Haggai 2:3
What does Haggai 2:3 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:3 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:3 means
Haggai candidly raises the painful comparison: some present had seen Solomon’s temple in its glory, and the current structure looks like nothing beside it. God does not deny the disappointment. He invites the elders’ memory to the surface so the whole community can face reality together. Discouragement grows when unspoken. Here, Jehovah validates the sense of loss without conceding defeat. The standard of success is not grandeur but faithfulness to God’s call. The new house, though smaller, belongs to the same story of God dwelling with His people. The admission of smallness becomes the very place where divine strength will be declared.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing?
KJV
King James Version · 1611Who is left among you that saw this house in her first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes in comparison of it as nothing?
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing?
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949Who is there still among you who saw this house in its first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in your eyes as nothing?
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Who among you hath been left that saw this house in its former honour? And what are ye seeing it now? Is it not, compared with it, as nothing in your eyes?
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Speak to Zorobabel the son of Salathiel the governor of Juda, and to Jesus the son of Josedec the high priest, and to the rest of the people, saying:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Who is left among you that saw this house in its former glory? and how do ye see it now? Is it not as nothing in your eyes?
Context
This verse captures the community’s emotional low point and creates the need for divine encouragement. Having voiced what all feel, the prophet prepares them to hear God’s command and promise. Verses 4–5 will answer the question of "How do we go on when our work seems insignificant?" not by minimizing the contrast with the former temple, but by re-centering their hope on God’s presence and covenant. Verses 6–9 will then enlarge their horizon from present smallness to future glory that only God can bring, relieving them from the burden of measuring their work by outward splendor.
v.2Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
v.3This passage
v.4Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith Jehovah, and work: for I am with you, saith Jehovah of hosts,
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Ezekiel 7:20
As for the beauty of his ornament, he set it in majesty; but they made the images of their abominations and their detestable things therein: therefore have I made it unto them as an unclean thing.
- Haggai 2:9
The latter glory of this house shall be greater than the former, saith Jehovah of hosts; and in this place will I give peace, saith Jehovah of hosts.
- Luke 21:5
And as some spake of the temple, how it was adorned with goodly stones and offerings, he said,
- Zechariah 4:9
The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also finish it; and thou shalt know that Jehovah of hosts hath sent me unto you.
- Ezra 3:12
But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, the old men that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy:
Related questions readers ask
Keep reading
Want to dig deeper? Explore Haggai 2
Hand-picked devotionals, topical studies, and pastoral answers that draw on Haggai 2.