CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Haggai 2:11 "This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Ask the priests for a ruling.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/haggai/2-11.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/8/37_Hag_02_11.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Haggai 2:11 - Blessings for a Defiled People" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="This is what the LORD of Hosts says: 'Ask the priests for a ruling." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/haggai/2-11.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/haggai/2-11.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/haggai/">Haggai</a> > <a href="/haggai/2.htm">Chapter 2</a> > Verse 11</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/haggai/2-10.htm" title="Haggai 2:10">◄</a> Haggai 2:11 <a href="/haggai/2-12.htm" title="Haggai 2:12">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/haggai/2.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/haggai/2.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />&#8220This is what the LORD Almighty says: &#8216Ask the priests what the law says:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/haggai/2.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Heaven’s Armies says. Ask the priests this question about the law:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/haggai/2.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests about the law:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/haggai/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/haggai/2.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests <i>concerning</i> the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/haggai/2.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests <i>concerning the</i> law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/haggai/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“The LORD of armies says this: ‘Now ask the priests <i>for</i> a ruling:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/haggai/2.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220Thus says the LORD of hosts, &#8216Ask now the priests for a ruling:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/haggai/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Ask now the priests <i>for</i> a ruling:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/haggai/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“Thus says Yahweh of hosts, ‘Ask now the priests <i>about the</i> law:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/haggai/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“Thus says the LORD of hosts, ‘Ask the priests for a ruling:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/haggai/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Armies says: Ask the priests for a ruling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/haggai/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />This is what the LORD of Hosts says: Ask the priests for a ruling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/haggai/2.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus saith Jehovah of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/haggai/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />to ask the priests for their opinion on the following matters: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/haggai/2.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/haggai/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />"This is what the LORD of Armies says: Ask the priests for a decision.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/haggai/2.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He said, "Ask the priests for a ruling on this question: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/haggai/2.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"This is what the LORD of the Heavenly Armies says: 'Ask the priests about what the Law says: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/haggai/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />“This is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Ask the priests for a ruling.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/haggai/2.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />"The LORD who rules over all says, 'Ask the priests about the law.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/haggai/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />"Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/haggai/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/haggai/2.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />“Yahweh of Armies says: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/haggai/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus said YHWH of Hosts: “Now ask the priests of the Law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/haggai/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> Thus said Jehovah of Hosts: 'Ask, I pray thee, the priests of the law, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/haggai/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Thus said Jehovah of armies, Ask now the priests the law, saying,<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/haggai/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thus saith the Lord of hosts: Ask the priests the law, saying: <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/haggai/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 2:12>Thus says the Lord of hosts: the priests question the law, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/haggai/2.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/haggai/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask the priests for a ruling:<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/haggai/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />Thus says the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/haggai/2.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: ask concerning the Law from the Priests<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/haggai/2.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Thus saith the LORD of hosts: Ask now the priests for instruction, saying:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/haggai/2.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thus saith the Lord Almighty; Inquire now of the priest <i>concerning</i> the law, saying,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/haggai/2-11.