Haggai - Summary

Title:	Named for the author, the prophet Haggai
Author:	Haggai was a prophet of Judah that was amonst the captivities taken from Jerusalem in 605 BC and returned with the first remnant from Babylon in 536 BC.
Date:	The book of Haggai deals with the rebuilding of the Temple following the captivity period so the timing of this book would be approximately 536 to 516 BC.
Main Theme	The theme of Haggai is calling the people of Israel to obedience and persistance to rebuild the Temple.  There was much opposition therby frustraiting the people.  Haggai called the people to remain faithful, diligent and resolved to finishing the Temple.
Location:	The prophecy of Haggai is given to him in Jerusalem.
History	Haggai had been taken into captivity by Nebuchadnezzar.  He had actually seen the original temple before it was destroyed by the Babylonian army.  Following the defeat of the Babylonians by the Persians, King Cyrus gave the decree for the people to return to Jerusalem and gave them permission to rebuild the Temple.  Haggai was obviously an older man.  He had to be over 70 years of age at the youngest when the people began their return trip to Jerusalem.  It took many years for the Temple to be rebuilt.  It is quite probable Haggai could have been nearly 100 years old by the completion of the New Temple.  He also knew the new Temple did not match the splendor of the first one
Major Characters:	Haggai