Haggai 2:2

2 Speak thou to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the duke of Judah, and to Joshua, the great priest, the son of Josedech, and to others of the people, and say thou, (Speak thou to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the ruler, or the governor, of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Josedech, the High Priest, and to all the people, and say thou,)

Haggai 2:2 Meaning and Commentary

Haggai 2:2

Speak now to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, governor of
Judah Of whom, his descent and dignity, (See Gill on Haggai 1:1). The Septuagint version wrongly renders it "of the tribe of Judah"; in which it is followed by the Arabic version; for, though he was of the tribe of Judah, this does not sufficiently distinguish him; nor does it answer to the word here used, which is expressive of his office and dignity. The Vulgate Latin version, Luther, and Castalio, omit the particle (an) , rendered "now", which is very emphatic. The prophet is ordered to go and say what he is bid, directly, immediately, at once, without any delay; the very day before mentioned, yea, at that very instant or moment, the people being now at work, under the eye of their governor; in order to remove an offence, which might discourage them in their work, taken from the meanness of the building, in comparison of the former temple: and to Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and to the
residue of the people;
these, besides the two former, even the whole body of the people, the remnant that were come out of the captivity of Babylon: saying;
to the above persons, as follows:

Haggai 2:2 In-Context

1 In the seventh month, in the one and twentieth day of the month, the word of the Lord was made in the hand of Haggai, the prophet, and said, (In the seventh month, on the twenty-first day of the month, the word of the Lord was made to the prophet Haggai, and said,)

2 Speak thou to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the duke of Judah, and to Joshua, the great priest, the son of Josedech, and to others of the people, and say thou, (Speak thou to Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the ruler, or the governor, of Judah, and to Joshua, the son of Josedech, the High Priest, and to all the people, and say thou,)

3 Who in you is left, that saw this house in his first glory? and what see ye this now? whether it is not thus, as if it be not before your eyes? (Who is left among you, who saw this House in its first glory? and how do ye see it now? is it not thus, as if it be not before your eyes?)

4 And now, Zerubbabel, be thou strengthened, saith the Lord, and Joshua, the great priest, the son of Josedech, be thou strengthened, and all the people of the land, be thou strengthened, saith the Lord of hosts; and do ye, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts. (And now, Zerubbabel, take courage! saith the Lord, and Joshua, the son of Josedech, the High Priest, take courage! and all the people of the land, take courage! saith the Lord of hosts; and build ye it, for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts.)

5 (This is) The word that I covenanted with you, when ye went out of the land of Egypt, and my Spirit shall be in the midst of you. Do not ye dread, (This is what I promised you, when ye went out of the land of Egypt, and my Spirit shall always be in your midst. Do not ye fear/Fear not,)