Malachi 1
1A prophecy:a The wordb of the LORD to Israel through Malachi.
Israel Doubts God’s Love
2“I have lovedc you,” says the LORD.
“But you ask,d ‘How have you loved us?’
“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” declares the LORD. “Yet I have loved Jacob,e 3but Esau I have hated,f and I have turned his hill country into a wastelandg and left his inheritance to the desert jackals.h”
4Edomi may say, “Though we have been crushed, we will rebuildj the ruins.”
But this is what the LORD Almighty says: “They may build, but I will demolish.k They will be called the Wicked Land, a people always under the wrath of the LORD.l 5You will see it with your own eyes and say, ‘Greatm is the LORD—even beyond the borders of Israel!’n
Breaking Covenant Through Blemished Sacrifices
6“A son honors his father,o and a slave his master.p If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respectq due me?” says the LORD Almighty.r
“It is you priests who show contempt for my name.
“But you ask,s ‘How have we shown contempt for your name?’
7“By offering defiled foodt on my altar.
“But you ask,u ‘How have we defiled you?’
“By saying that the LORD’s tablev is contemptible. 8When you offer blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice lame or diseased animals,w is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleasedx with you? Would he accept you?” says the LORD Almighty.y
9“Now plead with God to be gracious to us. With such offeringsz from your hands, will he accepta you?”—says the LORD Almighty.
10“Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors,b so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleasedc with you,” says the LORD Almighty, “and I will acceptd no offeringe from your hands. 11My name will be greatf among the nations,g from where the sun rises to where it sets.h In every place incensei and pure offeringsj will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.
12“But you profane it by saying, ‘The Lord’s tablek is defiled,’ and, ‘Its foodl is contemptible.’ 13And you say, ‘What a burden!’m and you sniff at it contemptuously,n” says the LORD Almighty.
“When you bring injured, lame or diseased animals and offer them as sacrifices,o should I accept them from your hands?”p says the LORD. 14“Cursed is the cheat who has an acceptable male in his flock and vows to give it, but then sacrifices a blemished animalq to the Lord. For I am a great king,r” says the LORD Almighty,s “and my name is to be fearedt among the nations.u
Malachi 2
Additional Warning to the Priests
1“And now, you priests, this warning is for you.a 2If you do not listen,b and if you do not resolve to honorc my name,” says the LORD Almighty, “I will send a cursed on you, and I will curse your blessings.e Yes, I have already cursed them, because you have not resolved to honor me.
3“Because of you I will rebuke your descendants; I will smear on your faces the dungf from your festival sacrifices, and you will be carried off with it.g 4And you will know that I have sent you this warning so that my covenant with Levih may continue,” says the LORD Almighty. 5“My covenant was with him, a covenanti of life and peace,j and I gave them to him; this called for reverencek and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. 6True instructionl was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walkedm with me in peacen and uprightness,o and turned many from sin.p
7“For the lips of a priestq ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messengerr of the LORD Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth.s 8But you have turned from the wayt and by your teaching have caused many to stumble;u you have violated the covenantv with Levi,”w says the LORD Almighty. 9“So I have caused you to be despisedx and humiliatedy before all the people, because you have not followed my ways but have shown partialityz in matters of the law.”a
Breaking Covenant Through Divorce
10Do we not all have one Father?b Did not one God create us?c Why do we profane the covenantd of our ancestors by being unfaithfule to one another? Article: Divorce in Malachi
11Judah has been unfaithful. A detestablef thing has been committed in Israel and in Jerusalem: Judah has desecrated the sanctuary the LORD lovesg by marryingh women who worship a foreign god.i 12As for the man who does this, whoever he may be, may the LORD removej him from the tents of Jacob,k—even though he brings an offeringl to the LORD Almighty.
13Another thing you do: You flood the LORD’s altar with tears.m You weep and wailn because he no longer looks with favoro on your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.p 14You ask,q “Why?” It is because the LORD is the witnessr between you and the wife of your youth.s You have been unfaithful to her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.t
15Has not the one God made you?u You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring.,v So be on your guard,w and do not be unfaithfulx to the wife of your youth.
