authority are revealed. Immediately, it assures Zerubbabel of favor; ultimately, it points to Christ, in whom God’s rule and presence among His people are secured.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000In 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.
KJV
King James Version · 1611In that day, saith the Lord of hosts, will I take thee, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, saith the Lord, and will make thee as a signet: for I have chosen thee, saith the Lord of hosts.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901In 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.
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949In that day, says the Lord of armies, I will take you, O Zerubbabel, my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and will make you as a jewelled ring: for I have taken you to be mine, says the Lord of armies.
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862In that day--an affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, I take thee, Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, My servant--an affirmation of Jehovah, And have set thee as a signet, for on thee I have fixed, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts!
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, and will destroy the strength of the kingdom of the Gentiles: and I will overthrow the chariot, and him that rideth therein: and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890In that day, saith Jehovah of hosts, will I take thee, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant, saith Jehovah, and will make thee as a signet; for I have chosen thee, saith Jehovah of hosts.
Context
This final verse crowns the third oracle and the chapter. After announcing the downfall of world powers (verses 21–22), God affirms His positive purpose: the establishment of His chosen servant as His signet. The flow from shaking to choosing shows God’s control over both judgment and salvation. It offers immediate encouragement to Zerubbabel and long-term hope to the community: God’s covenant with David is alive. The book thus closes on a note of sovereign grace, linking the rebuilt temple and the fragile community to God’s enduring kingdom plan.
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.
v.23This passage
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Isaiah 42:1
Behold, my servant, whom I uphold; my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the Gentiles.
- John 6:27
Work not for the food which perisheth, but for the food which abideth unto eternal life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him the Father, even God, hath sealed.
- Zechariah 4:6
Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of Jehovah unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Matthew 12:18
Behold, my servant whom I have chosen; My beloved in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, And he shall declare judgment to the Gentiles.
- 2 Timothy 2:19
Howbeit the firm foundation of God standeth, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his: and, Let every one that nameth the name of the Lord depart from unrighteousness.
- Song of Solomon 8:6
Set me as a seal upon thy heart, As a seal upon thine arm: For love is strong as death; Jealousy is cruel as Sheol; The flashes thereof are flashes of fire, A very flame of Jehovah.
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