Haggai 2:12
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 meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No.
Original Language Analysis
יִשָּׂא
bear
H5375
יִשָּׂא
bear
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
2 of 25
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אִ֨ישׁ
If one
H376
אִ֨ישׁ
If one
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
3 of 25
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
בְּשַׂר
flesh
H1320
בְּשַׂר
flesh
Strong's:
H1320
Word #:
4 of 25
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ
and with his skirt
H3671
בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ
and with his skirt
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
6 of 25
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
וְנָגַ֣ע
do touch
H5060
וְנָגַ֣ע
do touch
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
8 of 25
properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive
בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ
and with his skirt
H3671
בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ
and with his skirt
Strong's:
H3671
Word #:
9 of 25
an edge or extremity; specifically (of a bird or army) a wing, (of a garment or bedclothing) a flap, (of the earth) a quarter, (of a building) a pinna
הַלֶּ֨חֶם
bread
H3899
הַלֶּ֨חֶם
bread
Strong's:
H3899
Word #:
11 of 25
food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)
הַיַּ֧יִן
or wine
H3196
הַיַּ֧יִן
or wine
Strong's:
H3196
Word #:
15 of 25
wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication
שֶׁ֛מֶן
or oil
H8081
שֶׁ֛מֶן
or oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
17 of 25
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
19 of 25
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מַאֲכָ֖ל
or any meat
H3978
מַאֲכָ֖ל
or any meat
Strong's:
H3978
Word #:
20 of 25
an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)
הֲיִקְדָּ֑שׁ
shall it be holy
H6942
הֲיִקְדָּ֑שׁ
shall it be holy
Strong's:
H6942
Word #:
21 of 25
to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)
וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ
answered
H6030
וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
22 of 25
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים
And the priests
H3548
הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים
And the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
23 of 25
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Cross References
Matthew 23:19Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift?Leviticus 6:27Whatsoever shall touch the flesh thereof shall be holy: and when there is sprinkled of the blood thereof upon any garment, thou shalt wash that whereon it was sprinkled in the holy place.Exodus 29:37Seven days thou shalt make an atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and it shall be an altar most holy: whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy.Ezekiel 44:19And when they go forth into the utter court, even into the utter court to the people, they shall put off their garments wherein they ministered, and lay them in the holy chambers, and they shall put on other garments; and they shall not sanctify the people with their garments.Leviticus 6:29All the males among the priests shall eat thereof: it is most holy.Leviticus 7:6Every male among the priests shall eat thereof: it shall be eaten in the holy place: it is most holy.
Historical Context
The priests'' answer reflected established Torah teaching. The sacrificial system had complex regulations about what consecrated items and how (Leviticus 6:24-30, Exodus 29:37). The community needed this reminder because they might assume that rebuilding the temple—a holy work—automatically made them holy or guaranteed God's blessing regardless of their hearts' condition. Verse 14 will apply this principle to expose that assumption.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways are you tempted to think that proximity to holy things (church attendance, Christian community, ministry activity) automatically makes you holy?
- How does the principle that holiness doesn't transfer indirectly challenge cultural Christianity or mere external religion?
- What is required for genuine holiness beyond association with holy people, places, or practices?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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 meat, shall it be holy? (הֵן יִשָּׂא־אִישׁ בְּשַׂר־קֹדֶשׁ בִּכְנַף בִּגְדוֹ וְנָגַע בִּכְנָפוֹ אֶל־הַלֶּחֶם וְאֶל־הַנָּזִיד וְאֶל־הַיַּיִן וְאֶל־שֶׁמֶן וְאֶל־כָּל־מַאֲכָל הֲיִהְיֶה קֹּדֶשׁ/hen yissa-ish besar-kodesh biknaf bigdo venaga bikhnafo el-halechem ve'el-hanazid ve'el-hayayin ve'el-hashemen ve'el-kol-ma'akhal hayihyeh kodesh)—The scenario: holy flesh (בְּשַׂר־קֹדֶשׁ/besar-kodesh), consecrated meat from sacrifice, is carried in the garment's fold. If that garment touches common food items—bread, stew, wine, oil, any food—does holiness transfer? And the priests answered and said, No (וַיַּעֲנוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים וַיֹּאמְרוּ לֹא/vaya'anu hakohanim vayomru lo).
The principle established: holiness doesn't transfer through indirect contact. Leviticus 6:27 taught that direct contact with holy sacrifice could consecrate, but that consecration didn't extend further. Holiness is not contagious—it doesn't spread automatically to everything connected to holy things. This has profound implications: merely associating with holy people, places, or practices doesn't make one holy. Proximity to holiness isn't sufficient; personal consecration is required.