King James Version

What Does Haggai 1:11 Mean?

Haggai 1:11 in the King James Version says “And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the...” — study this verse from Haggai chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.”

Haggai 1:11 · KJV

Context

9

Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house. blow: or, blow it away

10

Therefore the heaven over you is stayed from dew, and the earth is stayed from her fruit.

11

And I called for a drought upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands.

12

Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the LORD their God had sent him, and the people did fear before the LORD.

13

Then spake Haggai the LORD'S messenger in the LORD'S message unto the people, saying, I am with you, saith the LORD.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I called for a drought upon the land (וָאֶקְרָא חֹרֶב עַל־הָאָרֶץ/va'ekra chorev al-ha'aretz)—God explicitly claims responsibility: I called (קָרָא/kara) for this drought (חֹרֶב/chorev, dryness, desolation). This wasn't impersonal fate or bad luck but personal, purposeful divine action. The comprehensive scope follows: upon the land, and upon the mountains, and upon the corn, and upon the new wine, and upon the oil, and upon that which the ground bringeth forth, and upon men, and upon cattle, and upon all the labour of the hands—eight areas of impact covering agriculture, livestock, human effort, and natural resources.

This list echoes covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-24, 38-42) that God promised would come if Israel forsook Him. Corn (דָּגָן/dagan, grain), new wine (תִּירוֹשׁ/tirosh), and oil (יִצְהָר/yitzhar) represent staple crops essential for survival. Men and cattle (בָּקָר/bakar) together encompass human and animal life. All the labour of the hands (כָּל־יְגִיעַ כַּפַּיִם/kol-yegia khapayim) indicates that human effort itself was rendered futile—not for lack of trying but because God withheld blessing.

Why would God do this? Not cruelty but covenant love. Discipline proves relationship (Hebrews 12:5-11). God could have abandoned them to their self-focused lives, allowing them to drift into permanent spiritual apathy. Instead, He used hardship to wake them up, expose their idolatry (self-worship masked as pragmatism), and call them back to Himself. Hosea 2:6-7 describes similar discipline: God blocks Israel's path with thorns so she'll return to her first husband.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The comprehensive nature of this drought indicates sustained agricultural failure affecting every sector of the economy. This wasn't one bad harvest but a pattern of futility over the sixteen years they neglected the temple. The people likely rationalized it as normal post-exilic hardship, but Haggai reveals divine intention: God was speaking through circumstances, calling them to repentance and renewed obedience.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do you discern when difficulties are general trials of life versus specific divine discipline meant to expose sin or redirect priorities?
  2. What does God's willingness to discipline those He loves reveal about the nature of saving relationship versus mere religious affiliation?
  3. In what areas might God be allowing frustration or futility to prevent you from settling into comfortable self-focused living?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וָאֶקְרָ֨א1 of 24

“And I called”

H7121

to call out to (i.e., properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of applications)

חֹ֜רֶב2 of 24

“for a drought”

H2721

drought or desolation

עַל3 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֣רֶץ4 of 24

“upon the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

וְעַל5 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הֶהָרִ֗ים6 of 24

“and upon the mountains”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וְעַל7 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַדָּגָן֙8 of 24

“and upon the corn”

H1715

properly, increase, i.e., grain

וְעַל9 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַתִּיר֣וֹשׁ10 of 24

“and upon the new wine”

H8492

must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine

וְעַל11 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַיִּצְהָ֔ר12 of 24

“and upon the oil”

H3323

oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing

וְעַ֛ל13 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

אֲשֶׁ֥ר14 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

תּוֹצִ֖יא15 of 24

“bringeth forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

הָאֲדָמָ֑ה16 of 24

“and upon that which the ground”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

וְעַל17 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָֽאָדָם֙18 of 24

“and upon men”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

וְעַל19 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הַבְּהֵמָ֔ה20 of 24

“and upon cattle”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

וְעַ֖ל21 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל22 of 24
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

יְגִ֥יעַ23 of 24

“and upon all the labour”

H3018

toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)

כַּפָּֽיִם׃24 of 24

“of the hands”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Haggai. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Haggai 1:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Haggai 1:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Haggai 2:17Deuteronomy 28:222 Kings 8:11 Kings 17:1Amos 7:4Lamentations 1:21

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Haggai 1 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHaggai Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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