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Malachi 1

BSB·14 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1This is the burden of the wordדְבַר־ḏə·ḇar- — word, matter, thing, affairH1697 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → toאֶל־’el- — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → Israelיִשְׂרָאֵ֑לyiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study → throughבְּיַ֖דbə·yaḏ — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → Malachiמַלְאָכִֽי׃mal·’ā·ḵî — My MessengerH4401 — Full Word Study →: 2I have loved youאָהַ֤בְתִּי’ā·haḇ·tî — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →,” saysאָמַ֣ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. But you askוַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖םwa·’ă·mar·tem — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “Howבַּמָּ֣הbam·māh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have You loved usאֲהַבְתָּ֑נוּ’ă·haḇ·tā·nū — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →?” “Was notהֲלוֹא־hă·lō·w- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → Esauעֵשָׂ֤ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study → Jacob’sלְיַֽעֲקֹב֙lə·ya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → brotherאָ֨ח’āḥ — Male sibling; brother; kinsmanH251 — Full Word Study →?” declaresנְאֻם־nə·’um- — A solemn declaration; utterance of GodH5002 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. “Yet Jacobיַעֲקֹֽב׃ya·‘ă·qōḇ — He grasps the heelH3290 — Full Word Study → I have lovedוָאֹהַ֖בwā·’ō·haḇ — To love; affection, attachment, or preferenceH157 — Full Word Study →, 3butוְאֶת־wə·’eṯ- — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → Esauעֵשָׂ֖ו‘ê·śāw — He grasps the heelH6215 — Full Word Study → I have hatedשָׂנֵ֑אתִיśā·nê·ṯî — to hate, despise, regard with hostilityH8130 — Full Word Study →, and I have madeוָאָשִׂ֤יםwā·’ā·śîm — to put, place, set, appointH7760 — Full Word Study → his mountainsהָרָיו֙hā·rāw — Mountain, hill, or elevated land massH2022 — Full Word Study → a wastelandשְׁמָמָ֔הšə·mā·māh — desolation, devastation, ruin, astonishmentH8077 — Full Word Study → and left his inheritanceנַחֲלָת֖וֹna·ḥă·lā·ṯōw — Inheritance; received possession or propertyH5159 — Full Word Study → to the desertמִדְבָּֽר׃miḏ·bār — Desert; wilderness; pasture; speechH4057 — Full Word Study → jackalsלְתַנּ֥וֹתlə·ṯan·nō·wṯ — jackal or wild dogH8568 — Full Word Study →.” 4Thoughכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Edomאֱד֜וֹם’ĕ·ḏō·wm — Red, EdomH123 — Full Word Study → may sayתֹאמַ֨רṯō·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “We have been devastatedרֻשַּׁ֗שְׁנוּruš·šaš·nū — to impoverish, beat down, reduce to povertyH7567 — Full Word Study →, but we will rebuildוְנָשׁוּב֙wə·nā·šūḇ — to turn back, return, restoreH7725 — Full Word Study → the ruinsחֳרָב֔וֹתḥo·rā·ḇō·wṯ — Desolation, ruin, or waste placeH2723 — Full Word Study →,” this is whatכֹּ֤הkōh — thus, so, in this mannerH3541 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → saysאָמַר֙’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: “Theyהֵ֥מָּהhêm·māh — They, them (masculine plural pronoun)H1992 — Full Word Study → may buildיִבְנ֖וּyiḇ·nū — to build, construct, establishH1129 — Full Word Study →, but Iוַאֲנִ֣יwa·’ă·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → will demolishאֶהֱר֑וֹס’e·hĕ·rō·ws — To destroy, tear down, or overthrow completelyH2040 — Full Word Study →. They will be calledוְקָרְא֤וּwə·qā·rə·’ū — To call, summon, or proclaimH7121 — Full Word Study → the Landגְּב֣וּלgə·ḇūl — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study → of Wickednessרִשְׁעָ֔הriš·‘āh — Wickedness, depravity, evil conductH7564 — Full Word Study →, and a peopleוְהָעָ֛םwə·hā·‘ām — a people; nation; communityH5971 — Full Word Study → with whomאֲשֶׁר־’ă·šer- — who, which, that; when, where, becauseH834 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is indignantזָעַ֥םzā·‘am — To be indignant; to rage or abhorH2194 — Full Word Study → foreverעַד־‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study →. 