Which two individuals encouraged the building of the temple?

The correct answer is that Zechariah and Haggai are the two individuals who encouraged the building of the temple. Haggai and Zechariah were both prophets during the post-exilic period when the Israelites returned from Babylonian exile and faced the task of rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem.

Haggai’s prophetic messages specifically emphasized the urgency of the temple's reconstruction. He encouraged the people by reminding them of the importance of the temple in restoring their relationship with God and the significance of this project for their spiritual and communal identity. His messages strongly motivated the people to resume construction.

Zechariah supported Haggai's efforts and also provided a series of visions and messages that offered hope and encouragement, assuring the people of God's presence and favor as they undertook the rebuilding efforts. His prophecies not only inspired the physical rebuilding of the temple but also called the community to spiritual renewal.

The other options mention figures who, while significant, were not contemporaneous with the rebuilding of the temple immediately following the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah was active before the exile, and Malachi's ministry came later, after the temple had been rebuilt. Abijah, on the other hand, does not have a prophetic book related to temple building in this context