King James Version

What Does Haggai 2:13 Mean?

Haggai 2:13 in the King James Version says “Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answere...” — study this verse from Haggai chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Haggai 2:13 · KJV

Context

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.

15

And now, I pray you, consider from this day and upward, from before a stone was laid upon a stone in the temple of the LORD:

Read Haggai 2 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the ease with which defilement spreads compared to holiness reveal the reality of sin's power and pervasiveness?
  2. In what areas of life do you minimize sin's contagious effect or overestimate your ability to remain unaffected by compromise?
  3. What does it mean to pursue holiness actively and intentionally rather than assuming righteousness transfers automatically?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ1 of 13

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

חַגַּ֔י2 of 13

“Haggai”

H2292

chaggai, a hebrew prophet

אִם3 of 13
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

יִגַּ֧ע4 of 13

“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

טְמֵא5 of 13

“If one that is unclean”

H2931

foul in a religious sense

נֶ֛פֶשׁ6 of 13

“by a dead body”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

בְּכָל7 of 13
H3605

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

אֵ֖לֶּה8 of 13
H428

these or those

יִטְמָֽא׃9 of 13

“It shall be unclean”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

וַיַּעֲנ֧וּ10 of 13

“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,

הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים11 of 13

“And the priests”

H3548

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

וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ12 of 13

“Then said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יִטְמָֽא׃13 of 13

“It shall be unclean”

H2930

to be foul, especially in a ceremial or moral sense (contaminated)

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 2:13 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 2:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 22:4-6Numbers 9:6-10Numbers 19:11-22Numbers 5:2-3

Test Your Knowledge

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

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