1. AUTHOR. — Haggai, perhaps one of the priests who had returned from the exile.

2. DATE. — In the second year of the reign of Darius Hystaspes 520 B. C., in the sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth months.

3. PLACE. — Jerusalem.

4. HISTORICAL OCCASION. — At the time of the accession of Darius, when it was possible to resume the building of the temple, which had been hindered by the decree of Artaxerxes, king of Persia, at the solicitation of the Samaritan enemies of Judah. Because of opposition, the Jews had be come indifferent to the work.

5. LEADING TOPIC. — An exhortation to build the house of God, with promise of prosperity for fidelity.

6. CHIEF PURPOSE. — To show that the work connected with God's house should take precedence of one's private interests, and that God desires to have his glory manifested.

7. GENERAL ANALYSIS.

(a) Exhortation to build, with promise of blessing, Ch. 1.

(b) The house to be glorious, Ch. 2:1-9.

(c) Promised plenty, notwithstanding the people's sins, Ch. 2:10–19.

(d) Enemies to be overcome, Ch. 2:20–23.

8. POINTS OF ESPECIAL INTEREST. — Mention of ceiled houses; the glory of the temple to be augmented by all nations; the unclean touch makes unclean.

9. SPECIAL SINS CONDEMNED. — Indifference to God's house.

10. NATIONAL HOPES PRESENTED. — The temple to be glorious; the people to be prosperous; enemies to be overcome.

11. MESSIANIC IDEAS. — The glory of the temple would be realized in the coming of Christ; the commotion among the nations was to take place then; Zerubbabel, God's servant to build the house, a type of Christ.

12. RELATION TO OTHER O. T. BOOKS. — Closely related to Zechariah, which also encouraged the building; to Ezra, which gives the history connected with it; to Kings and Chronicles, which describe the first temple; to Daniel, which emphasizes the kingdom of God. Haggai is the first prophet in order after the exile.

13. TOPICS FOR SPECIAL STUDY. — The reign of Darius Hystaspes, and his conflict with the Greeks; the temple built by the Samaritans; the temple as rebuilt by Herod.