It does not appear at what time Haggai returned from exile, though probably at the first return of the Jews under Zerubbabel, before Christ 536. But he did not commence his prophetic office till about sixteen years after; and he delivered what his Book contains in the space of three months. His messages, which are five, I. Haggai 1:1-11. II. Haggai 1:12-15. III. Haggai 2:1-9. IV. Haggai 2:10-19. V. Haggai 2:20-23. are very short; and hence some have concluded that they are but summaries of what he had delivered.