A "Cryptic Phrase" in Haggai 2:6

This article reexamines the problematic phrase [inline-graphic 01] in Hag 2:6 with a view to proposing a philologically and exegetically satisfying analysis of the MT. The phrase is universally understood as an adverbial modifier of the following participial clause referring to YHWH's "shaking" of the cosmos. Scholarly opinion is divided as to whether the Hebrew expression indicates a temporally imminent event ("yet a little while"), repetition of an event ("yet once more"), or a combination of the two. A closer grammatical examination indicates that none of these solutions is adequate. It is argued that [inline-graphic 01] is best understood as a verbless clause, with [inline-graphic 02] ("one more thing") as the subject, [inline-graphic 03] ("a little thing") as the predicate, with [inline-graphic 04] functioning as a copula. Accordingly, I propose that the clause be translated, "One more thing is a small matter." In the context of Hag 2, the utterance functions as part of a "greater-to-lesser" argument as the prophet urges the people to give generously to the rebuilding of the temple despite their impoverished circumstances. Verse 5 reminded the people of YHWH's power displayed in the deliverance from Egypt, and verse 6 assures them that it will be a small, trifling matter for him to do "one more thing," namely, to exert his power and bring the "desirable things of the nations" into the temple(vv. 7–8) so that it can be rebuilt.