Haggai 2:2

2:2 “Ask the following questions to 1  Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, the high priest Joshua son of Jehozadak, 2  and the remnant of the people:

Haggai 2:23

2:23 On that day,’ 3  says the Lord who rules over all, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, my servant,’ 4  says the Lord, ‘and I will make you like a signet ring, 5  for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord who rules over all.” 6 

1 tn Heb “say to”; NAB “Tell this to.”

2 tn Many English versions have “Joshua (the) son of Jehozadak the high priest,” but this is subject to misunderstanding. See the note on the name “Jehozadak” at the end of v. 1.

3 sn The expression on that day appears as a technical eschatological term in a number of other OT passages (cf., e.g., Isa 2:11, 17, 20; 3:7, 18; Amos 8:3, 9; Hos 2:18, 21).

4 sn My servant. The collocation of “servant” and “chosen” bears strong messianic overtones. See the so-called “Servant Songs” and other messianic texts in Isaiah (Isa 41:8; 42:1; 44:4; 49:7).

5 sn The noun signet ring, used also to describe Jehoiachin (Jer 22:24-30), refers to a ring seal worn by a king or other important person and used as his signature. Zerubbabel was a grandson of King Jehoiachin (1 Chr 3:17-19; Matt 1:12); God once pronounced that none of Jehoiachin’s immediate descendants would rule (Jer 22:24-30), but here he reverses that judgment. Zerubbabel never ascended to such a lofty position of rulership; he is rather a prototype of the Messiah who would sit on David’s throne.

6 tn The repetition of the formula “says the Lord who rules over all” in v. 23 emphasizes the solemn and divine nature of the promise.