Definition: Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts:

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Haggai 2:4. It's a really important message about rebuilding and working together. Here’s a simplified explanation: What it means in plain English: “Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the LORD; and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD, and work: for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Let's unpack it word by word: “Yet now be strong…” : This isn’t a simple "remember what we did." It means now , right here, it’s time to get back to work. It’s a call to action. “…O Zerubbabel…” : This refers to someone named Zerubbabel – he was the chief priest and administrator of the Temple in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. He was responsible for overseeing the rebuilding. “ saith the LORD” : This means “the Lord says…” - it’s a direct message from God. “…and be strong, O Joshua, son of Josedech, the high priest; and be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the LORD” : This is a specific blessing – Zerubbabel and everyone in Jerusalem need to be strong and active. "Joshua" is specifically naming him, as he was responsible for leading the rebuilding. “All ye people of the land” means everyone in Jerusalem. “and work: for I [am] with you, saith the LORD of hosts.” : This is the most important part! The Lord is saying, "I am with you." It’s a promise of support and encouragement – He's going to be there to help. Overall Meaning & Context: This verse is a powerful reminder that God wants us to actively participate in His work. It’s encouraging Zerubbabel to lead the rebuilding of the Temple, but it also emphasizes that everyone in Jerusalem needs to join in – and that God himself is present to support them. It's about collective effort and divine assistance. Why is this important? The Second Temple period was a time of great upheaval and uncertainty for Jerusalem. This verse speaks to the need for a renewed focus on rebuilding and restoration, and it’s a message of hope and trust in God’s plan for his people. --- Do you want me to: Explain this verse further with examples? Connect it to another Bible passage? Give you some deeper understanding of the historical context?