16“The man who hates and divorces his wife,y” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,”,z says the LORD Almighty.
So be on your guard,a and do not be unfaithful. Article: Does God Hate Divorce?
Breaking Covenant Through Injustice
17You have weariedb the LORD with your words.
“How have we wearied him?” you ask.c
By saying, “All who do evil are good in the eyes of the LORD, and he is pleasedd with them” or “Where is the God of justice?e”
Malachi 3
1“I will send my messenger,a who will prepare the way before me.b Then suddenly the Lordc you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant,d whom you desire,e will come,” says the LORD Almighty.
2But who can enduref the day of his coming?g Who can standh when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s firei or a launderer’s soap.j 3He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver;k he will purifyl the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.m Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness,n 4and the offeringso of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.p
5“So I will come to put you on trial. I will be quick to testify against sorcerers,q adulterersr and perjurers,s against those who defraud laborers of their wages,t who oppress the widowsu and the fatherless, and deprive the foreignersv among you of justice, but do not fearw me,” says the LORD Almighty.
Breaking Covenant by Withholding Tithes
6“I the LORD do not change.x So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed.y 7Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned awayz from my decrees and have not kept them. Returna to me, and I will return to you,”b says the LORD Almighty.
“But you ask,c ‘How are we to return?’
8“Will a mere mortal robd God? Yet you rob me.
“But you ask, ‘How are we robbing you?’
“In tithese and offerings. 9You are under a cursef—your whole nation—because you are robbing me. 10Bring the whole titheg into the storehouse,h that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the LORD Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgatesi of heaven and pour outj so much blessingk that there will not be room enough to store it.l 11I will prevent pests from devouringm your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe,n” says the LORD Almighty. 12“Then all the nations will call you blessed,o for yours will be a delightful land,”p says the LORD Almighty.q
Israel Speaks Arrogantly Against God
13“You have spoken arrogantlyr against me,” says the LORD.
“Yet you ask,s ‘What have we said against you?’
14“You have said, ‘It is futilet to serveu God. What do we gain by carrying out his requirementsv and going about like mournersw before the LORD Almighty? 15But now we call the arrogantx blessed. Certainly evildoersy prosper,z and even when they put God to the test, they get away with it.’ ”
The Faithful Remnant
16Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other, and the LORD listened and heard.a A scrollb of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who fearedc the LORD and honored his name.
17“On the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty, “they will be myd treasured possession.e I will sparef them, just as a father has compassion and spares his song who serves him. 18And you will again see the distinction between the righteoush and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.i
Malachi 4
Judgment and Covenant Renewal
1“Surely the day is coming;a it will burn like a furnace.b All the arrogantc and every evildoer will be stubble,d and the day that is coming will set them on fire,e” says the LORD Almighty. “Not a root or a branchf will be left to them. 2But for you who revere my name,g the sun of righteousnessh will rise with healingi in its rays. And you will go out and frolicj like well-fed calves. 3Then you will tramplek on the wicked; they will be ashesl under the soles of your feet on the day when I act,” says the LORD Almighty.
4“Remember the lawm of my servant Moses, the decrees and laws I gave him at Horebn for all Israel.o
5“See, I will send the prophet Elijahp to you before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.q 6He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children,r and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strikes the land with total destruction.”t
1 1:1 Malachi means my messenger.
1 2:3 Or will blight your grain
3 2:12 Or 12May the LORD remove from the tents of Jacob anyone who gives testimony in behalf of the man who does this
4 2:15 The meaning of the Hebrew for the first part of this verse is uncertain.
5 2:16 Or “I hate divorce,” says the LORD, the God of Israel, “because the man who divorces his wife covers his garment with violence,”
1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-6 is numbered 3:19-24.
1:1 A prophecy: The word of the LORD. For this phrase, see Zec 9:1 and note; 12:1; see also Hab 1:1 and note. word of the LORD. See Hos 1:1 and note.
