translation_id: net-engnet

book_id: HAG

label: NET study note

text: The first day of the sixth month was Elul 1 according to the Jewish calendar; August 29, 520 b.c. according to the modern (Julian) calendar.


text: King Darius is the Persian king Darius Hystaspes who ruled from 522-486 b.c .


text: The epithet Lord who rules over all occurs frequently as a divine title throughout Haggai (see 1:5, 7, 9, 14; 2:4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 23 ). This name ( יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת , yÿhvah tsÿva ’ ot ), traditionally translated “ Lord of hosts” (so KJV, NAB, NASB; cf. NIV, NLT “Lord Almighty”; NCV, CEV “Lord All-Powerful”), emphasizes the majestic sovereignty of the Lord, an especially important concept in the postexilic world of great human empires and rulers. For a thorough study of the divine title, see T. N. D. Mettinger, In Search of God , 123-57.


text: Richly paneled houses . Paneling is otherwise known in the OT only in connection with the temple ( 1 Kgs 6:9 ) and the royal palace ( 2 Kgs 7:3, 7 ). It implies decoration and luxury (cf. NCV “fancy houses”; TEV “well-built houses”; NLT “luxurious houses”). The impropriety of the people living in such lavish accommodations while the temple lay unfinished is striking.


text: The temple was built primarily of stone, so the timber here refers to interior paneling (see v. 4 ) and perhaps to scaffolding (see Ezra 5:8; 6:4 ).


text: This linkage of human sin to natural disaster is reminiscent of the curse brought upon the earth by Adam’s disobedience ( Gen 3:17-19 ; see Rom 8:20-22 ).


text: The twenty-fourth day of the sixth month of King Darius’ second year was September 21, 520 b.c. , twenty-three days after the original command by Haggai to rebuild ( 1:1 ). The text does not state the reason for the delay, but it may have resulted from the pressing need to bring in the late summer harvest.