Font Size
Haggai 2:20-23
New Catholic Bible
Haggai 2:20-23
New Catholic Bible
Promise to the Descendants of David[a]
20 On the twenty-fourth day of the month, the word of the Lord came a second time to Haggai: 21 Tell this to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah:
I will shake the heavens and the earth;
22 I will overthrow the thrones of kingdoms
and destroy the power of the kings of the nations.
I will overthrow the chariots and their riders;
both the horses and their riders will fall,
every one of them by the sword of a comrade.
23 On that day,
says the Lord of hosts,
I will take you, Zerubbabel,
my servant, son of Shealtiel, says the Lord,
and I will make you like a signet ring,
for I have chosen you,
says the Lord of hosts.
Footnotes
- Haggai 2:20 Zerubbabel, who rebuilds the temple, is celebrated as a savior of the people: the Lord is with him as he had been with David, his ancestor (2 Sam 7:12-16). For a moment, the entire Messianic expectation connected with the Davidic dynasty is here summed up; but in fact, the dynastic successor will disappear from the scene, to the advantage of the priesthood. Christ will be presented by the Gospels, though in a much different context, as the Son of David (Mt 9:27; 21:9; Lk 1:27; Mk 12:35; . . .).
On a signet ring, which was used to seal documents, there was a likeness of the owner, who kept it very carefully on a cord around his neck (Gen 38:18). In the eyes of Haggai and Zechariah (see Zec 6:12), then, the descendant of David is God’s representative.
Haggai 2:20-23
New International Version
Haggai 2:20-23
New International Version
Zerubbabel the Lord’s Signet Ring
20 The word of the Lord came to Haggai(A) a second time on the twenty-fourth day of the month:(B) 21 “Tell Zerubbabel(C) governor of Judah that I am going to shake(D) the heavens and the earth. 22 I will overturn(E) royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms.(F) I will overthrow chariots(G) and their drivers; horses and their riders(H) will fall, each by the sword of his brother.(I)
23 “‘On that day,(J)’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘I will take you, my servant(K) Zerubbabel(L) son of Shealtiel,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will make you like my signet ring,(M) for I have chosen you,’ declares the Lord Almighty.”
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.