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Wycliffe Bible

Haggai 1:9

Ye bihelden to more, and lo! it is maad lesse; and ye brouyten in to the hous, and Y blew it out. For what cause, seith the Lord of oostis? for myn hous is desert, and ye hasten ech man in to his hous.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Covetousness;   Lukewarmness;   Parsimony (Stinginess);   Selfishness;   Temple;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Temple, the Second;   Vineyards;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Joshua the son of jehozadak;   Poor;   Temple;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Work;   Zechariah, Theology of;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Jerusalem;   Zerubbabel;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Haggai;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Blow;   Haggai;   Joshua (3);  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
“You expected much, but then it amounted to little. When you brought the harvest to your house, I ruined it. Why?” This is the declaration of the Lord of Armies. “Because my house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.
Hebrew Names Version
"You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of Hosts, "Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.
King James Version (1611)
Ye looked for much, and loe it came to litle: and when yee brought it home, I did blow vpon it: Why, saith the Lord of hostes? because of mine house that is waste, and yee runne euery man vnto his owne house.
King James Version
Ye looked for much, and, lo it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. Because of mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.
English Standard Version
You looked for much, and behold, it came to little. And when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? declares the Lord of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while each of you busies himself with his own house.
New American Standard Bible
"You start an ambitious project, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?" declares the LORD of armies. "It is because of My house which remains desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.
New Century Version
"You look for much, but you find little. When you bring it home, I destroy it. Why?" asks the Lord All-Powerful. "Because you all work hard for your own houses while my house is still in ruins!
Amplified Bible
"You look for much [harvest], but it comes to little; and even when you bring that home, I blow it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house, which lies in ruins while each of you runs to his own house [eager to enjoy it].
Geneva Bible (1587)
Ye looked for much, and lo, it came to litle: and when ye brought it home, I did blowe vpon it. And why, sayth the Lord of hostes? Because of mine House that is waste, and ye runne euery man vnto his owne house.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
"You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; when you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?" declares the LORD of hosts, "Because of My house which lies desolate, while each of you runs to his own house.
Legacy Standard Bible
"You look for much, but behold, it comes to little; and you bring it home, and I blow it away. Why?" declares Yahweh of hosts, "Because of My house which lies waste, while each of you runs to his own house.
Berean Standard Bible
You expected much, but behold, it amounted to little. And what you brought home, I blew away. Why? declares the LORD of Hosts. Because My house still lies in ruins, while each of you is busy with his own house.
Contemporary English Version
You expected much, but received only a little. And when you brought it home, I made that little disappear. Why have I done this? It's because you hurry off to build your own houses, while my temple is still in ruins.
Complete Jewish Bible
‘You looked for much, but it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?' asks Adonai -Tzva'ot. ‘Because my house lies in ruins, while every one of you runs to take care of his own house.
Darby Translation
Ye looked for much, and behold it was little; and when ye brought it home, I blew upon it. Wherefore? saith Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lieth waste, whilst ye run every man to his own house.
Easy-to-Read Version
The Lord All-Powerful said, "You people look for a big harvest, but when you go to gather the crop, there is only a little grain. So you bring that grain home, and then I send a wind that blows it all away. Why is this happening? Because my house is still in ruins while each of you runs home to take care of your own house.
George Lamsa Translation
You looked for much, and, 1o, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why should these things happen? says the LORD. Because of my house that is waste, and you hasten every man to take care of his own house.
Good News Translation
"You hoped for large harvests, but they turned out to be small. And when you brought the harvest home, I blew it away. Why did I do that? Because my Temple lies in ruins while every one of you is busy working on your own house.
Lexham English Bible
‘You have looked for much, and look! It came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?' declares Yahweh of hosts. ‘Because my house is desolate and you are running each to your own house!
Literal Translation
You looked for much, and, behold, little! And when you brought it home, then I blew on it. Why, declares Jehovah of Hosts? Because of My house that is ruined, and you, each man, run to his own house.
American Standard Version
Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith Jehovah of hosts. Because of my house that lieth waste, while ye run every man to his own house.
Bible in Basic English
You were looking for much, and it came to little; and when you got it into your house, I took it away with a breath. Why? says the Lord of armies. Because of my house which is a waste, while every man takes care of the house which is his.
JPS Old Testament (1917)
Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of My house that lieth waste, while ye run every man for his own house.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
Ye loked for much, and lo it came to litle, and when ye brought it home, I dyd blowe vpon it: and why, sayth the Lord of hoastes? because of my house that is waste, and you run euery man into his his owne house.
Brenton's Septuagint (LXX)
Ye looked for much, and there came little; and it was brought into the house, and I blew it away. Therefore thus saith the Lord Almighty, Because my house is desolate, and ye run everyone into his own house;
English Revised Version
Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when ye brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of mine house that lieth waste, while ye run every man to his own house.
World English Bible
"You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says Yahweh of Hosts, "Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.
Update Bible Version
You looked for much, and, look, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew on it. Why? says Yahweh of hosts. Because of my house that lies waste, while you run every man to his own house.
Webster's Bible Translation
Ye looked for much, and lo, [it came] to little; and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it. Why? saith the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that [is] waste, and ye run every man to his own house.
New English Translation
‘You expected a large harvest, but instead there was little, and when you brought it home it disappeared right away. Why?' asks the Lord who rules over all. ‘Because my temple remains in ruins, thanks to each of you favoring his own house!
New King James Version
"You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the LORD of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house.
New Living Translation
You hoped for rich harvests, but they were poor. And when you brought your harvest home, I blew it away. Why? Because my house lies in ruins, says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, while all of you are busy building your own fine houses.
New Life Bible
"You look for much, but it turns out to be little. When you bring it home, I blow it away. Why?" says the Lord of All. "Because My house lies waste, while each of you takes care of his own house.
New Revised Standard
You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the Lord of hosts. Because my house lies in ruins, while all of you hurry off to your own houses.
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
When ye looked for much, then lo! it came to little, when ye brought it home, then I did blow into it, - Because of what? Demandeth Yahweh of hosts, Because of my house, the which is in ruins, while ye keep running every man to his own house.
Douay-Rheims Bible
You have looked for more, and behold it became less, and you brought it home, and I blowed it away: why, saith the Lord of hosts? because my house is desolate, and you make haste every man to his own house.
Revised Standard Version
You have looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why? says the LORD of hosts. Because of my house that lies in ruins, while you busy yourselves each with his own house.
Young's Literal Translation
Looking for much, and lo, little, And ye brought [it] home, and I blew on it, Wherefore? -- an affirmation of Jehovah of Hosts, Because of My house that is waste, And ye are running -- each to his house,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
Ye loked for moch, and lo it is come to litle: & though ye brynge it home, yet do I blowe it awaye. And why so, saieth the LORDE of hoostes? Eue because that my house lyeth so waist, and ye renne euery man vnto his owne house.

