Haggai

Technical Profile

Name Meaning: Hebrew Ḥaggay (“festive” or “of a feast”), a name associated with festival time.
Period/Era: Post-Exilic (early Persian period, reign of Darius I; 520 BC)
Main References: Haggai 1–2; Ezra 5:1–2; 6:14
Key Connections: Zerubbabel (governor of Judah); Joshua son of Jehozadak (high priest); returned Judean community in Yehud

Who was Haggai?

Haggai was a prophet who spoke to the returned exiles in Judah after the Babylonian captivity.
His messages are dated precisely to the second year of Darius I and address the stalled rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem.
He delivered short prophetic oracles aimed at community priorities and covenant faithfulness under Persian administration.

Key Events & Achievements

Event 1: Called Zerubbabel, Joshua, and the community to resume rebuilding the temple after years of delay (Hag. 1:1–15).
Event 2: Encouraged the builders by affirming God’s presence and future glory for the temple work (Hag. 2:1–9).
Event 3: Delivered an oracle regarding ritual purity and announced divine blessing as temple work advanced (Hag. 2:10–19).

Life Lesson & Legacy

Haggai’s ministry portrays prophetic authority as directing post-exilic Judah toward ordered worship centered on the rebuilt temple.

Key Verse

"Consider your ways." — Haggai 1:5, ESV

Quizzes

Answer the questions below. When you choose an option, you will see the result and an explanation.

1. In what year of Darius I were Haggai’s messages dated?

2. Which leaders did Haggai call, along with the community, to resume rebuilding the temple after years of delay?