“The Desire Of All Nations” In Haggai 2:7: Messianic Or Not? -- By: Herbert M. Wolf

Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 19:2 (Spring 1976)
Article: “The Desire Of All Nations” In Haggai 2:7: Messianic Or Not?
Author: Herbert M. Wolf


“The Desire Of All Nations” In Haggai 2:7:
Messianic Or Not?

Herbert Wolf*

Anyone who studies the Book of Haggai in depth encounters some intriguing questions of interpretation. One of the most interesting and perplexing is the meaning of “the desire of all nations” mentioned in 2:7. Down through the years, some scholars have seen a messianic prediction in that expression. In more recent days, however, a decided swing away from a messianic interpretation has been in vogue. The problems in understanding the phrase are compounded by uncertainties relating to its contextual terms and by grammatical difficulties within verse 7 itself.1

The second chapter of Haggai is an attempt to define the glory of the new temple, which the prophet has challenged the former exiles to build. Odious comparisons with Solomon’s magnificent temple were sure to be made, and the people needed encouragement to proceed with the project. Haggai assures them that God will be with them to enable them to complete the temple. In 2:6–9 the prophet explains why the temple is worth rebuilding. God was fully able to provide the resources for construction, and he promised that the latter glory of the new building would be greater than the glory of Solomon’s temple. Strengthened by that astounding prediction, the small Jewish community led by Zerubbabel dug in and finished the temple by 516 B.C.

Within this motivational section are found the words of verse 7: “I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come” (KJV) or “they will come with the wealth of all nations” (NASB). Beginning with the 1901 ASV, which rendered “desire” as “precious things,” the major translations have abandoned the personal “desire” of the KJV for an impersonal idea. For example, JB translates “the treasures of all the nations shall flow in,” close to the NEB’s “the treasure of all nations shall come hither.” The trend away from the messianic idea is clear, but it may not be altogether justified.

One argument in favor of understanding verse 7 in terms of “valuable things” is the reference to the shaking of the nations and of heaven and earth in verses 6 f. Verse 22 mentions the overthrow of kingdoms and their rulers, and both these sections allude to the exodus and the destruction of Egypt, which resulted in the acquisition of

* Herbert Wolf is ass...

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