Haggai 2:11
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,
Original Language Analysis
כֹּ֥ה
H3541
כֹּ֥ה
Strong's:
H3541
Word #:
1 of 10
properly, like this, i.e., by implication, (of manner) thus (or so); also (of place) here (or hither); or (of time) now
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
3 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
H6635
צְבָא֑וֹת
of hosts
Strong's:
H6635
Word #:
4 of 10
a mass of persons (or figuratively, things), especially reg. organized for war (an army); by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively (speci
שְׁאַל
Ask
H7592
שְׁאַל
Ask
Strong's:
H7592
Word #:
5 of 10
to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand
נָ֧א
H4994
נָ֧א
Strong's:
H4994
Word #:
6 of 10
'i pray', 'now', or 'then'; added mostly to verbs (in the imperative or future), or to interjections, occasionally to an adverb or conjunction
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 10
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים
now the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים
now the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 10
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Historical Context
The priests had returned from exile and reestablished sacrificial worship even before the temple was rebuilt (Ezra 3:2-6). They functioned as teachers of the law, answering questions about ritual purity, sacrificial procedures, and covenant obedience. Haggai's public questioning served to refresh the community's understanding of fundamental holiness principles that had implications for their temple-building project and their covenant relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God use teachers, pastors, and biblical instruction to shape your understanding of holiness and righteousness?
- What role does asking questions—both receiving and asking them—play in spiritual growth and theological understanding?
- How do you engage actively with Scripture and teaching rather than passively consuming information?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law (כֹּה־אָמַר יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת שְׁאַל־נָא אֶת־הַכֹּהֲנִים תּוֹרָה/koh-amar YHWH Tzeva'ot she'al-na et-hakohanim torah)—God commands Haggai to ask (שָׁאַל/sha'al) the priests (כֹּהֲנִים/kohanim) concerning the law (תּוֹרָה/torah). The priests were responsible for teaching God's law, particularly regulations about clean and unclean (Leviticus 10:10-11, Deuteronomy 33:10, Malachi 2:7). God uses their expertise to establish a theological principle about holiness and defilement.
This pedagogical approach—asking questions to elicit knowledge—engages the learner actively rather than merely receiving information passively. Jesus frequently used this Socratic method (Matthew 21:23-27, 22:41-46), forcing His audience to think, reason, and draw conclusions. Here, God establishes the principle through the priests' own theological knowledge, making the application in verse 14 undeniable.