_In the second year of Darius_ Namely, the son of Hystaspes, king of Persia. Blair places the second year of his reign five hundred and twenty years before Christ. _In the sixth month, in the first day of the month _ Therefore, about two months before Zechariah received a similar commission, for the... [ Continue Reading ]
_This people say, The time is not come_, &c. They had no just cause for saying this; but their own private concerns and conveniences (as appears from what follows) employed all their thoughts, and they preferred them to the rebuilding of the temple. _Then_ When the people were thus sluggish, made ex... [ Continue Reading ]
_Therefore consider your ways_ Reflect seriously upon this affair, whether it is consistent with the reason of things, or whether you have even promoted your own happiness by it as you thought to do. _Ye have sown much, and bring in little_ Namely, into your barns. _Ye eat, but ye have not enough_ T... [ Continue Reading ]
_Go up to the mountain_ Go to any of the forests upon the mountains: see Nehemiah 2:8: and cut down timber to carry on the building; or go to the mountain of Moriah, which I have chosen to build my temple upon it; _and I will take pleasure in it_ I will accept your offerings, and hear your prayers.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then Zerubbabel, &c., obeyed the voice of the Lord_ Compare Ezra 5:1; where see the notes. _Then spake Haggai the Lord's messenger_ Or prophet; _in the Lord's message_ That is, who spake what follows, not in his own name, but in the name of God, _saying, I am with you, saith the Lord_ To afford you... [ Continue Reading ]