King James Version

What Does Haggai 2:12 Mean?

Haggai 2:12 in the King James Version says “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 a...” — study this verse from Haggai chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Haggai 2:12 · KJV

Context

10

In the four and twentieth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, came the word of the LORD by Haggai the prophet, saying,

11

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

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.

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.

14

Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.

Read Haggai 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways are you tempted to think that proximity to holy things (church attendance, Christian community, ministry activity) automatically makes you holy?
  2. How does the principle that holiness doesn't transfer indirectly challenge cultural Christianity or mere external religion?
  3. What is required for genuine holiness beyond association with holy people, places, or practices?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
הֵ֣ן׀1 of 25
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

יִשָּׂא2 of 25

“bear”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אִ֨ישׁ3 of 25

“If one”

H376

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)

בְּשַׂר4 of 25

“flesh”

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

קֹ֜דֶשׁ5 of 25

“holy”

H6944

a sacred place or thing; rarely abstract, sanctity

בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ6 of 25

“and with his skirt”

H3671

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

בִּגְד֗וֹ7 of 25

“of his garment”

H899

a covering, i.e., clothing

וְנָגַ֣ע8 of 25

“do touch”

H5060

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

בִּ֠כְנָפוֹ9 of 25

“and with his skirt”

H3671

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

אֶל10 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַלֶּ֨חֶם11 of 25

“bread”

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

וְאֶל12 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַנָּזִ֜יד13 of 25

“or pottage”

H5138

something boiled, i.e., soup

וְאֶל14 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַיַּ֧יִן15 of 25

“or wine”

H3196

wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication

וְאֶל16 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

שֶׁ֛מֶן17 of 25

“or oil”

H8081

grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness

וְאֶל18 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

כָּל19 of 25
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מַאֲכָ֖ל20 of 25

“or any meat”

H3978

an eatable (including provender, flesh and fruit)

הֲיִקְדָּ֑שׁ21 of 25

“shall it be holy”

H6942

to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally)

וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ22 of 25

“answered”

H6030

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,

הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים23 of 25

“And the priests”

H3548

literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ24 of 25

“and said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לֹֽא׃25 of 25
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Haggai. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Haggai 2:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Haggai 2:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 6:27Matthew 23:19Exodus 29:37Leviticus 7:6Ezekiel 44:19Leviticus 6:29

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Haggai 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterHaggai Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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