King James Version

What Does Haggai 1:8 Mean?

Haggai 1:8 in the King James Version says “Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, sai...” — study this verse from Haggai chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.”

Haggai 1:8 · KJV

Context

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

8

Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD.

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.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house (עֲלוּ הָהָר וַהֲבֵאתֶם עֵץ וּבְנוּ הַבָּיִת/alu hahar vahavetem etz uvnu habayit)—After diagnosis comes prescription: specific, actionable obedience. Go up (עֲלוּ/alu) requires physical effort—climbing the nearby mountains to harvest timber. Bring wood (הֲבֵאתֶם עֵץ/havetem etz) demands labor, transportation, and community cooperation. Build the house (בְּנוּ הַבָּיִת/vnu habayit) is the imperative result: construct God's dwelling place.

And I will take pleasure in it (וְאֶרְצֶה־בּוֹ/ve'ertzeh-bo)—the verb רָצָה (ratzah) means to delight in, accept favorably, find satisfaction. God doesn't merely tolerate obedience; He takes pleasure in His people's worship and their prioritization of His glory. This echoes the sacrificial system where offerings were "a pleasing aroma to the LORD"—not because God needs buildings or sacrifices but because they represent hearts turned toward Him.

And I will be glorified (וְאֶכָּבְדָה/ve'ekavdah)—the Niphal stem of כָּבֵד (kaved, "to be heavy, weighty, honored") indicates God receiving the glory He deserves. When His people rebuild His house, they publicly declare His worth, centrality, and lordship. Conversely, neglecting God's house dishonors Him—their actions proclaimed that He wasn't worth their time, resources, or effort.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The mountains surrounding Jerusalem—particularly forests on slopes near the city—provided timber. Unlike Solomon's era when David amassed vast cedar supplies from Lebanon, these returning exiles had to harvest local materials themselves. The task required physical labor, but it was achievable. God doesn't command impossible obedience; He commands faithful action within their capacity, empowered by His presence (v.13).

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific, concrete actions is God calling you to that would demonstrate His priority in your life, even if costly or difficult?
  2. How does knowing that obedience "pleases" God and brings Him glory motivate action beyond mere duty or obligation?
  3. In what ways might you be waiting for ideal circumstances to obey when God is calling you to faithful action with what you have now?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
עֲל֥וּ1 of 11

“Go up”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הָהָ֛ר2 of 11

“to the mountain”

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

וַהֲבֵאתֶ֥ם3 of 11

“and bring”

H935

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

עֵ֖ץ4 of 11

“wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וּבְנ֣וּ5 of 11

“and build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

הַבָּ֑יִת6 of 11

“the house”

H1004

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

וְאֶרְצֶה7 of 11

“and I will take pleasure”

H7521

to be pleased with; specifically, to satisfy a debt

בּ֥וֹ8 of 11
H0
וְאֶכָּבְדָ֖9 of 11

“in it and I will be glorified”

H3513

to be heavy, i.e., in a bad sense (burdensome, severe, dull) or in a good sense (numerous, rich, honorable); causatively, to make weighty (in the same

אָמַ֥ר10 of 11

“saith”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָֽה׃11 of 11

“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 1:8 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 1:8 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 132:13-142 Chronicles 7:162 Chronicles 2:8-10Haggai 2:7Ezra 3:7Exodus 29:43

Test Your Knowledge

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

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