1:2 loved you. The Lord’s reassuring word to his disheartened people. Election is based on God’s love (cf. Dt 4:37 and note; 7:6–9).
1:3 Esau I have hated. If God’s people doubt his covenant love, they should consider the contrast between God’s ways with them and his ways with Jacob’s (Israel’s) brother, Esau (Edom). Paul explains God’s love for Jacob and hatred for Esau on the basis of election (see Ro 9:10–13 and note on 9:13). God chose Jacob, not Esau. For the intended sense of “loved” and “hated” here, see Ge 29:31–33; Lk 14:26 and note. wasteland. Malachi’s words about Edom echo those of the earlier prophets (Am 1:11–12; Isa 34:5–15; Jer 49:7–22; Eze 25:12–14; 35:1–15; Obadiah). Between c. 550 and 400 bc the Nabatean Arabs gradually forced the Edomites from their homeland.
1:4 Edom may say. Edom’s proud self-reliance has not assured their security and will not secure their future (cf. Jer 49:16).
1:5 Great . . . Israel. When they see the ultimate fate of Edom, doubting Israel will acknowledge that the Lord is the great Ruler over all the nations (see Ps 47:2; 96:10; 97:1,9; see also 99:1–3 and notes).
1:6—2:9 The Lord rebukes the priests for unacceptable worship.
1:7 food. The animal offerings (v. 12; Lev 21:8,21). defiled you. By offering defiled sacrifices they treat the Lord himself as if he were not holy. the LORD’s table. The altar (see v. 12; see also v. 8; Eze 44:16 and notes). Since the priests ate from the sacrifices, the altar was also the table from which they got their food. contemptible. As the priests considered the Lord’s altar and its sacrifices (v. 12) contemptible, so the Lord would cause the priests to be considered contemptible by the people (see 2:9 and note).
1:8 blind . . . lame. Animals with defects or serious flaws were unacceptable as sacrifices (see Lev 1:3 and note; Dt 15:21). God requires the best. governor. Probably the Persian governor.
1:10 shut the temple doors. Better no sacrifices at all than sacrifices offered with contempt (see Isa 1:11–15 and note).
1:11 great among the nations. Cf. v. 14. God’s judgment on Edom (v. 5) and other nations demonstrates his superiority over their gods, and it ultimately will evoke their recognition of him (see Zep 2:11; 3:9 and note). incense and pure offerings. Cf. the acceptable offerings presented by foreigners in Isa 56:6–7; 60:7. Here some interpreters understand “incense” to mean “prayer” (cf. Rev 5:8) and “offerings” to mean “praise” (cf. Heb 13:15 and note).
1:12 defiled . . . contemptible. See v. 7 and note.
1:13 sniff at it contemptuously. Cf. the behavior of Eli’s sons in 1Sa 2:15–17. injured . . . diseased. See v. 8 and note.
1:14 vows . . . a blemished animal. An animal sacrificed in fulfillment of a vow had to be a male without defect or blemish (Lev 22:18–23). great king. See Zec 14:9 and note. my name . . . feared. More than the governor of v. 8 (see v. 11 and note).
2:2 curse your blessings. It was the function of the priests to pronounce God’s blessing on the people (Nu 6:23–27), but their blessings will become curses so that their uniquely priestly function will be worse than useless.
2:3 Because of you. Because of what you have done. smear on your faces. To disgrace you (Na 3:6).
2:4 Levi. The priests were chosen from the tribe of Levi (see Dt 21:5 and note).
2:5 covenant of life and peace. An allusion to the covenant with Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson, in Nu 25:10–13 (see note on Nu 25:11). Phinehas defended God’s honor by killing two offenders involved in the idolatry and immorality connected with the Baal of Peor (Nu 25:1–7). he revered me. Phinehas showed this by his zeal for God (Nu 25:13).
2:7 messenger. As teacher of the law and as one through whom people could inquire of God (see notes on 3:1; Hag 1:13).
