Haggai 2:22

Old Testament Minor Prophet ASV (1901)

What does Haggai 2:22 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.
Haggai 2:22 — American Standard Version

Context — Haggai 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
22and I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms; and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the nations; and I will overthrow the chariots, and those that ride in them; and the horses and their riders shall come down, every one by the sword of his brother.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms, etc.] The Persian monarchy, which consisted of various kingdoms and nations, and was destroyed under Darius Codomannus by Alexander the great, who fought with him three pitched battles, and overcame him; but the thing was of the Lord, according to his purpose and will, and by his power and providence; and therefore the overthrow is ascribed to him. The Jewsf42 say that the Persian monarchy fell by the Grecians thirty four years after the building of the temple; but very wrongly, it lasted longer: and I will destroy the strength of the kingdoms of the heathen; the empire of Alexander, which was a very strong one, and contained in it many kingdoms…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“All other world kingdoms are to be overthrown to make way for Christ's universal kingdom (Dan 2:44). War chariots are to give place to His reign of peace (Mic 5:10; Zac 9:10).”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:22 I will overturn their chariots and riders: The prophet’s language would remind Israel of their deliverance from the Egyptian army (see Exod 15:1-21). The ambiguity of the threat of God’s judgment makes it unclear whether Haggai is referring to events in the distant future or to something more immediate involving the Persian Empire (e.g., the Greek-Persian wars during the reigns of Darius I and Xerxes or the later Peloponnesian War).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“overthrow: Isa 60:12; Eze 21:27; Dan 2:34, Dan 2:35, Dan 2:44, Dan 2:45, Dan 7:25-27, Dan 8:25; Mic 5:8, Mic 5:15; Zep 3:8; Zac 10:11, Zac 12:2-5, Zac 14:3; Mat 24:7; Rev 11:15 and I will overthrow the chariots: Exo 14:17, Exo 14:28, Exo 15:4, Exo 15:19; Psa 46:9, Psa 76:6; Eze 39:20; Mic 5:10; Zac 4:6; Zac 9:10 every: Jdg 7:22; Sa1 14:16; Ch2 20:22; Isa 9:19, Isa 19:2 Haggai 2:23”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification