The Glorification of the Temple in Haggai 2,1-9

Abstract

ABSTRACT In Haggai 2,1-9, the prophet teases out the relation of temple and eschatology. Haggai’s views represent a certain species of prophetic eschatology, one also to be found in Ezekiel 40-48 and Zechariah. In these three prophecies the temple is the centerpiece of the future Kingdom of God, though Haggai gives his own version of this hope. For Haggai, the restoration of the temple is a precondition for the coming of God’s kingdom (e.g. 1,8), but he does not simply equate the rebuilt temple of his day with the ideal temple of Ezekiel’s vision. Nor does Haggai have in mind a new temple to replace the old as in Zechariah 1-8, instead he anticipates the future transformation of the sacral structure that they are presently building (2,7.9). In other words, Haggai distinguishes the present half-built structure from its more illustrious state when God will appear in glory as the King of the nations.