2:8 violated the covenant. By unfaithful teaching, but also, it seems, by intermarriage with pagan foreigners (see Ezr 9:1 and note; 10:18–22; Ne 13:27–29). with Levi. See v. 4 and note on v. 5.
2:9 despised. In Hebrew the same word that is translated “contemptible” in 1:7,12 (see note on 1:7). shown partiality. Forbidden in Lev 19:15. The priests were to be like God in this respect—he “shows no partiality and accepts no bribes” (see Dt 10:17).
2:10–16 Malachi rebukes the people—in a passage framed by references to being “unfaithful.” Two examples of their unfaithfulness are specifically mentioned: marrying pagan women (v. 11) and divorcing “the wife of your youth” (v. 14; see also v. 16); i.e., from within the covenant people.
2:11 women who worship a foreign god. Pagan women. Such marriages were strictly forbidden in the covenant law, not for ethnic or cultural reasons but because they would lead to apostasy (see Ex 34:15–16; Dt 7:2–5 and notes; Jos 23:12–13 and note on 23:12). Ezra and Nehemiah both wrestled with this problem (see note on v. 8). Cf. King Solomon in 1Ki 11:1–9.
2:12 The alternative given in the NIV text note (particularly “gives testimony”) is supported, e.g., by the use of the same Hebrew verb in Ge 30:33; Dt 5:20; 1Sa 12:3; 2Sa 1:16; Isa 3:9; Jer 14:7. On this reading, the one to be cut off is the one who speaks in defense of the wrongdoer. tents of Jacob. A figurative expression for the community (Jer 30:18).
2:13 weep and wail. Because the Lord does not respond to their sacrifices with blessing, they add wailing to their prayers.
2:15 one God. See Ex 20:3; Dt 4:35; 6:4 and notes. Godly offspring. People who reflect the attributes of their divine Father, such as faithfulness and loving care for covenant partners. But see NIV text note.
2:16 The man who hates and divorces. See article; see also article. do not be unfaithful. See note on vv. 10–16; see also v. 10 and note.
2:17—4:6 The second half of Malachi’s prophecy speaks of God’s coming to his people. They had given up on God (2:17) and had grown religiously cynical and morally corrupt. So God’s coming will mean judgment and purification, as well as redemption.
3:1 my messenger. The Hebrew for these words is mal’aki (see NIV text note on 1:1); it is normally used of a priest or prophet (see Hag 1:13 and note). These words are fulfilled in John the Baptist (Mt 11:7–10; Mk 1:2–4; Lk 1:76). who will prepare the way. When the Lord comes, it will be to purify (v. 3) and judge (v. 5), but he will mercifully send one before him to prepare his people (see 4:5–6; Isa 40:3 and notes). the Lord you are seeking . . . whom you desire, will come. See Hag 2:7 and note. messenger of the covenant. The Messiah, who as the Lord’s representative will confirm and establish the covenant (see note on Isa 42:6).
3:2 day of his coming. The day of the Lord (see 4:1; see also Isa 2:11, 17,20; Joel 1:15 and notes). Malachi announces the Lord’s coming to complete God’s work in history, especially the work he outlines in the rest of his book. His word is fulfilled in the accomplishments of the Messiah. Who can stand . . . ? Those who desire the Lord’s coming must know that clean hands and a pure heart are required (see Ps 24:3–4 and note on 24:4; Isa 33:14–15). refiner’s fire. See Isa 1:25; Zec 13:8–9 and notes. launderer’s soap. See Isa 7:3 and note. White clothes signified purity (cf. Mk 9:3; Rev 3:5).
3:3 sit as a refiner and purifier. See Ps 12:6 and note. purify the Levites. Those who are supposed to be “messengers” of the Lord and who serve at the altar will be purged of their sins and unfaithfulness—such as those the Lord has rebuked in 1:6—2:9. See photo.
3:4 be acceptable. See 1:8 and note. days gone by. Probably the time of Moses and Phinehas (see note on 2:5).
