Definition: In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this passage from Haggai 1:15. It's a really important part of understanding what happened in ancient Israel and why it was so significant. Here’s the explanation in simple terms: What it says: “In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month, in the second year of Darius the king.” Let’s unpack it: “Haggai 1:15” : This refers to a specific event that happened during the reign of King Darius I of Persia (modern-day Iran). Haggai was a priest who was called by God to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. “In the four and twentieth day of the sixth month…” : This tells us when it happened. It was on the fourth twenty-fourth day of June, six months into the sixth month of the year. Think of it as a specific date. “…in the second year of Darius the king.” : This is the crucial part. King Darius I had just become king – he’d been ruling for about a decade at this point. So, this event took place after his reign had begun. What does it mean? Essentially, this verse describes a special rebuilding ceremony . It's telling us that God wants to make a huge and significant effort to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem. Here’s what it’s suggesting: God is calling for a focus on the temple: The verse emphasizes that the rebuilding isn’t just about building a large structure; it’s about focusing on the temple as a sacred place dedicated to God. It's a time of urgency and importance: The fact that it happened in the second year of Darius, who was already established as king, highlights how important this task was. It wasn’t just an afterthought; it was a priority . In short, it’s a message about God’s plan to rebuild his house (the temple) and it's happening after he has started his reign. It’s a reminder of the ongoing covenant between God and Israel. --- Do you want me to explain any of this in more detail? For example, would you like me to: Explain the context of the Old Testament? Talk about the significance of the temple itself?