King James Version

What Does Haggai 1:14 Mean?

Haggai 1:14 in the King James Version says “And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the s... — study this verse from Haggai chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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,

Haggai 1:14 · KJV


Context

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,

15

In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel... and the spirit of Joshua... and the spirit of all the remnant of the people (וַיָּעַר יְהוָה אֶת־רוּחַ זְרֻבָּבֶל... וְאֶת־רוּחַ יְהוֹשֻׁעַ... וְאֶת־רוּחַ כֹּל שְׁאֵרִית הָעָם/vaya'ar YHWH et-ruach Zerubbavel... ve'et-ruach Yehoshua... ve'et-ruach kol she'erit ha'am)—the verb עוּר (ur) in Hiphil stem means to rouse, awaken, stir up, incite to action. God Himself energized their spirits (רוּחַ/ruach), awakening motivation, courage, and determination that had lain dormant for sixteen years.

This verse reveals divine sovereignty in conversion and sanctification. The people heard God's word (v.12), obeyed, and worked—yet the text emphasizes that God stirred their spirits to enable that response. Repentance is both human responsibility and divine gift. Philippians 2:12-13 captures this mystery: "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." God commands obedience and sovereignly produces the willing heart that obeys.

And they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God (וַיָּבֹאוּ וַיַּעֲשׂוּ מְלָאכָה בְּבֵית־יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם/vayavo'u vaya'asu melakhah beveit-YHWH Tzeva'ot Eloheihem)—stirred spirits resulted in concrete action. They came (בּוֹא/bo) and did work (עָשָׂה/asah), laboring in the house of the LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת/YHWH Tzeva'ot), sovereign commander of heaven and earth.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Within three weeks of Haggai's first message (compare v.1 and v.15), the entire community was mobilized for construction. This rapid response demonstrates the power of God's Spirit working through His word. What had seemed impossible for sixteen years became reality in less than a month when God stirred hearts to obedience. The second temple was completed four years later (516 BC), fulfilling God's purposes despite initial discouragement.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does recognizing that God "stirs up" willing spirits for obedience affect how you pray for yourself and others regarding spiritual responsiveness?
  2. What is the relationship between divine sovereignty (God stirring spirits) and human responsibility (people obeying and working)—and how do both realities coexist?
  3. In what areas of obedience do you need God to stir your spirit, awakening motivation, courage, and energy that feels dormant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 28 words
וַיָּ֣עַר1 of 28

stirred up

H5782

to wake (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָ֥ה2 of 28

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֶת3 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ר֔וּחַ4 of 28

and the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

זְרֻבָּבֶ֨ל5 of 28

of Zerubbabel

H2216

zerubbabel, an israelite

בֶּן6 of 28

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

שַׁלְתִּיאֵ֜ל7 of 28

of Shealtiel

H7597

shealtiel, an israelite

פַּחַ֣ת8 of 28

governor

H6346

a prefect (of a city or small district)

יְהוּדָ֗ה9 of 28

of Judah

H3063

jehudah (or judah), the name of five israelites; also of the tribe descended from the first, and of its territory

וְאֶת10 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ר֔וּחַ11 of 28

and the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

יְהוֹשֻׁ֤עַ12 of 28

of Joshua

H3091

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

בֶּן13 of 28

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

יְהוֹצָדָק֙14 of 28

of Josedech

H3087

jehotsadak, an israelite

הַכֹּהֵ֣ן15 of 28

priest

H3548

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

הַגָּד֔וֹל16 of 28

the high

H1419

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

וְֽאֶת17 of 28
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

ר֔וּחַ18 of 28

and the spirit

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

כֹּ֖ל19 of 28
H3605

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

שְׁאֵרִ֣ית20 of 28

of all the remnant

H7611

a remainder or residual (surviving, final) portion

הָעָ֑ם21 of 28

of the people

H5971

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

וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙22 of 28

and they came

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

וַיַּעֲשׂ֣וּ23 of 28

and did

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

מְלָאכָ֔ה24 of 28

work

H4399

properly, deputyship, i.e., ministry; generally, employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor)

בְּבֵית25 of 28

in the house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֥ה26 of 28

And the LORD

H3068

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

צְבָא֖וֹת27 of 28

of hosts

H6635

a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci

אֱלֹהֵיהֶֽם׃28 of 28

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


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 1:14 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 1:14 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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