New International Version“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
New Living Translation“For this is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says: In just a little while I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the oceans and the dry land.
English Standard VersionFor thus says the LORD of hosts: Yet once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land.
Berean Standard BibleFor this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
King James BibleFor thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
New King James Version“For thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land;
New American Standard BibleFor this is what the LORD of armies says: ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
NASB 1995“For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
NASB 1977“For thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
Legacy Standard BibleFor thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Once more—in a little while—I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea also and the dry land.
Amplified BibleFor thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
Christian Standard BibleFor the LORD of Armies says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
Holman Christian Standard BibleFor the LORD of Hosts says this: “Once more, in a little while, I am going to shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
American Standard VersionFor thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Contemporary English VersionSoon I will again shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
English Revised VersionFor thus saith the LORD of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
GOD'S WORD® Translation"This is what the LORD of Armies says: Once again, in a little while, I am going to shake the sky and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
Good News Translation"Before long I will shake heaven and earth, land and sea.
International Standard Version"For this is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'Once more, in a little while, I will make the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land to shake.
NET BibleMoreover, the LORD who rules over all says: 'In just a little while I will once again shake the sky and the earth, the sea and the dry ground.
New Heart English BibleFor this is what the LORD of hosts says: 'Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;
Webster's Bible TranslationFor thus saith the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleFor this is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
World English BibleFor this is what Yahweh of Armies says: ‘Yet once more, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, the earth, the sea, and the dry land; Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionFor thus said YHWH of Hosts: “Yet once more—it [is] a little, "" And I am shaking the heavens and the earth, "" And the sea, and the dry land,
Young's Literal Translation For thus said Jehovah of Hosts: Yet once more -- it is a little, And I am shaking the heavens and the earth, And the sea, and the dry land,
Smith's Literal TranslationFor thus said Jehovah of armies; Yet once it is a little, and I shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleFor thus saith the Lord of hosts: Yet one little while, and I will move the heaven and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land.
Catholic Public Domain VersionFor thus says the Lord of hosts: There is yet one brief time, and I will move heaven and earth, and the sea and the dry land.
New American Bible
For thus says the LORD of hosts: In just a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land.
New Revised Standard Version
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once again, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;Translations from Aramaic Lamsa Bible
For thus says the LORD of hosts: Once more, in a little while, I will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land;
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because thus says LORD JEHOVAH of Hosts: ‘again one time I shake Heaven and Earth and the sea and the dry landOT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917
For thus saith the LORD of hosts: Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Brenton Septuagint Translation
For thus saith the Lord Almighty; Yet once I will shake the heaven, and the earth, and the sea, and the dryland;
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context Greater Glory in the New Temple… 5This is the promise I made to you when you came out of Egypt. And My Spirit remains among you; do not be afraid.” 6Forthis is whatthe LORDof Hostssays:“Oncemore,in a little while,Iwill shakethe heavensand the earth,the seaand the dry land.7I will shake all the nations, and they will come with all their treasures, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of Hosts.…
Cross References Hebrews 12:26-27At that time His voice shook the earth, but now He has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth, but heaven as well.” / The words “Once more” signify the removal of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that the unshakable may remain.
Isaiah 13:13Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken from its place at the wrath of the LORD of Hosts on the day of His burning anger.
Joel 3:16The LORD will roar from Zion and raise His voice from Jerusalem; heaven and earth will tremble. But the LORD will be a refuge for His people, a stronghold for the people of Israel.
Matthew 24:29Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’
Isaiah 24:18-20Whoever flees the sound of panic will fall into the pit, and whoever climbs from the pit will be caught in the snare. For the windows of heaven are open, and the foundations of the earth are shaken. / The earth is utterly broken apart, the earth is split open, the earth is shaken violently. / The earth staggers like a drunkard and sways like a shack. Earth’s rebellion weighs it down, and it falls, never to rise again.
Revelation 6:12-14And I watched as the Lamb opened the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, / and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. / The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place.
Isaiah 2:19-21Men will flee to caves in the rocks and holes in the ground, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth. / In that day men will cast away to the moles and bats their idols of silver and gold—the idols they made to worship. / They will flee to caverns in the rocks and crevices in the cliffs, away from the terror of the LORD and from the splendor of His majesty, when He rises to shake the earth.
