Bible Strands
Haggai 2:4
But now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work! For I am with you, declares the LORD of Hosts.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The LORD addresses Zerubbabel, Joshua son of Jehozadak, and the people of the land immediately following their complaint about the rebuilt temple’s diminished appearance.
The words — חֲזַק (cha.Zak) translates literally to “be strong,” and נְאֻם־יְהוָה (ne.'um-Yahweh) means “utterance of Yahweh,” framing the command as a direct divine decree.
The thread — The same imperative appears in Joshua 1:9, Deuteronomy 31:23, and 1 Chronicles 28:20, where leaders are repeatedly commanded to be strong and courageous before undertaking God-given tasks.
Why it lands — The text demands immediate labor despite visible discouragement, grounding the command in the stated fact that God is present with the workers.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work: for I am with you, saith the Lord of hosts:
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do it. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will neither fail you nor forsake you before all the work for the service of the house of the LORD is finished.
- Deuteronomy 31:23 Then the LORD commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you will bring the Israelites into the land that I swore to give them, and I will be with you.”
- Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”
- Zechariah 8:9 This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Let your hands be strong, you who now hear these words spoken by the prophets who were present when the foundations were laid to rebuild the temple, the house of the LORD of Hosts.
- 2 Samuel 5:10 And David became greater and greater, for the LORD God of Hosts was with him.
- 2 Timothy 2:1 You therefore, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
- 1 Chronicles 22:13 Then you will succeed, if you carefully follow the statutes and ordinances that the LORD commanded Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
- Haggai 1:13 Haggai, the messenger of the LORD, delivered the message of the LORD to the people: “I am with you,” declares the LORD.
- 1 Corinthians 16:13 Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong.
- Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.