Haggai 2:4
What does Haggai 2:4 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:4 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:4 means
Jehovah answers discouragement with a threefold charge: be strong, be strong, be strong—and work. Courage is not bravado but obedience sustained by God’s nearness: "for I am with you," says Jehovah of hosts. Strength here is moral and spiritual resolve to keep building, despite modest means and memories of past grandeur. Work matters, but it is grounded in presence. The God who commands effort supplies endurance. Leaders must not quit; people must not faint. The assurance “I am with you” is the heart of the covenant and the true glory of any sanctuary. If He is with them, their labor is not in vain.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Yet 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,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts:
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Yet 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,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, says the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land, says the Lord, and get to work: for I am with you, says the Lord of armies:
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862And now, be strong, O Zerubbabel, An affirmation of Jehovah, And be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest, And be strong, all ye people of the land, An affirmation of Jehovah, And do ye--(for I <FI>am<Fi> with you, An affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts) --
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752Who is left among you, that saw this house in its first glory? and how do you see it now? is it not in comparison to that as nothing in your eyes?
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890But now be strong, Zerubbabel, saith Jehovah; and be strong, 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.
Context
Following the frank acknowledgment of small beginnings, this verse pivots to exhortation. It addresses Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the people in turn, restoring resolve at every level. The reason for courage—God’s presence—will be further anchored in verse 5 by recalling the Exodus covenant and the abiding Spirit. These two verses (4–5) function together: command and comfort, task and theology. They stabilize the community so that the bold promises of verses 6–9 about shaking and glory will not overwhelm them but will lift their eyes with hope while they keep working.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Judges 2:18
And when Jehovah raised them up judges, then Jehovah was with the judge, and saved them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented Jehovah because of their groaning by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
- Joshua 1:6
Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt cause this people to inherit the land which I sware unto their fathers to give them.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
- Haggai 1:13
Then spake Haggai Jehovah’s messenger in Jehovah’s message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith Jehovah.
- 2 Timothy 4:17
But the Lord stood by me, and strengthened me; that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.
- Joshua 1:9
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not affrighted, neither be thou dismayed: for Jehovah thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.
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