Haggai 2:11
What does Haggai 2:11 mean?
A plain-English look at Haggai 2:11 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Haggai 2:11 means
Jehovah instructs Haggai to consult the priests about the law. This engages those responsible for teaching and applying God’s holiness in the community. By asking the priests, Haggai honors the structure God set for discerning clean and unclean. The coming questions are not theoretical; they will expose how holiness and impurity function in daily life and worship. The purpose is pastoral: to help the people understand why their offerings had not brought blessing. God’s word appeals to informed conscience, showing that spiritual realities often follow patterns embedded in His law. Clarity about holiness is essential if the temple work is to enjoy God’s favor.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
KJV
King James Version · 1611Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949These are the words of the Lord of armies: Put now a point of law to the priests, saying,
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: `Ask, I pray thee, the priests <FI>of<Fi> the law, saying:
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius the king, the word of the Lord came to Haggai the prophet, saying:
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ask now the priests [concerning] the law, saying,
Context
The verse opens the catechetical portion of the second oracle. By bringing priests into the conversation, Haggai prepares the audience to accept the conclusion that follows as grounded in God’s own law, not personal opinion. Verses 12–13 will present two scenarios to elicit principled answers. Upon those answers, verse 14 will pronounce the spiritual diagnosis of the people’s condition. The didactic sequence builds a logical case: understand the law, apply it to yourselves, then heed the call to consider your ways and receive promised blessing.
v.10In the four and twentiethdayof the ninthmonth, in the second year of Darius, came the word of Jehovah by Haggai the prophet, saying,
v.11This passage
v.12If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any food, shall it become holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Malachi 2:7
For the priest’s lips should keep knowledge, and they should seek the law at his mouth; for he is the messenger of Jehovah of hosts.
- Leviticus 10:10
and that ye may make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean;
- Deuteronomy 17:8
If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates; then shalt thou arise, and get thee up unto the place which Jehovah thy God shall choose;
- Ezekiel 44:23
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.
- Deuteronomy 33:10
They shall teach Jacob thine ordinances, And Israel thy law: They shall put incense before thee, And whole burnt-offering upon thine altar.
- Titus 1:9
holding to the faithful word which is according to the teaching, that he may be able both to exhort in the sound doctrine, and to convict the gainsayers.
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