5You will see thisתִּרְאֶ֑ינָהtir·’e·nāh — to see, perceive, behold, experienceH7200 — Full Word Study → with your own eyesוְעֵינֵיכֶ֖םwə·‘ê·nê·ḵem — Eye; sight; appearance; fountainH5869 — Full Word Study →, and you yourselvesוְאַתֶּ֤םwə·’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → will sayתֹּֽאמְרוּ֙tō·mə·rū — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘The LORDיְהוָ֔הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is greatיִגְדַּ֣לyiḡ·dal — to grow, become great, magnifyH1431 — Full Word Study →even beyondמֵעַ֖לmê·‘al — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → the bordersלִגְב֥וּלliḡ·ḇūl — boundary, border, or limit of a regionH1366 — Full Word Study → of Israelיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃yiś·rā·’êl — God prevailsH3478 — Full Word Study →.’” 6A sonבֵּ֛ןbên — Son; descendant; member of a groupH1121 — Full Word Study → honorsיְכַבֵּ֥דyə·ḵab·bêḏ — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study → his fatherאָ֖ב’āḇ — H1 — Full Word Study →, and a servantוְעֶ֣בֶדwə·‘e·ḇeḏ — Servant; slave; one in bondage or serviceH5650 — Full Word Study → his masterאֲדֹנָ֑יו’ă·ḏō·nāw — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →. But ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → Iאָ֣נִי’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am a fatherאָ֣ב’āḇ — H1 — Full Word Study →, whereאַיֵּ֣ה’ay·yêh — where; in what placeH346 — Full Word Study → is My honorכְבוֹדִ֡יḵə·ḇō·w·ḏî — weightiness, honor, splendor, gloryH3519 — Full Word Study →? And ifוְאִם־wə·’im- — If, whether; conditional conjunction with wide applicabilityH518 — Full Word Study → Iאָנִי֩’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am a masterאֲדוֹנִ֣ים’ă·ḏō·w·nîm — Lord, master, owner, rulerH113 — Full Word Study →, whereאַיֵּ֨ה’ay·yêh — where; in what placeH346 — Full Word Study → is your fear of Meמוֹרָאִ֜יmō·w·rā·’î — Fear, dread, or terror; that which is fearedH4172 — Full Word Study →?” saysאָמַ֣ר׀’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֗וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study → to you priestsהַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙hak·kō·hă·nîm — priest; one who serves in God's sanctuaryH3548 — Full Word Study → who despiseבּוֹזֵ֣יbō·w·zê — to despise, treat with contemptH959 — Full Word Study → My nameשְׁמִ֔יšə·mî — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →. “But you askוַאֲמַרְתֶּ֕םwa·’ă·mar·tem — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Howבַּמֶּ֥הbam·meh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have we despisedבָזִ֖ינוּḇā·zî·nū — to despise, treat with contemptH959 — Full Word Study → Your nameשְׁמֶֽךָ׃šə·me·ḵā — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →?’ 7By presentingמַגִּישִׁ֤יםmag·gî·šîm — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → defiledמְגֹאָ֔לmə·ḡō·’āl — to defile, pollute, or profaneH1351 — Full Word Study → foodלֶ֣חֶםle·ḥem — Bread; food; sustenanceH3899 — Full Word Study → onעַֽל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → My altarמִזְבְּחִי֙miz·bə·ḥî — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →. But you askוַאֲמַרְתֶּ֖םwa·’ă·mar·tem — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘Howבַּמֶּ֣הbam·meh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study → have we defiled Youגֵֽאַלְנ֑וּךָḡê·’al·nū·ḵā — to defile, pollute, or profaneH1351 — Full Word Study →?’ By saying thatבֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֕םbe·’ĕ·mā·rə·ḵem — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the tableשֻׁלְחַ֥ןšul·ḥan — table, especially for eating or displaying itemsH7979 — Full Word Study → of the LORDיְהוָ֖הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → is contemptibleנִבְזֶ֥הniḇ·zeh — to despise, treat with contemptH959 — Full Word Study →. 