More literally, this could be translated, the desired of all nations.
The Hebrew uses a singular noun (desired
) paired with a plural verb (shall come in
), which signals a collective idea. The best sense, then, is desired things
—that is, the treasures of the nations.
Because older translations rendered the phrase as the desire of all nations
(KJV), some have taken this as a direct messianic title. But the grammar does not support that reading. The plural verb makes it clear that things, not a single person, are in view. There is no need to alter the Hebrew text (which is what the BHS suggests) from the singular treasure
to the plural treasures
; the noun can naturally function as a collective whole.1
The phrase points to the wealth of the nations flowing into God’s house. As Alec Motyer notes, the prophet is drawing on the exodus motif: Israel left Egypt carrying the Egyptians’ gold and silver (Exodus 11:2–3; Exodus 12:35–36), and those materials later adorned the tabernacle (Exodus 25:1–8; Exodus 35:21–29).2 Haggai uses that same imagery to describe a future moment when the nations’ treasures will be brought into the temple. The Lord will use the incoming treasures, all of which are his anyway, to adorn his house.
This interpretation fits the immediate context. Haggai has just referenced Egypt (Haggai 2:5). He explicitly mentions silver and gold belonging to the Lord (Haggai 2:8). And the flow of wealth into God’s house highlights his sovereignty over all nations and all resources (see Isaiah 60:5–9; Isaiah 61:6; Isaiah 66:20; Zechariah 14:14).
7 And I will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.