Ch. 1. On Reading The Book of Haggai: Questions of Method and Perspective -- 1.1. Introduction -- 1.2. Early Critical Evaluations of Haggai: Of What Value Is This Book? -- 1.3. Haggai and Second Temple Sectarianism: Whose Side Is Haggai on? -- 1.4. Theological Traditions and Literary Development: What Were the Theological Concerns of Haggai and His Editors? -- 1.5. Social Scientific Analyses of Early Persian Yehud -- 1.6. The Present Study: Purpose, Approach, and Structure -- Ch. 2. The Literary History of The Book of Haggai -- 2.1. Introduction -- 2.2. The Literary Development of The Book of Haggai -- 2.3. The Dating of the Redactional Framework -- Ch. 3. Persian Rule and Yehud, 539-515: Critical Issues -- 3.1. Introduction -- 3.2. The "Decree of Cyrus" and the Nature of the Early Restoration -- 3.3. Sheshbazzar -- 3.4. Zerubbabel -- 3.5. The Political Status of Yehud, the Nature of its Leadership, and the Role of the Davidic Dynasty -- 3.6. The Second Year of Darius -- 3.7. The Impact of Persian Rule on Yehud from 538-515 -- 3.8. The State of the Jerusalem Temple -- 3.9. The Population of Yehud -- Ch. 4. Introduction To The Exegesis Of Haggai -- 4.1. Organization and Approach -- 4.2. Theological Traditions in Haggai -- Ch. 5. Haggai 1: 1-15 -- 5.1. Translation and Textual Criticism -- 5.2. Structural and Literary Considerations -- 5.3. Exegesis -- 5.4. Rhetorical and Hermeneutical Use of Religious Traditions -- Ch. 6. Haggai 2: 1-9 -- 6.1. Translation and Textual Criticism -- 6.2. Structural and Literary Considerations -- 6.3. Exegesis -- 6.4. Rhetorical and Hermeneutical Use of Theological Traditions -- Ch. 7. Haggai 2: 10-19 -- 7.1. Translation and Textual Criticism -- 7.2. Structural and Literary Considerations -- 7.3. Exegesis -- 7.4. Rhetorical and Hermeneutical Use of Religious Traditions -- Ch. 8. Haggai 2: 20-23 -- 8.1. Translation and Textual Criticism -- 8.2. Structural and Literary Considerations -- 8.3. Exegesis -- 8.4. Rhetorical and Hermeneutical Use of Religious Traditions -- Ch. 9. The Book Of Haggai: Literary Synthesis -- 9.1. Introduction -- 9.2. The Form of Haggai -- 9.3. The Structure of Haggai -- 9.4. Leitworter And Leitmotiven in Haggai -- 9.5. Characters and Action -- 9.6. Plot or Thematic Centre? -- 9.7. The Central Theme of Haggai -- Ch. 10. Conclusions: Prophecy and Society in The Book of Haggai -- 10.1. The Distinctive Perspectives of The Book of Haggai -- 10.2. The Book of Haggai in the Socio-Religious Context of Early Persian Yehud -- 10.3. Conclusions.