King James Version

What Does Haggai 2:18 Mean?

Haggai 2:18 in the King James Version says “Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the fo...” — study this verse from Haggai chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.”

Haggai 2:18 · KJV

Context

16

Since those days were, when one came to an heap of twenty measures, there were but ten: when one came to the pressfat for to draw out fifty vessels out of the press, there were but twenty.

17

I smote you with blasting and with mildew and with hail in all the labours of your hands; yet ye turned not to me, saith the LORD.

18

Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it.

19

Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless you.

20

And again the word of the LORD came unto Haggai in the four and twentieth day of the month, saying,

Read Haggai 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Consider now from this day and upward, from the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, even from the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid, consider it (שִׂימוּ־נָא לְבַבְכֶם מִן־הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה וָמָעְלָה מִיּוֹם עֶשְׂרִים וְאַרְבָּעָה לַתְּשִׁעִי לְמִן־הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּד הֵיכַל־יְהוָה שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם/simu-na levavkhem min-hayom hazeh vama'lah miyom esrim ve'arba'ah lateshi'i lemin-hayom asher yusad heikhal-YHWH simu levavkhem)—God marks this specific date (December 18, 520 BC) as a turning point. The command consider (שִׂימוּ לְבַבְכֶם/simu levavkhem) is repeated—once at the beginning, once at the end—framing the promise in verse 19. This repetition emphasizes the importance of marking this moment as pivotal.

From the day that the foundation of the LORD'S temple was laid (מִן־הַיּוֹם אֲשֶׁר יֻסַּד הֵיכַל־יְהוָה/min-hayom asher yusad heikhal-YHWH)—this refers either to the original foundation laid in 536 BC (Ezra 3:10-11) or to the resumption of work/re-dedication of the foundation in 520 BC. The latter seems more likely given the immediate promise of blessing in verse 19. This date marks when they moved from mere obedience (they resumed building three months earlier, 1:15) to renewed covenant commitment marked by God's word through Haggai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

The foundation-laying would have been a community ceremony marking official resumption/rededication of the building project. Such ceremonies were common in ancient Near Eastern construction projects, especially for temples. By specifying this date, God establishes a clear before-and-after: before this day—futility and curse; from this day forward—blessing and prosperity. This clear demarcation helps the community recognize God's covenant faithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. What specific dates or moments in your spiritual journey mark turning points where God's blessing or discipline became evident?
  2. How does memorializing significant spiritual moments (conversion, baptism, key decisions) help sustain faithfulness during difficult seasons?
  3. What does it mean to "consider" or "set your heart upon" evaluating God's faithfulness and your obedience over time?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
שִׂ֥ימוּ1 of 19

“Consider”

H7760

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

נָ֣א2 of 19
H4994

'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction

לְבַבְכֶ֔ם3 of 19
H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

מִן4 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיּ֛וֹם5 of 19

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַזֶּ֖ה6 of 19
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

וָמָ֑עְלָה7 of 19

“and upward”

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

הַיּ֛וֹם8 of 19

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

עֶשְׂרִ֨ים9 of 19

“and twentieth”

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

וְאַרְבָּעָ֜ה10 of 19

“from the four”

H702

four

לַתְּשִׁיעִ֗י11 of 19

“of the ninth”

H8671

ninth

לְמִן12 of 19
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַיּ֛וֹם13 of 19

“day”

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

אֲשֶׁר14 of 19
H834

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

יֻסַּ֥ד15 of 19

“that the foundation”

H3245

to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult

הֵֽיכַל16 of 19

“temple”

H1964

a large public building, such as a palace or temple

יְהוָ֖ה17 of 19

“of the LORD'S”

H3068

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

שִׂ֥ימוּ18 of 19

“Consider”

H7760

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

לְבַבְכֶֽם׃19 of 19
H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

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 2:18 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 2:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 8:9Ezra 5:1-2Haggai 2:15Zechariah 8:12Haggai 1:14-15Haggai 2:10

Test Your Knowledge

Haggai 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHaggai Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Haggai 2 with CommentaryAll Haggai ChaptersComplete Haggai QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes