Translations
Modern
So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered.
Traditional
Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.
Literal
And Haggai said, “If one unclean by a dead body touches any of these things, will it be unclean?” And the priests answered and said, “It will be unclean.”
Latin
Et dixit Aggæus: Si tetigerit pollutus in anima ex omnibus his, numquid contaminabitur? Et responderunt sacerdotes, et dixerunt: Contaminabitur.
Original
Hebrew
English
So Haggai asked, “If one who is defiled by contact with a corpse touches any of these, does it become defiled?” “Yes, it becomes defiled,” the priests answered.
Notes
Ceremonial uncleanness spreads more easily than ceremonial purity. Anyone touching a dead body became defiled and thus unclean. Anything touched by an unclean person also becomes impure (see Numbers 19:11–13, 22). Haggai discusses this in Haggai 2:14.
The third message focuses on the law's rules about ceremonial purity. These rules were still in effect. God wants his people to be holy, just as he is holy (Leviticus 11:44–45).
Theme notes and profiles
Events
- Prophecies of Haggaic. 520 BC
People
Haggai: A prophet who encouraged the rebuilding of the temple
Glossary
Cleanness and Uncleanness, Regulations Concerning Haggai, Book of Prophecy Zechariah, Book of