King James Version

What Does Haggai 1:12 Mean?

Haggai 1:12 in the King James Version says “Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, with all the remnant of the peopl... — study this verse from Haggai chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Haggai 1:12 · KJV


Context

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.

14

And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then Zerubbabel... and Joshua... with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the LORD their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet (וַיִּשְׁמַע זְרֻבָּבֶל... וִיהוֹשֻׁעַ... וְכֹל שְׁאֵרִית הָעָם בְּקוֹל יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְעַל־דִּבְרֵי חַגַּי הַנָּבִיא/vayishma Zerubbavel... viYehoshua... vekhol she'erit ha'am bekol YHWH Eloheihem ve'al-divrei Chaggai hanavi)—the Hebrew שָׁמַע (shama) means both to hear and to obey—not passive listening but active response. Leadership (Zerubbabel, Joshua) and people together responded in unified obedience.

As the LORD their God had sent him (כַּאֲשֶׁר שְׁלָחוֹ יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיהֶם/ka'asher shelakho YHWH Eloheihem)—they recognized Haggai's divine commission. His message wasn't mere human opinion but God's authoritative word demanding response. This authenticates prophetic ministry: God sends, prophet speaks, people recognize divine authority and obey. And the people did fear before the LORD (וַיִּירְאוּ הָעָם מִפְּנֵי יְהוָה/vayir'u ha'am mipnei YHWH)—fear (יָרֵא/yare) here isn't terror but reverent awe, appropriate recognition of God's holiness, authority, and covenant relationship.

This verse demonstrates genuine repentance: convicted by God's word, they didn't debate, rationalize, or delay—they obeyed. The entire community—from governor and high priest to common people—responded together. This contrasts with earlier stubbornness (v.2). What changed? God's word confronted them through prophetic preaching, the Holy Spirit convicted hearts (v.14), and they chose humble submission rather than prideful resistance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This response came approximately three weeks after Haggai's first message (delivered on the first day of the sixth month, v.1; work resumed on the twenty-fourth day, v.15). That brief interval allowed time for the message to circulate, for leaders and people to process conviction, and for practical preparations to begin. The unified response—civil, religious, and common people together—demonstrated genuine spiritual awakening under God's sovereign work.

Reflection Questions

  1. What characterizes genuine repentance—and how does immediate, concrete obedience distinguish true conviction from mere emotional response?
  2. How do you respond when God's word confronts comfortable patterns, rationalizations, or priorities—with defensiveness or with humble submission?
  3. What role does "fear of the LORD"—reverent awe, not terror—play in motivating obedience and sustaining faithfulness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע1 of 27

obeyed

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל׀2 of 27

Then Zerubbabel

H2216

zerubbabel, an israelite

בֶּן3 of 27

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֡ל4 of 27

of Shealtiel

H7597

shealtiel, an israelite

וִיהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ5 of 27

and Joshua

H3091

jehoshua (i.e., joshua), the jewish leader

בֶּן6 of 27

the son

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יְהוֹצָדָק֩7 of 27

of Josedech

H3087

jehotsadak, an israelite

הַכֹּהֵ֨ן8 of 27

priest

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

הַגָּד֜וֹל9 of 27

the high

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְכֹ֣ל׀10 of 27
H3605

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

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית11 of 27

with all the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הָעָ֖ם12 of 27

him and the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

בְּקוֹל֙13 of 27

the voice

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָֽה׃14 of 27

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם15 of 27

their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וְעַל16 of 27
H5921

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

דִּבְרֵי֙17 of 27

and the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

חַגַּ֣י18 of 27

of Haggai

H2292

chaggai, a hebrew prophet

הַנָּבִ֔יא19 of 27

the prophet

H5030

a prophet or (generally) inspired man

כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר20 of 27
H834

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

שְׁלָח֖וֹ21 of 27

had sent

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

יְהוָֽה׃22 of 27

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֵיהֶ֑ם23 of 27

their God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

וַיִּֽירְא֥וּ24 of 27

did fear

H3372

to fear; morally to revere; causatively to frighten

הָעָ֖ם25 of 27

him and the people

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִפְּנֵ֥י26 of 27

before

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְהוָֽה׃27 of 27

as the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god


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 1:12 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 1:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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