King James Version

What Does Haggai 1:5 Mean?

Haggai 1:5 in the King James Version says “Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Consider: Heb. Set your heart on your ways” — study this verse from Haggai chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Consider: Heb. Set your heart on your ways”

Haggai 1:5 · KJV

Context

3

Then came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

4

Is it time for you, O ye, to dwell in your cieled houses, and this house lie waste?

5

Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Consider: Heb. Set your heart on your ways

6

Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. with holes: Heb. pierced through

7

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways. Consider: Heb. Set your heart on your ways

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Now therefore thus saith the LORD of hosts; Consider your ways (וְעַתָּה כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם עַל־דַּרְכֵיכֶם/ve'attah koh-amar YHWH Tzeva'ot simu levavkhem al-darkhekem)—after exposing their misplaced priorities (v.4), God commands self-examination. 'Consider' (שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם/simu levavkhem) literally means 'set your heart upon'—not casual thought but serious reflection. 'Your ways' (דַּרְכֵיכֶם/darkhekem) encompasses their entire pattern of life: choices, priorities, values, actions.

The LORD of hosts (יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת/YHWH Tzeva'ot)—this title emphasizes God's sovereignty over heavenly and earthly armies. The One commanding self-examination is the Almighty, not a peer offering suggestions. His authority demands response. The command to 'consider your ways' appears twice (v.5, v.7), framing the diagnosis of their futility (v.6). God first calls for self-examination, then provides analysis, then repeats the call—ensuring they cannot avoid honest assessment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Self-examination was necessary because the people had grown accustomed to their situation. Sixteen years of neglecting the temple while pursuing personal prosperity had dulled spiritual sensitivity. They didn't recognize the connection between their futility (v.6) and their priorities (v.4). God's call to 'consider your ways' invited them to trace effects back to causes: their economic struggles stemmed from spiritual disobedience. This principle operates throughout Scripture—prosperity divorced from obedience leads to emptiness (Deuteronomy 28, Proverbs 3:9-10, Malachi 3:8-12). Jesus similarly warned against storing earthly treasures while neglecting heavenly treasure (Matthew 6:19-21).

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically to 'set your heart upon your ways'—to seriously examine your life patterns and priorities?
  2. How might God be using frustration, dissatisfaction, or lack of fulfillment to prompt self-examination of spiritual priorities?
  3. What areas of life do you avoid examining honestly, and what would it look like to invite God's scrutiny there?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
וְעַתָּ֕ה1 of 9
H6258

at this time, whether adverb, conjunction or expletive

כֹּ֥ה2 of 9
H3541

properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now

אָמַ֖ר3 of 9

“Now therefore thus saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 9

“the LORD”

H3068

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

צְבָא֑וֹת5 of 9

“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

שִׂ֥ימוּ6 of 9

“Consider”

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

לְבַבְכֶ֖ם7 of 9
H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

עַל8 of 9
H5921

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

דַּרְכֵיכֶֽם׃9 of 9

“your ways”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

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 1:5 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 1:5 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Lamentations 3:402 Corinthians 13:5Haggai 2:15-18Haggai 1:7Luke 15:17Galatians 6:4

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