Ezekiel 38:19-20In My zeal and fiery rage I proclaim that on that day there will be a great earthquake in the land of Israel. / The fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the beasts of the field, every creature that crawls upon the ground, and all mankind on the face of the earth will tremble at My presence. The mountains will be thrown down, the cliffs will collapse, and every wall will fall to the ground.
Psalm 46:6Nations rage, kingdoms crumble; the earth melts when He lifts His voice.
Jeremiah 10:10But the LORD is the true God; He is the living God and eternal King. The earth quakes at His wrath, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.
Revelation 16:18And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake the likes of which had not occurred since men were upon the earth—so mighty was the great quake.
Isaiah 34:4All the stars of heaven will be dissolved. The skies will be rolled up like a scroll, and all their stars will fall like withered leaves from the vine, like foliage from the fig tree.
Nahum 1:5The mountains quake before Him, and the hills melt away; the earth trembles at His presence—the world and all its dwellers.
Psalm 68:8the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.
Isaiah 64:1-3If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, / as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence! / When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.
Treasury of Scripture For thus said the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land; Yet. Haggai 2:21,22 Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying, I will shake the heavens and the earth; … Hebrews 12:26-28 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven… it is. Psalm 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wickedshall notbe: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and itshall notbe. Isaiah 10:25 For yet a very little while, and the indignation shall cease, and mine anger in their destruction. Isaiah 29:17Is it not yet a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruitful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest? and I. Isaiah 34:4 And all the host of heaven shall be dissolved, and the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll: and all their host shall fall down, as the leaf falleth off from the vine, and as a fallingfig from the fig tree. Jeremiah 4:23-26 I beheld the earth, and, lo,it was without form, and void; and the heavens, and theyhad no light… Ezekiel 38:20 So that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men thatare upon the face of the earth, shall shake at my presence, and the mountains shall be thrown down, and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground. Jump to Previous AlmightyArmiesDryEarthHeavensHostsLittleOnceSeaShakeShakingShortTimeJump to Next AlmightyArmiesDryEarthHeavensHostsLittleOnceSeaShakeShakingShortTimeHaggai 2 1.He encourages the people to the work,4.by promise of greater glory to the second temple than was in the first.10.In the type of holy things and unclean he shows their sins hindered the work.20.God's promise to Zerubbabel.For this is what the LORD of Hosts says:This phrase emphasizes the authority and power of God, often referred to as the "LORD of Hosts," which signifies His command over the armies of heaven. This title is used frequently in the Old Testament to highlight God's sovereignty and might. It sets the stage for a divine proclamation, underscoring that the message is not from a human source but from God Himself. This is a common introduction in prophetic literature, indicating the seriousness and certainty of the message. Once more, in a little while:
The phrase "once more" suggests a future event that will mirror past divine interventions. It implies a continuation of God's plan and a reminder of His past actions, such as the shaking of Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:18). "In a little while" indicates the imminence of this event, though God's timing often transcends human understanding. This phrase reassures the people that God's intervention is forthcoming, encouraging them to remain faithful and patient. I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land:
This imagery of shaking signifies a dramatic divine intervention that affects all of creation. It echoes the cosmic disturbances described in other prophetic texts, such asIsaiah 13:13 andJoel 3:16, where God’s power is displayed through natural phenomena. The comprehensive scope—heavens, earth, sea, and dry land—emphasizes the totality of God's dominion and the far-reaching impact of His actions. This shaking can be seen as a precursor to the coming of the Messiah, as it prepares the way for a new order, ultimately fulfilled in the New Testament with the coming of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom (Hebrews 12:26-27). Persons / Places / Events 1. HaggaiA prophet who delivered messages from God to the Jewish people during the post-exilic period, encouraging them to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. 2. The LORD of HostsA title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies, highlighting His power and authority. 3. Heavens and EarthSymbolic of the entire created order, indicating a cosmic scale of divine intervention. 4. The Sea and the Dry LandRepresents the totality of the natural world, emphasizing the comprehensive nature of God's forthcoming action. 5. The Post-Exilic CommunityThe Jewish people who returned from Babylonian exile, tasked with rebuilding the temple and restoring worship in Jerusalem. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty and PowerThe phrase "LORD of Hosts" reminds us of God's ultimate authority over all creation. We can trust in His power to fulfill His promises and bring about His purposes. Divine Intervention in HistoryGod's promise to "shake the heavens and the earth" indicates His active role in human history. We should remain vigilant and responsive to His movements in our lives and the world. The Call to FaithfulnessAs God prepares to shake the world, we are called to focus on what is eternal and unshakeable—our relationship with Him and His kingdom. This encourages us to prioritize spiritual growth and commitment. Hope in God's PromisesThe assurance of God's future action provides hope and motivation for perseverance. We can find comfort in knowing that God is working towards a future where His kingdom is fully realized. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Haggai 2:6?
