HAGAI, a canonical book of the Old Testament, so called from the prophet of that name, who, in all probability was born at Babylon, from whence he returned with Zerubbabel.
This prophet, by the command of God, exhorted the Jews, after their return from the captivity, to finish the rebuilding of the temple, which they had intermitted for 14 years. His remonstrances had the desired effect; and to encourage them to proceed in the work, he assured them from God, that the glory of this latter house should be greater than the glory of the former: which was accordingly fulfilled, when Christ honoured it with his presence; for, with respect to the building, this latter temple was nothing in comparison with the former.