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E3FsGMCt5I0?start=289" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/haggai/2.htm">Blessings for a Defiled People</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10</span>On the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to Haggai the prophet, saying, <span class="reftext">11</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3541.htm" title="3541: kōh (Adv) -- Thus, here. From the prefix k and huw'; properly, like this, i.e. By implication, thus; also here; or now.">“This is what</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/6635.htm" title="6635: ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ (N-cp) -- Or tsbadah; from tsaba'; a mass of persons, especially reg. Organized for war; by implication, a campaign, literally or figuratively.">of Hosts</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: ’ā·mar (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">says:</a> <a href="/hebrew/7592.htm" title="7592: šə·’al- (V-Qal-Imp-ms) -- To ask, inquire. Or shael; a primitive root; to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand.">‘Ask</a> <a href="/hebrew/4994.htm" title="4994: nā (Interjection) -- I (we) pray, now. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3548.htm" title="3548: hak·kō·hă·nîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Priest. Active participle of kahan; literally, one officiating, a priest; also an acting priest.">the priests</a> <a href="/hebrew/8451.htm" title="8451: tō·w·rāh (N-fs) -- Direction, instruction, law. Or torah; from yarah; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.">for a ruling.</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: lê·mōr (Prep-l:: V-Qal-Inf) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say."></a> </span><span class="reftext">12</span>If a man carries consecrated meat in the fold of his garment, and it touches bread, stew, wine, oil, or any other food, does that item become holy?’ ” “No,” replied the priests.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/10-10.htm">Leviticus 10:10-11</a></span><br />You must distinguish between the holy and the common, between the clean and the unclean, / so that you may teach the Israelites all the statutes that the LORD has given them through Moses.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8-11</a></span><br />If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a></span><br />For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, because he is the messenger of the LORD of Hosts.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm">Ezekiel 44:23-24</a></span><br />They are to teach My people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to discern between the clean and the unclean. / In any dispute, they shall officiate as judges and judge according to My ordinances. They must keep My laws and statutes regarding all My appointed feasts, and they must keep My Sabbaths holy.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/11-47.htm">Leviticus 11:47</a></span><br />You must distinguish between the unclean and the clean, between animals that may be eaten and those that may not.’”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/13-1.htm">Leviticus 13:1-3</a></span><br />Then the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, / “When someone has a swelling or rash or bright spot on his skin that may be an infectious skin disease, he must be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons who is a priest. / The priest is to examine the infection on his skin, and if the hair in the infection has turned white and the sore appears to be deeper than the skin, it is a skin disease. After the priest examines him, he must pronounce him unclean.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/5-2.htm">Numbers 5:2-3</a></span><br />“Command the Israelites to send away from the camp anyone with a skin disease, anyone who has a bodily discharge, and anyone who is defiled by a dead body. / You must send away male and female alike; send them outside the camp so they will not defile their camp, where I dwell among them.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/22-4.htm">Leviticus 22:4-7</a></span><br />If a descendant of Aaron has a skin disease or a discharge, he may not eat the sacred offerings until he is clean. Whoever touches anything defiled by a corpse or by a man who has an emission of semen, / or whoever touches a crawling creature or a person that makes him unclean, whatever the uncleanness may be— / the man who touches any of these will remain unclean until evening. He must not eat from the sacred offerings unless he has bathed himself with water. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-2.htm">Matthew 23:2-3</a></span><br />“The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. / So practice and observe everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-19</a></span><br />Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. / For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. / So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/10-25.htm">Luke 10:25-28</a></span><br />One day an expert in the law stood up to test Him. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” / “What is written in the Law?” Jesus replied. “How do you read it?” / He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/7-12.htm">Romans 7:12</a></span><br />So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous, and good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/9-9.htm">1 Corinthians 9:9-10</a></span><br />For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? / Isn’t He actually speaking on our behalf? Indeed, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they should also expect to share in the harvest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/galatians/3-19.htm">Galatians 3:19</a></span><br />Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/hebrews/7-11.htm">Hebrews 7:11-12</a></span><br />Now if perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on this basis the people received the law), why was there still need for another priest to appear—one in the order of Melchizedek and not in the order of Aaron? / For when the priesthood is changed, the law must be changed as well.