Haggai 1:4

4 Aber eure Zeit ist da, daß ihr in getäfelten Häusern wohnt, und dies Haus muß wüst stehen?

Haggai 1:4 Meaning and Commentary

Haggai 1:4

[Is it] time for you, O ye, to dwell in your panelled houses,
&c.] They could not only find time, leisure, and convenience to build houses to dwell in; but to wainscot them, and line them with boards of cedar, as the Targum; as bad as the times were complained of; and could sit in them, indulging themselves in luxury, ease, and sloth; and why then was it not a fit and convenient time as well to build the house of the Lord in? and this house [lie] waste?
or, "and shall this house lie waste?" or, "when this house lies waste?" ^F15 not indeed in its rubbish and ruins, as it was demolished by the Chaldeans, and left; but with a bare foundation, laid some years ago; and ever since neglected; the superstructure not carried on, and much less built up to be fit for service; and therefore might be said with propriety to lie waste and desolate, being unfinished, unfit for use, and no regard had unto it. David was of another mind, ( 2 Samuel 7:2 ) and truly religious persons will be more concerned for the house of God than for their own houses.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F15 (brx hzh tybhw) "et domus ista deserta manebit?" Drusius; "quum domus haec vasta est?" Junius & Tremellius, Piscator; "dum domus haec desolata est?" Cocceius.

Haggai 1:4 In-Context

2 So spricht der HERR Zebaoth: Dies Volk spricht: Die Zeit ist noch nicht da, daß man des HERRN Haus baue.

3 Und des HERRN Wort geschah durch den Propheten Haggai:

4 Aber eure Zeit ist da, daß ihr in getäfelten Häusern wohnt, und dies Haus muß wüst stehen?

5 Nun, so spricht der HERR Zebaoth: Schauet, wie es euch geht!

6 Ihr säet viel, und bringet wenig ein; ihr esset, und werdet doch nicht satt; ihr trinket, und werdet doch nicht trunken; ihr kleidet euch, und könnt euch doch nicht erwärmen; und wer Geld verdient, der legt's in einen löchrigen Beutel.