8Whenוְכִֽי־wə·ḵî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you offerתַגִּשׁ֨וּןṯag·gi·šūn — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → blind animalsעִוֵּ֤ר‘iw·wêr — blind; unable to see physically or spirituallyH5787 — Full Word Study → for sacrificeלִזְבֹּ֙חַ֙liz·bō·aḥ — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study →, is it notאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → wrongרָ֔עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →? And whenוְכִ֥יwə·ḵî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → you presentתַגִּ֛ישׁוּṯag·gî·šū — to draw near, approach, come closeH5066 — Full Word Study → the lameפִּסֵּ֥חַpis·sê·aḥ — lame, limping, unable to walk properlyH6455 — Full Word Study → and sick ones, is it notאֵ֣ין’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → wrongרָ֑עrā‘ — evil, bad, harm, disasterH7451 — Full Word Study →? Try offering themהַקְרִיבֵ֨הוּhaq·rî·ḇê·hū — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → to your governorלְפֶחָתֶ֗ךָlə·p̄e·ḥā·ṯe·ḵā — Provincial governor or administrative officialH6346 — Full Word Study →! Would he be pleasedהֲיִּרְצְךָ֙h·yir·ṣə·ḵå̄ — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study → with you orא֚וֹ’ōw — or, whether; also expressing desire or preferenceH176 — Full Word Study → show you favorהֲיִשָּׂ֣אhă·yiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →?” asksאָמַ֖ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָאֽוֹת׃ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 9“But ask now for God’sאֵ֖ל’êl — God, Mighty OneH410 — Full Word Study → favorחַלּוּ־ḥal·lū- — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study →. Will He be graciousוִֽיחָנֵ֑נוּwī·ḥå̄·nē·nū — To show favor, mercy, or compassion; to be graciousH2603 — Full Word Study →? Since thisזֹּ֔אתzōṯ — This, that; demonstrative pronounH2063 — Full Word Study → has comeהָ֣יְתָהhā·yə·ṯāh — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → from your handsמִיֶּדְכֶם֙mî·yeḏ·ḵem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →, will He show you favorהֲיִשָּׂ֤אhă·yiś·śā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →?” asksאָמַ֖ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָאֽוֹת׃ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 10Ohמִ֤יmî — who? what person?H4310 — Full Word Study →, that oneגַם־ḡam- — also, even, moreover, both...andH1571 — Full Word Study → of you would shutוְיִסְגֹּ֣רwə·yis·gōr — to shut, close, or encloseH5462 — Full Word Study → the temple doorsדְּלָתַ֔יִםdə·lā·ṯa·yim — Door; gate; valve or leaf of a doorH1817 — Full Word Study →, so that you would noוְלֹֽא־wə·lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → longer kindleתָאִ֥ירוּṯā·’î·rū — to shine, give light, become brightH215 — Full Word Study → uselessחִנָּ֑םḥin·nām — without cause; freely; in vainH2600 — Full Word Study → fires on My altarמִזְבְּחִ֖יmiz·bə·ḥî — altar; place of sacrifice and worshipH4196 — Full Word Study →! I take noאֵֽין־’ên- — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → pleasureחֵ֜פֶץḥê·p̄eṣ — Pleasure, desire, delight, or purposeH2656 — Full Word Study → in you,” saysאָמַר֙’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, “and I will acceptאֶרְצֶ֥ה’er·ṣeh — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study → noלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → offeringוּמִנְחָ֖הū·min·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → from your handsמִיֶּדְכֶֽם׃mî·yeḏ·ḵem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →. 11Forכִּ֣יkî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → My nameשְׁמִי֙šə·mî — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → will be greatגָּד֤וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → among the nationsבַּגּוֹיִ֔םbag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →, from where the sun risesמִמִּזְרַח־mim·miz·raḥ- — east; direction of the sunrise; eastern regionH4217 — Full Word Study → toוְעַד־wə·‘aḏ- — until, till, up to (temporal or spatial limit)H5704 — Full Word Study → where it setsמְבוֹא֗וֹmə·ḇō·w·’ōw — entrance, entry point, way of accessH3996 — Full Word Study →. In everyוּבְכָל־ū·ḇə·ḵāl — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → placeמָק֗וֹםmā·qō·wm — A place, location, or spaceH4725 — Full Word Study →, incenseמֻקְטָ֥רmuq·ṭār — to burn incense; to offer fragrant smoke in worshipH6999 — Full Word Study → and pureטְהוֹרָ֑הṭə·hō·w·rāh — Ritually or morally pure; cleanH2889 — Full Word Study → offeringsוּמִנְחָ֣הū·min·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → will be presented in My nameלִשְׁמִ֖יliš·mî — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study →, becauseכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → My nameשְׁמִי֙šə·mî — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → will be greatגָד֤וֹלḡā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → among the nationsבַּגּוֹיִ֔םbag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →,” saysאָמַ֖ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֥הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָאֽוֹת׃ṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. 