Contextual Overview

1 In the secounde yeer of Darius, kyng of Persis, in the sixte monethe, in the firste dai of the monethe, the word of the Lord was maad in the hond of Aggey, profete, to Sorobabel, sone of Salatiel, duyk of Juda, and to Jhesu, the greet preest, sone of Josedech, 2 and seide, The Lord of oostis seith these thingis, and spekith, This puple seith, Yit cometh not the tyme of the hous of the Lord to be bildid. 3 And the word of the Lord was maad in the hond of Aggei, 4 profete, and seide, Whether it is tyme to you, that ye dwelle in housis couplid with tymbir, and this hous be forsakun? 5 And now the Lord of oostis seith these thingis, Putte ye youre hertis on youre weies. 6 Ye han sowe myche, and brouyte in litil; ye han etun, and ben not fillid; ye han drunke, and ye ben not ful of drynk; ye hiliden you, and ye ben not maad hoote; and he that gaderide hiris, sente tho in to a sak holid, ether brokun. 7 The Lord of oostis seith these thingis, Putte ye youre hertis on youre weies. 8 Stie ye vp in to the munteyn, bere ye trees, and bilde ye an hous; and it schal be acceptable to me, and Y schal be glorified, seith the Lord. 9 Ye bihelden to more, and lo! it is maad lesse; and ye brouyten in to the hous, and Y blew it out. For what cause, seith the Lord of oostis? for myn hous is desert, and ye hasten ech man in to his hous. 10 For this thing heuenes ben forbedun, that thei schulden not yyue dew on you; and the erthe is forbodun, that it schulde not yyue his buriownyng.

