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Haggai

Biblical
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A minor Hebrew prophet who, with Zechariah, encouraged the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.

Detailed Definition
Haggai challenged apathy, promising God’s presence would glorify the new Temple. His brief book spurred reconstruction. In poetry, Haggai represents prophetic urgency, the sacredness of place, and the call to prioritize spiritual restoration over personal comfort.
Example
Example in poetry:
In John Milton’s "Paradise Lost," Haggai’s call to rebuild (Haggai 1) illustrates prophetic urgency; In Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s "The Seraphim," Haggai symbolizes the voice that stirs complacent builders; In George Herbert’s "The Church-porch," Haggai’s “consider your ways” models self-examination; In John Keble’s "Lyra Apostolica," Haggai represents the prophet of restoration; In Christina Rossetti’s "Advent," Haggai’s temple prefigures Christ’s body; In T.S. Eliot’s "Four Quartets," Haggai’s message echoes in calls to rebuild what is broken.
Additional Notes
Haggai: Post-exilic prophet who urged rebuilding the temple (Haggai 1–2); emphasized holiness and future glory. In poetry, Haggai embodies prophetic urgency, the link between material action and spiritual renewal, and hope in diminished circumstances (“the latter glory shall be greater”). His name (“festal” or “my holiday”) contrasts with his message of labor—ideal for poems on vocation, restoration, or the sacredness of rebuilding.
Also Known As
Haggai the Prophet
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