12But youוְאַתֶּ֖םwə·’at·tem — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → profaneמְחַלְּלִ֣יםmə·ḥal·lə·lîm — to profane, defile, or beginH2490 — Full Word Study → itאוֹת֑וֹ’ō·w·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → when you sayבֶּאֱמָרְכֶ֗םbe·’ĕ·mā·rə·ḵem — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, ‘The tableשֻׁלְחַ֤ןšul·ḥan — table, especially for eating or displaying itemsH7979 — Full Word Study → of the Lordאֲדֹנָי֙’ă·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study → isה֔וּאhū — He, she, it; the third person pronounH1931 — Full Word Study → defiledמְגֹאָ֣לmə·ḡō·’āl — to defile, pollute, or profaneH1351 — Full Word Study →, and as for its fruit, its foodאָכְלֽוֹ׃’ā·ḵə·lōw — Food; that which is eatenH400 — Full Word Study → is contemptibleנִבְזֶ֥הniḇ·zeh — to despise, treat with contemptH959 — Full Word Study →.’ 13You also sayוַאֲמַרְתֶּם֩wa·’ă·mar·tem — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →: ‘Ohהִנֵּ֨הhin·nêh — Look! Behold! Pay attention!H2009 — Full Word Study →, what a nuisanceמַתְּלָאָ֜הmat·tə·lā·’āh — What? Why? How? (interrogative particle)H4100 — Full Word Study →!’ And you turn up your nose atוְהִפַּחְתֶּ֣םwə·hip·paḥ·tem — to breathe, blow, or snuff outH5301 — Full Word Study → itאוֹת֗וֹ’ō·w·ṯōw — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study →,” saysאָמַר֙’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →. “You bringוַהֲבֵאתֶ֣םwa·hă·ḇê·ṯem — to come, go, enter, arriveH935 — Full Word Study → offeringsהַמִּנְחָ֑הham·min·ḥāh — Gift offering; present or tributeH4503 — Full Word Study → that are stolen, lameהַפִּסֵּ֙חַ֙hap·pis·sê·aḥ — lame, limping, unable to walk properlyH6455 — Full Word Study →, or sickהַ֣חוֹלֶ֔הha·ḥō·w·leh — to be sick, weak, or afflicted; to entreat or beseechH2470 — Full Word Study →! Should I acceptהַאֶרְצֶ֥הha·’er·ṣeh — to accept, be pleased with, delight inH7521 — Full Word Study → theseאוֹתָ֛הּ’ō·w·ṯāh — direct object marker; signs accusative caseH853 — Full Word Study → from your handsמִיֶּדְכֶ֖םmî·yeḏ·ḵem — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study →?” asksאָמַ֥ר’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָֽה׃סYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 14But cursedוְאָר֣וּרwə·’ā·rūr — to curse bitterly; to execrateH779 — Full Word Study → is the deceiver who hasוְיֵ֤שׁwə·yêš — there is, exists, has beingH3426 — Full Word Study → an acceptable maleזָכָ֔רzā·ḵār — Male, man, or masculine personH2145 — Full Word Study → in his flockבְּעֶדְרוֹ֙bə·‘eḏ·rōw — A flock or herd of animals, especially sheep or goatsH5739 — Full Word Study → and vows to give itוְנֹדֵ֛רwə·nō·ḏêr — to make or fulfill a vow or solemn promiseH5087 — Full Word Study →, but sacrificesוְזֹבֵ֥חַwə·zō·ḇê·aḥ — to slaughter an animal as a sacrifice or offeringH2076 — Full Word Study → a defective animal to the Lordלַֽאדֹנָ֑יla·ḏō·nāy — Master, LordH136 — Full Word Study →. Forכִּי֩kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → Iאָ֗נִי’ā·nî — I, me, myself (first person singular pronoun)H589 — Full Word Study → am a greatגָּד֜וֹלgā·ḏō·wl — Great, mighty, large in size or significanceH1419 — Full Word Study → Kingמֶ֨לֶךְme·leḵ — A male ruler or sovereign who governs a nation or kingdomH4428 — Full Word Study →,” saysאָמַר֙’ā·mar — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → of Hostsצְבָא֔וֹתṣə·ḇā·’ō·wṯ — army, host, or organized military forceH6635 — Full Word Study →, “and My nameוּשְׁמִ֖יū·šə·mî — Name; reputation; renownH8034 — Full Word Study → is to be feared among the nationsבַגּוֹיִֽם׃ḇag·gō·w·yim — Nation; a people or ethnic groupH1471 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Malachi 1
Chapter Overview