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

Ye looked: They had used all proper means in the cultivation of their lands, and had "sown much;" but when they rationally entertained the most sanguine expectations of a large increase, they were strangely disappointed; and even what they had brought home was unaccountably wasted, as if the Lord had "blown upon it," and driven it away! And the reason was, because they neglected the temple, and left it in ruins, whilst they eagerly employed themselves in building and decorating their own houses; therefore they were visited by drought and famine, and by various diseases on man and beast. Haggai 1:6, Haggai 2:16, Haggai 2:17, Isaiah 17:10, Isaiah 17:11, Malachi 3:8-11

blow upon it: or, blow it away, 2 Samuel 22:16, 2 Kings 19:7, Isaiah 40:7, Malachi 2:2

Why: Job 10:2, Psalms 77:5-10

Because: Haggai 1:4, Joshua 7:10-15, 2 Samuel 21:1, Matthew 10:37, Matthew 10:38, 1 Corinthians 11:30-32, Revelation 2:4, Revelation 3:19

Reciprocal: Leviticus 19:25 - General Leviticus 26:20 - for your land Deuteronomy 11:17 - shut up Deuteronomy 16:16 - and they shall Deuteronomy 28:16 - in the field 1 Chronicles 17:1 - I dwell Ezra 9:9 - to set up Psalms 132:15 - bless her provision Proverbs 11:24 - but Ecclesiastes 5:6 - destroy Ecclesiastes 5:14 - those Isaiah 5:10 - one Isaiah 40:24 - he shall also Ezekiel 21:31 - I will blow Daniel 1:15 - their Hosea 9:2 - floor

Cross-References

Genesis 1:1
In the bigynnyng God made of nouyt heuene and erthe.
Genesis 1:2
Forsothe the erthe was idel and voide, and derknessis weren on the face of depthe; and the Spiryt of the Lord was borun on the watris.
Genesis 1:5
dai, and the derknessis, nyyt. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, o daie.
Genesis 1:6
And God seide, The firmament be maad in the myddis of watris, and departe watris fro watris.
Genesis 1:8
And God clepide the firmament, heuene. And the euentid and morwetid was maad, the secounde dai.
Genesis 1:9
Forsothe God seide, The watris, that ben vndur heuene, be gaderid in to o place, and a drie place appere; and it was doon so.
Genesis 1:11
and seide, The erthe brynge forth greene eerbe and makynge seed, and appil tre makynge fruyt bi his kynde, whos seed be in it silf on erthe; and it was doon so.
Genesis 1:28
And God blesside hem, and seide, Encreesse ye, and be ye multiplied, and fille ye the erthe, and make ye it suget, and be ye lordis to fischis of the see, and to volatilis of heuene, and to alle lyuynge beestis that ben moued on erthe.
Genesis 1:29
And God seide, Lo! Y haue youe to you ech eerbe berynge seed on erthe, and alle trees that han in hem silf the seed of her kynde, that tho be in to mete to you;
Job 26:7
Which God stretchith forth the north on voide thing, and hangith the erthe on nouyt.

Gill's Notes on the Bible

Ye looked for much, and, lo, [it came] to little,.... They looked for a large harvest, and very promising it was for a while; but in the end it came to little; it was a very small crop, very little was reaped and gathered in: or, "in looking", ye looked "to increase" x; your substance; had raised expectations of making themselves and families by their agriculture, and by their plantations of vines and olives, and by their trade and merchandise; and it dwindled away, and came to little or nothing; their riches, instead of being increased, were diminished:

and when ye brought [it] home, I did blow upon it; when they brought into their barns or houses the produce of their land, labour, and merchandise, which was but little, the Lord blew a blast upon that little, and brought rottenness and worms into it, as Jarchi; so that it was not a blessing to them, but a curse. So the Targum interprets it,

