Haggai 2:13
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.
Original Language Analysis
אִם
H518
אִם
Strong's:
H518
Word #:
3 of 13
used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not
יִגַּ֧ע
touch
H5060
יִגַּ֧ע
touch
Strong's:
H5060
Word #:
4 of 13
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
נֶ֛פֶשׁ
by a dead body
H5315
נֶ֛פֶשׁ
by a dead body
Strong's:
H5315
Word #:
6 of 13
properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
7 of 13
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִטְמָֽא׃
It shall be unclean
H2930
יִטְמָֽא׃
It shall be unclean
Strong's:
H2930
Word #:
9 of 13
to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)
וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ
answered
H6030
וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ
answered
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
10 of 13
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 #:
11 of 13
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
Historical Context
Corpse defilement was the most severe ritual impurity, requiring seven days of purification (Numbers 19). The post-exilic community knew these regulations well—they had reinstituted the sacrificial system and were familiar with purity laws. Haggai uses their theological knowledge to trap them into acknowledging a principle they would then apply to their own spiritual condition.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the ease with which defilement spreads compared to holiness reveal the reality of sin's power and pervasiveness?
- In what areas of life do you minimize sin's contagious effect or overestimate your ability to remain unaffected by compromise?
- What does it mean to pursue holiness actively and intentionally rather than assuming righteousness transfers automatically?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? (וַיֹּאמֶר חַגַּי אִם־יִגַּע טְמֵא־נֶפֶשׁ בְּכָל־אֵלֶּה הֲיִטְמָא/vayomer Chaggai im-yiga teme-nefesh bekhol-eleh hayitma)—The second scenario: someone ceremonially unclean through contact with a corpse (טְמֵא־נֶפֶשׁ/teme-nefesh, literally "unclean of soul/person," the most serious defilement—Numbers 19:11-22) touches food. Does uncleanness transfer? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean (וַיַּעֲנוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים וַיֹּאמְרוּ יִטְמָא/vaya'anu hakohanim vayomru yitma).
The asymmetrical principle: holiness doesn't transfer easily, but defilement does. One touch from an unclean person contaminates food, making it unfit. This reflects spiritual reality—sin spreads more readily than holiness. One rotten apple spoils the barrel; one holy apple doesn't sanctify rotten ones. Paul warns, "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company ruins good morals'" (1 Corinthians 15:33). James notes that friendship with the world makes one an enemy of God (James 4:4).
This principle exposes human optimism about sin's power. We minimize sin's contagion while overestimating holiness' automatic transfer. The law taught Israel that defilement spreads aggressively while holiness requires intentional consecration. This prepares for verse 14's devastating application.