2.How does Haggai 2:6 emphasize God's sovereignty over creation and nations?
3.What does "shake the heavens and the earth" signify about God's power?
4.How does Haggai 2:6 connect with Hebrews 12:26-27 on God's unshakable kingdom?
5.In what ways can we prepare for God's promised future shaking?
6.How does understanding Haggai 2:6 strengthen your faith in God's ultimate plan?
7.What does Haggai 2:6 mean by "shake the heavens and the earth"?
8.How does Haggai 2:6 relate to God's sovereignty over creation?
9.What historical events might Haggai 2:6 be referencing?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Haggai 2?
11.Haggai 2:6–7 predicts a cosmic shaking of the heavens and earth—where is the documented or scientific evidence of such an event?
12.Who owns the cattle on a thousand hills?
13.What are heavenly hosts?
14.Haggai 2:22 foretells the overthrow of certain kingdoms—what evidence exists to confirm this prophecy was fulfilled?What Does Haggai 2:6 Mean For this is what the LORD of Hosts says• The title “LORD of Hosts” highlights God as commander of angelic armies, underscoring His absolute power and authority (1 Samuel 17:45;Psalm 24:10). • Because the speaker is the sovereign Lord, every promise and warning that follows is certain (Isaiah 46:9-11). • The phrase also recalls earlier words in Haggai (1:2, 5, 7; 2:4) where God called the returned exiles to renewed obedience, linking this verse to the same covenant-keeping God.
Once more• “Once more” signals a coming act of God that echoes previous interventions—such as Sinai’s trembling (Exodus 19:18) and the conquest of Canaan (Joshua 10:11). •Hebrews 12:26 cites this verse and explains that the future shaking will surpass all earlier ones, removing what is temporary so the unshakable kingdom remains. • The wording assures God’s people that history is moving toward a decisive divine action, not cycling endlessly.
In a little while• To human ears “a little while” may feel stretched, yet Scripture consistently portrays God’s timetable as purposeful and patient (Habakkuk 2:3;2 Peter 3:9). • The phrase gives hope: the delay is brief when measured against eternity (Romans 8:18). • It encourages perseverance, reminding believers that deliverance and fulfillment are nearer than they think (James 5:8).
I will shake the heavens and the earth• “Shake” pictures violent upheaval—earthquakes, cosmic signs, and political turmoil (Isaiah 13:13;Joel 3:16;Matthew 24:29). • God Himself is the active agent: “I will.” No human power or natural force initiates this; the Creator moves creation. • The scope—heavens and earth—shows a universal, not merely local, event pointing to the day of the Lord and ultimately the final judgment (2 Peter 3:10-12;Revelation 6:12-17).
The sea and the dry land• Adding sea and dry land stresses that every realm of creation will feel God’s shaking, mirroring the Exodus when both sea and desert trembled before Him (Exodus 14:21-31;Psalm 114:3-7). • The language anticipates total renewal: what is perishable gives way to a new heaven and new earth where no sea of chaos remains (Revelation 21:1). • For the faithful remnant, the same power that once parted the Red Sea now guarantees future redemption and restoration (Isaiah 43:16-19).
