Haggai 2:11
New International Version
“This is what the LORD Almighty says: ‘Ask the priests what the law says:

New Living Translation
“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says. Ask the priests this question about the law:

English Standard Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law:

Berean Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling.

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

New King James Version
“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying,

New American Standard Bible
“The LORD of armies says this: ‘Now ask the priests for a ruling:

NASB 1995
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Ask now the priests for a ruling:

NASB 1977
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Ask now the priests for a ruling:

Legacy Standard Bible
“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Ask now the priests about the law:

Amplified Bible
“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Ask the priests for a ruling:

Christian Standard Bible
“This is what the LORD of Armies says: Ask the priests for a ruling.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
This is what the LORD of Hosts says: Ask the priests for a ruling.

American Standard Version
Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

Contemporary English Version
to ask the priests for their opinion on the following matters:

English Revised Version
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"This is what the LORD of Armies says: Ask the priests for a decision.

Good News Translation
He said, "Ask the priests for a ruling on this question:

International Standard Version
"This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'Ask the priests about what the Law says:

Majority Standard Bible
?This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ?Ask the priests for a ruling.

NET Bible
"The LORD who rules over all says, 'Ask the priests about the law.

New Heart English Bible
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

Webster's Bible Translation
Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

World English Bible
“Yahweh of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Thus said YHWH of Hosts: “Now ask the priests of the Law, saying,

Young's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: 'Ask, I pray thee, the priests of the law, saying:

Smith's Literal Translation
Thus said Jehovah of armies, Ask now the priests the law, saying,
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests the law, saying:

Catholic Public Domain Version
Thus says the Lord of hosts: the priests question the law, saying:

New American Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling:

New Revised Standard Version
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling:
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ask concerning the Law from the Priests
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests for instruction, saying:

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Thus saith the Lord Almighty; Inquire now of the priest concerning the law, saying,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Blessings for a Defiled People
10On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying, 11“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling. 12If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does that item become holy?’ ” “No,” replied the priests.…

Cross References
Leviticus 10:10-11
You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, / so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.”

Deuteronomy 17:8-11
If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ...

Malachi 2:7
For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.

Ezekiel 44:23-24
They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean. / In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.

Leviticus 11:47
You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”

Leviticus 13:1-3
Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, / “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that may be an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. / The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.

Numbers 5:2-3
“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body. / You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.”

Leviticus 22:4-7
If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen, / or whoever touches a crawling creature or a person that makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be— / the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water. ...

Matthew 23:2-3
“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.

Matthew 5:17-19
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Luke 10:25-28
One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ...

Romans 7:12
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.

1 Corinthians 9:9-10
For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? / Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Hebrews 7:11-12
Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.


Treasury of Scripture

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

Leviticus 10:10,11
And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; …

Deuteronomy 33:10
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

Ezekiel 44:23,24
And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean…

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Almighty Armies Decide Hosts Instruction Law Point Priests Question Ruling Words
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Almighty Armies Decide Hosts Instruction Law Point Priests Question Ruling Words
Haggai 2
1. He encourages the people to the work,
4. by promise of greater glory to the second temple than was in the first.
10. In the type of holy things and unclean he shows their sins hindered the work.
20. God's promise to Zerubbabel.














This is what the LORD of Hosts says:
The title "LORD of Hosts" emphasizes God's sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies, underscoring His authority and power. This title is frequently used in the prophetic books to remind the people of God's supreme control over all creation and His ability to fulfill His promises. It sets the tone for the divine message that follows, indicating that the instruction is not merely human wisdom but a directive from the Almighty.

Ask the priests for a ruling:
In ancient Israel, priests were responsible for teaching the Law and providing guidance on religious and ceremonial matters. This phrase indicates a legal or ritual inquiry, suggesting a situation that requires interpretation of the Law. The priests served as mediators between God and the people, and their role in this context highlights the importance of adhering to divine statutes. This request for a ruling reflects the need for clarity in religious practice, emphasizing the importance of holiness and purity in the community. It also connects to the broader theme of Haggai, which calls the people to consider their ways and return to faithful obedience to God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Haggai
A prophet who delivered messages from God to the Jewish people after their return from Babylonian exile. His primary focus was on encouraging the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

2. The LORD of Hosts
A title for God emphasizing His sovereignty and command over the heavenly armies. It underscores His authority and power in delivering His messages through the prophet Haggai.

3. The Priests
Religious leaders in Israel responsible for teaching the Law and making judgments on religious matters. They played a crucial role in guiding the people in spiritual and ceremonial practices.

4. Jerusalem
The city where the Temple was located, central to Jewish worship and identity. The rebuilding of the Temple was a significant event in the post-exilic period.

5. The Exile and Return
The historical context of Haggai's prophecy, where the Jewish people had returned from Babylonian captivity and were tasked with rebuilding their community and religious life.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Seeking Godly Wisdom
Just as the people were instructed to seek a ruling from the priests, we are encouraged to seek wisdom from godly leaders and Scripture in our own lives.

The Role of Spiritual Leaders
Spiritual leaders are called to guide and instruct the community in accordance with God's Word. Their role is vital in helping believers discern God's will.

Obedience to God's Commands
The request for a ruling from the priests emphasizes the need for obedience to God's commands. We are reminded to align our actions with God's standards.

Community and Accountability
The communal aspect of seeking a ruling highlights the importance of accountability within the faith community. We are encouraged to support and hold each other accountable in our spiritual journeys.

Rebuilding and Renewal
The context of rebuilding the Temple serves as a metaphor for spiritual renewal. We are called to rebuild and renew our commitment to God, especially after periods of spiritual neglect or exile.Verse 11. - Concerning the Law. Others translate, "for instruction." Ask the priests these two legal questions, such as they were appointed to expound (Deuteronomy 17:8, etc.; Deuteronomy 33:10; Malachi 2:7). By this appeal the prophet makes his lesson sink deeper into the people's mind.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“This is what
כֹּ֥ה (kōh)
Adverb
Strong's 3541: Like this, thus, here, now

the LORD
יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

of Hosts
צְבָא֑וֹת (ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)
Noun - common plural
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

says:
אָמַ֖ר (’ā·mar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

‘Ask
שְׁאַל־ (šə·’al-)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular
Strong's 7592: To inquire, to request, to demand

the priests
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים (hak·kō·hă·nîm)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 3548: Priest

for a ruling.
תּוֹרָ֖ה (tō·w·rāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8451: Direction, instruction, law


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OT Prophets: Haggai 2:11 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Ask now (Hagg. Hag. Hg)
Haggai 2:10
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