"behold, I sent a curse upon it:''

or, "I blew it away" y; as any light thing, straw or stubble, or thistle down, are blown away with a wind; so easily can the Lord, and sometimes he does, strip men of that little substance they have; riches by his orders make themselves wings, and flee away; or he, by one providence or another, blows them away like chaff before the wind:

Why? saith the Lord of hosts; what was the cause and reason of this? which question is put, not on his own account, who full well knew it; but for their sakes, to whom he speaks, that they might be made sensible of it; and in order to that to introduce what follows, which is an answer to the question:

because of mine house that [is] waste; which they suffered to lie waste, and did not concern themselves about the rebuilding of it: this the Lord resented, and for this reason blasted all their labours:

and ye run every man unto his own house; were very eager, earnest, and diligent, in building, beautifying, and adorning their own houses; taking care of their own domestic affairs; sparing no cost nor pains to promote their own secular interest; running in all haste to do any thing and everything to increase their worldly substance; but sat still, were idle and slothful, careless and negligent, about the house of God and the affairs of it.

x אל הרבה "ad rem augendam", Grotius. y נפחתי בו "exsufflo illud", Vatablus; "efflo illud", Junius Tremellius "difflo", Piscator; "difflavi", Drusius, Cocceius.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Ye looked - , literally “a looking;” as though he said, it has all been one looking, “for much,” for increase, the result of all sowing, in the way of nature: “and behold it came to little,” i. e., less than was sown; as Isaiah denounced to them of old by God’s word, Isaiah 5:10. “the seed of a homer shall yield an ephah,” i. e., one tenth of what was sown. “And ye brought it home, and I blew upon it,” so as to disperse it, as, not the wheat, but the chaff is blown before the wind. This, in whatever way it came to pass, was a further chastisement of God. The little seed which they brought in lessened through decay or waste. Why? saith the Lord of hosts. God asks by his prophet, what He asks in the awakened conscience Psalms 39:11. “God with rebukes chastens man for sin.” Conscience, when alive, confesses for “what” sin; or it asks itself, if memory does not supply the special sin. Unawakened, it complains about the excess of rain, the drought, the blight, the mildew, and asks, not itself, why, in God’s Providence, these inflictions came in these years? They felt doubtless the sterility in contrast with the exceeding prolificalness of Babylonia, as they contrasted the “light bread,” Numbers 21:5. the manna, with Numbers 11:5. the plenteousness of Egypt. They ascribed probably their meagre crops (as we mostly do) to mere natural causes, perhaps to the long neglect of the land during the captivity. God forces the question upon their consciences, in that Haggai asks it in His Name, in whose hands all powers stand, “saith the Lord of host.” They have not to talk it over among themselves, but to answer Almighty God, “why?” That “why?” strikes into the inmost depths of conscience!

Because of My house which is waste, and ye run - literally, “are running,” all the while, “each to his own house” They were absorbed in their material interests, and had no time for those of God. When the question was of God’s house, they stir not from the spot; when it is of their own concerns, they run. Our Lord says, Matthew 6:33. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” Man reverses this, seeks his own things first, and God withholds His blessing.

“This comes true of those who prefer their own conveniences to God’s honor, who do not thoroughly uproot self-love, whose penitence and devotion are shewn to be unstable, for on a slight temptation they are overcome. Such are they who are bold, self-pleasing, wise and great in their own eyes, who do not ground their conversation on true and solid humility.”

(Cyr.) “To those who are slow to fulfill what is for the glory of God, and the things whereby His house, the Church, is firmly stayed, neither the heavenly dew cometh, which enricheth hearts and minds, nor the fruitfulness of the earth; i. e., right action; not food nor wine nor use of oil. But they will be ever strengthless and joyless, unenriched by spiritual oil, and remain without taste or participation of the blessing through Christ.”

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse 9. Ye looked for much — Ye made great pretensions at first; but they are come to nothing. Ye did a little in the beginning; but so scantily and unwillingly that I could not but reject it.

Ye run every man unto his own house. — To rebuild and adorn it; and God's house is neglected!


 
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