Overview of Malachi 1

Malachi is the final book of the Old Testament, written during a period of spiritual decline after the Jewish people had returned from exile. The name "Malachi" means "my messenger," and this prophecy confronts a community that has grown complacent and cynical in their worship. God opens by reaffirming His covenant love for Israel, then pivots to expose a grievous problem: the priests—who should be leading worship—have become careless, contemptuous, and disrespectful toward the Lord. Through a series of questions and accusations, Malachi reveals that the people's hearts have grown cold, and their worship has become a hollow, selfish performance. The chapter sets the stage for God's call to genuine devotion and sincere honor.

Verses 1–5: God's Covenant Love and Israel's Doubt

The book opens with a stunning declaration: "I have loved you, saith the LORD" (v. 2). Yet the people respond with cynicism: "Wherein hast thou loved us?" This is the posture of a people who have forgotten God's faithfulness. To prove His love, the Lord points to His sovereign choice of Jacob over Esau—a choice made before either was born (see Romans 9:10–13). God's love is not earned by human effort; it is a matter of His gracious election and covenant commitment.

Verses 3–4 illustrate the consequences of rejecting God's love: Edom (Esau's descendants) faced desolation, while Malachi's contemporaries would see the Lord's greatness vindicated. The point is not petty rivalry but a demonstration that God keeps His promises. Those who honor the covenant prosper; those who reject it face ruin. Israel's doubts reveal hearts grown distant from their God—a spiritual condition that requires restoration.

Verses 6–10: The Priests' Contempt and Defiled Worship

The Lord now shifts His indictment directly to the priests, who serve as spiritual leaders. A son honors his father; a servant fears his master—these are basic human relationships (v. 6). Yet the priests, entrusted with Israel's worship, have shown contempt for God's name and authority. They deny this charge, asking "Wherein have we despised thy name?"—a refrain that runs throughout the chapter, revealing willful blindness.

The evidence is damning: they offer polluted bread upon the altar (v. 7), specifically defective animals—the blind, the lame, and the sick (v. 8). The Lord poses a searching question: Would they dare offer such inferior gifts to their earthly governor? Of course not. Yet they treat the King of kings with contemptuous carelessness. Verses 9–10 cut to the heart of the matter: worship offered in this spirit—joyless, mechanical, inferior—is utterly unacceptable. The Lord explicitly states, "I have no pleasure in you" (v. 10) and will not accept such offerings.

Verses 11–14: God's Worldwide Worship and a Curse on Deceivers

In stark contrast, verses 11–12 contain a remarkable promise: God's name will be great among the Gentiles, and pure offerings will be made to Him from every corner of the earth. This prophetic vision, fulfilled in the New Testament through the spread of the gospel, shows that God's purposes cannot be thwarted by Israel's failure. His kingdom will advance despite human unfaithfulness.

The final verses (13–14) return to rebuke the priests for their weariness and deception. Some sacrifice defective animals while vowing to give their best—a fraud the Lord will not overlook. The closing declaration is solemn: "I am a great King, saith the LORD of hosts, and my name is dreadful among the heathen" (v. 14). A great King demands sincere, costly worship, not cheap substitutes.

Application for Today

Malachi challenges us to examine the genuineness of our own worship. Do we honor God with our best efforts, time, and resources, or do we offer Him the leftovers of our devotion? The priests' sin was not mere ceremonial carelessness but a heart problem—they had lost reverence for God's majesty. We are called to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), with hearts fully engaged and offerings of authentic devotion, not routine religious performance.

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