For this is what the LORD of Hosts says
The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a translation of the Hebrew "Yahweh Sabaoth," which emphasizes God's supreme command over the armies of heaven and earth. This title underscores His sovereignty and power, reminding the Israelites of His ability to fulfill His promises. Historically, this title reassures the people of God's presence and authority during times of rebuilding and uncertainty, as they were returning from exile and reconstructing the temple.

Once more
This phrase suggests a future action that echoes a past event. It implies a continuity of God's intervention in history. Theologically, it points to God's ongoing involvement in the world and His plan for redemption. The phrase can be seen as a promise of divine action that will surpass previous manifestations of God's power, such as the Exodus.

in a little while
This expression conveys a sense of imminence and urgency. It reassures the people that God's intervention is not far off, encouraging them to remain faithful and diligent in their work. Historically, it reflects the prophetic perspective that God's timing, though sometimes mysterious, is always perfect and purposeful.

I will shake the heavens and the earth
The imagery of shaking signifies a dramatic divine intervention that will alter the current order. In Hebrew, the word "shake" (ra'ash) can denote an earthquake or a significant upheaval. This phrase suggests a cosmic transformation, indicating that God's power extends beyond the earthly realm to the entire universe. It echoes the Sinai experience and foreshadows eschatological events described in later prophetic and New Testament writings.

the sea and the dry land
This phrase completes the picture of totality in God's sovereign action. By including both the sea and the dry land, the text emphasizes that no part of creation is beyond God's reach. Historically, this would remind the Israelites of God's control over natural elements, as seen in the parting of the Red Sea. Theologically, it reassures believers of God's comprehensive authority and His ability to bring about His purposes in all areas of life.

(6) Yet once, it is a little while.--The construction is very difficult. The best rendering appears to be, Yet one season more (supplying eth before achath), it is but a little while, and, &c. The meaning of these clauses is then that given by Keil--viz., "that the period between the present and the predicted great change of the world will be but one period--i.e., one uniform epoch--and that this epoch will be a brief one." The LXX. (followed in Hebrews 12:27) omits the words "it is a little while" altogether, and so is enabled to render "I will yet shake once" (i.e., one single time, and one only), a rendering which, if we retain those words, is apparently impossible. The fact is, the original passage here, as in other cases, must be treated without deference to its meaning when interwoven in New Testament argument. There is yet to be an interval of time, of limited duration, and then shall come a new era, when the glory of God's presence shall be manifested more fully and extensively. Notwithstanding its intimate connection with the Jewish Temple (Haggai 2:7; Haggai 2:9), this new dispensation may well be regarded as that of the Messiah, for Malachi in like manner connects His self-manifestation with the Temple. (Comp. Malachi 3:1, and see our Introduction, ? 2.) Without pretending to find a fulfilment of all details, we may regard the prophet's anticipations as sufficiently realised when the Saviour's Advent introduced a dispensation which surpassed in glory (see 2Corinthians 3:7-11) that of Moses, and which extended its promises to the Gentiles. When Haggai speaks here and in Haggai 2:22 of commotions of nature ushering in this new revelation, he speaks according to the usage of the Hebrew poets, by whom Divine interposition is frequently depicted in colouring borrowed from the incidents of the Exodus period. (See Habakkuk 3; Psalm 18:7-15, Psalms 93, 97) If the words are to be pressed, their fulfilment at Christ's coming must be searched for rather in the moral than the physical sphere, in changes effected in the human heart (comp. Luke 3:5) rather than on the face of nature. . . . Verses 6-9. - § 2. The prophet, to reconcile the people to the new temple, and to touch them to value it highly, foretells a future time, when the glory of this house shall far exceed that of Solomon's, adumbrating the Messianic era. Verse 6. - Yet once, it is a little while; ἔτι ἅπαξ (Septuagint); Adhuc unum modicum est (Vulgate), The writer of the Epistle to the Hebrews (Hebrews 12:26, 27) quotes and founds an argument on this rendering of the LXX. The expression is equivalent to "once again within a little time." I will shake, etc. Some difference of opinion exists as to the events here adumbrated. All, however, agree in seeing an allusion to the promulgation of the Law on Mount Sinai, which was accompanied with certain great physical commotions (see Exodus 19:16; Psalm 68:7, 8), when, too, the Egyptians were "shaken" by the plagues sent on them, and the neighbouring nations, Philistia, Edom, Moab, were struck with terror (Exodus 15:14, 16). This was a great moral disturbance in the heathen world; the next and final "shaking" will be under the Messianic dispensation for which the destruction of heathen kingdoms prepares the way. The Israelites would soon see the beginnings of this visitation, e.g. in the fall of Babylon, and might thence conclude that all would be accomplished in due time. The prophet calls this interval "a little while" (which it is in God's eyes and in view of the vast future), in order to console the people and teach them patience and confidence. The final consummation and the steps that lead to it in the prophet's vision are blended together, just as our Lord combines his prediction about the destruction of Jerusalem with details which concern the end of the world. The physical convulsions in heaven and earth, etc., spoken of, are symbolical representations of political revolutions, as explained in the next verse, "I will shake all nations," and again in vers. 21, 22. Other prophets announce that Messiah's reign shall be ushered in by the overthrow or conversion of heathen nations; e.g.. Isaiah 2:11, etc.; Isaiah 19:21, 22; Daniel 2:44; Micah 5:9, etc.

Parallel Commentaries ...


For
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

this is what
כֹ֤ה (ḵōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֔וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַר֙ (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“Once
אַחַ֖ת (’a·ḥaṯ)
Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 259: United, one, first

more,
ע֥וֹד (‘ō·wḏ)
Adverb
Strong's 5750: Iteration, continuance, again, repeatedly, still, more

in a little while,
מְעַ֣ט (mə·‘aṭ)
Adverb
Strong's 4592: A little, fewness, a few

I
וַאֲנִ֗י (wa·’ă·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - first person common singular
Strong's 589: I

will shake
מַרְעִישׁ֙ (mar·‘îš)
Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7493: To undulate, through fear, to spring

the heavens
הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם (haš·šā·ma·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky

and the earth,
הָאָ֔רֶץ (hā·’ā·reṣ)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 776: Earth, land

the sea
הַיָּ֖ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

and the dry land.
הֶחָרָבָֽה׃ (he·ḥā·rā·ḇāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2724: Dry ground


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OT Prophets: Haggai 2:6 For this is what Yahweh of Armies (Hagg. Hag. Hg)