וְעַתָּ֣ה חֲזַ֣ק זְרֻבָּבֶ֣ל נְאֻם־יְהוָ֡ה וַחֲזַ֣ק יְהֹושֻׁ֣עַ בֶּן־יְהֹוצָדָק֩ הַכֹּהֵ֨ן הַגָּדֹ֜ול וַחֲזַ֨ק כָּל־עַ֥ם הָאָ֛רֶץ נְאֻם־יְהוָ֖ה וַֽעֲשׂ֑וּ כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י אִתְּכֶ֔ם נְאֻ֖ם יְהוָ֥ה צְבָאֹֽות׃ (Haggai 2:4)
But now, be strong, Zerubbabel—declares YHWH—and be strong, Yehoshua son of Yehotsadaq, the high priest, and be strong, all the people of the land—declares YHWH—and work! For I am with you—declares YHWH of Hosts.
Divine Grammar in Triplets
The Hebrew of Haggai 2:4 builds intensity through grammatical repetition. Three consecutive imperatives of the verb חזק (“be strong”) frame YHWH’s address to three distinct groups. These imperatives are all in the Qal binyan, highlighting simplicity, clarity, and directness. The fourth imperative וַעֲשׂוּ (“and work”) shifts the mood from emotional strength to tangible action.
Table of Verbs and Binyanim
| Verb | Root | Binyan | Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| חֲזַק | חזק | Qal | Imperative masculine singular | Be strong! |
| וַעֲשׂוּ | עשׂה | Qal | Imperative masculine plural (vav-consecutive) | And do! / And work! |
Why Qal? Why Imperative?
The Qal stem reflects the most basic, unmarked form of a verb. By using Qal imperatives, YHWH’s command feels immediate and universal. These are not poetic exaggerations or ritual formulas—they are plain, direct orders from the divine mouth to human ears.
Discourse Flow: Parallelism and Authority
The verse builds in waves:
- 1st Imperative: Zerubbabel, civic leader
- 2nd Imperative: Yehoshua, spiritual leader
- 3rd Imperative: All the people
- 4th Imperative: Collective action
Each “חֲזַק” stands alone and yet contributes to a larger chorus. The repeated refrain “נְאֻם־יְהוָה” (“declares YHWH”) serves as both divine punctuation and prophetic weight.
From Syntax to Sanctification
The sequential imperatives in Qal indicate urgency with simplicity. This divine rhetoric has no fluff—just faith, obedience, and work. Theologically, the structure reminds readers that divine presence (“כִּֽי־אֲנִ֣י אִתְּכֶ֔ם”) follows obedience.
Grammatical Architecture of Motivation
Hebrew binyanim are more than conjugation tools—they’re carriers of tone and force. Here, the use of unembellished Qal imperatives avoids ambiguity. The passage models encouragement not through softness, but structured insistence. God speaks in a grammar of empowerment.
Final Word: Strength in Simplicity
In Haggai 2:4, binyanim function like scaffolding for prophecy. Repetition, Qal imperatives, and divine declarations combine to construct a wall of encouragement. It is not ornate—but it is unshakeable. Through grammar, YHWH builds resolve before rebuilding the temple.