summaryHaggai 2:6 delivers God’s promise of a soon-coming, decisive intervention that will rattle every corner of creation. Spoken by the almighty LORD of Hosts, this pledge reassures believers that worldly powers and present hardships are temporary. God will again act—swiftly and unmistakably—shaking the cosmos, judging the ungodly, and unveiling His unshakable kingdom for His people. (6) Yet once, it is a little while.--The construction is very difficult. The best rendering appears to be, Yet one season more (supplying eth before achath) , it is but a little while, and, &c. The meaning of these clauses is then that given by Keil--viz., "that the period between the present and the predicted great change of the world will be but one period-- i.e., one uniform epoch--and that this epoch will be a brief one." The LXX. (followed in Hebrews 12:27) omits the words "it is a little while" altogether, and so is enabled to render "I will yet shake once" ( i.e., one single time, and one only), a rendering which, if we retain those words, is apparently impossible. The fact is, the original passage here, as in other cases, must be treated without deference to its meaning when interwoven in New Testament argument. There is yet to be an interval of time, of limited duration, and then shall come a new era, when the glory of God's presence shall be manifested more fully and extensively. Notwithstanding its intimate connection with the Jewish Temple ( Haggai 2:7; Haggai 2:9), this new dispensation may well be regarded as that of the Messiah, for Malachi in like manner connects His self-manifestation with the Temple. (Comp. Malachi 3:1, and see our Introduction, ? 2.) Without pretending to find a fulfilment of all details, we may regard the prophet's anticipations as sufficiently realised when the Saviour's Advent introduced a dispensation which surpassed in glory (see 2Corinthians 3:7-11) that of Moses, and which extended its promises to the Gentiles. When Haggai speaks here and in Haggai 2:22 of commotions of nature ushering in this new revelation, he speaks according to the usage of the Hebrew poets, by whom Divine interposition is frequently depicted in colouring borrowed from the incidents of the Exodus period. (See Habakkuk 3; Psalm 18:7-15, Psalms 93, 97) If the words are to be pressed, their fulfilment at Christ's coming must be searched for rather in the moral than the physical sphere, in changes effected in the human heart (comp. Luke 3:5) rather than on the face of nature. . . . Verses 6-9. - § 2. The prophet, to reconcile the people to the new temple, and to touch them to value it highly, foretells a future time, when the glory of this house shall far exceed that of Solomon's, adumbrating the Messianic era.Verse 6. - Yet once, it is a little while;ἔτιἅπαξ (Septuagint); Adhuc unum modicum est (Vulgate), The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:26, 27) quotes and founds an argument on this rendering of the LXX. The expression is equivalent to "once again within a little time." I will shake, etc. Some difference of opinion exists as to the events here adumbrated. All, however, agree in seeing an allusion to the promulgation of the Law on Mount Sinai, which was accompanied with certain great physical commotions (see Exodus 19:16; Psalm 68:7, 8), when, too, the Egyptians were "shaken" by the plagues sent on them, and the neighbouring nations, Philistia, Edom, Moab, were struck with terror ( Exodus 15:14, 16). This was a great moral disturbance in the heathen world; the next and final "shaking" will be under the Messianic dispensation for which the destruction of heathen kingdoms prepares the way. The Israelites would soon see the beginnings of this visitation, e.g. in the fall of Babylon, and might thence conclude that all would be accomplished in due time. The prophet calls this interval "a little while" (which it is in God's eyes and in view of the vast future), in order to console the people and teach them patience and confidence. The final consummation and the steps that lead to it in the prophet's vision are blended together, just as our Lord combines his prediction about the destruction of Jerusalem with details which concern the end of the world. The physical convulsions in heaven and earth, etc., spoken of, are symbolical representations of political revolutions, as explained in the next verse, "I will shake all nations," and again in vers. 21, 22. Other prophets announce that Messiah's reign shall be ushered in by the overthrow or conversion of heathen nations; e.g.. Isaiah 2:11, etc.; Isaiah 19:21, 22; Daniel 2:44; Micah 5:9, etc.
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Forכִּ֣י(kî)Conjunction
Strong's 3588:A relative conjunctionthis is whatכֹ֤ה(ḵōh)Adverb
Strong's 3541:Like this, thus, here, nowthe LORDיְהוָ֣ה(Yah·weh)Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068:LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israelof Hostsצְבָא֔וֹת(ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635:A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaignsays:אָמַר֙(’ā·mar)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559:To utter, say“Onceאַחַ֖ת(’a·ḥaṯ)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259:United, one, firstmore,ע֥וֹד(‘ō·wḏ)Adverb
Strong's 5750:Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, morein a little while,מְעַ֣ט(mə·‘aṭ)Adverb
Strong's 4592:A little, fewness, a fewIוַאֲנִ֗י(wa·’ă·nî)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589:Iwill shakeמַרְעִישׁ֙(mar·‘îš)Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7493:To undulate, through fear, to springthe heavensהַשָּׁמַ֣יִם(haš·šā·ma·yim)Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064:Heaven, skyand the earth,הָאָ֔רֶץ(hā·’ā·reṣ)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776:Earth, landthe seaהַיָּ֖ם(hay·yām)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220:A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basinand the dry land.הֶחָרָבָֽה׃(he·ḥā·rā·ḇāh)Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2724:Dry ground
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OT Prophets: Haggai 2:6 For this is what Yahweh of Armies (Hagg. Hag. Hg) |
