Haggai 2:11

 Haggai 2:11

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

a. ASV: Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, [Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.]

b. YLT: Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: 'Ask, I pray thee, the priests of the law, saying:  [The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.]

c. Classic Amplified:  Thus says the Lord of hosts: Ask now the priests to decide this question of law: [Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation]

d. Stone Edition Torah/Prophets/ Writings: Thus said HASHEM, Master of Legions: Inquire, now, for a ruling from the Kohanim, saying, [The Artscroll Series/Stone Edition, THE TANACH--STUDENT SIZE EDITION Copyright 1996, 1998 by Mesorah Publications, Ldt.]

e. Peshitta Eastern Text: Thus says the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,  [HOLY BIBLE FROM THE ANCIENT EASTERN TEXT.Copyright  Ⓒ 1933 by A.J. Holmon Co.; copyright  Ⓒ renewed 1968 by A.J. Holmon Co.; All rights reserved. Printed in the United States of America. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. HarperCollins Publishers, 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007.]

f. The Israel Bible: Thus said the LORD of Hosts: Seek a ruling from the Kohanim, as follows,  [The English Translation was adapted by Israel 365 from the JPS Tanakh. Copyright Ⓒ 1985 by the Jewish Publication Society. All rights reserved.]

1. “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,”

a. Thus [Strong: 3541 koh ko from the prefix k and 1931; properly, like this, i.e. by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now:--also, here, + hitherto, like, on the other side, so (and much), such, on that manner, (on) this (manner, side, way, way and that way), + mean while, yonder.]

b. saith [Strong: 559 'amar aw-mar' a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.]

c. [the] LORD [Strong: 3068 Yhovah yeh-ho-vaw' from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God:--Jehovah, the Lord.]

d. [of] hosts [Strong: 6635 tsaba' tsaw-baw' or (feminine) tsbadah {tseb-aw-aw'}; from 6633; a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (specifically, hardship, worship):--appointed time, (+) army, (+) battle, company, host, service, soldiers, waiting upon, war(-fare).]

e. Ask [Strong: 7592 sha'al shaw-al' or shael {shaw-ale'}; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand:--ask (counsel, on), beg, borrow, lay to charge, consult, demand, desire, X earnestly, enquire, + greet, obtain leave, lend, pray, request, require, + salute, X straitly, X surely, wish.]

f. 853 'eth ayth apparent contracted from 226 in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely):--(as such unrepresented in English).

g. now [Strong: 4994 na' naw a primitive particle of incitement and entreaty, which may usually be rendered: "I pray," "now," or "then"; added mostly to verbs (in the Imperative or Future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction:--I beseech (pray) thee (you), go to, now, oh.]

h. [the] priests [Strong: 3548 kohen ko-hane' active participle of 3547; literally, one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman):--chief ruler, X own, priest, prince, principal officer.]

i. [concerning the] law [Strong: 8451 towrah to-raw' or torah {to-raw'}; from 3384; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch:--law.]

j. saying [Strong: 559 'amar aw-mar' a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude):--answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, + (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, X desire, determine, X expressly, X indeed, X intend, name, X plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), X still, X suppose, talk, tell, term, X that is, X think, use (speech), utter, X verily, X yet.]

1). David Levy, When The Prophets Speak of Judgment: Haggai asked the priests [the] question concerning ceremonial cleansing. First he requested a ruling on the matter of ritual: “If 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 be holy?” (Haggai 2:12). The “holy flesh” was that portion set aside to be sacrificed to the LORD. Often, a priest carried the flesh for the sacrifice in his robe, which meant his garment became holy (Leviticus 6:27). Therefore, Haggai questioned, that if the holy flesh touched other food items, was holiness transferred to them as well? The priests answered, “No, ” for holiness cannot be transferred to items of food. Haggai asked a second question of the priests, this one dealing with the transfer of ritual defilement. “If one is unclean by a dead body touch any of these shall it be unclean?” (Haggai 2:13; cp. Leviticus 11:28; 22:4-7). The Mosaic Law taught that moral cleanness cannot be transmitted, but moral uncleanness can. The same is true in the physical life. Health between people cannot be transferred, but sickness can. Haggai applied the official answer from the priests to the people’s condition: “So is this people, and so is this nation…and so is every work of their hands” (Haggai 1:14). The application is clear: Israel had originally been holy and set apart for the LORD’s use (Exodus 19:6), but the nation now was defiled, and everything it touched became unclean.