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Thus said the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying,</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/10-10.htm">Leviticus 10:10,11</a></b></br> And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/33-10.htm">Deuteronomy 33:10</a></b></br> They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/ezekiel/44-23.htm">Ezekiel 44:23,24</a></b></br> And they shall teach my people <i>the difference</i> between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/haggai/2-9.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/haggai/2-9.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/micah/4-3.htm">Decide</a> <a href="/haggai/2-9.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-7.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm">Law</a> <a href="/jonah/2-5.htm">Point</a> <a href="/zephaniah/3-4.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/daniel/2-18.htm">Question</a> <a href="/habakkuk/1-14.htm">Ruling</a> <a href="/haggai/1-13.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Almighty</a> <a href="/haggai/2-23.htm">Armies</a> <a href="/mark/15-24.htm">Decide</a> <a href="/haggai/2-23.htm">Hosts</a> <a href="/malachi/2-6.htm">Instruction</a> <a href="/malachi/2-6.htm">Law</a> <a href="/matthew/4-5.htm">Point</a> <a href="/haggai/2-12.htm">Priests</a> <a href="/matthew/9-12.htm">Question</a> <a href="/matthew/2-22.htm">Ruling</a> <a href="/zechariah/1-3.htm">Words</a><div class="vheading2">Haggai 2</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/haggai/2-1.htm">He encourages the people to the work, </a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/haggai/2-4.htm">by promise of greater glory to the second temple than was in the first.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/haggai/2-10.htm">In the type of holy things and unclean he shows their sins hindered the work.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">20. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/haggai/2-20.htm">God's promise to Zerubbabel.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/haggai/2.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>This is what the LORD of Hosts says</b><br />The phrase "LORD of Hosts" is a powerful title for God, emphasizing His supreme command over the heavenly armies and all creation. The Hebrew term "Yahweh Sabaoth" underscores God's sovereignty and His role as a divine warrior. Historically, this title reassured the Israelites of God's omnipotence and His ability to protect and lead them. In the context of Haggai, it serves as a reminder of God's authority and His active involvement in the affairs of His people, especially as they rebuild the temple.<p><b>Ask the priests</b><br />The instruction to "ask the priests" highlights the role of the priesthood in ancient Israel as mediators of God's law and will. Priests were responsible for teaching the people and making judgments on matters of ritual purity and religious law. This reflects the theocratic nature of Israelite society, where religious and civil matters were intertwined. The Hebrew root "sha'al" (to ask or inquire) suggests a seeking of wisdom and guidance, emphasizing the importance of divine instruction in decision-making processes.<p><b>for a ruling</b><br />The term "ruling" refers to a legal or religious decision, often concerning matters of purity or holiness. In Hebrew, the word "torah" can mean law or instruction, indicating that the priests were to provide authoritative guidance based on God's law. This reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where adherence to divine law was central to maintaining holiness and favor with God. The historical context of Haggai, during the post-exilic period, underscores the need for clarity and adherence to God's commands as the people sought to restore their community and worship practices.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/haggai/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 11.</span> - Concerning <span class="cmt_word">the Law.</span> Others translate, "for instruction." Ask the priests these two legal questions, such as they were appointed to expound (<a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8</a>, etc.; Deuteronomy 33:10; <a href="/malachi/2-7.htm">Malachi 2:7</a>). By this appeal the prophet makes his lesson sink deeper into the people's mind. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/haggai/2-11.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">“This is what</span><br /><span class="heb">כֹּ֥ה</span> <span class="translit">(kōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3541.htm">Strong's 3541: </a> </span><span class="str2">Like this, thus, here, now</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֣ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of Hosts</span><br /><span class="heb">צְבָא֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6635.htm">Strong's 6635: </a> </span><span class="str2">A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign</span><br /><br /><span class="word">says:</span><br /><span class="heb">אָמַ֖ר</span> <span class="translit">(’ā·mar)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">‘Ask</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁאַל־</span> <span class="translit">(šə·’al-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7592.htm">Strong's 7592: </a> </span><span class="str2">To inquire, to request, to demand</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the priests</span><br /><span class="heb">הַכֹּהֲנִ֛ים</span> <span class="translit">(hak·kō·hă·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3548.htm">Strong's 3548: </a> </span><span class="str2">Priest</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for a ruling.</span><br /><span class="heb">תּוֹרָ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(tō·w·rāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8451.htm">Strong's 8451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Direction, instruction, law</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/haggai/2-11.htm">Haggai 2:11 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/haggai/2-11.htm">OT Prophets: Haggai 2:11 Thus says Yahweh of Armies: Ask now (Hagg. Hag. Hg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/haggai/2-10.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Haggai 2:10"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Haggai 2:10" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/haggai/2-12.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Haggai 2:12"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Haggai 2:12" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>