3:5 When he comes, the Lord will both purify the Levites (vv. 3–4) and judge the people. sorcerers. Common in the ancient Near East (see Ex 7:11; Dt 18:10 and note on 18:9).
3:6 do not change. See Jas 1:17; see also article. Contrary to what many in Malachi’s day were thinking, God remains faithful to his covenant. not destroyed. In contrast to Edom (1:3–5) and in spite of Israel’s history of unfaithfulness.
3:7 Return . . . and I will return. If the Lord is to come for Israel’s redemption, they must repent (see Zec 1:3 and note).
3:11 pests . . . devouring . . . vines . . . not drop their fruit. Examples of the threatened covenant curses (see Dt 28:39–40; see also photo).
3:14 It is futile to serve God. Because the redemption they longed for had not yet been realized. like mourners. In sackcloth and ashes.
3:15 arrogant. Evildoers—those who challenge God (see note on Ps 10:11). blessed. In their unbelief, the Jews call blessed those whom the godly know to be cursed (see Ps 119:21 and note)—but it is they who will be called blessed if they repent (v. 12). evildoers prosper . . . get away with it. The psalmist struggled with the prosperity of the wicked in Ps 73:3,9–12 (see also Hab 1:2–4 and notes).
3:16 those who feared the LORD. Those who had not given way to doubts and cynicism. talked with each other. In the face of the widespread complaining against God (vv. 14–15), they sought mutual encouragement in fellowship. scroll of remembrance. Analogous to the records of notable deeds kept by earthly rulers (Est 6:1–3; Isa 4:3; Da 7:10; 12:1). honored his name. Contrast the priests (1:12) and many among the people (vv. 14–15; 2:17).
3:17 my treasured possession. See note on Ex 19:5. spare them. In the day of judgment (4:1–2). who serves him. Cf. 1:6.
3:18 you will again see. As they apparently do not now see—hence their cynicism. the righteous and the wicked. See 2:17 and note.
4:1 the day. The day of the Lord (see v. 5; 3:2 and note). burn like a furnace. See 3:2–3; Isa 1:31; 66:15–16 and notes. arrogant. See 3:15 and note. stubble . . . fire. See Isa 47:14 and note; see also John the Baptist’s prophecy about the work of Christ in Mt 3:12. Not a root or a branch. Nothing of them will be left (Eze 17:8–9).
4:2 you who revere my name. You who reverently trust in the Lord and are committed to his will as revealed in his word (see notes on Ge 20:11; Ps 34:8–14; Pr 1:7). sun of righteousness. God and his glory are compared with the sun in Isa 60:19 (see note there). Christ is the “rising sun” from heaven (see Lk 1:78–79 and note on 1:78; see also Isa 9:2 and note). righteousness . . . healing. Salvation and renewal are intended (see Isa 45:8; 46:13; 53:5; Jer 30:17 and notes). its rays. Cf. Ps 139:9. like well-fed calves. Frisky young calves often frolic about when released from confinement.
4:3 trample . . . the wicked. As one treads the winepress (see Isa 63:2–3 and notes).
4:4 Remember the law. A final exhortation to those who impatiently wait for the Lord’s coming. my servant Moses. See Ex 14:31; Dt 34:5 and notes. Horeb. Mount Sinai (see Ex 3:1 and note).
4:5 See 3:1 and note. Elijah. As Elijah came before Elisha (whose ministry was one of judgment and redemption), so “Elijah” will be sent to prepare God’s people for the Lord’s coming. John the Baptist ministered “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (see Lk 1:17 and note; see also Mt 11:13–14; 17:12–13; Mk 9:11–13 and note on 9:13). And some feel that Elijah may also be one of the two witnesses in Rev 11:3 (see note there). great and dreadful day. See v. 1; see also 3:2; Joel 2:11 and note.
4:6 turn the hearts. Cf. Ge 18:19; applied to John the Baptist in Lk 1:17. total destruction. If Israel does not repent, they will be dealt with as God had dealt with Edom (1:3–4; Isa 34:5).